How To Save A Snake Plant With No Roots

If you look down and notice your beloved snake plant has no roots, don’t panic. While it might look dire, there are several tricks you can use to help your rootless snake plant grow new roots and thrive.

With a little TLC and the right propagation method, you can nurse your snake plant back to health.

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: Cut the healthy leaves off the snake plant above the rotted roots. Let them callous over and then place in water, sphagnum moss or soil. Keep waiting until new roots emerge from the base of the leaves.

Assess the Damage and Remove Rotted Roots

Look for signs of root rot

Root rot is one of the most common causes of snake plants losing their roots. This fungal disease thrives in wet, poorly draining soil and causes the roots to turn brown and mushy. Carefully remove the snake plant from its pot and inspect the roots.

Healthy roots should be firm and white or yellowish in color. Rotted roots will be dark brown or black and easily pull away from the the main part of the plant. Don’t be alarmed if you find quite a bit of damage.

Snake plants are remarkably resilient and can regrow new roots even after losing most of their root system.

Cut off all rotted roots

Once you’ve assessed the extent of the root rot, it’s time to trim away all the dead and dying roots. Use a clean, sharp pair of pruning shears or garden scissors. Make each cut just above the rotted area, where the tissue is still healthy and white.

Don’t worry about damaging the plant by cutting too much. Removing the rotted roots prevents the fungus from spreading and allows the plant to focus its energy on producing new roots instead of trying to sustain decaying ones.

Let cuts callous over

Before you repot your freshly trimmed snake plant, it’s a good idea to give the cuts a chance to callous over. This helps prevent infection by sealing over the wound. Simply set the plant on a dry towel or paper towels overnight. Keep it out of direct sun to avoid stressing it further.

A callous forms when the cut surface dries out. The next day, you can move ahead with replanting into fresh, well-draining soil. Be sure to choose a pot with drainage holes and use a cactus/succulent mix or amend regular potting soil with extra perlite.

This creates the fast-draining environment snake plants need to prevent future issues with root rot.

Choose a Propagation Method

Water propagation

Water propagation is one of the easiest ways to propagate a snake plant with no roots. All you need is a container filled with water, and some snake plant cuttings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Use a clean, sharp knife or pair of scissors to cut off a leaf of the snake plant close to the base. Make sure to get some stem attached. The cutting should be 3-5 inches long.
2. Remove any remaining leaves or leaf tips so that you only have the stem remaining. This helps the cutting absorb water better.
3. Fill a small glass or jar with room temperature water. Place the cutting into the water so the cut end is fully submerged. Top off with more water if needed.
4. Put the glass in a bright spot but out of direct sunlight. Change the water every 2-3 days to prevent rotting.
5. Roots will begin to sprout in 2-3 weeks typically. Once the roots are 1-2 inches long, the cutting can be potted up in soil.

The key to water propagation is patience. It may take several weeks for roots to form. Use clean water and replace it frequently. Once rooted, transition the new plant to soil right away to prevent rot.

Sphagnum Moss

Anotherpropagation method is to use sphagnum moss. The spongy texture of the moss helps retain moisture for developing roots. Here are the steps:

1. Take a 3-5 inch snake plant cutting, removing any leaves as mentioned before.
2. Get a small pot or plastic container and fill it with damp sphagnum moss.
3. Make a hole in the moss and insert the snake plant cutting. Gently firm the moss around the stem.
4. Cover the container with a plastic bag to create a greenhouse environment. Place it in indirect light.
5. Check the moss weekly and mist with water if needed to keep it lightly moist.
6. In 4-8 weeks, you should see new root growth. Now the plant can be repotted into soil.

The advantage of sphagnum moss is the humidity it provides encourages faster rooting. Just be sure not to oversaturate the moss or it can cause the cutting to rot.

Soil Propagation

Planting snake plant cuttings directly in soil is also effective. Use a well-draining potting mix and take these steps:

1. Prepare a small pot with potting soil, such as a 2-3 inch starter pot. Water lightly.
2. Make a narrow hole in the soil with a pencil, chopstick or your finger.
3. Insert the snake plant cutting into the hole, leaving 2-3 nodes below the soil surface.
4. Gently firm the soil around the cutting. Water lightly to settle the soil.
5. Optional – cover with a plastic bag to increase humidity. Remove once new growth emerges.
6. Place the potted cutting in bright, indirect light. Keep the soil slightly moist but not soggy.
7. New roots and growth will emerge in 4-8 weeks. Then you can repot into a larger container if desired.

Soil propagation retains less moisture than water or moss methods. But it avoids overwatering issues that can cause rot with cuttings. The key is well-draining soil and proper watering technique.

Provide the Right Care While Propagating

Give Bright, Indirect Light

Snake plants with no roots need bright, indirect light while propagating to prevent sun damage. An east, west, or north facing window is ideal, providing 4-6 hours of gentle sunlight per day. Direct southern light can burn delicate new leaves.

Supplement natural light with fluorescent grow lights 12-14 hours daily if needed.

