Do Snake Plants Have Deep Roots?

Does your Snake plant have deep roots?

Or does it support a shallow root system?

When many newbie gardeners get this plant from the shop, they often get confused about its roots.

Often, the reason for such confusion is the size of the leaves.

Since the Snake plant has elongated leaves, they generally give you a sense that its root may also spread vigorously in the pot.

So, what’s the truth behind the root system of this beautiful indoor plant?

In the following guide, I have shared some insights on this topic, which should help answer some of your doubts.

Do Snake Plants Have Deep Roots?

No, the Snake plants do not have deep roots!

These plants have a shallow root system, which is quite common in this type of desert plant.

As you know, the Snake plant is native to the African region, and the conditions in these locations are suitable for the plants.

Therefore, the native plants have adapted themselves to make the most of available resources in such harsh conditions.

This applies to the Snake plant too!

With its shallow roots, the plant saves its energy and resources by not sending the roots deep into the sand.

Since the sand doesn’t hold enough water for too long, its roots focus more on supporting the plant than searching for water and other resources.

The other important aspect of this plant’s root system is the rhizome.

Yes, the Snake plant also has a rhizome, which acts as a storage unit for the plant.

Here, the plant stores water and nutrients that are required for growth.

So, that’s how this plant has adapted itself to thrive in difficult conditions.

Does Snake Plant Need Bigger Pot?

Not really!

As I mentioned earlier, the plant has a shallow root system.

This means the roots will not spread a lot like they do in some other plants.

Hence, you won’t need a bigger pot for this plant.

If you have a bigger pot in your home, you can also have multiple Snake plants in the same pot.

They do look great together and add to the beauty of the home decor.

Still, there is one thing you need to remember while planting the Snake plant at home.

This plant can get root bound if it gets decent growing conditions.

So, it’s always a good idea to have a mid-sized pot than a small pot for this plant.

It will help grow your plant at a decent rate in this type of pot.

And of course, you will not have to repot it every now and then.

Why Does My Snake Plant Turn Brown At Base?

It’s likely because of the overwatering situation in the pot.

Although the Snake plant doesn’t mind a good amount of water, it never likes to be in the overwatered pot for long.

If the water doesn’t drain out quickly, the plant will begin to show signs of root rot.

Ultimately, it will result in brown leaves.

These leaves start to turn brown from the base.

So, make sure the soil is not too wet.

If there is no drainage hole in the pot, make a few holes as soon as possible.

Also, try to repot the plant and provide a fresh soil mix to such plants.

This should help prevent any further damage to the plant.

Another important thing to note here is that you will have to act upon it quickly.

If you allow the plant to be in a wet condition, it may also lead to fungus issues.

Once the fungus spreads on the plant, it becomes difficult to control the damage.

Sunlight is another important factor in growing your plant and managing the overwatering conditions in the pot.

If you feel there is a bit of extra water in the planter, you can simply put it under the sun.

This should help evaporate some of the moisture from the surface.

5 Things To Remember While Dividing Snake Plant Rhizome

The best thing about the Snake plant is it often gives you new pups from the soil.

But if you don’t know how to remove them from the main plant, you will probably keep growing them in the same pot.

This will lead to competition in the pot, as the plants will go after the same resources in the soil.

To avoid this situation, you should know how to divide the rhizome and plants from the pot.

The following guidelines will help in this process.

So, do check them out.

1. Remove The Plant From The Pot 

This is the first step in this process.

You should remove the plant from the soil so that it will be easier to carry out the next tasks.

Now, many beginners try to pull the new shoots without removing them from the pot.

This is not the correct method to remove the rhizome or new plants.

It will cause more damage to the plant as well as the root system.

2. Perform A Primary Inspection Of The Root System

As soon as you remove the plant, you should perform a preliminary check on the root system.

You should check for any issues with the roots of the plant.

If you feel the plant is facing root rot or looks weak in general, you should avoid the following steps.

Instead, you should focus on fixing the existing issue that might need your attention at this stage.

Meanwhile, if the plant is doing well, you can perform the next set of steps for rhizome division.

3. Remove Dirt From The Roots

Now, remove the dirt attached to the roots, which should help in finding the entire structure of the root system.

You can also use water spray to clean off the sticky soil from the roots.

4. Cut The Rhizome

It’s time to separate the rhizome!

For this process, you can either use a sharp knife or scissors.

Both tools can be used to divide the rhizome into two or more parts.

Now, while cutting the rhizome, make sure there are enough roots available for each plant.

If you don’t see roots in the shoots, you should probably stop this process.

If you cut the rhizome without roots, the new plant will have a difficult time thriving in the new pot.

So, be careful when you perform this task.

Note: Once you cut the rhizome and separate the plants, you should allow them to dry out for a few hours.

If you plant them immediately, the new shoots may or may not survive in the pot.

5. Transplant The Baby Plants Into New Pots

When the exposed parts of the rhizome dry out, you can consider transplanting them into new pots.

As for the soil, you can use well-draining soil for this plant.

You can even transplant the new shoots in tiny pots and gift them to your loved ones.

The main plant, however, needs to be placed in a slightly bigger pot so that it can continue its growth.

Now, let’s take a look at the FAQs below.

FAQs