What induces flowering in Sansevieria?

18 years ago

I have an unknown variety of sansevieria that lives in a pot in morning to noon sun on my front porch that is sending up flower spikes. The last time it flowered was about five years ago. Two winters ago I divided it and gave half to my mother, planted half out in my yard in full sun (where it has since thrived on rainfall alone) only the potted one is flowering, I can't compare the one I gave my mother as she managed to kill it (I am still puzzled about that, a plant that can handle the conditions I provide has to be tough).

Ryan

Featured Answer

Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL

7 years ago

"This plant likes to be rootbound" Oh, this is sad! Let this horrible myth die.

No plant likes to be rootbound. What is necessary for plants to stay alive is for their roots to not rot, which can happen so easily in a pot with dense soils, like ground dirt, or bagged mixes of predominantly tiny particles of peat, (or to simply shrivel from simply never getting any water.) Having very little soil around the roots would make the soil dry more quickly, and for even the most dedicated plant-overwaterers to not rot the roots of their plants. This is not ideal, since most non-cactus plants are stressed by dry conditions, it's just a way of coping with soil that has little air in it when moist.

IDK about all species of Sans, but S. trifasciata (and cultivars thereof) is a monocarpic plant. Each rosette can bloom once. To have blooms every year, one must provide conditions that allow plants to grow at a normal pace, if possible, so that there are new pups that come up and bloom. I've had blooms on my plants every year for almost the past decade, since I bucked the myths about this plant and started treating it better. Got baby out of the darkness and into the light, repotting often so pups easily come up and don't spend time under the soil trying to find an opening, and providing enough moisture for fast development.

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Comments (34)

dufflebag2002
18 years ago
The season of the year, the right fertillizer during their growing period which here in Calif. is summer. Drying soil in the winter months. Mine are in flower now. They like indirect (bright light) sun, to promote flowering, most like part shade. I'm telling you this from So. Calif.
socal23
Original Author
18 years ago
That may help to induce bloom but certainly not necessary. As I said: full sun, sporadic watering. I never fertilize. Temperatures aren't as warm during the summer here as they are in N. Hollywood so that may help but only to a degree.

This is a matter of curiosity only, the flowers are relatively inconspicuous (I was able to narrow it down to some variety of S. trifasciata) so I am not looking to maximize bloom.

Ryan
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dufflebag2002
18 years ago
Well you asked. So I told you what works for me. I grow 200+ Species and varieties, and I have many in flower at this time. You live close enough would you like to come over and visit them by appointment only though. DNA is a factor as well. Perhaps you don't need the DNA? Dufflebag2002
dufflebag2002
18 years ago
Ryan, mine flower every year at this time. I love the sweet smell of the flowers at night. Sometimes so strong I can't go into the greenhouse, the only way to kill them is watering during the winter when cold. They make a perfect house plant having no pests. You can leave them for 6 months for a vacation, during the winter, with no care and they would do just fine. You won't get bored, there are many species and varieties to choose from. Norma
ankraras
18 years ago
I can only speak of growing Sans as a hobby. There is as much self pride and self reward in growing Sans or any other plant alone without having them flower as a bonus.
That being said, growing plants and having them beautifully grow is self contentment. Every thing else will follow and happens in due time.

The curious mind is a part of human nature which is perhaps the most fasinating way of human life.

Ankrara's Hobby Corner
dufflebag2002
18 years ago
Ryan, you are more than welcome to come and visit my collection you are about 20 minutes away.
In my case it is age of plant, sun, fertilizer, if it is crowded in pot, species, location, warmth. it will never flower on a rosette that has previoiusly flowered. Only on new rosettes.
I started my collection in 1978 by accident. I have had several plants since that time, and a few still have not flowered, San. cylindrica v. patula for one. So I guess after 38 years I still don't know. Norma
dufflebag2002
18 years ago
Why do you even bother to ask Ryan, what ever works for you is the best. Norma
Julie_Alley
18 years ago
The flowers smell sweetly at night? Mine is about to flower too. ItÂs the first time it does and I'm really exited! Do all species smell sweetly? I don't know what I have.

