Check Out Your Plant!

Congrats on your new CUTTING, I bet you’re wondering, “now how do I take care of this?”

FIRST THINGS FIRST, WHAT PLANT IS THIS?

You’re the proud new owner of a Snake Plant!

HOW DO I MAKE THIS THING ROOT?

Snake plants are one of the most fun plants to propagate. All you need to do is place the cutting in soil or water, and wait for it to grow. First, roots will form at the base of the cutting, followed by a “pup,” or baby snake plant that will slowly form from the same space. The process can take awhile, so be patient!

To keep your cutting happy, be sure to replace the water weekly, and don’t be afraid to rinse it off while you do it. If you’re feeling extra fancy (or impatient), look into rooting hormones. These are powders that you can dip your cutting in to speed up the propagation process.

SOUNDS GOOD, BUT WHAT’S NEXT?

Wait until the pup is about 3 inches tall, then either pull it off from the original cutting (some roots should come with it), or pot the whole thing in soil. Snake plants aren’t particularly picky, so any well-draining houseplant potting mix will do. Be sure to choose an appropriately sized pot, if you pick something that’s too big your plant may become overwhelmed and stop growing, or you’ll tempt root rot with all the excess moisture the pot will be able to hold. I’d recommend either a three or four-inch pot to start.

Snake plant cuttings can also produce multiple pups. So, if you choose to separate the pup from the cutting, put it back in water to start the process over!

OKAAAY, BUT WHAT DO I DO AFTER THAT?

Houseplant care comes down to three main factors; soil, water, and light. Since well-draining soil is already taken care of, let’s start with light.

LIGHT

These days everyone is looking for a “low light” plant, and snake plants always top the list. While they may survive in these conditions, but the only way your plant will thrive is in bright indirect light. South-facing windows are ideal as they get the most light, but if you can’t make that happen an east or west-facing window will do. If you don’t have those conditions available in your space, don’t worry! Snake plants can technically survive in low light conditions, just try to give it a little vacation in a sunny window when you can!

WATER

Everyone wants a simple solution to houseplant watering with a clear schedule. Unfortunately, I’m here to be the bearer of bad news on that front. Your plants are living things that can’t be put on a definitive schedule! Factors such as pot size, amount of light and season all play a role in how thirsty your plant will be, so it just isn’t possible to make generalizations.

Instead of saying “water once a week,” I’m going to suggest that you check in on your plant once a week. If the leaves are beginning to wilt, curl, or feel a little thinner than normal, those are all signs water is needed. The only way to truly tell if your plant is thirsty is to check the soil. Do this by sticking your finger into the pot up to your first knuckle. If it feels dry to that point, it’s usually time to give your friend a drink.

fun facts about your plant

  • Snake plants have demonstrated the ability to remove benzene, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene from the air, while also releasing oxygen.

  • While many other plants emit carbon dioxide at night, snake plants continue to release oxygen which is why many people choose to keep them in their bedrooms.

  • According to feng shui, snake plants bring protective and purifying energy to your home.

WARNINGS

Be sure to keep this plant out of reach from your furry friends, it’s toxic to both dogs and cats! For more information on this, check out the ASPCA website.