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The arch hemp (Sansevieria), also known somewhat disrespectfully under the colloquial name "mother-in-law's tongue", is a houseplant that is as attractive as it is easy to care for. Occasionally, the ornamental leaf plant even blooms, at least when it is a little older and feels comfortable in its location. Some people don't even notice the initially inconspicuous flowers, but their intense scent is quickly noticeable. In this article you can read whether it makes sense to cut off the flowering stem - or what to do instead.
Bow hemp - cut off the flower?
With many succulents, such as the Sempervivum (houseleek), flowers lead to the death of the relevant shoot. Many a Sansevieria owner fears the same thing with their specimen, which may have been cherished and cared for for many years. However, it is not necessary to cut off the rare flower, because in contrast to other succulent species, Sansevierias continue to grow and do not die. Only the blooming shoot stops growing, but remains green. In addition, the fragrant splendor has no measurable influence on the already slow growth of the entire plant. So it's best to leave the scissors or knife in the drawer and enjoy this testimony to plant well-being. What better compliment could there be for a plant lover?
Bow Hemp (Sansevieria)
Tip: If you want to speed up the growth of your bow tie, place it in as bright a location as possible. The lighter and warmer it is, the faster the plant will grow in height and width. Of course, this also applies the other way round: Sansevierias grow particularly slowly in a dark and/or cool place.
Care when the scrunchie blooms
The mostly light green flowers usually appear towards the end of winter or early spring. So that the splendor lasts as long as possible and the plant does not lose its strength, it is best to care for it as follows:
- start fertilizing from April
- Cactus fertilizer is very suitable
- alternatively also green plant fertilizer
- Water as needed, just moisten the soil
- Don't spray the plant in the shower
- Flowers do not tolerate this treatment
As soon as the Sansevieria blooms, you should also place the pot on a piece of newspaper or another surface. The flowers secrete a fragrant, very sticky nectar, which in the natural environment is said to attract the moths responsible for pollination. Since the substance is difficult to remove (especially from materials such as a carpet!), prevention makes sense.
Tip: After flowering, which lasts a few days to weeks, plant the bow tie in fresh substrate and a larger pot. This gives the plant new energy and a growth spurt.
Do seeds also develop?
When the arch hemp blooms, many hope for germinable seeds for propagation. Unfortunately, no fruits develop in indoor culture and therefore no germinable seeds either, since the pollination necessary for this does not take place. Instead, after a while, the flowering stem simply dries up and the delicate petals fall off. Now is the right time to cut off the dried stalk, which you can pinch off directly when it shoots and dispose of with the household waste.
If you are supposed to try to produce germinable bow-tie seeds anyway, only the brush will help. With this tool you can imitate natural pollination. Of course, it would be ideal if there were two blooming Sansevierias at the same time. This increases the chances of successful pollination, especially since self-pollination has a low success rate in many plant species.
And that's how it works:
- Scoop out some pollen with a fine brush.
- Transfer this to another flower.
- Do this flower by flower.
- Bow hemp flowers are hermaphrodite, there are no male or female flowering shoots.
Since the pollinating moths are also out and about in nature at night, you should also carry out this process after dark. If you were successful with artificial pollination, small, red berries will form. These each contain one to three seeds.