Maintain Proper Moisture Levels

Without roots to absorb water, moisture control prevents rot. Allow potting mix to dry 1-2 inches deep between waterings. When watering, thoroughly soak soil then dump excess water from drainage tray. A well-draining cactus/succulent mix also prevents sogginess.

Mist leaves every 2-3 days for humidity without overwatering the soil.

Watch for Growth

Within 4-8 weeks, tiny white roots should emerge from the severed end planted in soil. As the roots elongate, new leaf growth will follow. Gradually increase watering frequency as the root system develops to encourage faster maturity.

Rotate the pot periodically so all sides receive equal light for even growth. When 3-4 sturdy leaves have unfurled, cut back on water again for a couple weeks before transplanting into a permanent pot.

For the best propagation success, recreate the hot, arid environment snake plants thrive in. With attentive care while rootless, the cuttings will flourish. Consult plant nurseries like Costa Farms or university extension sites like University of Arizona Extension for more tips.

Transplant Snake Plant Once Rooted

Snake plants are amazingly resilient houseplants that can bounce back from adversity. If your snake plant loses its roots, don’t despair. With a little TLC, you can help it grow an entirely new root system.

Here are some tips for transplanting a rootless snake plant and getting it established in its new home.

Wait for strong root system

Before transplanting your snake plant, it’s crucial to allow time for it to develop new roots. Without an established root system, the plant won’t be able to absorb water and nutrients. Be patient and leave the snake plant in water or moist soil until it has at least 1-2 inches of white, healthy roots.

This may take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months depending on the plant and conditions. Once you see vigorous root growth, it’s time to move to soil.

Choose well-draining pot and soil

Snake plants prefer a fast-draining potting mix. Choose a pot with drainage holes and use a soil labeled for cacti and succulents. You can also create your own mix with equal parts potting soil, perlite or pumice, and sand.

Make sure the soil is loose and airy – compacted, dense soil will lead to rotting. Pick a pot that’s about 2 inches wider than the root ball or slightly larger. Go too big, and the soil will stay wet longer after watering.

Bury root ball 1-2 inches deep

When transplanting your snake plant, take care not to bury it too deeply. The crown where the leaves emerge should sit just above the soil line. Burying it too deep can cause crown rot. Aim to have the root ball covered by 1-2 inches of soil.

Gently tamp down the soil around the roots to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after transplanting to help settle the soil.

With attentive care while rooting and proper planting technique, your rescued snake plant can thrive again in its new home. In 6-12 months, you may see new leaves emerging as the root system expands. With a little patience and TLC, you can bring your snake plant back from the brink.

Just be sure to transplant at the right time once those new roots are raring to grow!

Caring for Your Snake Plant Long-Term

Water when top 1-2 inches of soil are dry

Snake plants are succulents, meaning they store water in their leaves and stems. This makes them very drought tolerant and ideal for people who tend to forget to water their plants! Here are some tips for watering your snake plant:

• Allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out completely before watering again. You can check this by sticking your finger in the soil.
• When you do water, thoroughly soak the soil until water drains out the bottom of the pot. This encourages deep root growth.
• In general, you’ll likely only need to water a snake plant every 2-3 weeks.
• Reduce watering frequency in the winter when growth slows.

By allowing the soil to dry out between waterings, you prevent root rot in snake plants. Their succulent leaves will show signs of wrinkling when they need a drink.

Fertilize in spring and summer

While snake plants are relatively low maintenance, providing fertilizer during the active growing season can encourage new growth. Here’s when and how to fertilize:

• Fertilize your snake plant every 2-4 weeks from spring through summer.
• Use a balanced houseplant fertilizer diluted to half strength.
• Stop fertilizing in fall and winter when growth naturally slows.
• Flushing the soil with clean water every few months will prevent buildup of salts.

Avoid over-fertilizing snake plants, as this can burn the tips of the leaves. Look for signs of tip burn, which indicates it’s time to leach the soil and hold off on fertilizer.

Repot when potbound

Snake plants have relatively small root systems compared to their long foliage. However, over time they can still become rootbound in their pots. Here are some signs it’s time to repot:

• Roots are visible at the drainage holes or spilling over the top of the container.
• You see slowed growth.
• The plant becomes top heavy and tipsy.

When repotting, choose a container only 1-2 inches larger than the current pot. Use a well-draining potting mix, and divide congested root balls if needed. Repotting annually or every other year is sufficient for most snake plants.

By providing the right care when it comes to water, fertilizer, and repotting, you can keep a snake plant thriving for many years to come. Their adaptability makes them an excellent choice for beginner gardeners and busy households alike!

With minimal effort, you’ll have a resilient, unique houseplant to enjoy.

Conclusion

While a rootless snake plant might look like a goner, there are tried and true techniques you can use to coax new root growth. With a little patience and TLC, you can nurse your plant back to health. Just be sure to choose the propagation method that works best for you and provide plenty of bright, indirect light.

In no time, you’ll have a happy, thriving snake plant once again.