I am in Brooklyn, New York. My snake plant is in a south facing window and it grew well in the center to about 2 to 2.5 feet and 3 new plants sprouted around the center. The 3 new plants are about 10--12 inches high. 3-4 months ago the center started leaning and for a while I propped it up in a corner. All the leaves look very health, especially the new plants. The today, while rotating it a section of the center snapped off to the side. It was barely attached so I snapped it totally off. The remaining plant now has 6 center leaves up to 2 feet tall, the three new plants and a space in the middle about 4 inches in diameter. The part that snapped off has 13 healthy looking leaves all attached at the bottom to a 2 inch nub. nothing resembles roots. Is there any way to keep the part that snapped off together? Or do I have to try to replant the leaves separately and if so what is the best way?

I don't think snake plants have much of a root system. Although I could be wrong-it's been awhile since I tackled anything like repotting a broken plant but you could try. I did try with a piece of broken leaf but it didn't take. hopefully someone with more experience will add to your question.

Hi Jerrysalek, to the site!

Seeing a photo of your Snake Plant will help others better advise as to what to do but Dracaena can be propagated by leaf cuttings. Just stick the cut end of the leaf into the soil and tamp it down to hold the leaf in place; in time, it will produce roots. If it's a main stem that snapped and if the stem is viable and not rotten, you can also propagate that by planting it in soil. If you can upload a photo showing the entire plant as well as a photo of the part that snapped off, I'm sure other members will be able to offer tips.

Just pop that bad boy in a pot of cactus mix and it will do fine. Super-tough plants, take a licking and keep on ticking.

I'm afraid it will tip over. Will it grow roots? Should I prop it up until it grows some roots? Keep the mix wet or dry?

Yes it will grow roots. Propping it up is a good idea. You can use bamboo stakes or a couple of rocks. Water it in and then let it get fairly dry before you water again. If it gets moderately bright light it will root faster. Check it about once a month to see if it has rooted and no longer needs staking or support.

Thanks. I'll try. Sounds like it might take awhile. How do I check to see if roots are growing?

You can definitely plant that cut off part. As already mentioned just stick in a cacti mix, make sure you use container with drain holes. I use big rocks around the base to help support it while it makes new roots. Being winter time be very, very patient. It is indeed a long wait. Do not water right away..wait a few days.

When I had a similar cutting I water far away from the base since there are no roots yet. Then next watering can take as long as it can. The big rocks supporting it helps me see if media is still wet. If it still shows damp delay watering some more. Typically it really slows down in growth during winter, so it is not that water needy yet and having no roots to take up moisture, the longer the delay to water is better for it

Root formation really takes time..can even go up to a month. It varies depending on the growing environment factoring ambient temperature, light levels and duration. So your patience will be your friend. You will know it is rooting once you see it grow at least one new leaf.or you can just see how it perks up better later on. Take photos so you can compare it after a month.

Make sure to position the plant in a warm, bright light area. No direct sun..it will eventually redirect all its energy to root formation.

Thanks tarev. Very helpful! Will update in 2-4 weeks.

I had two parts of a snake plant that fell out of a pot because the roots rotted from overwatering. I was not sure what to do with them but I did not want to toss them. I set them on a plant shelf and forgot about them. Several weeks later I came upon them and one of them had started growing a new plant vertically from the horizontal piece! I cut away most of the horizontal part and put in a pot. I have a lovely new snake plant (like I need more! )

I think a lot of these supposed incidents of rotting are just older rosettes falling apart after having bloomed in the past. A monocarpic plant but can be so slow about it. The older, previously-bloomed rosette can take years to slowly wither away, or more suddenly fall out.

jerrysalak said:How do I check to see if roots are growing?

After about a month or two of the cutting being in soil, give it a very, light gentle tug and if you feel resistance, that's a sign that roots have formed.

purpleinopp said:I think a lot of these supposed incidents of rotting are just older rosettes falling apart after having bloomed in the past. A monocarpic plant but can be so slow about it. The older, previously-bloomed rosette can take years to slowly wither away, or more suddenly fall out.

I did not know this! I was wondering why the rest of the plant was fine. Cool

So I have another Snake plant question. I'm liking my snake plant more and more but as I'm trying to propagate it it seems to be taking too long. I cut off 3 leaves that were about a foot long. Then I cut off the top 10 inches or so with an upside down v at the bottom and placed them in water. About 4-5 weeks later nothing is happening with 2 of the leaves, while one leaf has tiny stringy growths from 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long. How should I proceed?/Users/kathleensalak/Downloads/IMG_0360 2.HEIC

Just leave them be by your warmest, brightest window. And continue to be very, very patient.

It is winter..most plants indoors slow down..even more for new cuttings.

Give it another month and do not be tempted to water yet..no roots yet to drink the moisture. It will just use whatever moisture is in its leaf.

Are you able to add a pic? What you describe sounds like it should work. 4-5 weeks may not be enough time.

I tried to post a picture and failed. It's very similar to the top pic posted by you (purplinopp). Should I leave the leaves in water or lay them out in a sunny place?

I would keep them in the water unless they look or feel like they're rotting. It can take months for a tiny baby plant to start to form, after there are some roots.