Mother-in-law's tongue - facts and care tips

Scientific name (Latin): Sansevieria trifasciata

Family: Asparagus family (Asparagaceae)

This is a mother-in-law you definitely won’t have any problems hosting for a long time. It’s also nearly impossible to kill, even if it’s not taken care of at all, as long as it’s treated like most houseplants.

A big advantage of the mother-in-law's tongue is that it is rarely affected by diseases or pests, in addition to being tough and robust. The only real threat to the plant is that it doesn’t tolerate too much water, and it also doesn’t thrive in temperatures below 16°C – which means it shouldn’t be planted outdoors. However, there’s nothing wrong with keeping it outside in pots during the summer months.

• Soil
  Mother-in-law's tongue prefers sandy soil made up of regular soil with a high lime content mixed with sand or gravel. Unlike many other plants, mother-in-law's tongue is not interested in being in rich, organic soil.

• Watering and fertilizing
  Watering should be done with long intervals, allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings. When the soil is completely dry, water the plant thoroughly so that the soil becomes wet, and then allow it to dry out again before the next watering. It is also beneficial to give the plant an extra dose of plant food every other week from spring to fall.

• Placement
  The placement of mother-in-law's tongue is up to you, as it thrives in both sun and shade. However, remember that it grows best when it gets a lot of sunlight, and the sun also helps the leaves achieve a more beautiful color.

• Repotting
  The plant grows quickly and becomes quite large, which means it may outgrow its original pot. When this happens, repot it into a larger container to help it grow even bigger.

You can propagate a mother-in-law's tongue by sowing seeds, dividing the plant, or taking cuttings.

The only threat to a mother-in-law's tongue is overwatering, as it can drown, but given that many people have trouble watering plants at all, it's a perfect houseplant to place around the home. It thrives under varying light conditions and adds an exotic touch with its tropical leaves that spread out in a decorative way. All of these qualities make the plant very easy to care for, and that's exactly the case. You don't need to spend much time or energy for the plant to do well; it actually thrives better when it doesn't get too much attention.

Much is said about the plant's robust qualities, but many forget that this is also a houseplant that is incredibly beautiful in many ways. Its iconic leaves, which can grow up to 1.5 meters tall, are a lovely dark green with light or whitish-green stripes in various cross patterns, and a beautiful yellowish edge. In other words, it’s not hard to let your thoughts wander to more tropical areas when you look at a snake plant, with its foliage resembling large, lush plants from the tropics.

The mother-in-law's tongue can also bloom, and it does so in a way that is both magnificent and surprising. What many first see as a plant that primarily contributes beautiful patterned leaves can also surprise with stunning and elegant flowers.

It must be said that it's quite rare for a snake plant to bloom, but when the conditions are right and it receives proper care, it’s entirely possible for you to see it bloom in all its glory. The flowers are tubular, white with hints of green, and they smell wonderful. Blooming, therefore, is a strong argument for taking good care of your snake plant!

The snake plant is an extremely robust plant. This makes it perfect for those who may not be particularly interested in plants or flowers but still want to add some greenery to their home.

Snake plants tolerate most conditions, from dark to well-lit areas, so it can thrive just as well on the bedroom shelf as it can in the living room. Wherever you place it, it will do well. It also doesn’t require much water, and it’s recommended to thoroughly water it when the soil has dried out.

This South African succulent is a decorative plant with long leaves that have a pattern reminiscent of tiger stripes.

• Native to South Africa, Tanzania, and Congo, where it also grows wild
• An extremely robust and popular houseplant in many Norwegian homes
• The leaves can grow up to 150 cm long and 7 cm wide
• Can bloom under the right conditions
• The plant's strong fibers have historically been used for ropes or bowstrings

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