How to Transplant Spider Plants
How to Transplant Spider Plants
Depending on the size of your spider plant, you may find that it has outgrown its container and requires repotting. You shouldn’t need to transplant very often, but this guide will walk you through the steps for identifying when a spider plant needs to be transplanted along with how to transplant one.
If you aren’t planning on repotting the original plant, but simply want to pot one of the baby spider plants to make a new spider plant, I also have a guide to spider plant propagation. Propagation is much more common than needing to replant mature plants.
When to Repot a Spider Plant
You can tell when a spider plant is ready to be transplanted by looking at it during watering. If the water is sitting on top of the soil and not soaking in very well, there’s a good chance the roots are crowding the pot, and it’s time to repot. The plant’s roots may be growing down through the drainage holes on the bottom, or the root system may have started pushing the whole plant up and out of the pot. This happens most often with young plants that have been started in a very small container.
The other circumstance when you may want to repot is when your spider plant has been getting too much water. If it’s suffering from any type of insect infestation or disease in its roots, it’s also a good idea to repot. Replanting when the spider plant is severely sick can help heal it and prevent the spread of pests and diseases.
Spider plants rarely need repotting. I have had some healthy spider plants in the same pot for nearly 10 years at this point without fertilizing. Spider plants are very resilient plants that make it known when they need repotting, and even after that point they can survive for quite a while longer. Under normal growing conditions they will typically stay the right size for their pot. If you routinely add fertilizer, they may grow more and need more frequent repotting.
Remember, we want to be low maintenance plant owners – if the plant isn’t showing signs of distress, it’s normally fine to leave it alone!
How to Repot a Spider Plant
When repotting a spider plant, start by finding a new pot with good drainage that’s a few inches larger than your last one. If you go up too many sizes, the plant may be more likely to get waterlogged. The best pots for spider plants are terracotta and other clay pots, but plastic pots and other types work well too. Spider plants aren’t fussy.
You should also use a fresh soil mix (a houseplant or container potting mix is always a good option).
To start, add a small amount of potting soil to the bottom of the pot. Carefully remove the plant from its current pot and place it in the larger pot. Add enough potting soil around it to bring the soil level within a half-inch or so of the top of the pot so there’s enough room to water. Once you’ve transplanted, water it well.
If you’re replanting because of excess water in the pot, look for signs of root rot when you first remove the plant from its pot. Cut the dead roots off with clean scissors or pruning shears. Dump the used old soil and repot the plant in completely dry, fresh soil in a new container. After repotting, be careful not to overwater it. (Find out how often to water spider plants).
Spider Plant Facts
Spider plants, also known as chlorophytum comosum, ribbon plant, and airplane plant, originated in southern Africa. They need well-drained soil, a good watering routine that leans on the side of underwatering more than over, and bright indirect sunlight or artificial lighting to thrive.
In the summer months (and at other points when the right conditions are met) you’ll notice your spider plant begin to produce new baby plants. These new plants can be separated from the mother plant and grown in their own pots.
Happy Spider Plant Growing!
With these tips, you should be able to tell whether your spider plant needs a bigger pot and just how to transplant and adjust it to its new home.
Brown tips are another common sight on spider plants – here’s what causes them.
