Struggling to obtain snake plant pups? Find out if bone meal can help! Is it the miracle ingredient or a waste of time?
Snake plants, or Dracaena trifasciata, usually produce pups with ease. But when they don’t, many gardeners reach for bone meal. The real question is—does it actually help? Let’s find out!
What is Bone Meal?
Bone meal is just what the name suggests—ground animal bones turned into fertilizer. Sounds spooky, but it’s packed with calcium, phosphorus, and a dash of trace minerals. Together, these nutrients strengthen cell walls, boost roots, and encourage pups to pop up.
Calcium keeps the plant’s structure strong, while phosphorus supports rhizome and root health. It even helps with flowering, which in turn nudges your plant to produce offsets. Just remember—bone meal only works best in slightly acidic to neutral soil (pH 6–7). In alkaline soil, it won’t break down properly.
Tip: Test your soil before using bone meal. It’ll saves you from disappointment later.
How to Use Bone Meal for Pup Production?
As mentioned before, bone meal is a slow-release fertilizer, showing its effect gradually over a prolonged period of time. It is a good option for novice gardeners who often hurt their plants by overfertilizing with industrial-grade supplements. But the question may arise—how to use it?
The application of bone meal is usually done in 2 different timings.
1. Normally Adding to the Substrate
- Snake plants are tolerant and forgiving houseplants, which means they can survive in poor soil. But they won’t do in a nutrient-less substrate produce pups!
- Hence, you must gently mix the bone meal powder in the top layer of the soil using gardening tools or simply a spoon. Make sure you don’t damage the root system.
- The best time to do so is right before the active growing season (spring and summer). You can even repeat the process once or twice during this period.
2. Usage During Repotting
Repotting is the perfect chance to give your plant a fresh start. Add one teaspoon of bone meal for a 6–8 inch pot, or two teaspoons for a bigger container. Water well afterward so the nutrients start breaking down.
Pro Tip: Sprinkle ¼ teaspoon at the bottom of the pot before adding soil—this puts nutrients right where roots can grab them.
Insightful Information to be Kept in Mind
- Try using finely ground powder—it breaks down faster.
- Don’t go overboard. Too much can cause salt buildup and throw the soil balance off.
- Bone meal helps, but it’s not the whole story. Snake plants also need bright indirect light, the right watering schedule, and sometimes even a little “tough love” like being slightly rootbound or kept in drier conditions.
- Keep an eye on soil pH—it can make or break the results.
Caution: Bone meal smells tempting to pets, especially dogs. If eaten, it can make them sick. Always mix it well into the soil and store leftovers safely.
Now that you are enlightened on the functioning of bone meal and how it may help boost pups in your snake plant pot, tell us which other plant is not being cooperative, and we will dedicate a separate article to it!
