3 Easy Ways to Propagate Snake Plants

Division is the process of separating the plants into separate sections where each one has a root and a shoot, or a shoot with the ability to grow roots.

You will need:

• 2 pots with well draining and aerating potting mix

• A sharp knife or gardening shears

• A clean water supply either a sink or bucket

To propagate Snake Plants using root division:

1. Remove your Sansevieria from the pot and rinse the potting mix off the rhizomes (the thick root system.)

2. Look for any signs of root rot (browning in color, mushy feeling, or a molding smell) as plants with rhizomes are more prone as they store water and overwatering makes them susceptible to this.

   1. If there is root rot, cut that part of the rhizome off without damaging the healthy sections.

3. Look for the natural separation of the rhizomes and gently separate the plants here.

4. Replant each of the separated plants into their new pots and add a little bit of water if the potting mix is not damp.

Leaf cuttings are a great way to create multiple new Snake Plants all at once. Leaf cutting propagation takes more time than root splitting or division as the new plants need to develop a rhizome system, but the process of growing them is rewarding.

You will need:

• 1 pair of sharp gardening shears

• 1 wide pot or a deep baking sheet

  • A pot for a few cuttings

  • A deep baking sheet for more cuttings and multiple planters

• 1 bag of well draining potting soil

• 1 healthy Snake Plant with long enough leaves

To propagate Snake Plants with leaf cuttings:

1. Cut a large, mature, and healthy leaf from the base of the plant.

2. Cleanly cut the leaf into separate pieces horizontally at roughly 3 - 4 inches a piece.

3. Cut small notches (v shapes) into the bottom of each piece where you want the new rhizomes (roots) to grow.

4. Set the cuttings on the sheet or in the pot and let them develop callouses over the notches for 2 to 3 days at room temperature.

5. Pour the potting mix into the baking sheet or pot.

6. Plant the leaf cuttings callous side down into the potting mix and add a tiny bit of water if the potting mix is not damp.

7. Only if you use the baking sheet method - Once the rhizomes (roots) begin to grow to a healthy length (a couple inches) move the cuttings from the baking sheet into individual planters with fresh potting mix.

Root splitting is the easiest and fastest way to propagate a snake plant as the new plants, also known as pups, have already sprouted rhizomes and shoots from the parent plant.

You will need:

• A second pot (or as many plants as you’re splitting)

• Well draining potting mix

• Clean water via a sink or bucket

To root split propagate a Snake Plant:

1. Carefully remove the Sansevieria from the current pot.

2. Change the potting mix in the old pot and use a fungicide if you noticed any smells, fungus, or mold issues.

3. Rinse the potting mix or soil off of the current rhizome network in the running sink water or bucket of clean water.

4. Check for root rot and other common health issues.

   1. If root rot is detected, cut the unhealthy rhizomes off carefully with sharp shears or a knife without damaging the healthy root systems.

5. Carefully split the pup from the parent plant.

6. Plant the new Sansevieria into the new pot with the potting mix and replant the parent plant back in its original pot with the new potting mix.