The snake plant, Sansevieria trifasciata, is a succulent type of plant that many people throughout the United States grow as a houseplant. It is a native tropical plant of South Africa, but many people know it as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue. Although this plant is rather difficult to propagate, it can be done by following a few simple rules. Once the cuttings root, you will have enough to replenish your supply and give the others away to friends. The leaves, depending on the variety, come with different markings. Some have light green strips throughout the dark green leaves, while others are dark green with light gray-green bands along the outside edges.
Prepare the Pots
Find several 4-inch pots to root your cuttings. You will want to find one pot for each cutting. At the bottom of each pot, place a rock over each drainage hole. This helps keep the soil in the pots every time you water instead of washing away. Fill the pots with houseplant potting soil, leaving the soil line a 1/4 inch below the rim.
Give the soil a drink of water. Pour only enough water to dampen the soil. Do not water it so much that it is soggy or your cuttings will rot.
Cut the Leaf
Look over the snake plant and find a healthy long leaf so you’ll have several cuttings. Lay the leaf on the table top and cut across the width, but do not move the segments after you cut them. They have to be inserted into the soil in the right direction and if you leave it on the table top as you cut, you will know how to insert them into the soil. Each segment should be 3 to 4-inches long.
When you plant the segments, the bottom section of the leaf is inserted into the soil first. Pick up the first segment. Wet the bottom end with water. This is the end that was closest to the root section. Shake to remove the excess water and then dip the wet end into rooting hormone. Insert the end with rooting hormone into the soil so it at least 2 inches is below the surface. Repeat this procedure with each cutting until you are done.
Propagation Area
Place the pots in an area that remains 70 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, the location should have bright light, but keep the cuttings out of direct sunlight.
Feel the soil for moisture once a day. The soil should be moist, but ever soggy. It takes about a month before the cuttings will form roots. After a month, you will be able to see when the plants have formed roots. There will be new plantlets growing from the base of the cuttings. When the roots are well established, transplant the cuttings into a 6 inch pot.
Sources:
“The Houseplant Expert”; Dr. D.G. Hessayon; 1980
“Favorite Houseplants”; Don Dooley; 1976