thanks,
Julie
baci
17 years ago
From what I have read some species are not known to flower. I have some parva that are flowering now in the shade. I have not started fertilizing them yet & have had them for over a year. I have had some trifasciata that routinely receives fertilizer during their growing season that have never flowered. The maturity of the plant seems to make more of a difference for me.
I do not like to put mine in the sun Â they burn too easily, especially in pots. Mine do better in the shade.
dufflebag2002
17 years ago
The flowers on my plants are not inconspicous, I smell them as soon as I walk into my greenhouse, in fact some are very large brushes of flowers. Some flower at the base of the soil line. There are all kinds, and one species has dark red flowers. Colors mauve, light green, light yellow. white, lavander. So you do have some choices. Norma
dufflebag2002
17 years ago
Some speies are shy and slow to flower. S. trifaciata is one of the slowest, so now I must add patience.
I bust my buns to give information, and I don't mind looking everything up before I post though I have been growing them since 1986 at least when people respond, just say thank you.
I purchased all my plants nothing was given to me free, nor did I expect after others have paid money for their plants to ask and receive them free, here it is expected and demanded. Thank you, Norma
dufflebag2002
17 years ago
I also want to add, that I fertilize with a 0-10-10/ 2tbs. per gal. after each watering, during the summer months, here in Zone 20-21 it is twice a week, they are in a green house, each side geting 1/2 day sun. Which is protected from the sun with a 30% shade cloth. Mine will not start to flower in mass until Oct. approx. I do have a S. kirkii v. pulchra in flower at this time. I also think it will depend on the species. My S. conspicua just broke the 5 gal. clay pot. This is for those of you who need the help. Norma
brandon7 TN_zone7
17 years ago
Norma, I sure wished I lived in CA. I would definitely make the trip to get to see that many different Sans. I bet if you've been growing them for that long, you have at least a few very impressive specimens.
dufflebag2002
17 years ago
Brandon you live in Tenn where my kids live there also.
You would be welcome any time here. Mine are not large plants, I cut them up about every three years, to make room for the new growth, that they will flower on.
I get flowers becuse I force new growth, they get watered well, and fed well, They get half day bright light. They also have a heater in the winter, even though our winters are mild. I talk to them, I have a fan going on them all day. Brandon if you are willing to send me your address I'm willing to send you a conspicua.
It will be small due to postage cost and I may have to cut off the top of the leaves to fit it into a box. Norma
brandon7 TN_zone7
17 years ago
Norma, you have mail (actually sent it lastnight).
wildirisrose
17 years ago
Norma, thanks for all your info. My mother's sanseviera has blossomed for the first time. Thanks to your tips I bet we will be able to divide it into several plants and get the new growth to bloom! Rose
brandon7 TN_zone7
17 years ago
Norma,
I haven't been able to send you email thru Gardenweb or by replying to the email you sent me. You said you didn't get my email thru Gardenweb, and I got a "failure notice" when I replied to your email. I am not sure how to contact you privately.
richardiraha12
7 years ago
Norma, great information, thank you. Which variety do you find blooms easiest. I was considering buying a large plant and wanted to pick the best one. Thanks, richard
woodnative
7 years ago
Richard-

Welcome to the forum and the wonderful world of Sansevieria! This post was last addressed 11 years ago. Unfortunately Norma is no longer active here though there are a bunch of active and knowledgable folks here. Are you looking to grow a Sans mostly for the flowers?? The flowers are interesting and do have great fragrance, but are not particularly beautiful. Any of the common tall trifasciatas as well as others will eventually bloom if grown well.
richardiraha12
7 years ago
Thanks woodnative. I grow a number of different plants. Always anything with scent. So yes i'll be growing for the flowers although the variegation on sans are very beautiful. I keep reading sans needs to be rootbound to induce blooming. Also is it better to purchase a large, older plant since this plant takes decades to bloom? Thanks for any advice. -richard
woodnative
7 years ago
Since large trifasciatas are rather common at major stores, including the "big box stores" that is probably the way to go. Even then you will get flowers only occasionally
albert_135 　 39.17°N 119.76°W 4695ft.
7 years ago
I had one, don't remember the variety or the season of the year, [It was some time ago.] that would pop open a blossom or two every afternoon a bit after four o'clock. It was in the north window of my office cubical and it was so regular that persons would gather around to watch - and irritate the boss.
richardiraha12
7 years ago
Thanks for the info everyone. I did some searching and found a nice 3 gallon pot of sans. Black coral. Its really beautiful.
Oyster
6 years ago
I'm not sure what exactly induces flowering in Sansevieria. I'm in zone 8b and have two S. Trifasciata in a shaded corner of my bedroom. It's still (well) rooted in some 'dirt' and not my custom made soil for these type of plants. Apart from that, the room temperature is pretty high and constant and I feed my plants with a complete 936 Ca + Mg nutrient solution. If I compare growing performance of other plants in my house it seems to be that (root zone) heat is the most important ingredient for fast growing Sansevierias. Even more important than light it seems. I didn't expect any of my plants to bloom at all, but this least expected one surely did four weeks ago!
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
6 years ago
Beautiful! The brightness of the rosette that is blooming compared to the more faded, older leaves surrounding it make it look like an obvious (barring a lighting/camera flash anomaly) new pup that is doing the blooming.
Oyster
6 years ago
@Tiffany: Your analysis is flawless. It's a new pup that's flowering indeed.
Tiffany, purpleinopp Z8b Opp, AL
6 years ago
How are things going now?
Russ / Central Fla Z9b
6 years ago
Richardiraha12, the sans in your pic has been distributed around the country with the erroneous name of Black Coral for a long time. The official, published name is Black Gold, perhaps an odd name for a plant with no yellow whatsoever, but there you have it. It's a very dark form of the species trifasciata and will propagate true from leaf cuttings, which is unusual for trifasciata varieties.

The great sans expert Juan Chahinian says in his book that Black Gold originated in the greenhouse of Dr Clyde Reed of Baltimore MD, probably many decades ago.

Hi Tiffany, I agree with your comments about sans liking being rootbound. It ain't so.

Russ
courtney088
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

I am not sure I agree that these plants need to be older inorder to bloom. I have a Sansevieria in a pot not even 1 gallon in size and the plant is maybe a year old and it is blooming. it has not only one but two flower stalks. its beautiful and smells

delightful! :)
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
5 years ago
That's true with San. trifasciata futura group. Some takes years to mature and bloom.
User
5 years ago
I just noticed, this morning, my sans has a flower stalk. I did not know that they flowered. The plant is from cuttings from a larger plant. It is kept in a south facing window that gets indirect sun in summer and direct sun in winter. The parent plant is in a west facing window that gets late afternoon sun all year. I live in southeast Massachusetts.
Stush2049 Pitts. PA, zone 6
5 years ago
I'm not a big fan of flowers due to that means the end of growing for that stock.
courtney088
5 years ago
Mine hasn't stoped growing it has new baby shoots on the sides

What induces flowering in Sansevieria?

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