How to Propagate Sansevieria in 3 Effective Ways

Sansevieria plants are commonly called snake plants. These plants are quite hardy and virtually impossible to destroy. These plants are also popular for the shape of their leaves that look like little swords. There’re many ways to propagate sansevieria, but today we want to show you the 3 most effective methods.

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How to Propagate Sansevieria in Soil

Sansevieria plants are very often grown indoors and are preferred because they are quite easy to grow in terms of propagation and otherwise. They are not fussy about either light or water.

There’s more than one way to propagate these plants. Let’s begin with the simplest way to propagate them which is through soil. This involves cutting leaves from an existing plant and growing them in soil. Here’s how you can do that with Sansevieria plants.

• Step 1: Take a healthy leaf from an existing plant. Ideally, this should be near the base of the plant.

• Step 2: To start more plants from one leaf, cut the leaf horizontally into multiple 3-inch sections. Make a mental note of the top and bottom of each section, because if you plant the top end into the soil, nothing will grow.

• Step 3: Let the surface of the leaves dry and heal. The healing refers to the wounds that the plants get from the cutting. This is normal. But you need to give the plant a couple of days.

• Step 4: Get some potting soil and plant the leaves slightly less than an inch deep. Water the soil and let any excess water drain out completely.

• Step 5: Make sure the soil is neither too dry nor too wet. If the soil is soggy, the cuttings will end up rotting.

• Step 6: Check on the status of the soil once every 1 to 2 weeks.

• Step 7: Add water to the top two 2 inches of the soil. But do it only if the soil seems dry. Check this by dipping a finger into the pot.

• Step 8: In about a month (some species take longer), you will see that the leaf cuttings will grow roots and shoots that will turn into plants.

How to Propagate Sansevieria in Water

The process of propagating Sansevieria in water is also a pretty easy process. And here’s how you do it.

• Step 1: Take the leaf of a healthy existing plant and make a notch in the shape of a V. Use a clean pair of scissors or knife to make this cut. You can also use pruning shears for the same. And make sure that the leaf is healthy and long. The cut must be made at the leaf’s base and then it should be placed in a jar filled with clean water.

• Step 2: You must make sure that the water in the container is a little over the V cut because that’s the spot where the roots will start growing. And you don’t want to suffocate them by leaving them quite literally out in the air.

• Step 3: Place the container in a place which is partially sunny and keep an eye on it till you spot the roots coming out of the cut. It’s very fascinating.

• Step 4: A few days after you place the jar in this semi-sunny spot, you should top the jar with more water to maintain the water level.

• Step 5: Two weeks after the initial planting in the water, you must change the water to make sure that the root gets enough oxygen and nutrients. This also helps contain any possible algae or bacteria from growing in there.

• Step 6: In a matter of 3 to 5 weeks, you will notice little roots forming at the V cut of the leaf. The initial ones will be small but in another 2-3 weeks, you will notice pups growing at the same spot.

• Step 7: Once the roots are about one inch long, you want to take the roots out of the jar and move them to a container with soil.
  
  The soil must be well-draining because sansevieria are succulents. Any potting mix meant for succulents will also work just fine.

• Step 8: Keep watering the plant as and when needed and move the container to a partially sunny place in the room or a shady spot outdoors.

How to Propagate Sansevieria by Division 

You can also use the division method to propagate the Sansevieria plants. Here’s how.

• Step 1: Take an existing plant out of its pot and place it on a flat area.

• Step 2: Remove some of the excess soil with your hand until you are close to the roots.

• Step 3: Using a clean, sharp knife cut the plant into separate sections while keeping the roots intact. Don’t worry, you won’t end up killing the plant.

• Step 4: Take the individual sections and plant them in a clean container that is filled with well-draining potting mix.

• Step 5: Place this new container in a place with partial sun and wait.

This process works for smaller pups from other propagations, if you have multiple projects going on.

You can also propagate these plants by splitting their rhizomes which are the parts of the plant that are under the ground. All you need is to cut the root ball into two halves.

Make sure each section has rhizomes that are green and healthy. Pot them each in a new container filled with soil and check to see if the water is draining properly and you’re done.

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FAQs

How Long Should Snake Plant Cuttings Be?

Each cutting should be at least 3 inches long and the V-shaped cuts should be at the bottom.

How Long Does It Take To Propagate Sansevieria?

In just a matter of 3-5 weeks, you will notice small tiny roots growing on the leaf cutting. And about 2-3 weeks later, you will see pups growing, which is a sign to transplant the whole setting into soil.