Mother-in-law’s tongue is one of the simplest and most beautiful plants in the world, those who love it are those with green fingers and all those who would like to see plants grow and multiply at home, but despite all their efforts they can’t.
The plant in question can be reproduced at home as well as in the garden with fairly simple methods, which do not require a green thumb.
All you need is a passion for plants, a little time and a little free space and you’re done.
The origins of the mother-in-law’s language
Mother-in-law’s tongue comes from the rainforests of Central America, grows on the bark of all tropical trees, has wavy edges with fine spines that take root when they fall off.
Mother-in-law’s tongue is not found in florists or common seedling shops, it must be bought in nurseries specializing in succulents. Alternatively, you can buy similar species and be satisfied.
In any case, before buying mother-in-law’s tongue , you should check that there are no mealybugs and that the stems do not have black or dry parts that can indicate rotten roots or fungal and parasite attacks.
If the plant does not seem to be in excellent health, it is better to avoid spending money because it is not already old, but it will hardly give satisfaction, so it will never flower. Mother-in-law’s tongue can be grown and cultivated in the ground as well as in the garden or in pots because it grows well almost anywhere.
Indications of the mother-in-law’s language culture
Mother-in-law’s tongue grows well in warm regions, especially in southern Italy, Tyrrhenian regions and on islands.
Obviously, like any other plant, it must be sheltered from the wind, it is preferable that it be exposed to the sun when it is not too hot. It is therefore recommended to leave it inside the house from October to March, when temperatures are not only at their highest.
And then put it outside between April and October. If you want to grow it in a pot, we recommend keeping it hanging so that the stems can fall freely and grow peacefully, taking up all the space they need.
As for the floor, it is better to choose the lightest. The plant needs 4 to 5 hours of sunlight per day and no more, so it can be moved back indoors. It should not be exposed to excessive heat for too long, but it obviously needs light at all times.
Then watering at intervals but abundantly is essential. The key to success is not to overdo it in both the quantity and number of waterings. Every 15 days, the plant should be fertilized with the appropriate product.
DIY method, the mysterious ingredient that works miracles
If you want to make it yourself so that the mother-in-law’s tongue can flourish even outside the flowering period, you can use a particular ingredient that we all have at home, or rather in the kitchen.
It is cinnamon that not only manages to embellish candies giving them a better taste than normal, but also has incredible properties that allow it to be used on plants to make them beautiful as well.
Cinnamon is indicated to fight fungal infections or rust formation. It has incredible disinfectant properties that no one would ever believe. To have proof of this, just sprinkle a spoonful of cinnamon on the floor and wait a few weeks.
The results after this treatment are excellent: a single spoonful allows the plant to flourish in any season and at the same time avoid the arrival of dangerous animals such as rodents, mosquitoes or ants, which can compromise its health.
Cinnamon for plant reproduction by cuttings
Finally, the ingredient that is no longer secret can also be used as a leavening agent. Also in this case, a spoonful of cinnamon is enough to stimulate the development of the roots of the seedling.
These can then be used to propagate the plant and give life to more plants to place on the balcony or windowsill. This propagation is propagated by cuttings. Simply dip the ends of the plant in a spoonful of moistened cinnamon and then insert them directly into the vase and you’re done.