Do you want to know how to divide snake plant? Then you are visiting the right page! But first, here are some reasons and benefits of dividing a snake plant before we learn when and how to do it.
Dividing Snake Plants: Is It Necessary?
There are some Sansevieria varieties that can grow horizontally, though their foliage is often upright and does not spread much. The snake plants that grow outside in favorable weather conditions are especially quick to reproduce. In order to proliferate, the rhizomes (underground stems that spread horizontally) and roots must be strong. In order to control outdoor plant growth, dividing is necessary.
Snake plants in pots don’t have much room to expand, but they still grow. Eventually, they will become pot-bound. Despite snake plants’ liking to be root-bound, dividing the roots is necessary if its roots don’t have space to spread. This causes the plant to become uncomfortable and distressed. The result can be stunted growth.
Because the plant is bigger, the soil mix might not provide enough nutrients or moisture. You may damage the outer foliage if the container’s rim constantly contacts it. It is difficult for water to drain from a dense soil when the roots are crowded in it. Since snake plants like loose soil, this is bad for them. Therefore, it is necessary to divide or move potted plants every few years.
What You Will Need
In addition to a pot and soil, you will need the following equipment:
- A dull knife will be used to remove plants from their containers.
- For removal of roots and rhizomes, pruners or garden shears are required.
- Gloves for keeping your hands clean.
- Trowel, used to dig the soil and scoop it up.
- Putting something on the drainage holes in a pot, such as cloth, marbles, rocks or pebbles so that the soil won’t leak out.
How To Divide Snake Plant
Now that everything is ready, let’s look at how to divide snake plant. Follow these simple steps to divide and plant a mother-in-law’s tongue.
Remove The Snake Plant From Its Pot/Ground
First, the plant must be removed from its container. It may be beneficial to water the soil deeply in order to loosen it from the roots. Once the surface of the container is clean, scrape off soil using a knife. Gently thump the sides of the pot as you lay the pot horizontally on the ground. Remove the plant from its pot by pulling it. To remove the plant, you can gently tap the pot on the ground until it slides out. In the case of snake plants that are planted in the ground, use a trowel to loosen the soil. Make sure not to damage the leaves or roots while doing this.
Examine The Roots
Pull as much soil away from the root structure as you can once the plant is out. Strong and developed roots are essential. Your plant is probably too young to divide if they are weak or small in number. Until the roots are fully developed, it is best to wait a few months. You can also try other methods to create new plants, such as planting leaf cuttings in water. However, snake plants are prone to root rot.
Dark spots and mushy roots indicate that the rot is already present. However, it can be easily fixed. Simply trim off the rotten parts with a clean and sterilized knife or shears. Cut off large, bulky roots if you find them wrapped around the entire root ball. To prevent the plant from overgrowing the new pot, this step must be taken.
Divide The Roots Into Separated Sections
Locate the places along the root ball that can be easily divided after removing the damaged portions. There are two ways to slice a root ball into equal portions. You can cut it in half or cut off smaller pieces from the outside. Decide how large a section you want based on the size and number of pots you have. Take a piece of the plant and cut it from the root so that each section contains some rhizomes (the thick white parts of the plant), some roots, and some leaves. If you don’t have a handsaw, a knife, or even sharp pruners, you can use a knife.
Plant Each New Section In Separate Containers
Make sure that the drainage holes on the container are completely open. Afterward, you should cover the holes so that the soil does not fall through. Use mesh tape or a small cloth to cover the holes. You can also put a layer of rocks, pebbles or marbles in the bottom of the pot. Then you can add a thin layer of potting mix over the top.
Estimate how deep you should pour soil before planting a plant. Afterward, the plant should be planted at the same depth as before. You should have at least 1 inch of space between the rim of the pot and the soil surface that sits above the top of the root ball. Make sure the soil isn’t packed too firmly. If you want, you can top it with decorative rocks or marbles. Well, now that you know how to divide snake plant by yourself, all you have to do is to put it in action!