Wondering how to divide snake plants? Here are 5 simple steps to successfully propagate your sansevieria without any fancy setup!
Snake plants are tough survivors and the first preference of those gardeners who can’t follow a fixed plant-tending schedule. Hence, there’s nothing like having plenty of them in the house that’d flaunt your green thumb without having you soil up every other day. Let’s learn how to multiply your collection in some simple steps!
When To Divide Snake Plants?
Before we walk you through the steps of dividing a snake plant, let’s learn the telltale signs that indicate the ideal time for this procedure:
- When the plant starts to look cramped with multiple plants close together, it’s a sign it needs to be divided.
- If you notice that your Snake Plant’s growth has slowed and new shoots or leaves are appearing less frequently, it might be struggling due to limited space and resources in its current pot.
- Yellowing or wilting leaves, especially in the center of the plant, can indicate that it’s struggling to sustain itself because of overcrowding.
- When roots push up and out of the potting mix, it’s a clear indication that the plant has outgrown its space and needs more room to grow.
How To Divide Snake Plants?
#Step 1: Prepare the Work Area
Find a clean and spacious area to work on, ideally with good lighting. Lay down newspaper or a plastic sheet to catch any mess and make cleanup easier. Ensure your work surface is stable to prevent any accidental tipping of pots or tools.
#Step 2: Unpot the Snake Plant
Carefully remove the snake plant from its current pot. The trick is gently loosening the soil around the roots using a hand trowel or your fingers to make it easier to handle. You can also tap at the bottom and sides of the pot and hold the leaf clump firmly near the soil level to remove the entire root system. Now, shake off excess soil to better assess the root system.
#Step 3: Inspect the Plant
Examine the snake plant carefully. Identify the sections you want to divide. Look for natural separations or healthy offshoots with their own root system.
#Step 4: Divide the Plant
Using a sterilized knife or blade, make clean cuts to separate the chosen sections. Ensure that each division has a healthy root system and a minimum of a few leaves. Wipe the blade clean with alcohol wipes between cuts to avoid cross-contamination. If you’re using rooting hormone, dip the cut ends in it before potting.
Also remove any rotten or pest infested sections to ensure a healthy propagation.
#Step 5: Pot the Divisions
Fill the new pots or containers with a well-draining potting mix, leaving about an inch of space at the top for watering. Before planting each division, water the soil lightly to prepare it.
Now, plant each division in separate containers, burying it at the same depth as in the original pot, with the soil reaching about half an inch above the root system. Press the soil lightly around the plant to ensure good root contact.
Post Snake Plant Division Care
- For the first few weeks, keep the newly potted plant in a spot with indirect sunlight. This helps it adjust to its new environment without getting stressed by too much direct light.
- Check the top layer of soil and water only when it feels moderately damp to dry. Every time the soil seems too dry, follow a deep watering session. Saturate the medium until water drains out from the bottom, and wait until it feels dry again. Remember that the snake plant is a succulent, so overwatering can be one of the fatal reasons you’d not want it to succumb.
- Start fertilizing about a month after repotting to give the plant time to settle. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to its quarter strength every 6-8 weeks during the growing season (spring through fall). Reduce fertilizing as the weather gets colder.
- Regularly trim any yellow or damaged leaves to encourage healthy growth and keep the plant looking its best.
