Can Snake Plants Grow In Water? (10 Tip To Grow)

Using water to grow plants is becoming popular due to its ease. If you are a proud snake plant owner, you might want to know if it can grow in water. Let’s find out, shall we?

Snake plants can grow in water. You can use a leaf cutting to propagate the snake plant in water. Remember that snake plants grow slowly in water, and it will take 2-3 months to see root growth. It would be best if you do not soak it in deep water as it can lead to stem rot.

If you want to propagate your snake plant and watch it grow in water, you are at the right place. I will discuss everything you need for that and how you can take care of a snake plant growing in water. So, keep reading.

Can snake plants grow in just water?

Snake plants are hardy plants that can grow in different mediums, and water is one of them.

If you are a snake plant owner, you might know it cannot tolerate overwatering.

But, if it gets the right conditions, it can grow and root in water.

Before we discuss all the conditions you need to provide your snake plant, let’s understand the methods of growing snake plants in water.

How do I grow snake plants in water?

You can either use the division method or the leaf-cutting method to grow your snake plant in water.

Let’s understand both.

1. Growing snake plants in water through the division method

One amazing quality of snake plants is that it gives pups, and you can divide them from the mother plant to get new plants.

This process is called the division of snake plants.

You can take the small snake plant pups you’ve divided and grow them in water.

Here’s what we’ll need:

• Clean water
• A pair of sterilized scissors or knife
• A glass jar or container

And the plant.

Now let’s see how to go about it.

• First, take your snake plant out of its pot.
• Now divide the pups from the plant by pulling them gently apart from the mother plant.
• If you find it difficult, use a sharp, sterilized knife or scissors to separate the pups.
• Now take a glass jar or container.
• You can add some pebbles at the bottom to hold the pups in place.
• Add clean water to the jar or container and ensure that the rhizome part of your snake plant stays in the water.
• You can add some liquid fertilizer to the water to give some nutrients to the plants.
• Place the container in a spot with proper light and airflow.

2. Growing snake plants using the leaf-cutting method

The leaf-cutting method is a popular propagation method.

You can take leaf cuttings from your snake plant and grow them in water.

But ensure the plant is healthy so the leaves can successfully root in water.

Things you will need:

• Clean water
• A pair of sterilized scissors or knife
• A glass jar or container

And the plant.

Now, let’s check out the process.

• Inspect the snake plant and mark one or two healthy leaves.
• Now take the knife or scissors and cut these leaves at the base.
• Next, cut these leaves into 2-3 sections. Ensure to make clean cuts. 
• Take the glass jar and fill it halfway with clean water. Or, pour water after placing the cuttings in the jar.
• Place the cuttings in the jar, ensuring that the base of the leaves is immersed in water.
• Place the jar or container where it gets enough light and the right growing conditions.
• You can add some fertilizer to the water to fasten the root growth.
• You should see root growth within some weeks. After this, you can move the plant to a new pot with soil or keep growing it in water.
• Don’t forget to change the water whenever it seems dirty.

10 Tips to care for a snake plant in water.

Since you might be new to growing snake plants in water, here are a few things you should remember.

1. Keep the container in a well-lit spot. Make sure it gets enough indirect sunlight. An east-facing window will be a great choice.
2. As I mentioned earlier, add 2-3 drops of liquid fertilizer to the water every time you change the water, as it will help the snake plants get the required nutrients. Avoid adding fertilizer during the winter.
3. Also, since the snake plant will grow in water, try to use good quality water like rainwater or filtered water. Using tap water might not be beneficial as it contains minerals that the plants don’t enjoy. If you only have access to tap water, collect it in a bucket. Leave it aside overnight and then use it.
4. Don’t forget to rinse and clean the glass jar or container every time you change the water.
5. You can add some activated charcoal to the water to keep it clean.
6. Keep them in optimum temperatures between 50-95°F.
7. Avoid exposing the snake plants to cold drafts or low temperatures.
8. If you notice brown parts on the snake plant or bacteria and fungi in the jar, remove them.
9. The water evaporates from the jar or container, due to which the water levels go down. So, add water to the jar whenever the water level goes down.
10. You can add pebbles to the jar or container to hold the snake plant in place.

How long does it take for a snake plant to grow roots in water?

Snake plants grow slower in water as compared to soil.

If you are propagating a snake plant in water, you should see roots coming out of the cuttings within 4-6 weeks.

Sometimes, it can take longer, and you might see root growth after 2-3 months.

If you want faster root growth, provide the correct conditions for your snake plant.

Adding some rooting hormone can also help the roots grow faster.

However, it is optional.

Benefits of growing snake plants in water

If you are still unsure if you should grow your snake plant in water, I’d like to show you the benefits.

• Less mess: Growing snake plants in water means that there will be less mess. Using soil to grow snake plants can be very messy, especially when you have to repot it. But, if you are growing your snake plant in water, you only have to change water from time to time.
• No chances of overwatering: I remember killing many snake plants due to overwatering. Snake plants don’t need a lot of water. When you grow your snake plant in water, the chances of overwatering reduce because a plant already growing in water will not get overwatered.
• Less effort: When growing the snake plant in water, you must keep it in a suitable spot and change the water from time to time. But, when you grow snake plants in soil, you need to put more effort into watering them, checking the soil, etc.

Can I put my snake plant in a fish tank?

If you have a fish tank, the good news is you can grow your snake plant in it.

A snake plant will grow in the fish tank.

However, you need to make sure that no fish should consume the snake plant as it is toxic.

Although snake plants can grow in water, they prefer soil over water as they are succulents.

So, although you can temporarily grow the snake plant in water or a fish tank, it would be best to move it to soil eventually.

Should I spray my snake plant with water?

One of the mistakes that I made with my snake plant was spraying it with water.

Snake plants prefer dry conditions, and you don’t need to spray water.

When the snake plant grows in water, it won’t need any extra humidity as the water will evaporate from the container.

Why is my snake plant not propagating in water?

If you choose unhealthy leaves or divide an unhealthy pup and try to grow it in water, you might not see any success.

But if they are healthy, you should see root growth.

Remember that root growth can take time, depending on your snake plant’s conditions.

So, do not expect to see roots fast and give it enough time.

Also, regular tap water can delay the process, so use filtered or rainwater to see faster growth.

Final words

Growing snake plants in water is a great way to propagate them and get new ones. You must provide the ideal conditions like proper light, temperature, etc. Keep the plants away from low temperatures or drafts.

You can use the division or leaf-cutting method to grow your snake plant in water. Once you see roots coming out, allow them to grow longer, and then you can shift the plant to soil or keep growing it in water. I do suggest moving the snake plant to the soil after a while.

Keep the water clean when growing snake plants in water. Avoid misting. Add a few drops of fertilizer every time you change the water, and stop fertilizing in winter.

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Source: The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture, University of Minnesota, Snake plant profile.