What Causes Snake Plants to Flower?

Snake plants, sometimes called viper's bowstring hemp, are a popular houseplant known for their hardiness and ability to thrive in low-light conditions. One surprising characteristic of some snake plants is their ability to flower. Typically, snake plants do not flower unless they are quite mature, which can take several years.

Factors That Influence Flowering

There are several factors that can influence whether or not a snake plant will flower. Some of these factors include:

The age of the plant: As previously mentioned, snake plants typically do not flower until they are quite mature.

The amount of light the plant receives: Although snake plants are hardy, they still require some light to thrive. If your plant is not receiving enough light, it may not have enough energy to produce flowers.

The temperature of the environment: Snake plants prefer temperatures between 60-85掳F. If the temperature is too hot or too cold, it may hinder the plant's ability to flower.

The amount of water the plant receives: Overwatering or underwatering can both be detrimental to a snake plant's ability to flower.

The type of soil the plant is in: Snake plants prefer well-draining soil. If the soil is too heavy, it may hinder the plant's ability to flower.

Why Your Snake Plant is Flowering

If your snake plant is flowering, there could be a number of reasons why. Here are a few possibilities:

Your plant is mature: Like previously mentioned, snake plants typically do not flower until they are several years old.

Your plant is receiving the right amount of light: Snake plants prefer low to medium light conditions. If your plant is receiving enough light, it may have the energy to produce flowers.

Your plant is in the right temperature range: As mentioned earlier, snake plants prefer temperatures between 60-85掳F. If the temperature is right, it may encourage the plant to flower.

Caring for Your Flowering Snake Plant

If your snake plant is flowering, it is important to continue to care for it properly. Here are a few tips for taking care of your flowering snake plant:

Continue to water your plant as usual. Do not overwater or underwater.

Do not move your plant around too much. Snake plants prefer stable environments.

Remove any dead or damaged leaves from the plant as they appear.

Fertilize your plant once a month during the growing season.

Conclusion

If you are lucky enough to have a flowering snake plant, be sure to take good care of it. With the proper care, your snake plant may continue to flower year after year. If your snake plant is not flowering, try adjusting the light or temperature to see if it makes a difference. With a little patience, you may be able to enjoy the beautiful flowers of a mature snake plant.