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How to Repot a Snake Plant? Do it the Right Way! 

 April 7, 2022

By  admin

Repotting your snake plant is a difficult task, but one that doesn’t have to be. Learn how not to kill your succulent and get tips on what you can do specifically with them in mind. Plant this important information and care for your plants the right way!

The “when to repot snake plant” is a question that has been asked many times. It can be difficult to know when it’s time to repot your snake plant, so I will provide you with some tips on how to do it the right way!

How to Repot a Snake Plant? Do it the Right Way!

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Houseplants not only enhance the aesthetics of your home, but they also provide a number of health advantages. Snake plants, on the other hand, are not difficult to care for. 

Sansevieria, or snake plant, is a tropical plant with long leaves and a variety of colors. It belongs to the Lily family and is an excellent air cleanser. Even more, it is the most resistant of all ornamental plants, surviving even in the most extreme environments. 

Contents

The Benefits of a Snake Plant  

A snake plant is both low-maintenance and attractive. These aren’t the only benefits, however. A snake plant may also help your health by functioning as an air filter, according to studies. Snake plants have a number of benefits in common with other plants, including: 

  • It is one of the houseplants that produces the most oxygen. 
  • Even at night, it absorbs carbon dioxide. 
  • It even absorbs toxins that cause cancer. 
  • It lowers the possibilities of allergies from the air. 
  • It’s meant to bring good and protective energy into your house or business if it’s put in the right spot. It is mostly because of its very beautiful presence.
  • It does not need a lot of room or care. 

What’s the greatest part? Snake plants are meant to grow in a state of neglect. Snake plants are the greatest choice if you are a forgetful gardener. 

Click here for more information on different varieties of succulents.  

How to Take Care of a Snake Plant 

While snake plants may not need a lot of care, you must follow some guidelines to keep your plant healthy and living. The following are some guidelines for caring for your snake plants: 

  • Because snake plants are water-sensitive and prone to root rot, they should be planted in well-draining soil. 
  • You should wait until the soil is totally dry before watering the plant. 
  • Your plant should be watered once every 10 to 14 days. 
  • Water your plant until the drainage hole begins to seep water. 
  • Place your plant near an east-facing window to ensure it receives the necessary quantity of light. 
  • It is suggested that you should not position your plants in direct sunlight since this might cause solar damage. 
  • In frigid conditions, snake plants will perish. 
  • Any temperature below 40 degrees Fahrenheit will cause the water within their cells to freeze, causing the plant to die. 
  • Fertilizing your plant once a month will ensure that it grows in a healthy manner. 

Keep in mind that snake plants aren’t difficult to care for. They don’t take much care and are one of the most effective air-purifying plants available. 

Bonus Read: If you’re thinking about incorporating snake plants into your desert landscaping, check out these incredible desert landscaping ideas. 

Snake Plant Propagation  

Propagating snake plants is an easy method. There are four ways to propagate snake plants. Each method has its pros and cons, and you can choose one which suits your gardening skills the best. Even amateur gardeners can opt for any one of the following methods when Snake Plant Propagation: 

Cuttings are used to propagate the plant. 

Cuttings are by far the most frequent way of propagating succulents. To begin, choose a healthy leaf from the snake plant to use as a propagator. Using a blade, cut the leaf off closer to the bottom. 

Take the leaf and chop it into smaller pieces. Mark the terminal section of the leaves that were at the bottom as well. The section of the cuttings closest to the roots is referred known as the “bottom.” This stage is crucial because you will be planting the ends that are closest to the bottom. 

Before planting the leaves, you should let them dry out. Prepare containers with the soil mix for planting the leaves as well. After the leaves have dried, wet the designated ends with water. Plant the leaves in the pots with the specified segments in the soil approximately half an inch deep after this step. 

After a few weeks, you’ll see blooms and roots emerging. 

A snake plant is rooted in water. 

This strategy is a bit more risky than the others, but it is still doable. This method will need a considerably longer cut. Do not be concerned; just let the injury heal and dry as you would with the dirt approach. 

