How to Propagate a Snake Plant

Propagation of a snake plant may take several attempts, but when successful, you can get three or four new plants from one leaf. This is a great way to get new plants for free or share plants with friends. However, you must follow some specific steps to ensure successful propagation.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Remove a healthy leaf from the parent snake plant using a sharp knife. The leaf may be any size, but it's best to use a leaf at least 6 inches long so you can attempt to start several new plants from one leaf.

2. Cut the leaf up into sections about 2 inches long. Keep track of which way the leaf was growing, because they must be inserted into potting mix right side up for successful propagation.

3. Fill a 3-inch pot with a potting mixture of one part peat moss and one part coarse sand or perlite. Moisten the potting mix to get it ready for the snake plant propagations.

4. Insert the segments of the snake plant leaf into the potting mix, placing them about a half inch into the mix. Make sure they are planted right side up.

5. Place the pot in a bright and warm area. Provide water as the top of the potting mix dries out, but not before. Too much water can cause the snake plant leaves to rot.

6. Wait for new growth shoots to emerge from the snake plant propagations. This may take several months. At this time, cut off the parent plant's leaf sections.

Tips & Warnings

• A variegated snake plant may not have the same leaf colorings after it's propagated. For instance, the yellow-bordered variety may not have a yellow border after propagation by leaf cuttings.