Written by Ivy
Dec 28 2022
If you continuously grow a snake plant in low light, its leaves will eventually grow lanky and fall over. A friend of mine who I had left in the living room's corner next to the couch experienced this. I cut off two of the floppy leaves because I was sick of looking at the same old mess. After rooting them, I now have three plants.
Cut the bottoms of the leaves off well above the "melty" and yellowed ends to say goodbye to the rotten ends. It looks like a healthy section, so you want to cut straight across it.
I made the decision to keep my leaves on for as long as possible in order to maintain the "look" of a snake plant as it tries to take root. Cut them even shorter if you prefer to err on the side of caution.
In spite of the fact that there is no way to know if a fungus or bacteria has entered the plant's system as a result of the rot, I always believe it is worth trying to save it. If it doesn't work, then I'll toss it and buy a new one.
Before continuing, let your cut leaves sit for 24 hours to callus over. As cinnamon is an anti-fungal, you can also sprinkle a little of it on the ends if you have any on hand.
Now combine 2-3 cups of each perlite and peat moss (50/50) in a mixing bowl. Perlite will provide good aeration, and peat will hold some moisture without becoming overly so. (No more of the rot, please...) Just hazard a guess; don't worry about making too much. Everything that is left over can always be saved and used for future plant-related ventures.
Pour in just enough water to lightly moisten the mixture without making it wet during caring for the snake plant.
Spoon the mix into your pot to about 3/4" below the rim. Use the back of your spoon to gently press your snake plant down.
Take each leaf and gently press it into the mixture until it stands up on its own. Use your fingers to gently press the mixture around the leaf bases.
Put the pot in a warm location with good, but indirect light in your home once all the leaves have been inserted. (Use a window that faces north.) Don't let the mixture become sopping wet. The roots will shrivel and die if the environment is too dry, but too much water is also bad. Utilize your common sense and testing finger!
Finally, clasp your hands and offer a brief prayer to the plant deities. Each leaf will take root (and eventually develop into its own distinct plant) if the propagation is successful in about 4-6 weeks. You can check them by very gently pulling on the leaves to see if there is resistance.
As soon as they begin to establish roots (think positively!), they will eventually start growing new leaves. You will then need to disassemble your "fake" arrangement of rescue plants and move each new cluster into its own pot.
The potting soil must be moist for snake plant cuttings to take root. First, remove a leaf from an established plant, cutting the leaf at the base of the plant with pruners or a knife. Cutting the leaf into 2-inch pieces horizontally will increase the number of new plants.
Snake plants can indeed be propagated in water. However, it may take a while, result in rot, and the young often have a more difficult time returning to the soil.
Although it may take some time, growing snake plants is very simple. A single Sansevieria leaf can yield several new plants, giving you plenty to enjoy and give to loved ones.
Read more about snake plants!