If you are pruning your snake plant for aesthetic functions or as a part of common upkeep, it is essential to prune it on the proper time. Avoid eradicating leaves throughout winter, when the plant is dormant — wait till spring when it resumes energetic progress. Then you may take away any unkempt leaves, shorten overgrown leaves, and reshape the plant as an entire. However, watch out to not get carried away. It’s rule of thumb to solely reduce off lower than 1 / 4 of the plant’s foliage.
If you are planning to propagate your snake plant or reduce off severely-damaged leaves, take away them on the base, close to the soil. If you are pruning slightly-damaged leaves or for aesthetics, chances are you’ll wish to take away solely a part of a leaf. Cutting it straight throughout will make it stand out from the remainder — as a substitute, make two angled cuts so the leaf ends in some extent that appears like the remainder of the plant.
When trimming a snake plant’s leaves, you do not essentially want fancy pruning shears, as plain old scissors will work nice. The sharpness and cleanliness of the software you utilize is extra essential than the kind. Keeping the blades sharp will guarantee a clear reduce and stop additional harm to the plant. Always wipe the blades with rubbing alcohol earlier than you begin pruning and when transferring from one plant to the following to maintain your crops secure from illness. You may also assist defend your plant from illness after trimming by protecting the reduce in cinnamon.