The Super Spider Plant Care Guide
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The Super Spider Plant Care Guide
Spider Plants are known for their long thin leaves and baby plants that dangle off of them like little spiders. I will break down a few essential aspects to ensure you give them the correct care. These plants can tolerate a newbie plant parent who makes mistakes, but they aren't invincible.
I will be covering the following topics:
Background
Watering Frequency
Light
Temperature/Humidity
Size
Common Issues
Background:
The spider plant, or Chlorophytum comosum, originated from South Africa and got its name due to the spiderettes that grow and seem to dangle from the mother plant like little spiders on a web!
Watering Frequency:
Based on where I keep my spider plant, I can get away with watering once a week, but this will vary for everyone depending on how much light your plant gets.
It's always a good idea to do the finger test to see if the soil is dry. If it's still damp, hold off on the watering.
For spider plants, it's better to under-water a little bit than to overwater them.
Light:
Spider plants prefer bright indirect light but can do quite well in medium to lower light areas. Just remember that the less light they get, the less growth they will produce.
Avoid direct sunlight because it will bleach their leaves. Even VERY bright indirect light can cause some bleaching (believe me...), but don't worry, move them out of the direct sunlight, and they will bounce back.
Temperature:
Spider plants are tough and can survive in temps between 35-90F! That doesn't mean those are the ideal temps, though. A spider plant will not grow much, if at all, below 60-65F. It's best to keep them in the 65-80F range for optimal growth.
Humidity:
Getting the humidity right for these plants is pretty easy because they are generally pretty happy with the moisture in your home.
If you are comfortable with the humidity levels in your room, your spider plant will be too.
If you live in an exceptionally dry area, you might notice the leaves getting crispy. If this is the case, you might want to supplement with a humidifier to keep your plant from drying up.
Size:
Spider plants will grow up to about 12 inches tall but can grow long leaves and stems that can droop 2-3 feet below the plant.
As the plant matures, it can start producing many spiderettes that give it a full and bushy look!
What To Do With The Spiderettes
If you've had your plant for a few years, you might have a LOT of baby plants dangling from the stems. You can leave them if you'd like, or you can pop them off and grow new plants to share with family and friends.
There are three ways you can do it!
1. Plant them right into soil
2. Put them in a damp paper towel until they develop roots
3. Or place directly into water
Below is an excellent video that explains it better than I can in 3 minutes :)
Common Issues:
Bleaching:
As mentioned above, your plant will begin to look sad and bleached if exposed to too much light or bright direct light.
Drooping:
If your plant is drooping, it's probably either underwatered or is outgrowing its pot. If the soil is dry, try giving it a good soak.
If roots are poking out the bottom of the pot, or it's been a while since repotting, it might be time for an upgrade. Spider plants develop large tuberous roots that can quickly fill up a pot!
Root Rot:
This is an issue for many plants as people tend to be a bit too caring sometimes... Remember, if the soil is damp when it comes time to water, wait a few days and check again.
Brown Leaf Tips:
Brown tips are not a significant problem as they do not harm the plant, but I know many people do not like the look of them. You can just snip the brown tips off with a clean shears.
For a more detailed explanation of what causes brown leaf tips and how to prevent it, read my newsletter on the topic below :)
Final Notes
Spider plants are hardy plants that can be a great addition to any collection. They can easily add some extra green to any area of your home and can produce baby plants for you to share for many years.
This Weeks Happy Planter Submission
Meet Joseph. We met at one of my former jobs and he was the only parting present I received when I left. We've been together for seven years and are still in love. He's grown so much and has taken up more and more space but I don't mind. Already planning on moving him to a bigger room.
That's quite a parting present! Thank you @Suzanne_Forte for sharing such a cool plant :) I hope he enjoys the extra space.
That’s All For Now!
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-Houseplant Hobbyist