How to Propagate Snake Plant Cuttings in Water
Last Updated on January 21, 2024
The snake plant or Sansevieria Trifasciata is a popular indoor plant known for its easy maintenance. Snake plants can be easily propagated in different ways. In this article, we will focus on its propagation via water.
Propagating Snake Plant Cuttings in Water
A healthy leaf cutting from a snake plant is taken and placed in water. After some days you will notice baby roots coming out of the cutting. This rooted part when planted produces the exact clone of the original snake plant.
This method tests your patience as it takes longer than other propagation methods to produce results.
Here is a step-by-step guide that will save and direct your energy in the right direction to propagate your new snake plant.
Equipment Required
Step 1: Snip off cutting from a healthy leaf
Always go for choosing a healthy Sansevieria plant. A damaged or sick leaf has a lesser ability to give birth to a new plant. Carefully inspect the plant for insects or bugs.
A leaf which is green in colour, growing straight indicates excellent health of the plant. Whereas the yellow, dry leaves are clear signs of an underlying disease or problem the snake plant is going through.
Step 2: Cut the leaf near the soil line
The part of the leaf that is growing two to three inches above the baseline of the soil is the ideal part to cut the leaves. This is the rejuvenating part of the plant and has a 90% chance of producing a healthy new snake plant.
This part has more capacity to heal fast. It is preferable to cut a leaf and then divide it into two to three pieces of 3 to 4 cm long.
Use a sharp pair of scissors or a pruner to cut the leaf in one go. Cut off any infected part.
Step 3: Air dry the cuttings
Put these cuttings in indirect sunlight to let them dry.
Step 4: Place the cuttings in water
Filtered water from springs and rainwater from a clean source has more nutrients than tap water or distilled water.
If you are using chlorinated water make sure to place the leaf cuttings after 24 hours, as it can cause root rot.
Change the water once or twice a week to prevent the production of any bacteria or fungus.
The cutting should be 25% submerged in water.
If you are trying to root out multiple cuttings, make sure that they are not placed in a single jar. As it will suffocate the plant and obstruct the circulation of oxygen.
Time of Roots Sprouting in Snake Plant
The minimum time required for rooting of snake plants is 30 to 50 days. Around that time it is recommended to change the water frequently. Also, place the water container in indirect sunlight for 3-4 hours daily to make the roots sprout easily.
Propagation through water takes more time for rooting than any other method. But to encourage root growth you can use root-enhancing nutrients such as Phosphorus and Potassium.
You can also consider root-boosting hormones here on Amazon.
Things to focus on while propagating Sansevieria or Snake plant cuttings
The growth of snake plants becomes dormant in the winter season. It blooms well in the spring season. So to multiply your snake plants from a single parent plant, it is better to take leaf cuttings from April to July. And propagate them in water or soil to get new snake plants.
It is recommended to propagate multiple cuttings as some of them will decay or rot due to environmental conditions and only a few could make their way to root sprouting.
Always choose the leaves that are healthy and have no visible defects.
Allow the leaf to form a callus as it could take a couple of days. It would also prevent the leaf from any pest or bacterial attack.
Inspect the cutting placed in water every 3-4 days. In case of any slime production clean it with filtered water and again put it in the same water until the water gets cloudy.
Snake Plant Propagation by Leaf Cuttings in Water
Conclusion
There are various procedures you can adopt to increase the number of snake plants in your indoor plant family. Propagation of the plant using water is one of the most vividly used ways.
We have tried to provide you the step by step-by-step information. Although the process is quite time-consuming and needs extra care. However, you will enjoy the process and feel excited to see its results.