Spider plants are very easy to grow but watering is the one area with them you need to get right. I’ve had spider plants for years and while they can deal with a little bit of neglect getting their watering makes all the difference.
This guide will take you through everything about watering a spider plant, caring for them and how important it is to keep your plant thriving.
Spider Plant Watering Frequency
Watering spider plants the right way depends on many different factors. There isn’t a one size fits all approach.
The amount and how often you should water comes down to things like the season, size of the pot it’s in, soil, humidity, temperature etc.
Seasonal Watering Changes
- Spring and Summer: This is when your spider plant is actively growing. It needs more water as it’s producing new leaves and maybe even flowers. It’s also warmer so you should be watering your spider plant once a week, more if the temperatures rise. But make sure you check the soil first though before you add water.
- Fall and Winter: As your spider plant starts growing less in the cooler months it will need less water too. So you should bring down how often you’re watering to once every two weeks or less if you’re in a particularly cool place. It can be easy to overwater your plant at this time as it’s using less water when it’s not growing as much. So be careful.
How to Water Based on Pot and Soil
- Small pots will dry out faster than a bigger pot because there isn’t as much soil to hold on to the moisture. So if your spider plant is in a fairly small pot then you will probably have to water it more often.
- Pot material matters too. Clay and terracotta pots let the water evaporate through the material and so the soil dries out quicker. Plastic and ceramic pots are the opposite and hold on to moisture for much longer.
If you’re not sure when you should be watering your spider plant then put your finger into the slip and see how moist it is. You can also lift the pot and see how light it feels. If it’s noticeably less heavy then that’s a good sign it needs a water.
How Much Water Does a Spider Plant Need?
This depends but really it should be enough to make the soil moist but not so much that it’s becomes waterlogged. You should be watering until you see it running out the bottom of the pot through the drainage holes. Don’t forget to empty the water that collects in the saucer or container your pot is in or it could lead to root rot.
Top Watering
Top watering is the most effective way to water spider plants. And it’s very simple too.
All you have to do is slowly pour the water over the soil until it begins to drain out of the bottom of the pot. This makes sure that all of the soil is evenly moist and as the water drains away through the holes you aren’t going to get waterlogged soil that causes root rot.
Here’s an extra tip: as mentioned earlier – don’t forget to empty the saucer your plant is sitting on. If the water sits in the saucer your spider plant will continue absorbing it and that could keep the roots wet and result in root rot.
Bottom Watering
Bottom watering has its places and can be very useful – for instance when the soil becomes very dry and is difficult to rehydrate – but for spider plants I wouldn’t recommend it as your regular way of watering. You have to careful and make sure the soil doesn’t stay soggy at the bottom while it looks like its dry on top as you’ll end up overwatering it by mistake.
How to Recognize Overwatering and Underwatering
Both overwatering and underwatering can be spotted from some clear signs. It’s a good idea to know what you’re looking for so you can save your plant from real damage.
Overwatering Symptoms
- Yellowing leaves
- Soil that stays damp and soggy for days after it’s been watered
- A nasty smell from the pot (a sign of root rot)
- Fungus gnats all around the plant
Underwatering Symptoms
- Brown or crispy leaf tips
- Drooping or shrivelled leaves
- Dry soil that’s lighter in color than it should be
- Leaves turning pale and not looking green
Environmental Factors That Affect Watering
It’s important to adjust your watering routine based on the conditions in your home.
Humidity and Temperature
Spider plants like the humidity to stay moderate. So try to keep yours at between 55°F and 85°F.
You may find you need to water more often if your home is particularly dry (especially in the winter with the heating on). And if your plant is near to the air conditioning or a draft then the soil will probably dry out faster.
Light Levels
Your spider plant loves bright, indirect light. If you want it to do well that’s the best light for it.
If your plant is in a sunnier spot then it will need more water as it will be using it up quicker. If it’s in less light then you should decrease how often it’s watered.
Pot Size and Material
As mentioned earlier smaller pots dry out quicker. As your plant grows then it’s a good idea to move it to a bigger pot. Make sure both the old and new pot have enough drainage holes so water isn’t building up at the bottom.
Best Water for Spider Plants
The quality of the water matters more than you probably realize. Spider plants are sensitive when it comes to chemicals and minerals found in tap water. Fluoride and chlorine especially as they cause the leaf tips to turn brown.
You can avoid this by using:
- Distilled water works well as it’s free from minerals.
- Rainwater is perfect because it’s naturally soft and contains fewer chemicals. Plus it’s free!
- If you must use tap water, let it sit out overnight as some of the chemicals will have dissipated by the next morning.
Soil and Fertilizer
Watering the right way is only part of it though. The type of soil you use and how often you fertilize will also play a big role in how much water your spider plant needs.
Soil Mix
Spider plants need a soil mix that drains well. They hate being waterlogged.
I would recommend a mix that includes something like peat moss or coco coir, some perlite and a bit of compost. The peat or coco coir will help with holding on to the moisture and the perlite makes the water pass through the soil and not stick around for too long.
A good potting mix is all about stopping the soil becoming waterlogged. You don’t want it to hold on to the water as it will cause root rot.
Fertilizing Schedule
Spider plants don’t need a lot of fertilizing. In the growing season is really when you should be giving them a bit.
So in the spring and summer use fertilizler every 2 to 4 weeks. Too much of it will lead to a build up of salts in the soil and this can result in the tips of the leaves turning brown. So I’d advise caution with your fertilizing.
Location and Light Preferences
Bright and indirect light is best for spider plants. They can do fine with less light but if you want them to really do well then it’s got to be bright and indirect.
Just remember though that the more light your plant gets the more water it will need. If it’s anywhere that’s getting a lot of sun then it will be drying out fairly fast. And make sure it’s not in direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves.
The best spot is somewhere near an east facing window as your spider plant will get gentle morning sun but not be subjected to the harsh afternoon sunlight.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
- Overwatering: Always let the top 1 to 2 inches of soil to dry out between each time you water. The pot must drain well and don’t let your plant sit in the water.
- Using tap water without caution: Tap water contains chemicals your spider plant doesn’t like. So if you can switch to distilled or rainwater to avoid getting brown leaf tips.
- Ignoring signs of distress: Keep an eye on your plant’s leaves. Drooping, yellowing or browning leaves are a clear sign that something is wrong.
Spider Plant Watering Frequency Table
| Season | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spring | Every 7 to 10 days | Active growth season, moderate watering |
| Summer | Every 5 to 7 days | Watering more often due to the heat |
| Fall | Every 10 to 14 days | Growing less so not as ouch water is needed |
| Winter | Every 2 to 3 weeks | Dormant period so very little watering |
Final Thoughts
Spider plants are generally low maintenance but it’s a good idea to pay more attention to their watering. Doing so will give your plant the best chance of really succeeding.