Snake Plant Pups? Tips To Of Whole Pubs January

Have you ever seen a fleshy white rhizome beside your main snake pants? As a new snake plant owner, I was confused seeing that.

But what to do when your snake plant has babies?

• Should you remove them? 
• Or, should you propagate them? If yes, how to do it? 

Don’t be tense by thinking about these. Just read the article patiently and learn all about the pups of snake plants.

Snake Plant Pups: What Is It?

Snake plant pups are like baby plants that grow from the bottom of a big snake plant. They come from underground parts called rhizomes. These pups are natural and help the snake plant spread.

Once they grow their roots and leaves, you can remove them from the parent plant and grow them on your own. This is a great way to make more snake plants because the pups already have roots. With care, they’ll grow into big snake plants just like their parents.

What Do Snake Plant Pups Look Like?

Pups are offshoots or baby plants that grow from the base of the mature mother plant. These pups are also known as offsets or suckers. Snake plants are known for their ability to produce these new shoots as a means of snake plant pup propagation.

Pups of snake plants are a great way to multiply your snake plant collection and enjoy your snake plant benefits, such as air purification and low maintenance. They usually look like miniature versions of your mother snake plant. Because you will see the same shape, color, and pattern of the leaves. 

There are some other varieties of snake plants that produce pups that look different from your parent plant. For example, having a lighter or darker shade of green or having more or less variegation. This is because snake plants are often hybrids, and their pups can inherit different traits from their ancestors.

Pups of snake plants can vary in size and number, depending on the age, health, and environment of your original plant. Also, some snake plants can produce only one or two pups, while others may produce dozens of them. 

The pups usually grow close to the mother plant, but sometimes, they may appear a few inches away from it. The pups can grow from the same pot as the mother plant, or they may emerge from the soil surface if the rhizomes have spread underground.

Parts Of Snake Plant Pups

Although they are tiny, if you look up close, then you will see different parts of snake plants and pups. Such as:

• Base: This is where the pup connects to the parent plant or the rhizome. It’s like the pup’s anchor. The base has two parts.
• White part: that pops up above the soil.
• Orange part: The stem that produces roots
• Leaves: Pups have miniature versions of the long, upright leaves that adult snake plants are known for. These leaves can vary in colour and pattern.
• Roots: As the pup grows, it develops its root system. These roots help the pup to anchor itself in the soil and absorb water and nutrients.

At What Age Or Stage Do Snake Plants Typically Produce Pups?

You can produce these indoor plants in 2 ways such as: by producing flowers and seeds or by producing pups from their underground stems, which are called rhizomes.  

You know that after maturity, almost all plants produce seeds, which can be used for propagating new plants. But do you know when snake plants typically produce pups?

Well, it can’t be said exactly at what age or stage your snake plants will produce pups. There are various types of snake plants, which also have different shapes, sizes, and requirements of environmental conditions. Different types of snake plants produce pups at different times. Some snake plants may produce pups more readily than others.

On the other hand, types of soil mix, the amount of light, and the frequency of watering can also impact the times of producing pups. 

Generally, snake plants can produce pups after they are at least 2 years old, but some may take longer. Let’s see some varieties of snake plants’ age of producing pups:

Types of snake plants	Age or stage of producing pups
Dracaena Trifasciata ‘Laurentii’	They are also known as mother-in-law’s tongue. They start producing pups around 3 to 5 years of age.
Dracaena Angolensis,	Commonly known as African Spear Plant. When they are 3 years old, starts producing pups.
Dracaena Trifasciata ‘Hahnii’	Hahnii called Bird’s Nest Snake Plant; this compact variety might produce pups earlier, around 2 years of age.
Dracaena Trifasciata ‘Black Gold’	They are similar to Dracaena Lautarii that produce pups in 3-5 years.
Dracaena Trifasciata ‘Twisted Sister’	Sisters can start producing pups after their age of 3, depending on environmental conditions.
Dracaena Angolensis ‘Starfish’	You will find small size pups at the base of these snake plants after 4 years.

When To Separate Snake Plant Pups?

