Seeing a snake plant blooming might catch you by surprise! Most also have nectar dripping down their stalks. Before you go closer to inspect your snake plant flower and its nectar, you should know a few things.
Snake plants are a favorite houseplant, but many owners don’t know they can produce flowers. They also have vanilla-scented nectar that attracts pests. The strong aroma these flowers have will ensure you take advantage of this sight! It’s a true treat to see snake plants in bloom, however, your chances are slim.
In this article, I share more about the snake plant and its flowers. You’ll read some interesting facts about blooming snake plants and how to possibly induce this.
Is The Snake Plant The Same As Mother-In-Law’s Tongue?
Let’s clear the air: the snake plant and mother-in-law’s tongue is the same plant! Many people need clarification when they hear one or the other name that they’re not used to.
Scientifically, this plant is known as the sansevieria but was renamed because of its characteristics. A snake plant’s leaf shape resembles that of a snake’s body. Some people like to refer to it as mother-in-law’s tongue because of its sharp pointed tips. They say this symbolizes the sharp tongue of a mother-in-law!
Furthermore, this plant is extremely resilient – another characteristic of both the snake and a mother-in-law. Don’t you agree?
Do Snake Plants Produce Flowers?
The term ‘snake plant’ refers to many sansevieria species, some of which can produce flowers. If you have a blooming variety, you might wake up one day and be greeted by delicate white flowers sticking out between your snake plant leaves. Never heard of this? Below I answer some questions you might have.
Take Out Time to Also Read:
- Your Guide To Growing Shrubs: Golden Thread Cypress Tree
- Interesting Facts About The White Owl Snake Plant
How Rare Is It For A Snake Plant To Flower?
Seeing a snake plant in bloom is extremely rare. This only happens if your plant’s water, sun, and humidity needs are in a particular state. Furthermore, it will only happen once a year.
Is The Snake Plant Flower Poisonous?
The snake plant flower isn’t considered poisonous, but children and pets should stay away from it. If you consume some of the sap, you’ll likely experience swelling and numbness in your mouth. Diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting could also follow.
How Does A Snake Plant’s Flower Look?
While white flowers are the most common sight, some snake plant species can produce flowers of other colors. You’ll see dainty blooms growing from tall stalks with spikes.
Do Snake Plants Die After Blooming?
Your snake plant won’t die after showing flowers. After the flowers die, you can cut the stalk to help your plant reserve nutrients and look neat.
Interesting Facts About A Snake Plant Flower’s Nectar, Scent, And More!
- Snake plants are less likely to bloom indoors.
- The average lifespan of a snake plant flower is unknown.
- Snake plant flower stalks can grow up to 3 feet high.
- The snake plant blossoms close during the day.
- Snake plant flower nectar is sticky and has a sweet fragrance.
Professional Liquid Snake Plant Fertilizer | 3-1-2 Concentrate
The Truth About Blooming Snake Plants And How To Encourage It
Blooming snake plants are gorgeous – there’s no doubt about that! But the truth behind these flowers isn’t pretty. Snake plants typically only go into bloom when they’re stressed. Is the sight of a blooming snake plant worth the stress you’ll have to put it through? Some gardeners believe so. Here are a few tips to trick your snake plant into blooming if you’re willing to take the chance!
Altering The Soil And Nutrient Balance
Snake plants require well-draining soil that doesn’t contain too many added nutrients. Keeping the soil light and airy will make your plant healthier. However, adding an extra sprinkle of high phosphorus fertilizer could increase the chance of your plant blooming.
Just be careful not to add too much. A nutrient imbalance could impact the overall growth of your snake plant negatively.
Underwatering Your Snake Plant
Snake plants hate soggy soil, but extended periods of drought could also harm your plant. How little or much you water your snake plant will depend on the temperatures your area experiences. Watering your snake plant less than what is needed could cause stress. If you’re willing to risk the damage that could be caused by this, you can try to induce enough stress to let your snake plant bloom.
Exposing Your Plant To More Sunlight
Snake plants get their energy from the sun. They typically thrive in full sun and partial shade. If you ensure your plant gets a constant stream of sunlight, the chances of it blooming will increase. Just be careful of too much sun since this could cause sunburn and dried-out soil.
Snake Plant Varieties That Are Likely To Bloom
Some snake plant varieties have a higher chance of blooming than others. If you have one of these, you might see flowers:
- Sansevieria Trifasciata
- Sansevieria Futura Robusta
- Sansevieria Black Gold
- Sansevieria Cylindrica
- Sansevieria Laurentii
- Sansevieria Bantel’s Sensation
- Sansevieria Kirkii Star
- Sansevieria Canaliculate
- Sansevieria Ballyi
- Sansevieria Zeylanica Ceylon Bowstring Hemp
- Sansevieria Bacularis
- Sansevieria Burmanica
- Sansevieria Longiflora
In Conclusion – Snake Plant Flower
Snake plants don’t bloom often, so you’re truly lucky if you see yours producing flowers! Some people have owned these plants all their life and have never seen them bloom or even knew they could produce flowers.
Although stress is the primary reason snake plants bloom, not all owners purposely cause this. Sometimes they only become aware of problems when they notice flowers and are looking for answers as to why. Common issues like fast-draining soil and excessive sunlight exposure could easily go unnoticed until a sign arrives.
While seeing your snake plant bloom is mesmerizing, you should remedy whatever caused it. Allowing the issue to stay put could be detrimental to your plants.
I hope this article was helpful. If you’ve ever seen your snake plant bloom, let me know in the comments. Any other questions about this plant species are also welcome.
Natasha is an avid gardener and lover of nature. She grew up in a rural area surrounded by flowers, trees, and birds. She was inspired by this environment to grow her own garden. Natasha spends her weekends tending to her garden and taking care of her plants. She also enjoys hiking and exploring different areas to find new and interesting plants to add to her collection. Natasha‘s love of gardening has also inspired her to take classes and study horticulture. Her knowledge of plants, flowers, and trees is extensive and her garden is a testament to her hard work. Natasha loves to share her passion of gardening with others and often hosts gardening events in her community. Her enthusiasm for the outdoors and gardening is infectious and she is always eager to help others learn about gardening.