Spider plants are easy to propagate and look after. But it doesn’t always go to plan and it can be frustrating when they stop producing babies (also known as spiderettes).
If your spider plant isnt giving you spiderettes then it usually comes down to a few things. Thankfully they’re both easy to identity and to fix.
So if you’re unsure why or struggling to get babies from your spider plant check out these reasons and it shouldn’t take long to solve the problem.
9 Reasons Your Spider Plant Isn’t Producing Babies (And What to Do)
1. Insufficient Light
Spider plants need bright, indirect light to do best and produce babies. If they don’t get enough light they may become stressed and will in turn not produce babies.
You don’t want them to be in direct sunlight though as it can burn the leaves. So instead try putting your spider plant near a window where it gets a nice amount of filtered light.
Solution:
- Move your spider plant to a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of indirect sunlight every day.
- Use a grow light if your house doesn’t get enough natural light.
2. Over or Underwatering
Probably the most common reason for pretty much every spider plant problem is watering. If you overwater you can cause root rot. That will obviously stop it from growing. And so no spiderettes!
Underwatering is also a problem. It can stress the plant and stop it from growing properly. Which will affect it’s baby production.
Solution:
- Let the top inch of the soil dry out between each time you water.
- Make sure the soil drains well and the pot has good drainage too (lots of holes)
3. Lack of Nutrients
If a spider plant isn’t getting enough of the nutrients it needs then it will stop growing babies. If it’s been sat in the same soil for a long time then it might have used up all the resources that the soil had.
You don’t need to give your spider plant a lot of fertilizer but some feeding on a regular basis during the time their growing does help.
Solution:
- Use a balanced fertilizer, and a liquid one if possible. Fetilize one a month in the spring and summer. Don’t overfertilize though or you’ll stress your plant.
- If your spider plant has been in the same soil for more than two years then repot it. There’s a good chance the nutrients will be low or gone and so fresh soil will give it a boost.
4. Too Low Humidity
Spider plants naturally grow in tropical environments. The humidity there would be much higher than our homes. So if your home has low humidity it can stop them from flowering, which in turn stops them growing their spiderette babies.
Dry air can also cause brown leaf tips which is another sign your plant isn’t happy.
Solution:
- Either put your plant next to or near a humidifier or alternatively you can put it with other plants and they will increase the humidity amongst themselves.
- Misting can work too, just don’t overdo it. Also if you put your spider plant on a tray of pebbles and water it can increase the humidity.
5. The Pot is Too Large
Spider plants like to be a little root bound. If yours has too much room to spread out and stretch its roots what can happen is it puts all it’s energy in to growing those roots instead of producing babies.
Solution:
- Choose a pot that is just a little larger than the root ball. You want it to fit snugly in.
- You want to not repot it unless you absolutely have to. Once it’s root bound it’s much more likely to flower and give you the babies you want.
6. Temperature Isn’t Right
Temperature plays a really important role in the growth cycle of spider plants. They really like temperatures between 65°F to 75°F during the day and a little bit cooler at night.
Extremely hot or cold temperatures can mess with their growth and upset them enough that they won’t give you any babies.
Solution:
- Try to keep the temperature as stable as possible. Don’t put your spider plant near drafts or heaters.
- If you can then put your spider plant outdoors in a shaded area during the warmer months.
7. Plant Maturity
If your spider plant is young it might need some time to mature before it can begin producing babies. It’s usually about one to two years before spider plants are able to start producing spiderettes.
Solution:
- Be patient. If your spider plant is young give it time to grow and develop.
- Just make sure it’s healthy while you wait. The right light, water, nutrients etc. Basically follow all the tips in this guide!
8. Pests or Disease
Pests like mealybugs and aphids or diseases like root rot will stop your spider plant from giving you any spider pups. They simply make your plant weaker and unable to create any babies.
Solution:
- Keep checking your spider plant regularly for any signs of pests or diseases.
- If you find any use insecticidal soap or neem oil to kill off the pests.
9. Seasonal Changes
Spider plants naturally produce more babies when they’re growing the most, which is in the spring and summer. If you’re trying to get them to do it in the winter or fall you are going to have to accept it might not happen. It just isn’t in the right phase or growth to do so.
Solution:
- Change what your expectations are depending on the season. You can encourage your spider plant to grow in the winter or fall by giving it the best conditions indoors, you need to keep in mind that it’s not a guarantee. Spider plants are just simply going to produce more babies in the warmer months.
Quick Troubleshooting Guide
| Issue | Symptoms | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Insufficient Light | Leggy growth, no babies | Move to a brighter spot that gets indirect light |
| Overwatering | Wilting, yellow leaves | Water less often, be sure it has good drainage |
| Underwatering | Dry, brown leaf tips | Increase how often you water but avoid waterlogging |
| Low Humidity | Brown leaf tips, slow growth | Increase the humidity by misting or using a humidifier |
| Nutrient Deficiency | Stunted growth, no new leaves | Fertilize every month during spring and summer |
| Pot Too Large | No babies, large roots | Use a smaller, snug pot |
If you deal with each of the issues on this list, and it shouldn’t be hard to, your spider plant will be giving you babies in no time. They’re tough plants at the best of times so if you give them that extra bit of attention they’ll respond and you can be confident you’ll get some spiderettes.
So keep these tips handy and you’ll have a nursery full of spider babies before you know it!
