It is easy to separate snake plants if you go for the roots first. But there are a few things you need to do to ensure that the process goes smoothly for this houseplant.
- First, you need to water the plant very well for a day or two before you plan to separate it. This will help to loosen the soil and make it easier to work with.
- Next, you will need to gently dig around the plant, careful not to damage the roots. Once you loosen the plant from the soil, take your time to pull it apart from the mother plant into smaller sections. Each section should have its root system intact.
- Finally, replant the sections in well-draining soil and water them well.
Why Separate A Snake Plant?
There are a few reasons why you might want to separate a snake plant (Mother-In-Law’s Tongue)
One reason is that the plant has become too large for its current pot and needs to be moved into a larger one. Then, when you separate it, you can replant each section into its pot.
Another reason to separate a snake plant is if it has started falling over and bare at the bottom.
By separating it, you can create new plants that will be fuller and have more leaves.
Another reason you want to propagate the plant is by taking snake plant cuttings from it.
By separating the plant, you can take cuttings using shears or scissors from the sections that have the newest growth. This will give you the best chance of success for snake plant propagation.
No matter your reason for separating a snake plant, the process is relatively simple and does not require any special tools or equipment.
With proper snake plant care, you can successfully separate the plant from the original plant and have new plants in no time.
How Does A Snake Plant Create New Snake Plants?
One of the reasons that snake plants are so easy to propagate is that they will readily produce new plants from their roots.
So if you have a snake plant that is getting too large, you can dig it up and divide the root ball into two or smaller plants from the parent plant.
Each section of the root ball will have leaves and roots, making it a complete plant. You can then replant these sections into their new pots and water them deeply.
The snake plant will quickly adjust to its new home and continue to grow.
Another way a snake plant can produce new plants is by creating offsets (rhizomes), or baby plants (pups), around the base of the main plant or by leaf cuttings.
These offsets can be carefully dug up and transplanted into their pots.
Offsets can also be propagated by taking cuttings from them. Take a sharp knife and cut a balance away from the main plant, being sure to include a small section of the stem.
You can then pot this rhizome cutting in well-draining soil or potting mix and water it deeply. The offset will quickly produce new roots and leaves and become a new plant.
When repotting, ensure the potting soil is well-draining. You can also use terra cotta pots as the soil dries more easily than plastic pots.
Adding perlite, pumice, or orchid bark is also recommended for extra drainage to avoid root rot from forming.
As you can see, there are several ways that you can propagate snake plant.
Whether you divide the root ball, take offsets, or root cuttings, you will quickly have new plants ready to be potted and cared for. Just choose the propagation method that suits you best.
With a little effort, you can have a whole collection of these popular houseplants in no time!
How To Care For A Snake Plant?
Snake plants are relatively easy to care for and make a great addition to any indoor space. They prefer bright indirect light but can tolerate low light conditions.
Related: More on snake plant light requirements.
Allow the cactus soil to dry out completely between waterings, as overwatering can be detrimental to the succulent plant.
Remember, the container must have adequate drainage holes to allow excess water to drain properly.
Fertilize snake plants about once a month during the growing season. Be sure to use a diluted fertilizer that does not contain too much nitrogen, which can cause the leaves to be yellow.
If you notice that your snake plant is starting to get leggy, you can cut it back to encourage new growth.
First, cut the plant back to the desired height, being sure to make clean cuts. Fresh leaves will quickly grow back, giving your plant a fuller appearance.
Pruning snake plants by removing damaged and mature leaves in preference to new foliage.
You can quickly grow and maintain a healthy snake plant with a bit of care.
These hardy succulents are perfect for beginners and make a great addition to any indoor space.
