Double Your Snake Plant Collection With An Old Coffee Mug You Already Own

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In the many years that snake plants (Dracaena trifasciata) grow as houseplants, you'll likely have the opportunity to propagate them. Starting a new plant from cuttings or a divided snake plant is a quick way to increase your supply or gift them to family and friends. While people use a variety of containers when propagating snake plants, using an old ceramic coffee mug is a fun and resourceful way to double your collection. This repurposed item will make a great vessel to support the new snake plant in its growth while doubling as a quirky bit of home decor.

There are a few propagation techniques that will work well with a coffee mug as a container, resulting in a second — or maybe more — plants to enjoy. One method is to divide off a young "pup" growing near the base of the main plant, replanting it separately. Another method is to remove a leaf cutting that you can transplant. The divided plants or cuttings can take root in potting soil, or you can grow a snake plant in just water. It's easy to place the water-propagating plants in a coffee mug without modification, but if you plan to propagate in soil, you'll need to drill a hole in the mug for drainage.

Before you try this cute DIY project, make sure you don't sacrifice the plant's health. Size is an important consideration; if you divide the plant, use a mug that's a little larger than the root ball. You'll also need to add a drainage hole to prevent water from accumulating and causing root rot. In addition to a drill, a drill bit for ceramic, and protective gear for altering your mug, you should also have plant cutting implements on hand, like cleaned and disinfected pruning shears.

There are a few ways to double your snake plant collection, but if you want to propagate the new plant in a soil mix, you'll need to use a drill bit designed to cut through ceramics to turn your old mug into a unique planter with the necessary drainage. Drill bits that can do the job are often found in bundles like the DECKRKAT 7-Piece Drill Bit Set. Give your mug a thorough cleaning and dry it first, then set it on a stable surface before you start drilling the hole. Remember to put on safety goggles and a mask to protect yourself from ceramic dust. From there, mark a spot for the hole on the bottom of the mug with masking tape. Pour some water on its surface to prevent cracks from forming, and then start to drill, gradually adding pressure as you go. 

If you don't want to risk cracking your mug or you don't have the necessary supplies, try placing a smaller plastic pot with drainage inside the mug. This way, you'll still get the look of a snake plant in a decorative coffee mug, but you can take the inner pot out when the plant needs watering. Once you've found a good drainage solution, add in a light, aerated soil mix and transplant your propagated snake plants.

If you're propagating the snake plant from cuttings, there are several steps to take before you finally plant it, but the effort is worth it. You can get a cutting by removing a healthy leaf from the snake plant. With your clean shears, cut the leaf slightly above where it meets the soil. Then cut a triangular shape into the base of the leaf. This will help you place it right side up in the mug and provide more space for new roots to grow.

To grow your snake plant in water, fill your mug and simply place your cutting into it. When keeping the cutting in water, make sure only the bottom quarter of the leaf is submerged and change the water each week. To propagate directly into soil, first you'll need to store your new cuttings outside of any container for a few days, which lets them form a protective callus. Skipping this step is a common mistake to avoid when propagating snake plants. Next, place the cuttings in a separate clear container in water first until the new roots are visible. When they're ready, dig a little dent in the soil mix and lightly press the cutting a few inches deep in the soil. 

If you opt for dividing the snake plant instead, lay the whole plant on its side and loosen the root ball so you can separate it into two pieces. In the event that you find a pup growing in the pot, gently separate its roots from those of the original plant. Once your plant is divided in two, place the second one straight into its new coffee mug home and put the first back into its original pot.