There are many methods to propagate snake plants, including using their leaves or by division. Leaf cuttings are the most common means to propagate the snake plant, and equally as fascinating to watch. You can propagate the leaves either whole or cut into smaller bits, and you can use soil or a water medium.
Propagating Snake Plants from Leaf Cuttings in Soil
Choose a healthy, mature leaf. You can use the full leaf as is or, if you want to propagate a lot of new plants, cut it into 3-4 inch sections with a clean knife. Just bear in mind that the more cuts you leave, the more openings you provide for diseases.
This next step is crucial. Mark which end was closest to the soil with a small notch, as snake plant cuttings must be planted right-side up to root properly.
Let the cut sections dry for 24-48 hours until the cut ends form a callus. This prevents rot when you plant them. Plant each section about an inch deep in well-draining potting mix with the original bottom end down. Water lightly and place in bright, indirect light.
Snake plant cuttings are notoriously slow, often taking 2-3 months to develop roots and even longer to produce new shoots. Be patient and resist the urge to check for roots too frequently.
Keep the soil barely moist as snake plants when the soil is dry between waterings, even during propagation.
Propagating Snake Plants from Leaf Cuttings in Water
The advantage water propagation has over soil is that you can actually see the roots form. That way, you don’t have to keep checking or wondering if your plants have successfully rooted. However, as snake plants react badly to moisture, it also increases the risk of root rot.
Use a pair of clean, sharp scissors to cut a leaf above the soil line and plop it in a sanitized, transparent jar with a few inches of water. Place the jar in a warm, bright place (away from direct light), and replace the water weekly. Also, make sure to sanitize the jar each time you change the water to eliminate any microorganisms there.
After 2 months, you should see the roots grow. Once they’re about an inch long, you can then transplant them into a container with well-draining potting mix.
Propagating Snake Plants Through Division
Try division if your snake plant has multiple shoots; it produces faster results. Carefully remove the plant from its pot and separate the individual plants at their natural divisions. Each section needs its own root system to survive. Plant the divisions in fresh potting mix and treat them like mature plants.
Interestingly, variegated snake plants propagated from leaf cuttings often lose their yellow edges and revert to solid green. If you want to maintain variegation, division is your only option.
