How to Care for a Spider Plant

Spider plants are a popular, yet beautiful and graceful, houseplant. They are lush plants that have the ability to improve indoor air quality. Spider plants also happen to be one of the easiest houseplants to maintain. They make a great first plant for those just starting out with houseplants or for those of us that are occasionally lax in houseplant care. Caring for your spider plant doesn't take a lot of time or experience.

Spider plants do best when they are out of direct sunlight, but they do like to be in a sunny room. They prefer a cool temperature between 55 and 65 degrees, but will be fine in warmer temperatures. They thrive in soil that is kept damp and not over watered. However, they are very forgiving and will be okay if you forget to water them for a while. I have forgotten to water my spider plants for a month at a time and they have always been fine.

Spider plants like fertilizer every now and again. I use Miracle Grow liquid plant food once every few months. A few drops in the watering can are enough for a spider plant, which can sometimes be sensitive to too much fertilizer. When the plant outgrows the pot, a spider plant needs to be repotted. You will generally see the benefits of repotting a spider plant right away. They seem to like to have room to stretch out their roots.

When thriving, a spider plant produces babies. These are plant off-shoots that look like miniature spider plants growing at the ends of hanging stalks. These babies are how the spider plant propagates. They may be clipped from the mother plant, put in a glass of water until they root and then planted in their own pot. Or, they may be planted in a pot of loose soil while they are still attached to the mother. Once roots form, which takes 7-10 days, it is safe to cut them from the mother plant.

Occasionally, spider plants don't thrive. If the tips of the leaves on a spider plant turn brown, this is an indication that your plant is not doing well. Sometimes over watering is the culprit. Too much fertilizer can also burn the plant, as can watering with chemically treated tap water. The chlorine and fluoride that is in most municipal water supplies can burn a spider plant. Switch to rain water or distilled water and the plant should regain its health.

If you are ready to jump into plant ownership, but don't know where to start, consider the spider plant. For minimal effort, you will be rewarded with a beautiful, vibrant houseplant.

Source