Fill a jar or a glass with clean water to within an inch of the top. Add the leaf-cuttings, ensuring that the end is wet. To avoid algae buildup, make sure to change the water in the jar twice a day. After the roots have developed, place them in a container with soil mix.  

One disadvantage of this procedure is that it exposes the food to the chance of decaying. 

Rhizome cuttings for propagation 

Rhizome propagation is comparable to leaf propagation. Rhizomes are horizontally growing roots. You may propagate a new plant by cutting the rhizomes. However, you should wait until a leaf emerges from the rhizome before propagating it. 

Before planting the rhizome, it’s best to wait a few days for it to dry out. 

Snake plant division  

The easiest way to ensure that your plants have the same variegation is to divide them. You must cut your plant down the centre, all the way down to the base, in order to complete this procedure. Then, to make your snake plants, put each piece in a container with some soil mix. 

Snake plant propagation is simple and not too inconvenient. You may use whatever approach you like and get started right away! 

When Should a Snake Plant Be Repotted? 

While most plants may survive for a long period in the same pot, a few plants outgrow their containers quickly and must be moved. The snake plant is an example of a plant that requires repotting. That is why learning how to repot a snake plant is crucial. 

When it’s time to repot, gardeners should look for a couple of the following signs: 

  • Drain holes have roots coming out of them. 
  • During watering, water runs straight through the drainage holes and into the pots. 
  • Plants tend to wilt fast after being watered. 

The optimal time to repot a plant is usually in the spring or summer, when their growth cycles are most accelerated. Keep in mind that your snake plant will need to be repotted every three to six years. 

What Is the Best Way to Repot a Snake Plant? 

Snake plants are easy to repot, but you must first learn a few pointers on how to repot a snake plant. You may be certain that if you follow the procedures and directions carefully, you will be able to repot your plant successfully. 

Step 1: Get the pot ready 

You should choose a pot that is tall and broad enough to hold the plant’s weight. It’s ideal to acquire a pot that’s 1-2 inches wider than the one the plant came in. 

Terracotta pots are attractive, and they absorb water quickly, making them ideal for snake plants. Be aware that if there is too much water, snake plants can rot, thus using a clay container will assist.

Although plastic pots do not absorb up water, they may be used. Make careful to poke holes in whichever pot you choose. Excess water drains from the soil via these pores, keeping the plant healthy and rot-free.  

Step 2: Getting rid of the plants 

To avoid damaging the plant, be careful with it at this phase. Remove the plant from its previous container with care to avoid harming the root ball. Gardeners should water the plant well before taking it from the container to let it slip out easily. 

Squeeze the container gently all over to loosen the soil’s hold and release the plant. 

You may support the plant between two fingers by placing your hand on top of the dirt. Remember that after the container is flipped upside down, the plant’s root ball should come out.  

Once the plant is out, keep an eye on the roots for any signs of damage. If you detect any roots that are black or mushy, they are bad. To chop those roots out, make sure you use a clean, sterilized knife. Cut any big roots that are around the root ball as well. The objective is to prevent these roots from impeding the plant’s future development.

Step 3: Soil preparation  

You’ll want to choose a soil medium that drains well and dries rapidly between waterings. Make your own succulent soil or get it at the store. The method is simple: just add more perlite to standard potting soil to make succulent soil. 

Growing the plant in a soilless potting mix made up of perlite, vermiculite, coarse sand, and sphagnum peat moss is another alternative.  

Fill the container one-third full with a tropical plant and succulent potting soil mixture. You may also add compost if you like, but don’t use too much. Compost absorbs moisture, which may pose a harm to the plant’s roots. 

You should not use dirt from your garden since it will not drain well. The soil you use should be light and fluffy, with enough of organic matter and compost. 

Bonus Read: Confused about the terms perlite and vermiculite? Here’s where you can learn about the distinctions between the two. 

Repotting the plants is the fourth step.  

