This video was inspired by a viewer who has had trouble with her spider plant leaves bending and breaking. Find out the reasons why spider plant leaves bend and break, including insufficient water.
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Hello and welcome to HealthyHouseplants.com, where we teach you all about gardening in the great indoors. If you’d like to support our show, please use our Amazon affiliate link below.
Today, we are going to answer a question from one of my subscribers, Christina H. Thank you, Christina, for asking this question, as it is something that does happen with spider plants. This is Lucy; she is part of a spider plant revival series that I have a playlist for, and I’ll put the link below.
She’s looking really good; she was repotted not too long ago, and she is already growing even more. The question from Christina was about the foliage bending and breaking on spider plants, whether grown as houseplants or outdoors.
There are a couple of different reasons this occurs:
Pressure on the Foliage: When setting the plant down after watering, be careful to lift up its hair to prevent it from sitting on its own foliage. This can cause pressure, leading to breakage or tips breaking off, which doesn’t look good.
Lack of Water: Another common reason is that the plant gets too dry. When it dries out, the foliage will droop, and due to its weight, it can crease. Once a crease forms, it won’t go away, so you either need to cut it out or get used to its appearance while ensuring the other leaves remain healthy.
Watering spider plants can be tricky because they don’t like to be overwatered or underwatered. However, you can’t just keep watering them to be safe, as that may lead to root rot.
Use a moisture meter to monitor the soil moisture. A reading of four is ideal; aim to avoid letting it reach three, which indicates it’s too dry. If the pot feels lightweight, that’s a good indicator it’s time to water.
Watch for drooping leaves as a signal not to let the plant get to that point, as it can lead to bent leaves that are unsightly. To prevent foliage from getting stuck underneath the pot, consider using a hanging basket.
When moving these plants, be cautious as their leaves are tender and can easily break or bend, especially mature plants with babies. Fertilizing the plant can help keep foliage buoyant and healthy. My Green Gourmet House Plant Food is a great option, and I’ll provide a link below.
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Spider Plant Care FAQs
Why do the leaves of my spider plant bend and break?
Leaves can bend and break due to pressure when they sit on their own foliage after watering or if the plant becomes too dry, leading to drooping and creasing.
How can I prevent my spider plant from getting too dry?
Monitor the moisture level with a moisture meter, aiming for a reading around four, and water before it reaches three, which indicates it’s too dry.
What should I do if my spider plant’s leaves are drooping?
Drooping leaves indicate that the plant needs water. Address the issue promptly to avoid further stress and potential damage to the leaves.
Is it better to use a hanging basket for my spider plant?
Yes, using a hanging basket can help prevent foliage from getting stuck underneath the pot and minimize the risk of breakage.
What type of fertilizer should I use for my spider plant?
Using a good organic fertilizer like Green Gourmet House Plant Food can help keep the foliage healthy and reduce the risk of breakage.
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