Snake Plants do not necessarily need to be planted in soil to grow. They are also able to thrive in water, pebbles, potting mixes, and water. Propagated Snake Plants and leaf cuttings from the Snake Plant can thrive in water if you are mindful of constant plant care and maintenance.
Place the cutting in a transparent jar or vase and fill water covering about the bottom 25 percent of the leaf-cutting. To keep the leaves in place, especially if you are using a small glass, poke toothpicks in them. The roots will develop in about one to two months.
And make sure not to let your Snake Plant sit in the water tray too long – take it out as soon as the moisture has permeated close to the top of the pot. Around 10 minutes is usually plenty.
Yes you can propagate snake plants in water. But it can take a long time, lead to rot, and the babies tend to have a harder time transitioning back to soil. Propagating snake plants may take a long time, but it's very easy to do.
Another common name for this plant is mother in law's tongue. Depending on where you come from, the common name can vary! The genus, Sansevieria, is the botanical name so this is the accepted universal name. It really is super simple to root Sansevieria in water.
This means the cutting is rotting. You don't want this. If this happens to cuttings sitting in water, it is likely that the cut hadn't dried up completely before being put in water.
You can use a cup of water, a jar, or something that allows the plant to sit in water without touching the bottom, so there's enough room for the roots to grow. The whole thing doesn't need to be submerged in water. Then, you want to wait four to six weeks until you see the roots growing.
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.
Soil for Snake Plants
Snake plants do best with a free-draining soil mix because they are easily prone to rot. A soilless potting mixture is best to ensure adequate drainage. Also, be sure to use a terracotta pot that won't trap water inside and promptly remove any standing water from the saucer.
Can snake plants be watered with tap water? Ideally it's best to use filtered water or rain water for snake plants and other house plants because they're sensitive to the chlorine that is added to tap water.
All you need to do is set the potted plant (be sure it has drainage holes) into the bathtub, sink, or another container that's filled with a couple inches of water. After 15 to 20 minutes, the plant will have absorbed the exact amount it needs—never too little or too much.
Remember that snake plants are succulents, even though sometimes they can have big “leafy” looking limbs. They will need minimal amounts of water – only every couple of days! Some people use a spray bottle. Another rule of thumb is to water it when the soil is dry.
Snake Plant Care Tips
While they can withstand full sun and handle low light, indirect sunlight is ideal for a snake plant. Water: Snake plant can easily rot so make sure the soil is well-drained and don't water it too much (especially in winter). Allow the soil to dry in between waterings.
Besides sea-snakes, there are two common snakes that can live in or near water - the cottonmouth (water moccasin) and the water snake. Not only can snakes bite underwater, but water moccasins join a list of more than 20 species of venomous snakes in the United States making them even more of a threat.
The technique of growing plants without soil is called hydroponics. It's simply growing plants in water. Hydroponics is not only useful. It can be fun.
Do Snake Plants like small pots? Yes, they do. As the taller species & varieties grow bigger, they need larger pots. The lower growing varieties do fine in smaller pots.
If you leave your pot in this condition, it will struggle to take up water and nutrients from the soil due to overcrowding. This will stunt the plant's growth and will ultimately kill the plant. As soon as you see roots creeping out the drainage holes, gather your materials and get repotting.
Because snake plant likes all light types (it will happily withstand full sun as well as low light) you can plant it on your porch in the shade or out by the pool in full sun. Or in a planter with another tall tropical beauty, bird of paradise, like above.
You don't have to use any pebbles, but it will keep the plant sturdy and in place, and look much nicer!
Best Soil for Snake Plants
You can also add a handful of fir bark, perlite, pumice or clay pebbles. Aim to create a loose, fast-draining soil with lots of air pockets, which is an ideal growing environment for snake plant roots. This type of soil mix also helps prevent overwatering.
If you place them in an outdoor setting with low lighting, they may only require re-potting around every five to ten years. However, if they're placed in an area with bright lighting, they may need to be re-potted within two to five years.
Touch the soil every few days to see if it's dry or crumbly. If the soil is dry, it's time to water your snake plant. Generally, once a week works great. Smaller snake plants may last up to two weeks between watering while larger snake plants may require watering every two to three days.