9 Secrets to Growing and Blooming Mother-In-Law’s Tongue
Mother-In-Law’s Tongue, also known as the Snake Plant (Dracaena trifasciata), is a staple in my indoor plant collection.
Its upright, sword-like leaves make it an elegant addition to any home, and its reputation as a hardy, low-maintenance plant makes it perfect for gardeners of all experience levels.
But while many people grow this plant for its striking foliage, did you know that with the right care, it can also bloom?
Over the years, I’ve discovered a few tricks to help this seemingly unassuming plant thrive and even produce fragrant flowers. Here’s how you can make your Mother-In-Law’s Tongue grow and bloom.
1. Provide the Right Light
While snake plants can survive in low light, they thrive in bright, indirect sunlight. If you want yours to grow and bloom, give it as much light as possible.
In my experience, placing it near an east-facing window where it gets morning sunlight works wonders. If you have no access to natural light, it also grows well under fluorescent lights, making it perfect for offices.
2. Water Wisely
Overwatering is the number one killer of snake plants. These plants are drought-tolerant and prefer their soil to dry out completely between waterings. I water mine about once every two to three weeks in the growing season and even less during winter.
To check if your plant needs water, feel the top inch of the soil, if it’s dry, it’s time to water.
3. Use the Right Soil
Snake Plants thrive in well-draining soil. I use a mix designed for cacti or succulents, which prevents water retention.
You can also create your mix by combining regular potting soil with sand or perlite.
4. Fertilize During the Growing Season
While Snake Plants don’t need much fertilizer, a little boost during spring and summer can encourage growth and blooming.
I feed mine with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength every month during the growing season. Avoid over-fertilizing, as it can cause salt buildup in the soil and harm the roots.
5. Ensure Proper Temperature and Humidity
Snake Plants are quite forgiving when it comes to temperature, but they prefer a range of 60–85°F (15–29°C). Keep them away from cold drafts or freezing temperatures, as they’re not frost-hardy.
As for humidity, these plants do well in average indoor conditions. While they can tolerate dry air, I’ve noticed they grow faster and healthier with moderate humidity.
6. Repot Only When Needed
Snake Plants grow slowly and prefer being root-bound, so there’s no need to repot frequently.
I usually repot mine every two to three years or when I see roots pushing through the drainage holes.
7. Encourage Blooming
If you’ve never seen your Snake Plant bloom, you’re not alone, it’s a rare treat. Blooms typically appear as small, fragrant white or greenish flowers on tall stalks. Here’s how you can encourage blooming:
- Mimic stress: Surprisingly, a bit of stress can prompt the plant to flower. Let the soil dry out more than usual or place the plant in a slightly tighter pot. This signals to the plant that it’s time to reproduce, leading to flowering.
- Bright light: More light is one of the easiest ways to encourage blooms. A spot with bright, indirect sunlight is ideal.
- Consistency in care: Healthy plants are more likely to bloom, so stick to a consistent watering and fertilizing schedule.
8. Prune for Health
While snake plants are low-maintenance, occasional pruning helps keep them looking their best. Remove any yellowing, damaged, or older leaves at the base.
Pruning also redirects the plant’s energy toward new growth and, potentially, flowers.
9. Propagate for More Plants
One of the joys of growing Snake Plants is how easy they are to propagate. You can use leaf cuttings, division, or even water propagation.
Simply cut a healthy leaf into sections, let them callous over for a day or two, and place them in water or soil. Before long, you’ll have baby snake plants to share or add to your collection.
