Mother-in-law's tongue

• Upright, succulent plant up to 60cm tall.
• Leaves are stiff, lance-shaped, 0.6–1.2m long, dark green with mottled grey-green and yellow.
• Flowers are small, tubular, cream to green, 25–30mm long, carried on spike.
• Fruit are small, round, orange berries, 7–9mm in diameter.
• Seeds are pale brown, oblong, 6–7mm long, 5mm wide.
• Rhizomes are bright orange, thick, fleshy, succulent.

• Prefers well drained soils in shady areas, but will tolerate dry periods.
• Found along roadsides and in gardens, disturbed areas, riparian vegetation.

• Common throughout eastern Queensland.

• Flowers mostly during spring and summer.

Environmental

• Forms dense infestations, preventing regeneration of native plants in bushland and eventually forming monoculture.

• Rhizomes spread in dumped garden waste
• Seeds spread by birds and other animals.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Physical control

• Carefully dig out isolated plants and small infestations, making sure to remove all roots and fragments.
• This requires persistent effort, regular site monitoring, and removal of any new growth and its rhizome.

Herbicide control

• No herbicide currently registered; however, an off-label use permit exists (PER11463).

See the Mother-in-law's tongue fact sheet (PDF, 1.8MB) for herbicide control and application rates.

Biological control

• No known biological control agents.

• Mother-in-law's tongue is not a prohibited or restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014. However, by law, everyone has a general biosecurity obligation (GBO) to take reasonable and practical steps to minimise the risks associated with invasive plants under their control.
• Local councils must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants in their area. This plan may include actions to be taken on Mother-in-law's tongue. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local council for more information.