The depth of the plant should be the same as it was in the prior container. One to two inches below the lip of the container should be the top of the root ball. Fill in around the dirt until the plant is securely in place after you’ve set it in the container. Additionally, thoroughly water the plant to settle the soil and keep the potting medium wet.

To capture the surplus water from the drainage hole, place a saucer beneath the pot. Don’t use fertilizer immediately soon if you’re repotting in the autumn. It is suggested that fertilizer be used in the early spring.  

It is not necessary to tamp down the dirt too tightly. If the soil lowers after watering, add more water to the pot to bring it back up to the proper level. 

Step 5: Follow-up  

It’s critical to prevent transplant shock, particularly if you have to clip your plant’s roots. 

After you’ve transplanted the plant, keep it in a location that gets indirect sunlight for two to three weeks. Last but not least, wait for the roots to re-establish before fertilizing the plant. Using fertilizer soon after relocating might cause the roots to be burned.

When the top 1 inch of the soil feels dry, water the plant. To prevent the soil from becoming waterlogged, empty the gathered water from the saucer/drip tray. 

If you repotted your plant later in the winter or early in the spring, sunlight will not be an issue. However, just to be safe, you should keep your plant in a location with indirect sunlight. 

Remember that repotting a snake plant is not difficult if you cultivate in a methodical manner. 

FAQs  

1. Should I use a certain kind of soil? 

Snake plants like soil that is thick and drains well. They retain water in their rhizomes and thick leaves so that the soil does not remain moist all of the time. As a result, the soil should be light and fluffy. 

2. When Should a Snake Plant Be Repotted? 

When it’s time to repot your snake plant, you’ll notice several telltale indicators. Roots sprouting out of holes, water running out of the pot, and drooping leaves are all symptoms that something is wrong. Another symptom might be the appearance of cracks in the pot. You should repot your snake plant every 4-6 years for excellent long-term upkeep. 

3. What is the length of time it takes to propagate a snake plant? 

Snake plants are slow-growing plants, with root development taking at least 6-8 weeks. If the plant is growing in a low-light environment, it may take two to three months to observe any firm root development. 

After that, it may take four to eight weeks for the plant to show signs of development above the soil line. Overall, to observe good development in your plant, you must be patient. 

4. Is it true that snake plants are poisonous? 

It may produce nausea and vomiting in large amounts, and the toxin in the plant can have a numbing effect, causing the tongue and throat to expand. Cats and dogs are particularly susceptible to the plants’ toxicity, which may result in nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. 

5. What is the proper pot size for snake plants? 

Because the rhizomes extend widely, snake plants do not need deep pots. A deep pot may allow the soil to remain damp, causing the roots to rot. 

Conclusion  

Snake plants are prone to a variety of pests and illnesses. Start with a healthy plant for the greatest results. These plants do not need a lot of care or upkeep. It is just the cuttings that need special attention in order to thrive.

You also won’t have to go to the store every time you want to get a new snake plant. Snake plants may be propagated by cutting, as described in the previous phases. Your plant will grow as long as it is kept in indirect sunlight and is well watered.  

The “snake plant roots above soil” is something that many people don’t know how to do. If you want your snake plant to be happy and healthy, then follow this article’s instructions carefully.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I repot my snake plant?

A: You can find a lot of information on the internet about how to safely and easily repot your plants. Here is one article that may help you out, https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/trees-and-shrubs/snakeskin-plant/.

How do you repot a snake plant for beginners?

A: You should avoid using a knife to cut around the roots. Instead, you can use a clean rock or piece of wood and place it on top of the plant before removing your pot from its current location.

How do you repot an indoor snake plant?

A: You can repot an indoor snake plant using a potting mix with added nutrients and water.

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Emil Schoene


Born and raised in Austin, TX I come from a background of home renovation. By helping my family in my younger years with their construction business, I learned the ropes quickly and as I grew it became my passion that I still do today. Looking to share my knowledge with others. I invite you to leave comments on any post as I know you will have questions that you are not finding anywhere else.

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