Snake plant AKA sansevieria, with its sleek and stylish appearance, is a staple in the world of houseplants.. But wouldn’t you be surprised if one day, out of the blue, your Sansevieria started to bloom? You might have even stumbled upon online claims that “blooming Sansevieria is a bad omen.”
In this article, I’ll unveil the reasons behind the notion that Sansevieria blooms are “ominous,” as well as provide guidance for how to handle them when they do appear. I’ll also delve into the unique features of Sansevieria flowers.
Contents
Is a Blooming Sansevieria Ominous? Reason and Remedies
First off, let’s explore why people say that blooming Sansevieria is bad luck.
Why Blooming Sansevieria is Considered Ominous
Sansevieria is generally known for its leaves, so when it flowers, it can leave you puzzled. You might think, “Sansevieria = Blooming = Rare = Ominous.” However, that’s far from the truth! In reality, a blooming Sansevieria is evidence that the plant is thriving in its environment.
If you provide enough sunlight and water it appropriately, the plant won’t bloom unless it’s flourishing. So, you can rest easy.
Interestingly, the flower language associated with Sansevieria is “eternity” and “immortality,” which hardly sounds ominous, right?
How to Handle Blooming Sansevieria
Wondering if the bloom means your plant is weakening? Or what to do with the bloom? No worries—your plant won’t weaken just because it’s flowering. Nor will it wither away.
After the flower blooms, the bud becomes sticky. You can simply cut it off from the base (the bud becomes sticky due to a transparent sap it secretes).
A Blooming Sansevieria is a Sign You’re Doing Things Right! What Kind of Flowers Will Bloom?
So, we’ve established that a blooming Sansevieria is not “ominous,” but rather proof that you’re taking good care of your plant. Now, let’s look at the unique features of Sansevieria flowers.
Sansevieria Flower Feature 1: Sweet Scent
The flowers of the Sansevieria have a sweet aroma that can only be enjoyed by those who have nurtured their plant with love. The scent, which fills the air at night, resembles that of bananas—not fresh bananas, but more like banana-flavored candy or ice cream.
Sansevieria Flower Feature 2: Blooms at Night
The flowers of Sansevieria bloom at night, wafting their sweet aroma. If you find yourself thinking, “What’s that sweet smell?” it might just be your Sansevieria blooming.
The plant undergoes photosynthesis at night, which is intriguing in itself!
Sansevieria Flower Feature 3: Blooms Mainly in Spring and Summer
Sansevieria flowers usually bloom from spring to summer (although if your indoor environment is warm, it can even bloom in winter).
For those unaware that Sansevieria can bloom, the emerging flower stalk might be mistaken for a weed sprouting among the leaves.
If you’ve been taking care of a Sansevieria for a few years and it’s grown considerably, it will reward you with blooms when the growing conditions and environment are just right.
And there you have it—everything you need to know about the mysterious blooming of Sansevieria. Far from being a sign of bad luck, it’s actually a delightful milestone in your journey as a plant parent!
Making a Sansevieria Bloom! A Growth Journal
Far from being ominous, Sansevieria flowers are quite a rarity! Making snake plant bloom doesn’t seem like an easy task, but I’m excited to document the journey for anyone who’s ever thought, “I want to make my Sansevieria bloom!”
Purchased Sansevieria [2021/8/30]
I picked up a Sansevieria pot for $4.50 at a home center. From here, I’m diligently planning its watering schedule and location to encourage growth. The ideal spot? Somewhere bright that’s not overly damp.
My Care Routine
- Location: A bright spot indoors
- Watering: Thoroughly, when the soil is dry
- Fertilization: None, for now
Wobbly Sansevieria [2022/6/10] As expected, the leaves start to topple when kept indoors. I use a string to tie them up as a quick fix. I decided to move it outdoors from spring through fall.
Future Care Plans
- Place on the balcony if the temperature is above 68°F (20°C)
- Apply liquid fertilizer once or twice a month
- Water minimally in winter, no fertilizers
Outdoor-Adapted Sansevieria [2022/8]
Since moving it to the balcony, the leaves are less prone to falling over. Thankfully, there’s also no sunburn, which means it’s adjusted well to direct sunlight. Sunlight is indispensable for Sansevieria, it seems.
If your snake plant has sunburn, here’s what you need to do.
Sansevieria in Winter [2023/2/27]
The elongated leaf in the center got hooked on a curtain and broke off. The central leaves tend to get tall and spindly.
During winter, I water it only once a month and keep it in a sunny, warm spot. However, preventing “legginess” is challenging.
Sansevieria Flower Bud Spotted [2023/5/29]
As it warms up, I’m thinking about dividing the plant and notice something resembling asparagus—turns out, it’s a flower bud! I see some offsets appearing at the edge of the pot. It’s the growing season!
I continue caring for it on the balcony with diluted fertilizer, applying it twice a month and giving it direct sunlight. Can’t wait for it to bloom!
Sansevieria Flower Bud [2023/6/15]
It’s been two weeks since I noticed the bud. The flower keeps forming more buds and grows taller. I keep it under direct sunlight and check for blooms every night, as it’s likely to bloom in the evening.
Sansevieria Blooms! [2023/6/25]
Ten days later, it finally bloomed. Sansevieria flowers begin to open in the evening. The fragrance? It’s like “banana-scented,” a delightful, sweet, tropical aroma that fills the room.
The flower even secretes a watery nectar. Wonder if it will bloom again next year? After the flower’s life cycle, I’ll cut it off at the base. The allure of a Sansevieria flower is undeniable!
Key Takeaways
Far from being “ominous,” the rare and fascinating Sansevieria flower needs a well-arranged environment to bloom. Try following these tips and enjoy the fragrance of your blooming Sansevieria.
Why Sansevieria Flowers Are Considered Ominous They rarely bloom, so they are considered “ominous” when they do—although it should be the other way around.
What to Do When a Sansevieria Flower Blooms Simply cut it off at the base after it’s done blooming.
Sansevieria Flower Features
- Sweet, attractive fragrance
- Blooms in the evening
- Blossoms from spring to summer