Combine 2 beauties of nature—snake plants and peacocks. Train your succulent to make this gorgeous, fan-like, peacock tail arrangement!
The snake plant is one of the most common succulents grown globally, yet it doesn’t cease to amaze with its broad, erect sword-like leaves. But why not step up the aesthetic game and train it to fan out like a peacock tail? Is it possible, and if so, how can it be done? Find the answers in this article!
How to Make a Snake Plant Fan Out Like a Peacock Tail
1. Choose the Right Variety
Not all snake plants have the right foliage for this look. Go for broad-leaved ones that can spread out nicely. Smaller types like ‘Hahnii’ won’t give you the peacock effect but make great fillers at the base.
Pro Tip: Dracaena trifasciata ‘Laurentii’, Dracaena masoniana (“Whale Fin”) are 2 of the best varieties to finish this artistic horticultural project.
2. Use a Curvy Planter
The pot shape and angle will tremendously cut down the effort and time to get the iconic peacock tail shape. But it may be hard to come across!
Try searching for a pot that is somewhat shaped like a rainbow, in simple terms, arch-shaped. A wide, shallow pot also helps leaves spread out. This angular design will naturally give the illusion that the foliage is spread out like a fan!
3. Meticulously Arrange Multiple Cuttings
We can’t change what Mother Nature has defined, but with our creativity, we can give it the desired appearance! Since snake plant leaves are upright and about the same length, to get the fan-like spread, you will need to plant multiple leaf cuttings at an angle and at different depths in the pot.
The diagonal position and difference in length will make the plant as a whole look like a spread-out hand-held fan!
Tip: Keep the tallest in the center and shorter ones on the sides.
4. Use Light Smartly
We all know that plants have natural instincts to lean towards the source of light, which is called phototropism. You can use this to your advantage! After arranging the cuttings in the manner explained above, place the pot on an east-facing windowsill.
But the true magic is how you rotate it! Instead of allowing the plant to get equal exposure, rotate the plant 180 degrees every couple of weeks. Slowly but surely, you will see that the leaves will begin to distort and fan out like a peacock’s tail!
5. Prune Accordingly
You will have to get busy with a pair of scissors if you want a more defined fan-shaped snake plant! Snip away uneven leaf ends to give a more semi-circle look. Also, if you spot overcrowding of foliage or rhizomes, it is best to discard them to maintain the visual appeal.
Note: Do not cut too much as this will put the plant under unnecessary stress. Just do the bare minimum so that you get a peacock tail form.
6. Train with Support
Did you know that a snake plant can also be trained into the desired shape? You need to be gentle and knowledgeable. With the help of plant ties, chopsticks, and other makeshift trellises, you can encourage the plant to grow in the form that you want.
Note: Do not force the plant into an unnatural shape all at once. This will damage the leaves and eventually kill them. Patience is key here!
7. Unleash your Creativity
Since you want a peacock tail-like shape, it is only fair that you try to incorporate the vivid color pattern as well! While arranging the leaf cuttings, you can use different varieties with contrasting color palettes.
For example, Dracaena “laurentii” has light green leaves, so you can pair it with a darker foliaged variety to get a piano key-like effect!
Note: Ensure that the two varieties have enough space to grow and do not need to compete with each other for survival. Plus, add blue pebbles or a planter to mimic a peacock’s body.
Why not give this peacock-tail design a try with your snake plant? Share your creative arrangements and tips in the comments!
