When you want to propagate those baby spiders, you may wonder what to use if you use the method of cutting it off and growing the roots in water. I am doing this all the time with my big spider plant; I give them to my kids, and place them by the bed for my asthmatic husband.
Here's how I do it: I know many of us drink a lot of 20 oz bottles of soda or water, right? Take one of those, and some ordinary scissors, and cut the bottom off at the bottom of the label. To start I pinch the side of the bottle. Or you can use a knife to start it but be careful! Anyway use that bottom to put two or three babies in and fill it with water.
Then I put it on my window sill (north, if it matters I'm not sure) and check to make sure it doesn't run out of water. In a matter of a couple weeks there will be roots. Then you can put it in rich moist soil, and give it a little extra attention until the roots take hold.
Don't worry about how long you keep them in water to grow the roots, the longer you keep it in water the longer the roots get. I haven't had one die in water.
Source: My first plant was a spider plant, my mom had them since as long as I can remember, and 30 years later she still has the same one!
By Pauline Morse from Georgetown, DE
I've had this spider plant in my house for a few months. It was doing great! It was super happy in my north facing bedroom in the window, then I moved it into my living room to the west facing window, there's not as much light, but there was still enough. And then I started to notice the leaves are all bending.
So I moved it back to my bedroom and thought it would perk right up, but it's been over a week and it's still all droopy. I water it once a week like always. Is it too much water or not enough? Is it the sunlight? Helpplease! Second picture to show lighting.My spider plant leaves are getting yellowish and also drooping. Just bought it 20 days ago. I have also been watering it twice a week, mainly when soil gets dry.
Currently, I have kept it in a north direction in main hall. Please suggest how do I get it into proper shape.I suspect you are watering your plant too often. This is a good link for learning the proper care for spider plants plantinstructions.com/
I have been raising spider plants for 40 + years. Your plant is pot bound and is probably too cold. Mine get yellow like this in these cases. I water a little (less than 1/4 cup for plants twice this size) almost every day. They get the water from the end of the dog bowl :)
Mine love morning sun, but they are pretty forgiving when the roots have room. They like some sun, but not a full day's worth.
My friend waters here with a healthy watering twice a week. Hers do brown more often than mine, so they are probably under watered.
I have spider plants in my yard. Should I cut away the dead shoots left from winter to make way for new green shoots?
I normally grow mine outside year round and have no issues. When it starts to get a bit warmer, I'd trim off the dead shoots from the plants. Normally, you can do this in the early Spring and they should be fine. You can also wait until early Fall and take the small babies from the shoots and plant them in the soil to allow them to grow during the winter months.
My spider plant is getting really full and the leaves are bending. Any suggestions? Is there somthing I should be doing differently? Does it need a bigger pot? Thanks!
Why do some say I'm over watering my spider plants because the leaves and babies are brown, and some say under watering? Which is it?
Hardiness Zone: 5a
By kitty from Indianapolis, IN
Here is a link... all about spider plants:
www.suite101.com/
Actually, it is neither over watering or under watering that causes the leave tips to turn brown. Spider plants do like lots of water, but they need to dry out between watering. They have a great root system that holds plenty of water for them. If you over water, the roots will rot. I find it pretty hard to underwater.
I live in a climate where the temperature is about to go down below freezing. It will stay there at night for about 6 more weeks. I have a wonderful spider plant that is doing very well in a quiet protected nook, but I am wondering about the next few weeks.
Should I bring it inside?
By Joan
If you can bring it is, that will be best, but if it is really protected, you may not need to. Just cover it with an old sheet (cotton or poly-cotton blend) or towel, or other non-plastic cloth, and be sure it is well watered.
I agree (zone 4 upstate NY). We get much colder weather so I have to bring everybody inside but if it's mildly cold (I know that term is relative), consider leaving it outside in a protected place and covered as the above suggested. Remember it still needs water though!
I live in Phoenix and my spider plants just recently started showing what looks like hard water stains on leaves. They are getting the same water as before and I mist every morning or afternoon. They do not get any full sun, being in Arizona it is 108 degrees F. What can I do?
By Lori
Try using distilled / bottled water. It may just be that your tap water is hard.
I have the same thing on my Peoni Bush this year. Had it last year too. Somebody told me it's the city water? Maybe too much chlorine in the water? Also, my Peoni did not bloom this year. Any thoughts on that, anyone? Thanks,
My spider plant is dying. Can I put it in a cup of water and try to save it?
What environment is needed by spider plants?
By Thamilla P
I have plenty of spider plants which have lots of babies on them. I use to keep them in my bay window and in direct sunlight. I now live in a basement apartment and I have them near the window, but not in direct sun. Do they need a lot of sun? Also some leaves are turning brown. What should I do?
By Jo from CT
They don't need to be in direct sunlight as long as they get some. If they are turning brown than you should try to crack a window and make sure they are getting enough fresh air. That always works with my plants.