How to Propagate Snake Plants, 3 Ways

There are three main ways to propagate snake plants: by division, and with stem cuttings in water or in soil. The division method is ideal when you have a large, mature plant with many stems that you’d like to split up, whereas the stem-cutting methods can be used for plants of all sizes. While you can propagate snake plants in water, it's better to use soil to prevent rot.

How to Propagate Snake Plants by Division

1. Remove the Plant From Its Pot

   Put down a tarp or large sheet if you plan on doing this indoors, or do this step outdoors. Lay your plant on its side and remove the pot. If the plant is root-bound, gently squeeze the pot on all sides to loosen the rootbulb.

2. Separate Clumps

   Identify a clump of stems that you would like to separate from the main plant and clear away as much of the soil as you can from the roots using your hands. If possible, gently pull the clump away from the mother plant, untangling the roots as you go. However, if your plant is rootbound with soil that is tightly packed this may not be possible. In that case, use a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or a knife to separate the roots from the main root clump. Do this as sparingly as possible, removing as much as you can with your hands before making any cuts.

3. Replant the Divisions

   Fill a new pot with drainage holes with sandy, well-draining soil mix and plant the newly separated plants in the pot. Pat the soil down firmly around the roots and place it in a location with similar lighting that it had before. Resume a regular watering schedule.

How to Propagate Snake Plants in Water

1. Take Stem Cuttings

   Using a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors, cut one or two leaves from your plant, severing them at the base just above the soil. 

2. Divide the Cuttings

   Cut each leaf into several three to four-inch tall sections. Ensure that while you are dividing up the leaf, you keep track of the top and bottom of each cutting (i.e. the way the original leaf was growing). It is important to ensure the bottom of each cutting is the part that is placed in the water, as that’s where new roots and growth will start. You can also propagate using a full leaf instead of dividing it, if you prefer.

3. Notch the Bottoms

   Take each leaf cutting, and cut a triangle shape in the bottom, starting from the edges of the cutting. When you are finished, the bottom of the cutting should look like the end of a decorative ribbon. This helps to increase the surface area for new roots to grow and also helps ensure the cuttings are orientated properly for rooting. Allow the cuttings to callous for several days.

4. Place Cuttings in Water

   Fill a small glass jar or container with room temperature water and place the cuttings in the water, ensuring the bottom of each cutting is fully submerged. Then, put the jar in a location that receives medium to bright indirect light. Refresh the water once every one to two weeks to keep it fresh.

5. Plant Cuttings

   Once the leaf cuttings have developed roots, you can move the cuttings to soil. Roots should be at least three centimeters long before you move them to soil, but you can also leave your cuttings in water until new snake plant pups begin to sprout as well. Once you decide to move the cuttings, prepare a small pot with drainage holes with a sandy, well-draining potting mix and plant the rooted cuttings in the soil, ensuring the roots are fully buried.

How to Propagate Snake Plants in Soil

1. Take Cuttings

   Using a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors, cut one or two leaves from your plant, severing them at the base just above the soil.

2. Divide Cuttings

   Cut each leaf into several three to four-inch tall sections. Ensure that while you are dividing up the leaf, you keep track of the top and bottom of each cutting (i.e. the way the original leaf was growing). It is important to ensure the bottom of each cutting is the part that is placed in the soil, as that’s where new roots and growth will start.

3. Notch the Bottoms

   Take each leaf cutting, and cut a triangle shape in the bottom - starting from the edges of the cutting. When you are finished, the bottom of the cutting should look like the end of a decorative ribbon, for example. This helps to increase the surface area for new roots to grow and also helps ensure the cuttings are orientated properly for rooting. Allow the cuttings to callous for several days.

4. Plant Cuttings

   Prepare a small pot with a sandy, well-draining soil mix and plant the leaf cuttings in the soil. Ensure that the entire bottom of the cutting is buried in the soil. Then, put the cuttings in a location that receives medium to bright indirect light.

5. Keep Soil Moist, but Not Wet

   Keep the soil moist--but not wet--while the cuttings root. Patience is key in propagating snake plants. It can take up to three months for the cuttings to root, and even longer for them to produce pups. Check for roots by gently tugging upwards on the cutting once every one to two weeks to see if you feel any resistance. Once you can feel roots in the soil, you can start watering cuttings sparingly every few weeks or so. Over time, you will start to notice new snake plant pups growing from the base of the leaf cuttings.