Growing snake plant pups is the easiest way to multiply your collection without paying a trip to the nursery!
Growing snake plant pups is pretty straightforward as long as you don’t go overboard with the stress game! Learn about maintaining the right balance below!
Check out the Ways to Make Snake Plant Grow Faster
What are Baby Snake Plants or Pups?
Baby snake plants, more popularly known as ‘pups’, are like the mini-me’s of their parent plants. These little guys pop up from the base or roots of the main plant, mirroring the same upright leaves that snake plants are famous for. Each pup is a near-identical clone of its parent, ready to grow into another air-purifying champion.
How to Make Baby Snake Plants?
1. Do not Pick a Large Pot
When it comes to inducing a snake plant to grow more pups, the right pot size makes a world of difference. A moderately sized pot encourages the plant to fill the available space with roots, naturally triggering the plant to start reproducing through pups.
When the roots have enough but not excessive room to grow, the plant senses it’s in an optimal environment for propagation, leading to more pups. Aim for a pot that’s just an inch or two wider than the plant’s root ball for the optimal space.
2. Induce Some Water Stress
Did you know a little thirst can prod snake plants into producing more pups? Let the soil dry out completely between waterings to mildly stress the plant. This can trigger a natural reaction to produce pups.
However, ensure that you maintain a delicate balance—too much dryness can be harmful. Make sure the soil is just dry to the touch and isn’t forming cracks or looking extremely dry.
3. Try Community Repotting
Grouping several snake plants in one larger pot can be surprisingly beneficial. This shared space creates a mini-ecosystem, encouraging the plants to pop out more pups. Just be sure there’s enough room for all their roots without overcrowding. This will not only boost pup production but also create an eye-catching display.
4. Expose to Enough Sunlight
While these sturdy plants can survive in low light, a dose of bright, indirect sunlight stimulates them to reproduce. This exposure replicates their native environment, where ideal lighting serves as a cue for the plants to begin pup production.
It’s a natural strategy of these plants that helps them survive and expand at times of stress.
5. Create Environmental Stress
A bit of controlled stress can work wonders for your snake plant, encouraging it to produce more pups. Try gently altering its comfortable living conditions. For example, change the temperature slightly within a safe range, mimicking the change of seasons.
This simulates natural, slightly challenging conditions, nudging the plant to reproduce. But go easy – too much stress can backfire.
6. Fertilize the Plant for Healthy Pups
Use a balanced, diluted houseplant fertilizer—look for one that’s not too heavy on any single nutrient. Go for a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 and dilute it to 1/4th its strength to avoid nutrient burn.
Applying this fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the spring and summer months will give them the nutritional boost they need to produce more baby snake plants.
How to Repot Snake Plant Pups?
Start by gently removing the mother plant from its pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Look for the small offshoots of the main plant and gently separate them using a clean knife or your fingers. Choose a new pot that’s slightly larger than the pup’s root system, ensuring it has proper drainage.
Fill the pot with succulent or cacti mix and plant the pup in it, positioning it so the base sits just above the soil line. With a little patience and care, your snake plant pup will soon grow into a new, robust plant.
Pro Tip: Do not fertilize the pup until it shows signs of growth.