Congratulations to you on the new pups of your snake pants. Are you thinking about when to remove snake plant pups? Pups are a way of propagating snake plants by division. You will see them like a miniature of mother plants. But you should not disturb them very early. To separate them, you should keep patience and wait to reach them about 4-6 inches tall.

If you find they haven’t their roots yet, then wait for some time more. It can take 4 months to reach adequate size and have their roots after emerging from the rhizomes. This will ensure that they are strong enough to survive on their own and have a higher chance of success. 

The best time to separate snake plant pups is their growing seasons like spring and summer. When you know the plant is active and recovers faster also you will see the pups well-established. 

How To Propagate Snake Plant Pups In Water And Soil?

Snake plants are popular houseplants. Propagating snake plant pups is a great way to multiply your snake plants. Snake plant pups are new shoots that grow from the base of the mother plant. 

By following some steps, you can easily propagate them in water and soil. 

Now, I will tell you an effective and proven method to propagate snake plants in water and soil. 

Tools and materials: 

• A sharp knife or scissors
• A clean pot with drainage holes
• A well-draining soil mix
• Distilled or filtered water
• A rooting hormone or a fungicide

Propagating snake plant pups in water

At first cut off the leaf of your mother plant with pruning shears, scissors, or a knife. You have to make a slanted cut at the bottom of the leaf. It should be 5 inches long or more. Avoid choosing unhealthy, yellowing, or damaged leaves. Then let it dry for 1 to 2 days.

Now, take a clean jar filled with about 3 inches (7.6 cm) of water. The water level should be just slightly higher than the top of your cut at the bottom of the leaf. 

Then, you need to leave the jar in a spot that gets lots of indirect sunlight. Change the water out every couple of days, make sure that it doesn’t get cloudy, or wait.  

Now, just  Wait 3 to 5 weeks for roots to begin growing from the base of the cutting. Then, separate the pups from the cutting and let them in the water for some days. When the roots are about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, or the pup snake plant size is 6 cm, you can transplant the cutting in soil.

Propagating in soil

To propagate in soil, first cut off the leaf from your parent plant with pruning shears, scissors, or a clean knife. Make a slanted cut at the bottom of the leaf and let it dry for 1 to 2 days, the same as propagating in water. 

You can dip the cut end of the leaf in a rooting hormone or a fungicide to promote root growth and prevent infection. Then, pot the leaf about 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) deep in moist, well-draining potting soil or succulent soil. 

Place your pot in a bright spot that receives lots of indirect sunlight. Pup snake plants are also toxic, so keep them away from babies and four legged animals. 

Then consider watering lightly and only when the top 2 inches (5.1 cm) of soil feel dry to the touch.  After a few weeks, you will see the pups at the base of the cutting leaves. When it becomes up to 5-6 inches long, gently separate it and plant in a new pot with a well-drained potting mix.  

How To Grow Pup Snake Plants?

You might know that snake pants are favourite houseplants that are renowned for their resilience in different environments. Even they can thrive if you neglect them. But the pup of the snake plant is opposite to them. Pups are naturally less resilient. They need some care to grow well.  You can follow these steps to grow your pup snake plants:

1. Potting Mix: Though snake plant pups can’t grow well in all types of soil, you should use a well-draining potting mix suitable for succulent plants or cacti. A mix that contains perlite or sand works well.
2. Planting the Pup: Create a small hole in the potting mix with your finger or a stick. Insert the roots of the pup into the hole and gently firm the soil around it.
3. Positioning in the Pot: Place the pup in the center of the pot, ensuring that the roots are evenly spread out. Position it at the same depth as it was in the original container.
4. Light and Location: Place your potted pup in a location where it can get  bright, indirect light. Snake plants are adaptable and can tolerate lower light conditions, but they thrive best in moderate to bright light.
5. Watering: Water your newly planted pup sparingly. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
6. Monitor Growth: You have to keep an eye on your plant’s growth. Snake plants are generally slow growers, so be patient. Ensure proper baby snake plant care in terms of light, water, and soil conditions.
7. Fertilization: Snake plants are not heavy feeders, but you can provide a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring and summer) at half the recommended strength every 4-6 weeks.

