But what if your snake plant isn’t producing pups? Don’t worry! With the right care and conditions, you can stimulate pup production and create endless new plants.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best strategies to force your snake plant to produce more pups and grow your Sansevieria collection.

Why Snake Plants Produce Pups

Pups (also known as offshoots) are baby plants that develop from the rhizomes, horizontal underground stems that snake plants use to reproduce.

However, certain factors—like poor conditions or insufficient light—can slow pup production. By mimicking the plant’s ideal environment, you can encourage more pups to grow.

8 Effective Ways to Force a Snake Plant to Produce Pups

1. Provide Bright, Indirect Light

While snake plants can survive in low light, they thrive in bright, indirect light. More light encourages healthy photosynthesis, giving the plant extra energy to produce pups.

What to Do:

• Place your snake plant near a south- or east-facing window with filtered sunlight.
• Use a grow light if your indoor environment lacks natural light.
• Avoid direct sunlight, which can scorch the leaves.

2. Use a Snug Pot to Encourage Pup Growth

Snake plants prefer to be slightly root-bound, which signals to the plant that it’s time to produce offshoots to spread.

What to Do:

• Use a pot that is only slightly larger than the root ball.
• If the pot is too large, the plant will focus on root development instead of producing pups.

3. Allow the Soil to Dry Between Waterings

Overwatering can hinder the production of pups by causing the plant to become waterlogged and stressed. Snake plants need a drier environment to thrive.

Watering Tips:

• Water only when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry.
• Use pots with drainage holes to prevent water buildup.
• In cooler months, reduce watering to avoid root rot.

4. Fertilize During the Growing Season

Fertilizing provides the nutrients your snake plant needs to boost growth and produce pups.

What to Use:

• Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer (such as 10-10-10) diluted to half strength.
• Fertilize every 4-6 weeks during the spring and summer growing season.
• Avoid over-fertilizing, which can damage roots and inhibit pup formation.

5. Stress the Plant Slightly to Encourage Offshoots

Mild stress can signal to the plant that it needs to reproduce. Creating the right balance of stress without harming the plant can trigger pup production.

What to Do:

• Keep the plant slightly root-bound.
• Allow the soil to dry thoroughly between waterings.
• Move the plant temporarily to a cooler environment (around 55-65°F or 13-18°C) for a few weeks to mimic seasonal changes.

6. Divide the Plant to Promote Pup Growth

When a snake plant is divided, it stimulates the rhizomes to produce new growth, leading to more pups over time.

How to Divide:

1. Remove the plant from its pot and gently separate the rhizomes into smaller sections.
2. Plant each section into a new pot with well-draining soil.
3. Water lightly and place in bright, indirect light to encourage growth.

7. Trim Older Leaves to Redirect Energy to Pups

Cutting back some of the older, mature leaves encourages the plant to focus energy on producing new growth, including pups.

What to Do:

• Use sterilized scissors to trim damaged or yellowing leaves.
• Avoid trimming too many leaves at once, as this can stress the plant.
• Monitor the plant for new growth after pruning.

8. Use the Right Soil Mix for Optimal Growth

Well-draining soil is essential for healthy snake plants, as it prevents waterlogging and provides the perfect environment for roots to grow and pups to form.

Best Soil Mix:

• Combine cactus or succulent soil with perlite or coarse sand for improved drainage.
• Avoid heavy soils that retain moisture, as snake plants are prone to root rot.

How to Remove and Replant Snake Plant Pups

Once your snake plant produces pups, you can propagate them into new plants.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Wait Until the Pup Is Large Enough: Allow the pup to grow at least 2-4 inches tall before separating it.
2. Gently Remove the Plant: Carefully take the mother plant and pup out of the pot to avoid damaging the roots.
3. Separate the Pup from the Rhizome: Use a clean knife to cut the rhizome connecting the pup to the mother plant.
4. Plant the Pup: Place the pup in a small pot with well-draining soil.
5. Water Lightly: Water the new plant and keep it in bright, indirect light until it establishes.

Signs Your Snake Plant Is Ready to Produce Pups

• The plant has grown tall and healthy, with strong leaves.
• Roots are filling the pot, indicating it may be root-bound.
• New rhizomes are forming just beneath the soil surface.

Forcing a snake plant to produce pups requires the right balance of care and stress.