Come grow with me… How to grow a Snake plant from a leaf cutting
I enjoy propagating plants and wanted to share another of my successes with you. It really is simple to grow many plants for free, and I wanted to share some of the approaches that I have used.
I will keep these posts simple so that it is easy for anyone to follow.
Here are my steps for propagating a snake plant, which is a striking indoor houseplant that can be placed outside during summer in the UK. I love experimenting with plants and once they are more established I will try to grow snake plants outside all year round in the UK.1. Remove a leaf from an established and healthy snake plant.
2. Cut the leaf into 3 pieces and leave them in a dry spot to let the edges heal (this should only take a few days but I left it up to a week before.
Please note that you will need to plant the correct end of the leaf into the soil, therefore I kept the 3 pieces in a line so that I would remember which end was the bottom, and that would be the end that I would plant into the soil.
3. Once the ends have healed over, plant the leaves into soil – I am using a home made mix, which contains peat free compost, top soil and sand (from a local hardware shop).
4. Water and wait. New leaves will start to grow and once this plant has established you will be able to take cuttings from it as well.
Frequently asked questions and useful tips for growing snake plants
What type of soil should I use for snake plants
Snake plants are succulents therefore do not need a rich soil, but prefer a gritty, free draining soil.
I create my own mix using approximately 50% sand and 50% top soil, and it is working well for all of my succulents.
How often should I water snake plants?
- I typically water my succulents once every two weeks except in winter when I reduce this to once a month.
- I have noticed that my snake plants don’t need to be watered as regularly, therefore only water them once the soil has dried out. I check the soil using a moisture meter which I personally have found to be indispensable.
Do snake plants prefer sun or shade?
Snake plants need indirect sunlight. If they have too much sun the leaves can burn. As long as they get some sunlight, they are generally happy in a fairly shady spot.
What should I check if my snake plant is not thriving?
- Are you over-watering the plant? This can be easily checked using a moisture meter which is not expensive and can be purchased online. I use a moisture meter for a lot of my plants.
- Is it in the right location e.g. too much or too little sun? Move the plant to a different spot and see if it improves.
I hope that you have found this quick overview to be helpful.
Let me know if you have any other questions, and I will do my best to answer these as well.