Spider plants are, for good reason, a favorite amongst gardeners and those who enjoy plants. They’re easy to care for, don’t need much looking after and as a bonus can be propagated easily to get new plants.
In fact the whole process of propagating is really straightforward. So if you’ve got a spider plant that’s giving you offshoots (also known as pups or spiderettes) you are well placed to propagate it.
Taking those little offshoots and growing them into their own, independent plant is fun and satisfying. What’s not to like about more plants?
So this guide will take you through the process of propagating spider plants and show you exactly how to do it without any fuss.
What You’ll Need to Propagate a Spider Plant
Before staring it’s a good idea to get everything in order. These are the most important things you’ll need to successfully propagate your spider plant.
- A healthy spider plant with offshoots (obviously!)
- Sharp, sterilized scissors or pruners
- Small pots that have drainage holes
- Potting soil that drains well (I recommend a mix with perlite)
- Water
- If you’re going to propagate in water then a shallow dish (optional)
Getting everything prepped beforehand makes the process much easier.
Step 1: Identify and Inspect the Spiderettes
The first thing to do is take a close look at your spider plant. You’re looking for small spiderettes growing on the stems.
They will be hanging off the mother plant like decorations. These are your future plants so make sure you’re treating them well.
Important Tip: Make sure the spiderettes are at least two inches long with visible roots before you try to propagate them. If they don’t have any roots yet then it’s best to give them some more time before you propagate them.
Step 2: Decide on Your Propagation Method
There are two main ways to propagate spider plants: water propagation and soil propagation. I’ll break down how each method works so you can choose whichever you think will fit your situation.
Soil Propagation
This is the method I usually use and it’s perfect I’d you like to let nature do its thing.
Soil propagation is fairly simple:
- First snip the spiderette carefully from the parent plant by making a clean cut close to the base of the spiderette.
- Get a small pot and fill it with potting soil that drains well. Spider plants hate their pots to be in soggy soil so you will want your mix to have some sand or perlite in it.
- Make a small hole in the soil and gently put your spiderettes roots in it. Push the soil down around the base of the plant so it’s secure.
- Gently water the new plant to settle the soil and then put it on a bright and warm spot. But don’t put it on direct sunlight.
Extra Tip: Don’t let the soil get waterlogged. Spider plants like it moist so getting the balance right can be tricky. They like a decent and steady amount of water when they’re establishing their roots but waterlogged soil will do them harm.
Water Propagation
If you want to watch the roots develop then water propagation is the way to go. You will literally see them growing as it happens.
- Cut the spiderette in the same way described in the soil propagation method.
- Put the spiderette in a dish or jar filled with water. You want the water to be covering the roots but not touching the leaves.
- Put the jar in a spot that gets a lot of light but not direct sunlight (otherwise the water will get too warm or even evaporate).
- Change the water every few days to keep it fresh. This will also stop any mold or bacteria from growing.
After a week or two you will notice new roots starting to grow. When they get to be at least an inch long you can then transfer them to soil. The main reason for doing water propagation are those early stages where you get to see the roots actually growing. If you’re not all that bothered about that then soil propagation is probably best for you.
Step 3: Potting the Spiderette
Once the roots are well established (either from soil or water propagation) you can move on to giving your new spider plant a permanent home.
The steps are exactly the same as soil propagation:
- Get a small pot with drainage holes. Drainage is important as spider plants don’t like to be waterlogged.
- Use a potting mix that drains well.
- Fill the pot with soil about halfway. Put the spiderette in the centre and fill the rest with soil. Gently press the soil down around it to secure the plant.
- Water the plant and let the excess water drain out.
Quick Insight: Don’t go for a large pot too fast. Spider plants actually like to be root bound. When you start to see the roots poking through the holes of the pot then you can move up a pot size.
Watering and Care Tips
Spider plants don’t mind you missing some waterings so you do get some leeway if you’re a bit neglectful. But if you want yours to be happy then the right watering is important.
So, try to stick to something like this:
- If the top inch of the soil is dry then water. You can check the if it’s dry simply by sticking your finger in.
- Don’t let the plant sit in water. If the pot is sitting in a saucer then empty that after you’ve watered it.
- Spider plants are particularly fussy about humidity but if the air is very dry then misting yours from time to time can help.
Tip: If you notice the tips of your spider plants leaves are turning brown it could be a sigh or xholrine from your tap water or fluoride. If this is the issue then filtered or distilled water will help.
Choosing the Right Spot for Your Spider Plant
Spider plants aren’t too bothered about where they live. However you can do a few things to make them as healthy as possible.
- Light: The best for spider plants is bright and indirect light. They don’t mind low light but you might not get as many spiderettes and the leaves may not be as vibrant.
- Temperature: Spider plants do best in temperatures between 55 to 80°F (13 to 27°C). They’re pretty tough but don’t let them sit in cold drafts or near heating vents.
- Air Quality: Spider plants can be very good at purifying the air. They filter out carbon monoxide and formaldehyde so a great choice for kitchens or living rooms.
Common Issues
While they may be generally tough spider plants can still have some issues. These are a few of the most common ones and what you can do about them:
1. Brown Leaf Tips
Brown leaf tips are common. It’s usually down to the chemicals in your tap water but can also be too much sunlight or dry air. Either use filtered water or increasing the humidity will often solve the problem.
2. Leggy Growth
Usually because it’s not getting enough light. Move it to somewhere brighter and it should bounce back.
3. Root Rot
Mostly down to being overwatered or that the soil isn’t draining well. Make sure your pot has drainage holes and don’t let it sit in water for any length of time.
When and How to Repot a Spider Plant
Most spider plants grow quickly so it won’t be long before you’re going to need a bigger pot. You’ll know it’s the right time to repot your spider plant when:
- You see roots coming out of the drainage holes.
- The plant looks like it’s bursting out of the pot.
- It’s been over a year since you last repotted it.
To repot all you have to do is get a pot that’s a bit bigger than the one it’s currently in, fill it with fresh soil and move your spider plant to it’s new home. And make sure you water it well after you’ve repotted it so that it settles.
Why Spider Plants Are Great for Beginner Gardeners
If you’re new to looking after plants then spider plants are one of the easiest to start with. They grow quickly, don’t need much maintenance and are hard to kill. And propagating them is a great way to build up your own collection of plants that’s both easy and cheap!
Final Thoughts
Propagating a spider plant is one of the easiest things you can do when it comes to houseplants. The process is simple regardless of whether you go for soil or water propagation. And before you know it you’ll have a brand new plant.
With proper care, a little bit of patience and the right environment your new spider plant will thrive and maybe even start producing spiderettes of its own.
