Spider Plant Care: What to Know

Find out how to keep spider plant alive and healthy in your indoor garden. What you need to know to grow really pretty spider plants. This video stars Lucy, who is in a revival series.

Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening and the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below. Today, we are going to talk about spider plant care and what you need to know to have beautiful spider plants in your indoor garden.

This is Lucy. You may recognize her if you’ve been following her revival journey. Originally, she was a rescue and wasn’t doing well, but since then, I’ve revived her, and she is thriving. Lucy is going to be getting her third repotting in two or three months.

As you can tell, Lucy is a very pretty plant. That’s the great thing about growing spider plants in your indoor garden—they are gorgeous. They make lovely hanging basket plants and look great on top of bookcases and entertainment centers. They also make excellent centerpieces. I often have Lucy as my centerpiece on my dining room table.

One of the features I love about spider plants is their variegated leaves. The creamy yellow borders with darker green are stunning and add vibrancy to any indoor space. The way the leaves curve adds an architectural element that enhances the plant’s beauty.

Spider Plant Care

Lighting:
Provide your spider plants with medium to bright indirect light. Bright light should always be indirect, as direct sunlight can cause sunburn. If you don’t have natural light, consider using full-spectrum artificial lighting. There are many lighting fixtures on the market today, and I’ve included links to some recommended products below.

Soil:
Spider plants prefer well-draining soil with good water retention. Avoid soils made of ground-up bark, which doesn’t retain water well. Instead, look for soil mixes containing peat moss, coir, or vermiculite. If your soil seems heavy, add pumice to improve drainage. I’ve also included links to some good soil options below.

Watering:
Spider plants are big drinkers but don’t like soggy soil. Keep the soil moist but not wet. Use well water, rainwater, snow water, or reverse osmosis water, as they are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water. If you notice brown leaf tips, it could be due to high fluoride or chlorine levels. Water your spider plant when the moisture meter reads four; three indicates the soil is too dry.

Temperature and Humidity:
Spider plants thrive in warm, humid conditions and do not tolerate temperatures below 50°F. Protect them from drafts and air conditioning vents, which can dry out the leaves and soil. If humidity is below 45%, you may notice brown leaf tips. Misting, using humidity trays, or grouping plants together can help increase humidity.

Fertilizing:
Feed your spider plant with a moderate amount of organic fertilizer every other month. Avoid chemical fertilizers, as they can burn the roots and cause brown leaf tips. Always water the plant before and after fertilizing.

Pruning:
Remove dead or browning leaves as they appear. If your plant becomes too leggy or sparse, remove the plantlets to conserve the plant’s energy. These plantlets can be propagated in an upcoming series on propagation.

Potting and Repotting:
Spider plants need to be repotted every two to three years or when roots start protruding from the drainage holes. Use a pot that is slightly larger than the root ball and ensure it has ample drainage. Fill the pot with a mix of two-thirds root to one-third soil to prevent root rot.

Pests:
Spider plants are generally pest-free but can sometimes get spider mites. If you notice sparse growth, rinse the plant with water and keep the environment humid. Neem oil can also be used to control spider mites.

What type of light do spider plants need?

Spider plants need medium to bright indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause sunburn, so it’s essential to ensure the light is indirect.

What kind of soil is best for spider plants?

Spider plants prefer well-draining soil with good water retention. Avoid soils made from ground-up bark, as they do not retain water well.

How often should I water my spider plant?

Water your spider plant when the soil is moist but not soggy. Use a moisture meter and water when it reads four.

How do I prevent brown leaf tips on my spider plant?

Brown leaf tips can be caused by water high in fluoride or chlorine. Use distilled, reverse osmosis, rain, or snow water to prevent this.

When should I repot my spider plant?

Repot your spider plant every two to three years or when roots start protruding from the drainage holes.

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