After experimenting with propagating and rooting Snake Plants in water, I decided to take it a step further and try growing them permanently in water, hydroponically. Snake Plants, also known as Mother-in-Law’s Tongue, have recently been reclassified into the Dracaena genus from their former classification in the Sansevieria genus. But enough about that! Let me show you the simple process I used to convert my plants to permanent hydroponic growing.
Why Do Plants Rot in Soil that is Wet But Won’t Rot in Just Water?
This is a fascinating question that many people wonder about. The main reason is the availability of oxygen in the root zone. Plant roots absorb oxygen from the water in the soil. When the soil is well-aerated, the water near the roots absorbs oxygen from the air. However, if the soil is waterlogged, the air has difficulty reaching the roots. This lack of oxygen stresses the plants because the roots can’t breathe, especially if the soil is too dense. Additionally, the competition for oxygen from microorganisms in the soil encourages the growth of fungi, which attack the weakened roots and cause rotting to occur. In contrast, when plants are grown in plain water, there is less competition for oxygen, and thus, the plants do not rot.
You're reading: How to Grow Snake Plants in Water, Without Soil!
Growing Snake Plants Hydroponically
I know someone who has successfully grown snake plants in plain water for over a decade. She simply used plain water with some pebbles and no fertilizer. The plants weren’t thriving, but they survived! Inspired by this, I decided to experiment with growing my water-propagated snake plant pups hydroponically. I wanted to improve on the method a little bit and include fertilizer to ensure my plants look their best.
Please note that in this post, I won’t be covering the process of transferring a soil-grown plant to a hydroponically grown one. But in the future, I will update this post once I get around to doing that. The steps I’ll share with you below can work for any plant that you’ve already rooted in water. However, for this specific post, I’ll focus on snake plants that I water propagated.
Read more : Repotting Snake Plants: A Guide to Success and Thriving Houseplants
To begin, I took the pups that I propagated in water and cut them off from the “mother” leaves. Then, using a pair of scissors, I carefully cut the pups off right where they were growing out of the leaf cuttings. Now, the pups were free and ready for hydroponic growing.
Next, I chose a sturdy glass vase or pot without drainage holes to grow my snake plants hydroponically. I opted for a narrow and shallow glass container because I wanted to make it visually appealing. I used Mosser Lee River Pebbles, which you can easily find on Amazon, to fill the container. The pebbles not only keep the plants sturdy and in place but also enhance the overall aesthetic.
Once I had added the pebbles, I carefully placed each pup into the container, burying them approximately 2-3 inches into the pebbles. It might take a little trial and error to arrange them in a way that you like. After arranging the pups, I added water until it reached just below the surface of the pebbles.
For the water, I used plain tap water to which I added a fertilizer called Dyna-Gro Grow. This fertilizer is a complete solution containing all the necessary micro and macro nutrients for plant growth. I find it to be an excellent choice because it is urea-free, meaning it won’t burn your plants if used as directed on the label.
Read more : Snake Plant: A Resilient and Low-maintenance Houseplant
Before adding the fertilizer, it’s essential to measure both the fertilizer and water accurately to avoid any problems. I followed the instructions on the Dyna-Gro Grow label, which recommend adding 1 teaspoon per gallon of water for non-recirculating hydroponic systems. So, I mixed up a solution in a gallon jug using a measuring spoon.
Once you’ve added the water and fertilizer, place your plant in a location that receives the appropriate amount of light. I have mine in front of an east-facing window and will update this post as my plant progresses.
Routine Maintenance
Here are some tips for routine care at this point:
- Keep an eye on the water level. It’s okay if some of it evaporates, but make sure not to let it go completely dry. Top it off with your fertilizer solution.
- During the winter when light levels are low and plants aren’t growing much, if at all, it’s best to stop using fertilizer and use plain water instead. Resume using the fertilizer solution in the spring.
- It’s a good idea to change the water completely, rather than just topping it off, once or twice a month. This will help keep everything fresh and clean.
- If you notice cloudy or smelly water, it’s likely that something has rotted. Remove all the water, any rotted debris, and clean the container thoroughly. You can also add a piece or two of activated charcoal to keep the water cleaner and fresh.
- Algae may grow, especially if you’re using a clear container like I did. While algae isn’t necessarily bad, if it becomes excessive, simply take your plants out of the container, clean the container with warm water and soap, rinse it well, and then place the plants back in.
That’s it! Give hydroponic growing a try, and let me know how it goes. Have you experimented with growing your houseplants hydroponically? Share your experiences in the comments below. And don’t forget to share this post on social media to help spread the Ohio Tropics houseplant care tips! You can also check out my shop on Amazon for all your houseplant care needs at the Ohio Tropics Plant Care Storefront.
Source: https://designsofapril.com
Category: Snake Plant
