How to Propagate Spider Plants
How to Propagate Spider Plants
If you’ve had a spider plant (aka Chlorophytum comosum or airplane plant) for any length of time, you’ve probably thought about propagating new plants from it. Luckily, spider plants are one of the easiest house plants to propagate, thanks to the many baby spider plants that grow from one.
Here’s all you need to know about replanting spider plant babies. I’ve added some simple instructions up front, and afterward you’ll find more detailed guides for timing your transplant, selecting the right pots and soil, and several different ways to propagate for more options.
How to Transplant Baby Spider Plants: The Basics
The spider plant babies are called spiderettes, plantlets, or pups. Spider plant propagation is very easy, especially if you have many spiderettes on your main plant to choose from.
All you have to do is pick the spiderette you want off the parent plant, fill a container with potting soil, push the root nubs on the bottom of the plant gently into the dirt and pack the soil down around the base. Give the new plant a little water.
I’ve used this basic method many times, and the extremely abused spider plants that are still green and thriving in my windowless office are a testament to just how resilient these little leggy plants are, regardless of what kind of container, potting soil, or water you use.
How to Propagate Spider Plants: In Depth
The following is a full guide to how to transplant baby spider plants, including detailed timing instructions, what you’ll need, and two different methods for propagation.
When to Propagate Spiderettes
You’ll have to start the process with a healthy, mature spider plant. When the spider plant is large enough and getting the right amount of water and sun, it will put out stolons (those long stems that are typically yellow or brown) with a tiny spiderette at the bottom.
It’s generally best to wait until the leaves on the spiderette are around two inches long and you see definite root nubs forming on the bottom before removing it from the mother plant. This will ensure that it’s developed enough to survive on its own, and also better prepared to fill whatever pot you put it in.
When in doubt, use the largest spiderettes on your plant first. Some will have leaves 6+ inches long already and significant root nubs.
Additionally, it’s suggested that you repot spiderettes in late spring and summer, when the mother plant is actively growing. This supposedly helps with the success rate of the transplant and the growth rate, since the baby is better suited to putting out roots and resuming life in its new home, but these plants are resilient enough that you can transplant them pretty much anytime you want.
What You’ll Need
To propagate spider plants, you’ll need a pot with drainage holes, basic light potting soil, and a space with indirect light. And, of course, you’ll need the spider babies you plan to work with.
Other optional tools include scissors or pruners and a glass of water if you plan to root in water.
Best Pots for Spider Plants
Spider plants are very easygoing when it comes to pots – pretty much any material, porous or non, will work. Ceramic, terra cotta, and plastic all work great for them and are probably the most common materials you’ll find in growing containers.
The only requirement is a drainage hole, and if you’ve had spider plants for a few years, even that isn’t a definite requirement… I have several in pretty pots that didn’t come with drainage holes, and they’ve survived for years.
As for what size the new pot should be, it’s really up to you. There’s no set amount for what size pot a spider plant should have, as they don’t mind being a little root bound.
A gallon size pot is great if you have space, since the spiderette will be able to reach maturity in it and begin producing spiderettes of its own without the need for repotting.
If you want to keep it small, however, plant the spiderette in a small pot. A 4-inch pot is plenty for most spider plants to keep them the right size for desks, shelves, and end tables.
If you want several spiderettes to grow in one pot, use a bigger pot.
Best Soil for Spider Plants
Spider plants love any regular well-draining potting soil, especially ones made specifically for house plants. One including peat moss, compost, or another substance of soil mix with good drainage is great.
These plants aren’t too fussy, so don’t worry. You can most likely use whatever potting soil you already have.
How to Plant Baby Spider Plants in Soil
Repotting a spider plantlet in soil is the simplest propagation method. You can directly plant spider plant pups two different ways – either by leaving the stolon attached or cutting it.
If you have space in the area where your mother plant is growing, you can leave the stolon attached. This allows the pup to continue getting nutrients from the mother and may help it grow better. Without cutting the stolon, plant the small, stubby roots at the bottom of the pup in a pot of your choosing, with enough potting soil all around it to keep it packed in. Water it with a light mist from a spray bottle. Once the plant begins to grow, usually after several weeks, you can cut the stolon off near the base of the plantlet.
The more common method is to just snip the stolon near the base of the spiderette, then take the newly freed plant and plant it firmly in potting soil in a new pot. Give it a little water to start, preferably with a spray bottle, then keep it in lightly moist soil until it forms roots in the next couple of weeks. Keep it in indirect sunlight.
That’s really all there is to it. If you get worried about your new plant, remember: the worst that can happen is that it doesn’t make it, at which point you pull the dead one out, pick another spiderette off the mother and try again. Thankfully there are almost always more to choose from!
How to Propagate Spider Plants in Water
While it’s definitely not necessary, you can root spider plantlets in water if you prefer. Start by removing the baby from the mother plant, then put it in a glass of water for a couple of weeks. Be careful to keep all but the root section out of the water, or it may cause the leaves and rest of the plant to rot.
The spiderette will begin to grow roots, and once the roots are about 2 inches long you can transplant it into its own pot. Proceed with the rest of the directions for planting in soil (listed above) to keep it healthy and happy!
FAQs About Transplanting Spider Plants
What is the easiest way to propagate a spider plant?
The easiest way to propagate spider plants is to use the soil propagation method.
Should I cut the babies off my spider plant?
Yes, you’ll eventually have to cut the babies off for propagating. Otherwise, you can leave them as long as they don’t get so big that the mother plant noticeably suffers.
Will a spider plant leaf root in water?
No, spider plant leaves won’t root in water.
How long does it take for a spider plant to grow babies?
Spider plants begin growing small plantlets when they’ve reached maturity, which is usually around a year. Keep in mind that it isn’t just age, they also need the right balance of light and water to stay healthy and reproduce.
Where do you cut spider plants to propagate?
Cut a baby spider plant off the main plant by cutting with pruners, scissors, or a sharp knife about an inch or less up the stolon.
What happens if you don’t cut the babies off a spider plant?
They’ll continue to grow for a long time. They may eventually drain an unhealthy amount of nutrients, but it takes a very long time for the babies to harm the mother spider plant.
How do I make my spider plant bushier?
You can make a spider plant appear bushier by adding additional spiderettes next to the large spider plant.
Can you put spider plant babies straight into soil?
Yes, spider plant babies can be planted directly into a new pot of soil.
Do spider plants like to be root bound?
Yes, spider plants enjoy being a little bit root bound.
How long do spider plant cuttings take to root?
Spiderettes generally begin to root in 1-2 weeks.
Do spider plants need sun?
Spider plants thrive in bright indirect sunlight.
How long can a spider plant live?
Spider plants live an average of around 20 years, but they have been known to live even longer with proper care.
Enjoy Your New Spider Plants!
With these tips, you should now understand how to propagate a spider plant baby. Freshly planted spiderettes are great in your houseplant collection or as greenery for other spaces, like shops and offices.
After about a year, with the right amount of light and warm temperatures, your brand-new spider plant may begin to produce small white flowers and spiderettes of its own!
At some point you may notice that your spider plant has brown tips. Find out why it happens and how to fix it.
