We’re checking in and repotting Lucy, the spider plant that we started reviving in 2019. See how well she’s doing and watch her get repotted into her fourth pot!
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Today, we are checking in with Lucy, who has been in a spider plant revival series for a while now, and she is doing really well. As you can see, it is time to pot her up into her fourth pot. The last time she was repotted in this pot was a little over a year ago. We started this revival in 2019, and you can look back to see how puny she was at that point. Now, she looks good, but she needs a new pot. Some of the signs include drying out quickly and slight nutrient deficiency, as indicated by less vibrant leaf color.
I have an assortment of pots, and as I always mention, you don’t want to go up more than one or two sizes at most. This one might be a little too big, but we’ll see. Another pot might be a good size, and I have a feeling it will be the one we want because it’s bigger but not too much bigger. It’s hard to tell, but we’ll know more once I get her out of here.
To get Lucy out of the pot, sometimes you have to tap on the side of the table. This often helps knock the plant loose. If that doesn’t work, you might need to use a knife or scissors, something thin that you can push along the side to loosen it a little bit. I have a video on how to do this when plants are really stuck in the pot. I did water her well before starting, which also helps the plant come out of the pot more easily. Also, watering before repotting ensures the leaves are full of moisture, which is essential because the plant will go into a bit of shock after repotting.
Now, let’s see how she’s doing. Turning her upside down, she’s still not wanting to come out, so I’m gently tapping. There she goes! As you can see, the edge of a table works well. Now, we can see what’s really going on with her roots. It’s hard to tell until you take the plant out. It’s better to have a few different sizes of pots available to avoid the wrong size. You can see she has a nice, healthy root system, but it’s not too overgrown. She was definitely ready for this repotting.
Next, I’ll determine the best pot size. Ideally, you want a two-thirds root mass to one-third soil ratio in the new pot. This prevents too much wet soil, which can lead to root rot. Spider plants like to be root-bound, so I’ll stick to the two-thirds root mass to one-third soil ratio. This pot is slightly bigger, which should be perfect.
I’ve placed drywall tape over the drainage hole, which is important to ensure proper drainage. I’m adding new soil mixed with my Green Gourmet Houseplant Food and worm compost. I like to moisten the soil before repotting to ensure the plant is positioned correctly. If the soil is dry, the plant may sink after watering.
When repotting, usually about two inches of soil at the bottom is good. If you find yourself adding too much soil, the pot is too big. You can always repot in the same size pot with new soil, but Lucy was drying out quickly, so a bigger pot is necessary. After adding soil around the sides and ensuring no air pockets, I’ll leave about a quarter of an inch of space at the top to avoid overflow when watering.
Even distribution of soil is important to prevent the roots from drying out. After repotting, it’s essential to water thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage hole. Lucy will need a week or two to acclimate to her new pot. During this time, she may not drink as much water, and you might notice new growth once she adjusts.
Finally, after repotting, ensure the plant is well-positioned in the pot. I like to keep Lucy on a pedestal so her fronds can hang over the edge. Be careful with the tips of the leaves to avoid damage.
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Healthy Houseplants: Spider Plant Repotting FAQ
Why is it time to repot Lucy, the spider plant?
Lucy has been in a spider plant revival series and is showing signs that it’s time for a new pot. These signs include drying out quickly and slight nutrient deficiency, as indicated by less vibrant leaf color.
When was the last time Lucy was repotted?
The last time Lucy was repotted was a little over a year ago.
How do I choose the right pot size for repotting?
You should not go up more than one or two sizes when repotting. Ideally, you want a two-thirds root mass to one-third soil ratio in the new pot. Spider plants like to be root-bound, so it’s important to stick to this ratio to prevent root rot.
What should I do if my plant is stuck in the pot?
If your plant is stuck, you can tap the side of the table gently to knock it loose. If that doesn’t work, use a knife or scissors to loosen it by pushing along the side of the pot. Watering the plant before repotting also helps in removing it from the pot.
What soil mixture should I use for repotting?
It’s best to use new soil mixed with Green Gourmet Houseplant Food and worm compost. The soil should be moistened before repotting to ensure the plant is positioned correctly and doesn’t sink after watering.
How much soil should I put at the bottom of the new pot?
Usually, about two inches of soil at the bottom is sufficient. If you need to add more soil, the pot might be too big.
Should I water the plant immediately after repotting?
Yes, it’s important to water thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage hole. This helps the plant acclimate to its new pot.
How long does it take for a spider plant to adjust after repotting?
It typically takes a week or two for the spider plant to acclimate to its new pot. During this time, the plant may not drink as much water, and new growth may be observed once it adjusts.
How should I position my spider plant after repotting?
It’s best to place the spider plant on a pedestal or a higher position so that its fronds can hang over the edge. Be careful with the tips of the leaves to avoid damage.
What should I do if the soil overflows when watering?
To avoid overflow, make sure to leave about a quarter of an inch of space at the top of the pot when filling it with soil.
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