If you love your snake plant, you’ll be happy to know that propagating a snake plant in water is easy. Rooting snake plant cuttings in water is a simple way to get another free, aesthetically pleasing houseplant to add to your collection.
While rooting a snake plant in water is one way to propagate this popular houseplant it isn't the only way, but it is the easiest. Keep reading to learn how to propagate snake plants the simple way.
Can You Propagate a Snake Plant in Water?
The easiest way to propagate a snake plant is by taking leaf cuttings and rooting them in water, but there are several other easy ways to propagate plants. You can also put leaf cuttings directly into soil to root, divide plants, or propagate them from rhizomes.
The simplest method, however, is to propagate plant cuttings in water. Although, it isn’t a sure fire way to get variegation. If you have variegated snake plant varieties and you want to repeat those pattern in new plants, divide your variegated plants rather than propagating leaf cuttings in water.
The really neat thing about propagating cuttings in water is that you get to see the roots grow. This is not only fascinating, but will let you easily know when the cuttings are ready to be planted in soil.
Pros & Cons of Propagating a Snake Plant in Water
One disadvantage to rooting snake plant cuttings in water is that they rot more easily than those rooted in soil, especially because cuttings take a long time (typically 2-3 months) to form roots and pups.
However, rooting cuttings in soil takes even longer. It can take up to 6 months or more for the cuttings to form roots and in that time, it isn’t easy to see what the roots are doing since they are under the soil.
Another downside to rooting cuttings in water vs. potting medium is that the resulting roots are less adapted to growing in soil. Thus they are more prone to stress like browning or tip die-back than cuttings rooted directly in soil medium.
How to Propagate a Snake Plant in Water
Propagating a snake plant in water is simple and can be done in three easy steps. The hardest part is waiting for your cuttings to root.
1. Take Your Cuttings
The ideal time to propagate a snake plant is in the spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Only take cuttings from a robust, healthy plant.
To propagate your plant, select a healthy leaf and cut it close to the soil with a clean pair of pruners, like this pair from Fiskars on Amazon. Then cut the leaf into 3-4 inch (7-10 cm) pieces, each with a bottom cut that is triangular in shape to create more surface area for roots to form.
2. Place Cuttings in Water
Place the cuttings with the pointed end up, in a jar of water. A mason jar or any clear glass container will work. Turn your plant propagation project into a decor focal point with this propagation station from Amazon. It looks beautiful in any interior and the wide mouths on the glass vases are big enough to fit snake plant leaves.
Put the containers with your cuttings in bright indirect light. Leave them in this area for several weeks. Change the water if it gets cloudy or evaporates too much. Never let the developing roots become exposed to air. Keep them covered with water at all times.
3. Transplant Rooted Cuttings
Unlike other houseplants which may root within weeks, snake plant cuttings require patience as they can take 2-3 months before they root enough to pot. After a couple of months, you should see well-established roots. At this time, the roots should be an inch (2.5 cm) or longer.
Plant the cutting in a small pot with a well-draining potting medium, like this Miracle-Gro from Ace Hardware that's specifically made for succulents like snake plants. Then place the planted cutting in an area with bright, indirect light and keep the soil moist. Care for your new snake plant in the same way as you would a plant you bought from a nursery or plant shop.
