Mother-in-law’s tongue, also known as the snake plant (Sansevieria trifasciata), is a hardy, attractive plant known for its long, sword-like leaves that add a dramatic touch to any home. While the plant is usually prized for its striking foliage, there’s a lesser-known feature that makes it even more special: it can bloom under the right conditions and fill your home with a delightful fragrance. However, getting a snake plant to bloom is not something that happens easily or every year—it requires a combination of factors, such as stress, the right care, and a bit of patience.
In this guide, we’ll explore the essential steps and tips for encouraging your Mother-in-Law’s Tongue to bloom, along with detailed care instructions to keep the plant healthy and thriving.
What Makes Snake Plant Bloom?
Snake plants aren’t known for blooming often, but when they do, it’s a beautiful experience. The blooms of a mother-in-law’s tongue plant are usually small, tubular flowers that grow on tall spikes that can reach up to 3 feet (about 1 meter). These flowers are typically white or pale green and are highly fragrant, making them a pleasant surprise if they do appear.
Interestingly, the bloom of the snake plant often happens when the plant is under a bit of stress. While this may sound counterintuitive, it’s important to understand that snake plants are native to arid environments, where they have evolved to survive harsh conditions. If you give your plant the right care and a little extra attention in specific areas, it could reward you with its beautiful, fragrant flowers.
Step-by-Step Guide to Get Your Snake Plant to Bloom
1. Start with a Healthy Plant
The first step to getting your snake plant to bloom is to start with a healthy, mature plant. Snake plants are slow-growing, but with the right conditions, they can thrive for many years. A healthy, mature plant (typically a few years old) is more likely to bloom compared to younger plants. You can often find snake plants in garden centers or online, but make sure you choose a plant with firm, upright leaves and no signs of disease or pests.
2. Provide Proper Lighting
Light plays a critical role in the overall health and growth of your snake plant. While mother-in-law’s tongue is a low-light tolerant plant, it thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. Position your plant near a window with sheer curtains that diffuse the sunlight or place it a few feet away from a bright window. Direct sunlight can burn the leaves, so it’s important to avoid placing the plant in an area with harsh sun exposure.
If your home doesn’t get enough natural light, you can use a grow light to supplement the sunlight. Grow lights are especially useful during the winter months when the days are shorter, and the plant’s growth slows down.
3. Use the Right Pot and Soil
Potting your snake plant properly is essential for both its health and its chances of blooming. Snake plants need a pot with drainage holes to allow excess water to escape. If the pot doesn’t have proper drainage, the roots can become waterlogged, which may cause root rot—a common problem for snake plants.
The soil should be well-draining, as snake plants don’t like to sit in moist soil for extended periods. A cactus or succulent mix is an excellent choice for snake plants because it ensures the roots have good aeration and drainage. Avoid using heavy, moisture-retaining potting soils, as they may lead to fungal problems.
4. Watering: Not Too Much, Not Too Little
Snake plants are known for their drought tolerance, so overwatering is one of the most common mistakes people make when caring for them. It’s essential to let the soil dry out between waterings. A good rule of thumb is to water your snake plant thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. During the winter months, you can reduce watering even further since the plant will be in a dormant state and requires less moisture.
When watering, be sure not to let water sit in the bottom of the pot, as this can promote root rot. Always empty the saucer under the pot if any excess water collects there.
5. Fertilize Regularly
While snake plants don’t require a lot of fertilizer, feeding your plant during the growing season (typically in the spring and summer) can encourage healthy growth and potentially support blooming. Use a balanced, organic fertilizer diluted to half strength and apply it every 4-6 weeks during the growing months. Avoid over-fertilizing, as too much fertilizer can lead to excessive leaf growth at the expense of blooms.
In the fall and winter, when the plant is dormant, reduce or stop fertilizing entirely. The plant won’t need much nutrition during this time, and excessive fertilizer can harm it.
6. Temperature and Humidity
Mother-in-law’s tongue is a warm-weather plant, so it thrives in temperatures between 60°F and 85°F (15°C to 29°C). It’s best to keep the plant in a room that stays within this range throughout the year. Avoid placing it in drafty areas or near heating vents, as extreme temperature fluctuations can stress the plant.
Regarding humidity, snake plants are highly adaptable and don’t require high humidity levels. The average humidity in most homes is suitable for them. However, if you live in a particularly dry climate, consider placing a humidity tray or using a room humidifier to maintain moisture in the air, which will help the plant thrive.
7. Stress the Plant to Encourage Blooming
While it may sound counterproductive, slightly stressing your snake plant is a key step in triggering its bloom. In nature, plants often bloom when they experience challenging conditions. To induce stress, consider the following methods:
Allow the plant to become slightly root-bound in its pot. Snake plants typically do well when their roots are somewhat constrained, which can encourage blooming.
Withhold water a little more in the winter, allowing the plant to experience a dormancy period. This mimics the natural dry season in the plant’s native environment and can stimulate flowering in the spring or summer.
Be careful not to stress the plant too much, as this could harm it. Light stress can encourage blooming without causing lasting damage to the plant.
8. Be Patient
Patience is key when growing a snake plant, especially if you’re hoping for it to bloom. While it’s certainly possible to get your mother-in-law’s tongue to bloom, the plant may not do so every year. Blooming is unpredictable—sometimes it happens after years of consistent care, and other times it may not happen at all.
If you do see a flower stalk emerging, it can grow quite tall—up to 3 feet in some cases. The flowers will be white or pale green and are typically highly fragrant, especially at night. If you’re fortunate enough to witness the bloom, it will fill your home with a fresh, pleasant scent.
Additional Tips for Success
Maintain consistent care: Keep the plant in bright, indirect light, water it when the soil is dry, and avoid over-fertilizing.
Monitor for pests: Though snake plants are generally pest-resistant, they can occasionally fall victim to common houseplant pests, like mealybugs or spider mites. Regularly check your plant for signs of pests and treat them promptly.
Repotting: If your plant has become significantly root-bound, you may need to repot it every few years. Choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one to avoid stressing the plant too much.
Conclusion
Getting a mother-in-law’s tongue (snake plant) to bloom requires a combination of the right growing conditions, slight stress, and a bit of patience. While it’s not guaranteed to bloom every year, with proper care, you can increase your chances of enjoying its beautiful, fragrant flowers. Remember to provide the right amount of light, water, and nutrients, and be patient while your plant grows. If you follow these tips and observe your plant closely, you may be rewarded with a stunning and aromatic flower display that will brighten up your home and fill it with a lovely scent.
Happy planting and good luck with your blooming snake plant! 🌿🌸