3 Ways to Propagate a Snake Plant—an Easy-to-Grow Species That Thrives in Low Light

The snake plant (Dracaena trifasciata) is known for being a low-maintenance species that can tolerate low light conditions. Beyond how easy snake plants are to care for, they're also easy to propagate, meaning you can create numerous small plants from one parent. There are multiple methods and mediums when propagating a snake plant, and each one has its own unique advantages.

When to Propagate a Snake Plant

When grown indoors, a snake plant can be propagated at any time because of consistent interior temperatures. "They grow best between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit," says Ryan McEnaney, garden designer and author of Field Guide to Outside Style: Design and Plant Your Perfect Outdoor Space. "If your climate is warm enough that it grows outdoors, it’s best to propagate in spring or summer when it’s actively growing."

The most important thing to consider when propagating a snake plant is how healthy it is. "The best time is when they are healthy," says Chuck Pavlich, director of new product development for Terra Nova Nurseries. "Soft or flaccid foliage is an indication of things like root rot or insufficient hydration."

How to Propagate a Snake Plant in Soil

Propagating in soil is one of the easiest methods. "You can use the full leaf or cut it into smaller 2- to 4-inch chunks if you want to propagate a lot of new plants, says McEnaney. "Just remember that every cut provides opportunity for disease to enter the leaf, especially if you leave the top exposed."

1. With clean, sharp scissors or pruners, cut a developed leaf just above the soil line, keeping track of which end is the top and which is the bottom.
2. Dip the plant in a rooting hormone or allow it to dry out slightly.
3. Fill a container with soil that is heavy in sand and sphagnum moss, like a cactus mix.
4. Place the bottom of the cutting about a 1/2 inch into the mix.
5. Place the cuttings in an area with bright sunlight and water well, ensuring the soil stays moist.
6. After a few months, gently tug on the cutting to see if there’s resistance. If so, the plant can be moved to a larger container.

How to Propagate a Snake Plant in Water

Propagating snake plants in water allows you to see the roots developing, so you don’t have to wonder if it’s ready to transplant or not. "But growing roots in water can also increase the risk of the plant rotting," says McEnaney. "Snake plants are notoriously averse to water-logged soil, so growing in a jar of water brings its own risks, but if you pay attention to it while it’s going through this process, it’s absolutely doable."

1. Using clean, sharp scissors or pruners, cut a leaf above the soil line and place it in a sanitized jar with a few inches of water.
2. Keep your cutting in a bright, warm spot in your house, and replace the water weekly.
3. As you’re replacing the water, be sure to thoroughly sanitize the jar to kill any bacteria that may have developed.
4. After a few months, the roots should have grown to about 1 inch long and can be planted in a container filled with well-draining houseplant or cactus media.

How to Propagate a Snake Plant Through Divisions

Propagating snake plants through divisions is best for bigger, more established plants because you take formed sections of the plant and split them into smaller, new plants, says McEnaney.

1. Remove the snake plant from its existing pot.
2. Gently separate the roots into clumps with at least three leaves and their connected rhizomes (the bulb-like structures from which the leaves).
3. Re-plant the separated clumps into containers filled with well-draining houseplant or cactus media. 
4. Place the re-potted clumps in an area with bright sunlight and water well, ensuring the soil stays moist.