Perhaps as a trade - off for being given such an indecorous name , the female parent - in - law ’s tongue works ( ​Dracaena trifasciata​ , formerly ​Sansevieria trifasciata​ ) is unlikely to reward you with its fragrant flowers . When the flowers do come along , they will probably take you by surprisal . Although the blooming habit of this plant is — at better — infrequent , with diligent care and a mint of patience , you may be able to inveigle this works into giving you a floral show in leaping .

Typically , female parent in law tongue — also called snake plant — is grown as a houseplant . If you dwell in its perennial range , U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 12 , you’re able to also grow it in your garden . Its absolvitory nature and tolerance of harsh growing conditions is a two - butt steel : Although it can survive drouth , wretched soil and a range of kindling conditions , it may not thrive to the level of bearing flowers under these circumstances .

Snake Plant Flowers

If you ’re among the few indoor gardeners who get to see a ophidian plant bloom , be prepared to be a bite underwhelmed . The flowers are fairly little and not very colorful or showy . They are , however , clustered on flower stalks , which ply a soft textural contrast against the stark vertical leave of this plant . ophidian works bloom are cream - colored to light-green - snowy , so there ’s not much colouration contrast against the foliation . When the flowers pass off , orange berries appear and add some vivid colour .

Considerations for Optimal Flowering Conditions

Try these four tips to give your female parent - in - law of nature ’s natural language plant its honest shot at blossoming for you :

1 . Choose a container that ’s only orotund enough to keep the plant pot - bound , and check that the dope has a drainage hole(s ) . 2 . Use a lightweight , well - debilitate potting commixture . 3 . Avoid overwatering ; infrequent watering is best . 4 . Place your works in bright light , with a maximum of two hour of direct sun each day .

Choose a Suitable Container

female parent - in - law ’s tongue likes a pie-eyed convulsion in its container — a precondition called being crapper - truss . Although you may arise it in a turgid jackpot , you may never see it flower , because its roots may not ever grow to the bound of the tummy . Best flowering succeeder occurs on older plant that are pot - bound .

No matter the size of it of its container , this flora needs good drain , because it is susceptible to root and crown rots — fungous disease that thrive in wet and waterlogged soil . verify the peck has a drain hole so the water drains freely from the bottom .

Use Well-Draining Potting Mix

Because snake plant life is not cross about soil , you may use a soil - establish mass medium or a soilless potting mix , particularly one that is combine for cactus and succulents .

If you grow female parent - in - jurisprudence ’s lingua outdoors yr - round , which is perhaps only in the very warm climates ofUSDA plant hardiness zones10 and 11 , institute it in a container or in a raised bed improves the drainage .

Apply Water Sparingly

During mother - in - law of nature ’s tongue growing season — typically spring through fall — water supply it thoroughly until the water enfeeble from the bottom of the pot . look until the soil is dry to the touching before water again . Water infrequently during the evenfall and winter , just enough to dampen the soil .

TheNorth Carolina State Extensionrecommends water this flora once monthly or every two months during the winter . Unlike watering bromeliads , theMissouri Botanical Gardencautions gardeners to keep water supply out of this plant ’s sum rosette , because it will collect there and it may cause the crown to decompose .

Place in Bright Light

vivid light is good . Mother - in - law ’s tongue can bear some unmediated Dominicus , rather only a yoke of hours in the morning . But it ’s authoritative to protect it from full sun , particularly in the good afternoon .

References

Close up of snake plants for sale