Snake plants are incredibly easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from bright sun to low light. They’re also drought-tolerant, so you don’t have to worry about watering them too often. But growing snake plants may have some issues if they are not given proper care. One of these issues is when the plant loses its roots.
A snake plant that is not rooted properly will have a harder time taking up water and nutrients from the soil. This can lead to your plant looking unhealthy and even dying. In this article, we will tell you why your snake plant may lose its leaves and what you should do about this issue.
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Why Does My Snake Plant Have No Roots?
If you have a snake plant that does not have any roots it’s mainly due to overwatering or fungus. Overwatering degrades the roots because it causes root rot. On the other hand, fungus damages the roots by killing their cells.
The negative effects of overwatering go beyond root damage. In fact, the roots of an overwatered plant will be unable to get the oxygen they need from the soil. This will cause the leaves to turn yellow and fall off.
Overwatering does not happen only when you water your plant more frequently but also when you use the wrong kind of soil or an inappropriate pot. As a result, we recommend using well-draining soil for snake plant and a pot that has drainage holes.
Fungus also damages snake plant roots by causing root rot and can cause damage to the stems and leaves of the plant also. The rot can spread to the stem and leaves of the plant, causing the plant to wilt and die.
What Do I Do if My Snake Plant Has No Roots?
If your snake plant is having no roots there are minimal chances to save it. However, you can cut the remaining healthy leaves and propagate each one of them. this way you can get several snake plants from the one that was supposedly dead.
But if you want to give your snake plant that does not have roots a chance then I advise you to do the following:
1. Remove the Plant from The Original Pot: If you have an over watered plant, the first thing you should do is remove it from the original pot. This will allow the plant to drain and dry out, which will help it to recover.
2. Allow the Plant to Soak for 15-30 Minutes: When a plant has been overwatered, the roots are often unable to absorb all of the water and the plant begins to suffocate. To correct this, it is necessary to soak the plant in water for 15-30 minutes to allow the roots to absorb the water they need.
3. Place the Plant in A Well-Ventilated Area and Allow It to Dry out Completely.
4. Once the Plant Is Dry, Repot It in Fresh, Dry Potting Mix: Replanting the plant in a fresh potting mix that is well-draining will allow the roots to dry out and start to recover.
5. Water the Plant Lightly, and Only when The Soil Is Dry: To check if the soil is dry, insert your finger into the soil up to the first knuckle. If the soil is dry, it will be crumbly. After that, you can water your plant, but remember to use a low quantity of after as the plant is still recovering from overwatering.
How to Propagate a Snake Plant without Roots?
To make use of a snake plant that does not have roots we recommend propagating its healthy leaves as soon as possible. To do so you can follow the instruction below:
1. Take the Healthiest Leaves and Remove Any Damaged Sections: When propagating a snake plant that does not have roots, it is important to use only healthy leaves. This is because the leaves will be the source of the new plant’s energy and nutrients. If the leaves are unhealthy, the new plant will also be unhealthy.
To remove the damaged section from a plant without causing any harm, first identify the point of damage. Then, using a sharp knife or pair of scissors, cut away the damaged section just below the point of damage. Be sure to make a clean cut and avoid damaging the healthy tissue.
2. Treat the leaves with fungicide: fungicide is important to treat your snake plant with before propagation because it will help prevent the spread of disease. It is especially important to treat plants that have lost their roots because of fungal diseases.
To treat your snake plant with fungicide before propagation, mix the fungicide with water according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Next, dip the plant’s roots into the mixture. Finally, allow the plant to drain and dry before placing it in the propagating medium.
3. Fill a pot with well-draining soil and place the snake plant cutting in it: well-draining soil will help to prevent root rot from happening and fungus from infecting your plant. Water the soil in the pot lightly. This should give birth to “new” roots.