Water And Sunlight Schedule Of Pub Snake Plants

Water and sunlight are the most important factors for all plants, including snake plants. Wisely maintaining their water and sunlight requirements is crucial, especially for pup snake plants. It can directly affect their growth and overall health.  

Many people face stunted growth of pups and want to know how to water their pups’ snake plants properly.  You can follow these watering schedules for ensuring the growth of your pub snake plants: 

Weeks/Months	Sunlight Requirements	Watering Schedule
Weeks 1-2	Provide bright indirect sunlight for 4-6 hours in a day	Allow soil to dry before watering and provide 1/4 cup when soil is dry
Weeks 3-4	Same as weeks 1-2	Water sparingly, let soil dry out
Weeks 5-8	Provide moderate light for 6-8 hours	Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to touch.
Months 2-3	Same as weeks 5-8	1/3 cup, maintain soil moisture
Months 4-6	Low to Moderate Light, minimum 4-6 hours	Allow soil to dry out between waterings
Months 7-12	Low Light, 2-4 hours	Consider watering once a week.

Issues Or Challenges Associated With The Care Of Snake Plant Pups

When you are propagating or growing pups of your snake plants, you should be concerned about the challenges or issues.  Let’s explore what challenges you can face and how to care for snake plant pups. 

Watering

It might be funny to hear. You may think that watering snake plants can be a challenge. If you are a pro planter, then it’s not a big deal for you. But if you are a beginner or planting snake plants for the first time, then you must know about this. 

Snake plants are succulent drought-loving plants. They are prone to overwatering. Overwater can lead to root rot and other fungal issues. It can also cause drooping leaves, yellowing, or browning. 

Lighting

Your snake plant pups need bright, indirect light to grow well and maintain their color and shape. Mature plants can thrive in low-light conditions. But for pups you should provide proper bright, indirect sunlight. 

But don’t expose them to direct sunlight. Too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves and cause them to lose their color. On the contrary, Too little light can cause the leaves to become narrow and stretched. Also, improper lighting hampers their physiological balance. 

Fertilizing

Snake plant pups do not need a lot of fertilizer, as they grow naturally in poor, rocky soil. However, they can benefit from light feeding once or twice a year, preferably in spring or summer. Avoid any fertilizers that are very high in nitrogen. Because this can result in weak, floppy new growth. It also can damage their roots or even cause roots above the soil.

Pests and diseases

Snake plant pups are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they can still be affected by some common houseplant problems, such as mealybugs, spider mites, scale insects, fungal infections, and bacterial infections. These can cause the leaves of your pups to develop spots, patches, or lesions or to curl, wilt, or fall off.

Interesting Facts About Snake Plant Pups That Enthusiasts Might Find Intriguing

Let’s see some interesting facts about snake plant pups that enthusiasts might find intriguing: 

• Snake plant pups are not clones of the mother plant, but rather genetic variations. This means that they may have different colors, patterns, or shapes than the parent plant. For example, a variegated snake plant may produce pups that are solid green or vice versa.
• Snake plant pups can grow from different parts of the mother plant, such as the base, the middle, or the tip of the leaves. The location of the pup determines how it will look like. For instance, pups that grow from the base of the leaves will have the same shape as the mother plant, while pups that grow from the tip of the leaves will have a cylindrical shape.
• Snake plant pups can be used to create new hybrid varieties of snake plants. By cross-pollinating the flowers of different snake plant species or cultivars, you can produce seeds that will grow into unique pups.
• Snake plant pups can also be used to create bonsai snake plants. By trimming the roots and the leaves of the pups.

These are some of the interesting facts about snake plant pups that enthusiasts might find intriguing.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Overall

Snake plant pups are a great way to expand your collection of snake plants or share them with your friends. They are easy to propagate and care for, and they can add a touch of greenery and style to your home or office. 

To make a proper propagation, you must know when and how to separate pups from mother plants. Their caring methods, like light, and frequency of water, are also different from mature snake plants. 
By following the rules and steps from the article, you can enjoy healthy and well-grown pups of snake plants. To learn more about snake plants, stay connected with plant tricks.