I have a mother-in-law's tongue plant that we've had for years. It was getting too big for the pot that it was in and I repotted it last August. Now the leaves are all getting "mushy" at the bottom and I've decided to change the dirt to try and save it. There's hardly any root left at all! Is it too late to salvage any of it? Thanks.
It sounds as if it may have gotten overwatered and is suffering from root rot. This article will help determine if this is the problem and how to treat it: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/treating-root-rot-gardening-tips-for-housplants.htm
Mine are dying. I am certain that I have not overwatered them. They flop over and when I remove them from the container, the lower portions of the leaves are dripping wet.
If the lower portions of the leaves are saturate, then it's not under watered. This sounds more like the plant got too wet and may have root rot. This article will help deterimine if this is the case and how to fix it: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/disease/treating-root-rot-gardening-tips-for-housplants.htm
To answer your first question first, you can underwater any plant - any plant will eventually die if you never water it. You have not underwatered your snake plant. The problem with snake plants is that the soil needs to be fully aerated all the way to the bottom of the pot. If you only check the soil on the top, and it stays damp in the bottom, you will lose the plant. And once snakes get rot - the mushy, wet leaves are a sign of rot - that's pretty much the end of them.
I want to split the above into another pot. When is the best time to do this?
You can basically split this plant at any time if it seems too be getting overcrowded.
My mother in law's tongue has no soil in the pot. Should I have some in it? I have split it so many times. How often should you water it, please?
This article will help with the plant's care: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/snake-plant/snake-plant-care.htm
Yes, it should be in soil. Use a fast draining mix for cactus, and work it all around the roots. How often to water it is never the question you need to ask; the question should be how do I know when to water. The answer is When the plant is dry all the way to the bottom of the pot. Test it with a kebob skewer as if you were testing a cake. If your snake plant is in low light - barely enough light for you to read by - letting it dry completely is imperative. If it's in a little more light, you can allow the soil to be slightly damp when you water again. But if it's been growing well enough to have divided it several times, you must be watering it right.
I've had mine a few years and it is in a full pot of soil. I have only divided it once but have always replanted in soil. I only water it once every two weeks at the most and I live in a dry climate (North Dallas).
How do you care for the mother-in-laws tongue plant?
Growing Sansevieria plants is easy. Here is more information: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/snake-plant/snake-plant-care.htm
I water my plant every month or two and have noticed it has splits in the leaves near the center. What causes this?
Leaf splitting in sanseveria is generally caused by physical damage - usually brushing against the plant, or wrapping it up at some point. Cats and dogs can also cause such damage. It's sometimes hard to pinpoint when damage happens because snake plants don't show the damage right away. Here's an article on snake plants: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/snake-plant/snake-plant-care.htm
My grandmother lived to 103. She gave me the plant she received from her mother in law when she got married. The plant is over 85 years old! It was hanging all over and I repotted it. Now it's wrinkled and looks bad. I will flip out if I kill this plant. I used dirt from outside and I have one pot. Leaves are yellow, rotting out. They are all by a cold window. I live in the north. The roots when I replanted were almost not present. I have never seen less roots ever. I am so confused and have read everything. Some are rotting, others look wrinkled and green and tight to the base. I watered it this morning. All three of them, as I don't think I was watering enough, never deeply.
Soil for the outside will likely kill the plant. It is to compact and will not allow the roots to absorb moisture properly and drain. Roots need air and the heavy soil from the ground will not allow this.
I recommend you remove the plant and repot with a good quality potting soil mix.
The container should just be 1 inch larger then the original pot. The plant will do better if it is root bound.
You need to allow the soil to dry between watering.
You can water the soil until it drains through the pot and then the soil is adequately moistened.