Growing indoor plants in water is a commonly used way to propagate plants with a cleaner and more sterile alternative to soil. But can you grow snake plants in water, being that they are succulents? Can you propagate them in the water? We've looked into the answer to these questions. In this post, we will discuss them with you.
Yes. While snake plants are typically grown in soil, you can propagate and grow snake plants in water. Snake plants require little water to survive, so you won't need to water it often once the plant matures.
There are a couple of different ways to grow your snake plant in water, which is referred to as hydroponic growing. The most important thing to remember is that the plant will need daily monitoring. Continue reading to learn how to grow snake plants in water.
Two Methods for Growing Snake Plants In Water
The two most common ways to grow your snake plant in water include cutting the plant in multiple sections or propagating a brand new snake plant from a single leaf of the mother plant. Both methods are effective and can be done within a matter of minutes. Let's look at how.
Method 1. Cutting your snake plant
Things you'll need for both methods:
- Pruning shears
- A paring knife
- A jar
- Fresh soil
Inspect the snake plant
Take a look at your snake plant and make sure that it is healthy before deciding to propagate it. For this method, you'll be growing the snake plant from its rhizomes. These are located at the bottom of the plant and are connected to the root system. If you notice that the plant has red spots, drooping or yellow leaves, this is a sign that your plant is in a state of stress and not equipped to be used as a mother plant. If the leaves of the plant look okay, remove the plant from the plant container.
Check the roots
Shake away the soil from your plant and take a good look at the roots to ensure that they are in good condition. If they are mushy, soggy, or have a pungent odor, this can indicate root rot. In which case, you will need to bring the plant back to health before using it for propagation.
Divide the leaves
There are a couple of ways that you can divide your snake plant. The more common and safer way is to grab one of the leaves by the root and pull it apart from the plant. It takes all but five seconds to do this step. Be sure to wiggle the shoot free instead of tearing it off, as you don't want to damage the shoot in the process. The other way is to get a paring or gardening knife and cut the leaf free at the end of the shoot.
Place the shoot in the water
Next, take your newly detached shoot and place it in a glass jar filled with water. The water should cover the shoot about an inch up to the stem. Be sure to place the jar in a sunny and warm area in your home until the roots start to show from the bottom of the shoot. It could take several weeks for the roots to develop, so during this time patience will be a virtue. Also, make sure to replenish the water so that it stays fresh and clean.
Transfer to soil
Once you see the roots establishing at the bottom of the shoot, you can place your snake plant in the soil for it to continue to grow.
If you prefer not to use soil, you can keep your snake plant in water as long as you add some medium to the pot, such as pebbles, stones, or beads. In a few months, you'll see a completely new snake plant start to develop.
Method 2. Dividing your snake plant
Inspect the snake plant
For this method, you'll also want to take a good look at the snake plant to ensure that it is in great condition and not in a state of stress. If you try to propagate a new plant from a sick mother plant, the new plant will struggle to develop a good root system and will likely die within a matter of days.
Be sure to check the plant for spots or webbings on the leaves, which can be a sign of pest infestation or fungi. You'll also want to make sure that the roots of the plan or solid and healthy.
Divide the plant into thirds
Next, take your shears and cut the plant into three different sections. Before cutting, make sure that your shears are clean and sterile, as you don't want to transfer any bacteria or fungi to the cuttings.
Also, be sure to keep the cuttings in the same upright position, meaning that they should not be planted upside down when you plant them.
Place cuttings in a jar
Take a glass jar and place all of the cuttings inside of it. Next, pour water into the jar until the cuttings are covered at the bottom about two inches deep.
Afterward, choose a warm and sunny spot to place the cuttings and monitor them daily for root growth. Always be sure to add fresh water to the jar and rinse it out if it becomes dirty at any point. You can leave the cuttings in the water until they become plants or transfer them to a pot for re-planting. You can also plant them in soil if you want.
How To Maintain Hydroponic Snake Plants
- If you plan to keep your snake plants in the water, you should know how to care for them when using this growing method. Here are a few tips to help you on your journey with growing your snake plants hydroponically.
- Always keep a good look at the water level of your snake plant. The water will evaporate daily, and it's okay if it even becomes low at some point. Remember, snake plants thrive on neglect. That being stated, you don't want it to become completely dry as the plant can become dehydrated.
- During the winter months of the year, light levels are low, and snake plants, like many plants, don't grow that much. During this time, you won't need to water the plant as often.
- Try to change out the water in the pot at least once a month, twice ideally, instead of just topping it off. This will help to keep it clean and fresh, and it'll ward off diseases.
- If you notice that the pot's water has become smelly or cloudy, this could be a sign of root rot. Root rot is a possibility when growing snake plants hydroponically, and you'll need to keep an active eye out for it. If you detect any sign of root rot, be sure to replace the water immediately and cut off any dead roots to try to save a plant.
How Long Does It Take For A Snake Plant To Root In Water?
Snake plants will take anywhere from 2 to 2 1/2 to develop baby roots if propagated using water. Sometimes, it may take much longer, especially if you use soil as opposed to water. Once the roots began to form, you then need to wait a few more weeks for the pups of the roots to form.
Is It Better To Propagate A Snake Plant In Soil Or Water?
The more traditional method of propagating a snake plant is in a soil medium. However, this doesn't mean that propagating in water is ineffective. It may just take a bit longer for the cuttings to establish a root base. That being said, it's worth noting that dividing the snake plant instead ofo cutting individual leaves is a much faster way of growing a new snake plant.
How Do You Encourage The Roots To Grow From Cuttings?
The best way to encourage root development from plant cuttings is to provide the roots with the ideal growing environment. This typically means not exposing them to cold drafts or direct sun and making sure they have active growth nodes on the bottom of their shoot.s You can also consider using a rooting hormone to help encourage the growth of the cuttings.
Lastly, it's best not to place the cuttings in full sun but instead in a location where they will receive a 50/50 ratio of partial sunlight and shade. Plant cuttings thrive in environments that are warm and have average humidity of about 50%. It's important to ensure that the growing medium is kept moist so that the growing roots receive the nutrients that they need to get bigger.
How Do You Multiply A Snake Plant?
The easiest and quickest way to multiply your snake plant is to remove it from its pot and then divide the plant into three or five different sections. You can do this using your hand or a sharp paring knife.
When separating the plant leaves, be sure not to tear them apart but to gently tug on them until they split at the root of the leaf. Always examine the roots before multiplying snake plants to make sure that they are healthy enough to create a new baby plant.
Wrapping Things Up
We hope that this post has answered your questions and provided you with the details you were looking for growing snake plants in water. Though snake plants are succulents, they can be propagated and grown in water. However, special care should be taken to ensure that their moisture levels stay on target.