If you want to do a little experiment with your snake plant, here’s how to propagate it in water for quick results!
From being super easy to maintain to even growing in water, the snake plant truly is a dream plant. But if you have only ever grown snake plants in soil, then it’s time you did a little experiment. Check out below how you can propagate snake plants in water for quick results.
Steps to Propagate Snake Plants in Water for Quick Results
1. Choose Healthy Cuttings
This goes without saying but unless you choose healthy cuttings from a strong mother plant, chances are you might lose them for various reasons. For example, they could rot easily when put in water or just generally be in bad shape and never take root.
So how do you choose which leaves to cut? Well, you must look for these signs- the leaves are mature and vibrant and they must be free of pests, damage and diseases. Essentially, you want a turgid, lush green leaf which is at least 2-3 inches long. You must take about 5-6 cuttings for adequate chances of success.
Also, try to take cuttings from the outer ring of the plant. These leaves are usually more mature and ready to root quickly.
Note: A loose leaf might not make the best candidate for propagating.
2. Snipping the Ends of Cuttings
Once you have selected the most perfect leaves, it’s time to get snipping. Of course, there’s a proper way for that. Choose a sharp, clean knife, and one that is preferably sterilized. Holding the leaf, cut as close to the soil line as possible at a slight angle.
Though this step is optional, it can help increase the chances of propagation success. You must try making a small V-shape at the end of the cutting which would go into the soil. What this does is increase the surface area for nutrient absorption for the cutting.
You can also mark the bottom of the leaf with a tiny scratch so you don’t accidentally place it upside down in the water, which would stop root development altogether.
3. Adding Water
Now comes a crucial step. You must not immediately put your snake plant cuttings in the water right after snipping them off the main plant. Instead, let the cuttings “callus” or dry out for a day or two in a clean, glass container. Letting them callus over helps cuttings develop a protective layer over the wound. Consequently, there are fewer chances of rotting or infection. This process also aids in healthy root development further on.
After a day, add your cuttings in the same or different glass jars and fill them with water. Ensure that water rises only till 25% length or height of the cuttings. Too much water can cause the leaves to go translucent and rot.
Also, make sure that only the cut end sits in water—never submerge the full leaf. Even a little too much water can make it mushy.
4. Root development
Put your jars with the cuttings under bright, indirect sunlight coming from the south- or west-facing window, filtered through a sheer curtain. Too much sunlight can cause yellowing or browning of the delicate cuttings.
Usually, you will just need to top up the jars with fresh water once a week instead of changing it. Most of it will be absorbed by the cuttings through transpiration or by the atmosphere through evaporation.
Sometimes you might need to clean the leaves with a soft brush to remove mineral deposits that are a given when using tap water. After a few weeks, you will see roots forming. When the roots are a couple of inches long, which they would be in a few months, you can transplant all your cuttings in a well-draining soil mix in pots that ensure proper drainage.
So that’s all about propagating snake plants in water in spring. It’s a slow but rewarding process, and you’ll love watching those roots grow week by week. Follow these steps for complete success and quick results and let us know how it goes for you in the comments below!
