Spider plants are known for being low maintenance, adaptable and frankly, downright hard to kill!
But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. And so caring for them the right way and providing them with what they need is still important.
So despite their easy care a few tips can take your spider plant from surviving to flourishing. Which is what I have for you here.
What You Need to Grow a Healthy Spider Plant
- A healthy spider plant: Start with a small plant or a pup.
- Pot: It’ll need to have drainage holes. Spider plants hate having to sit in water.
- Potting soil: A light potting mix that drains well.
- Fertilizer: Not strictly necessary but if you’re going to then use a balanced ferilizer, preferably liquid. It can help during the growing season.
Finding the Perfect Spot for Your Spider Plant
Spider plants are pretty laid back when it comes to light. They do best in bright, indirect light but can still do well in less light too.
But they really hate direct sunlight. Give them that all you’ll get is burnt leaves with brown and crispy edges. Healthy leaves comes from not being exposed to too much sun.
Ideal Light Conditions:
- Bright, indirect light: Near an east or west facing window is ideal.
- Partial shade: while they won’t grow as quickly in lower light they can still do ok.
- Avoid direct sunlight: Too much sun can cause the leaves to burn.
Common Mistakes:
- Placing in too dark a spot: Grpwth will slow to a half and you’ll get pale and leggy leaves.
- Exposing to direct afternoon sun: Burnt plant with nasty brown edges on the leaves.
Watering
Watering can be the hardest part of spider plant care. They don’t need too much but they don’t want to be drying out either.
If you water inconsistently you run the risk of the leaves getting browning tips though. It’s tricky. So how do you strike the right balance?
How Often Should You Water?
- Spring and summer: Water your spider plant once a week. Or check and see if the top inch of the soil it’s in is dry. If so then water.
- Fall and winter: Bring the watering down to once every two or three weeks. When they’re not growing they don’t need a lot.
Watering Tips:
- Check the soil: If the soil feels dry after you’ve put your fingers in then you know it’s time to water.
- Use room temperature water: Cold water can shock the roots especially in winter.
- Drainage is key: your pot needs to have holes to let the water run through. Spider plants don’t want soggy roots and if the pot doesn’t have drainage the water will collect at the bottom.
Common Watering Mistakes:
- Overwatering: One of the best ways to kill your spider plant is by giving it too much water. If you have overdone it then yellow leaves are a clear sign.
- Underwatering: Leaves turning brown at the tips? That could be either underwatering or that your spider plant is getting too much dry air.
The Best Soil for Spider Plants
The soil itself isn’t a major issue for spider plants but it must drain well. A light, well draining potting mix is all you need.
Ideal Soil Mixture:
- Standard potting mix: A regular houseplant soil will do.
- Optional additives: If you want to go that bit further then you can add in some sand or perlite which will improve the drainage.
Fertilizing: Does Your Spider Plant Really Need It?
Fertilizer isn’t that important for spider plants. But a little boost during the growing season can help them to really so well. If you do decide to fertilize yours then so it sparingly.
Fertilizer Tips:
- Use a balanced fertilizer: Something like a 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 blend will work.
- Frequency: Fertilize once a month during spring and summer.
- Skip winter feeding: When they’re not actively growing in the colder months you don’t need to fertilize.
Fertilizing Mistakes:
- Overfertilizing: Can result in salt building up in the soil and that can cause the leaves to burn. If you’re seeing the tips of the leaves on your spider plant turn brown and you’re absolutely sure it’s not because of underwatering then it could be that you’re feeding it too much.
Repotting Spider Plants: When and How to Do It
Spider plants grow fast! Especially when they’re happy. So you may find you’re having to repot on a regular basis as they outgrown their pot quickly.
Signs Your Spider Plant Needs Repotting:
- The roots are growing out of the drainage holes.
- Water sits on top of the soil and doesn’t drain quickly.
- The whole plant is looking too top heavy for it’s pot.
How to Repot:
- Choose a slightly larger pot: it doesn’t have to be a massive difference. A couple of inches bigger diameter will be enough.
- Loosen the roots: Gently tease out any tangled roots at the bottom.
- Add fresh soil: Put your plant in it’s new pot and fill it with fresh potting mix.
- Water well: Give it a thorough watering after it’s in it’s new pot.
Extra Tip:
Spider plants are happiest when they are slightly root bound. So don’t rush to repot yours unless you see the signs above.
Propagating Spider Plants
A fun part of growing a spider plant is watching it develop the babies. Those “spiderettes” as they’re often known are the hanging Mini spider plants that grow from the big mother (in this case, your plant).
You can propagate these babies and grow them in to new spider plants. It’s so easy you soon end up with a massive family or spider plants!
How to Propagate Spider Plant Pups:
- Wait for a pup to develop roots: You’ll notice little roots forming at the base of the spiderette while it’s still attached to the mother plant.
- Clip the pup: Use a clean pair of scissors or shears to cut the baby plant from the mother.
- Put in water or soil: You can either put the pup in a small pot or a glass of water, although you’ll have to wait for the roots to grow longer with the latter.
- Transplant into soil: if you strayed it in water then move it into soil once the roots get to be about an inch long.
Dealing with Pests and Problems
Even though spider plants are easy to care for they can still have problems with pests. But if you know what to look out for you can deal with them quickly and before it becomes a bigger issue.
Common Spider Plant Pests:
- Aphids: Look for tiny green, black or white bugs on the leaves. A mild soap solution can help.
- Spider mites: These cause yellowing leaves and webbing on the plant. You can remove them by wiping the leaves with a damp cloth.
- Mealybugs: These white bugs will be found hiding in the cracks of leaves. You can get rid of them by dabbing them with neem oil or running alcohol.
Problems and Fixes:
| Problem | Symptom | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| Browning leaf tips | Dry air, inconsistent watering | Increase the humidity and adjust how and when you’re watering |
| Yellowing leaves | Overwatering | Allow the soil to dry out before watering |
| Limp or drooping leaves | Pot bound, not enough water | Repot or water more often |
Spider Plant Varieties to Consider
Not all spider plants are the same! There are a few different varieties and they each have their own uniqueness.
These are some of the most popular choices:
- Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’: This is the most common variety. It has a white stripe down the center of its green leaves.
- Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’: Similar to ‘Vittatum’ but with white margins and a green center.
- Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’: Has curly leaves and looks amazing.
Final Thoughts
Spider plants are a fantastic addition to any home. They don’t mind if you make mistakes, will take a lot of neglect and make your home that bit greener and fresher.
So if you follow these tips your spider plant will not just survive – it will be a huge success and give you lots of lush leaves and healthy pups.
