Do you know that your snake plant can bloom in water instead of a pot? Though it’s true that overwatering could kill your snake plant, if you allow your beloved houseplant to adjust itself to water patiently, it can flourish surprisingly! Snake plants can thrive in a number of mediums, and water is one of them! However, you cannot expect a miracle; it will take time. But once it adapts to water, you can see the roots growing amazingly! If you are fuzzy about the pot and potting mix and want to keep its care routine minimal, read how you can manage to grow it in the water!
TL; DR
Snake plants are usually known as slow-growing plants, and in water, it takes more time than usual. You might need to wait about 2 to 3 months to see your plant’s root growing underwater. Well, leaf cutting is the best way to propagate your stunning houseplant in water. However, you can also consider the division method. But you need to make sure not to soak the roots in deep water as it can result in root rot. Also, you have to keep a constant eye on its surrounding environment to offer proper support and care to your plant while it is trying to adjust itself in the water. With the perfect water temperature, the right dosage of liquid fertilizer, and the proper light setting, your snake plant can easily make its way underwater. In fact, as long as you make sure that your fish do not consume the snake plant, you can grow it in your aquarium as well.
Table of Contents
Growing a Snake Plant With The Leaf-Cutting Technique
Among all, leaf cutting is the most popular way snake plant owners use to grow their plants in water. Before cutting down a part of the leaves, check well whether the plant is healthy and can survive in the water.
To undertake this method, you will require these four simple things:
- The snake plant
- A clean glass jar
- A pair of sharp scissors
- And freshwater
Propagation Process
- Assess the snake plant well and choose two to three healthy leaves from it.
- Then, take the scissors or knife and gently cut the leaves from their base.
- After that, cut the leaves again into two or more sections. The cuts should be clean.
- Next, take a clean and sterilized glass jar and pour clean and fresh water, filling it halfway.
- Last, with the utmost care, place the cutting leaf in the water-filled jar, making sure that the base part is penetrated into the water properly.
- Now add some liquid fertilizer, and place the whole thing in bright indirect light to speed up the growth.
If everything goes alright, you are supposed to see the roots growing within a few weeks. Within this period, keep changing the water whenever it looks dirty. And every time, mix a few drops of fertilizer with it.
Growing A Snake Plant In Water With The Division Technique
Snake plants give birth to baby plants. You can grow a new snake plant in water by dividing it from the mother plant, which is known as the division technique.
To grow the baby snake plant in water, you will need the following things:
- Freshwater
- A glass container or jar
- The baby plant
- A pair of disinfected knives or scissors
Propagation Process
- To begin with, take the mother plant out of the pot and separate the baby plant with a gentle approach. At first, try to do it with bare hands; if not possible, use pre-sterilized scissors or a knife to part it.
- Then, take a glass container or jar and fill it with fresh water halfway.
- After that, very gently place the baby plant in it. You can also choose to add some pebbles to hold the baby plant firm in its place.
- While placing your plant in the water-filled container, make sure that the baby plant’s rhizome portion must stay in touch with the water.
- Now add a few drops of liquid fertilizer with the water to let your plant absorb some nutrients and grow fast uninterruptedly.
- Finally, choose an ideal spot to keep the glass jar where your baby plant can get adequate airflow and light.
- Wait for at least two to three months to see new baby leaves sprouting out!
Suitable Surrounding Environment To Thrive Your Snake Plant In Water
Your snake plant needs a proper ambiance to flourish in water. And to give your snake plant all your love and care, make sure to arrange the below-discussed conditions for it:
1. Light
Generally, snake plants stay in their best shape when they get sufficient bright yet indirect light. So, when you are picking a spot to keep, make sure it absorbs the morning sunlight for at least 2 to 3 hours a day. In this case, the east-facing windows can be helpful!
2. Temperature
Snake plants just can’t tolerate cold, so avoid using cold water to grow them. The most ideal water temperature in which your snake plant can enjoy smooth growth is between 10 degrees C and -35 degrees C. And keep the jar in a place where the temperature stays around 22 degrees C.
3. Water
Keeping the water fresh is no doubt the most crucial aspect when you are trying to grow your snake plant in the water. Pond, rain, and RO water work the best, but if you use plain tap water, let it sit overnight before using it. Also, keep replacing the water every week or earlier when the water gets discolored.
4. Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizer is your only option to offer your plant adequate nutrients when it is in water. So, make sure to choose it wisely. Your fertilizer should be well-balanced. The quantity matters too! Over-fertilizing can drown your plant to death. Use half a spoon of your liquid fertilizer in one gallon of water.
Also Read: Is Snake Plant An Acid-Loving Plant?
Tips To Keep Your Snake Plant Healthy In Water
If you are going to grow your snake plant in the water for the first time, these few simple steps can make it easy for you!
- Filtered and rainwater are the best-fit choice for your snake plant. Tap water contains certain minerals that a snake plant doesn’t really enjoy.
- Make sure to sterilize the glass jar every time you replace the water to keep it bacteria-free.
- To keep the jar water crystal clear for a long, you can add a few chunks of activated charcoal to it.
- When you are using the leaf-cutting technique, make sure that 25% of the bottom part of the leaf stays in the water.
- Keep the glass jar away from the cold drafts and AC vents.
- As you know, water evaporates. And thus, the appropriate water level, suitable for your snake plant, drops down, which can pose threats to your plant. So you must Keep a constant eye on the water level and add water whenever the water level goes down.
FAQs About Growing Snake Plant In Water
How Long Will My Snake Plant Take To Grow In Water?
On average, your plant could take around two to three months to show signs of growth. Once you place your leaf cutting in the water jar, keep it in indirect bright light, and don’t forget to replace the water within short intervals. If you maintain consistency in your effort, you can see roots emerging from the leaf in three to four weeks!
Can I Keep My Mature Snake Plant In The Water?
Of course, you can! But you need to make sure that the water is routinely changed, the jar stands near the filtered sunlight, and it gets the right amount of liquid fertilizer. Also, the water should not be too cold. If you take care of all these aspects, your mature snake plant can do wonder in water.
Why Is My Snake Plant Not Growing In Water?
Sometimes improper leaf cutting can lead to stunted growth in water. However, if the roots look fresh and the water is clean and bacteria-free, your snake plant has still a chance to grow. You might just need to wait a few more days and keep patience.
Final Words
Growing snake plants in water with leaf cutting technique is the most fuss-free way to keep the houseplant. Generally, snake plants require minimal care to flourish, and when in water, it does not even ask for any! You just need to prepare the proper environment for your snake, it will do the rest for itself. The root growth phase of your snake plant in water is the most vital time frame. And if you successfully overcome it, you can flaunt your mature plant in the water jar without the tension of following a watering regimen! All you need to do is add a few drops of the liquid fertilizer while replacing the water every time. But don’t forget to skip fertilizing in the winter months.
Have you ever grown a snake plant in water? What do you do to encourage its growth in water? Drop us a line sharing all the tricks you undertake to keep your plant greener and healthy in water. We love to discover new facts about this gorgeous houseplant!
References
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Snake plant profile- University of Minnesota
From childhood, I have been extremely fascinated with plants and gardening. That has eventually led me to pursue BSc and then MSc in botany from the University of Calcutta. My deep love for plants has probably stemmed from the gorgeous terrace garden that I have seen my father nurture as long as I can remember.