Image: Farhadib– Depositphotos.The Sansevieria or snake plant is one of the most popular houseplants because it is very easy to care for and because it is spectacular and showy.
The Dracaena trifasciata it is more commonly known as Sansevieria, snake plant, or mother-in-law’s tongue.
The plant receives these names because its elongated leaves resemble a sword or, for example, a sharp tongue.
The snake plant is native to West Africa, but much of the world values it as a common houseplant.
Before spreading around the world, it was used to make bowstrings from its tough plant fibers.
Dracaena trifasciata is an important spiritual plant in West Africa, where it is used in rituals and to represent spirits.
Sansevieria is an excellent plant for those new to houseplants.
These plants are true houseplants requiring little maintenance.. They prefer bright, indirect sunlight. If you put them in a place where they get a lot of sun, they will grow well. However, they can also grow well in areas of the house that receive less light, but more slowly.
And when it comes to watering them, the motto should be “few and far between”. Too much water and the roots rot easily.
Forgot to water your plants? Then this plant is for you.
When it comes to choosing potting soil, almost any commercial potting soil will do, but a cactus mix is the best option. These long-lived plants aren’t exactly picky. As long as the pot has a drainage hole in the bottom, along with well-drained soil, you will have a happy snake plant.
Another good thing about snake plants is how easy it is to grow more of them.
Propagating snake plants is incredibly easy and can be done in a variety of ways. This is one of those plants that you can always grow on your kitchen windowsill.
There are four ways to propagate snake plants, you may find yourself using all four throughout the life of your plants.
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Propagate snake plant pups.
One of the easiest ways to propagate Sansevieria is to simply take good care of the plant. Soon you will notice small hatchlings emerging on the ground.
Some suggest pulling up the whole plant to remove the little ones, but that’s too much of a hassle for me and the plant. Instead, use a clean, sterile knife to gently cut the new offspring from the main plant through the soil. When cut, the hatchling will easily pop out of the ground.
Let the freshly cut snake plant pup dry out for 24 hours, then plant it in a new pot of cactus soil. Place the newborn in a sunny place and watch its development.
Divide the snake plants.
This is probably the second easiest way to propagate snake plants. It’s definitely the fastest way to get more.
To divide your plants, you will need to remove them completely from the pot. Shake excess soil from the rhizomes (root system). Place the plant on a flat surface, such as a cutting board, and using a sterile knife, cut off the base of the plant and the rhizomes.
Don’t worry about cutting the plant. They are incredibly hardy and it won’t harm the plant. Allow new cuttings to rest for 24 hours before transplanting them into new pots.
Propagate leaf cuttings in water.
Close up of new roots from a snake plant cutting. Close up of new roots from a snake plant cutting.
Like many other houseplants, you can propagate snake plants using leaf cuttings. The best thing about propagating snake plants this way is how many new plants you can grow from a single long leaf.
To make leaf cuttings, cut a large leaf from the base of the plant with a sterilized knife. Now cut the leaf into 5-7cm cuttings, cutting horizontally along the leaf. Next, you’ll need to decide if you want to propagate them in water or on land.
Place the leaf cuttings, cut side down, in a jar of water. The water should cover the bottom third of the cutting.
Place the cuttings in a sunny window and add water as needed. Completely change the water every two weeks to prevent the growth of any foreign elements.
Once you have roots at least a few inches long or new shoots from the old cuttings, you can transplant them into the pots.
Propagate the leaf cuttings in the ground.
If you plan to propagate through soil, you will need to let your cutting rest for 24 hours. Once done, simply insert the cuttings into the ground, covering half of the leaf, cut side down. Water them and sit and wait.
Propagation by leaf cuttings is easy to do, but it may take a few months for growth to be visible. It is important to be patient.
Propagating snake plants is a great way to get new plants without spending a penny.
And because it’s such a beautiful plant that anyone can care for, you’ll have plenty of new snake plants to gift your friends and family.