Spider Plant Growing Methods and Precautions, What Fertilizer Makes It Thrive?

Spider plant is also known as: weeping pot grass, hanging orchid, fishing orchid, orchid grass, folding crane orchid, air guard; in Western Europe it is also called spider grass or airplane grass, and it originated in South Africa. There are many varieties of spider plant, each with different forms and characteristics. Five are common: spider plant, purple spider plant, variegated spider plant, golden-leaf spider plant, and silver-edged spider plant. So what are the growing methods and precautions for spider plant?

Spider Plant Growing Conditions

Environment: Spider plant mostly grows in shady and damp environments, and potted plants mostly grow in fertile soil. It prefers semi-shade conditions and also has a very strong drought tolerance. Its growth requires sufficient sunlight, and it is suitable for planting in courtyards and on balconies.

Light: Spider plant is not cold-tolerant. Its light requirements are flexible, but the optimal light is moderate, and it prefers weak light.

Temperature: For spider plant cultivation, the suitable temperature is 15-25°C. In severe cold winter, it can adapt to a minimum temperature of 5°C. In summer, when the temperature reaches as high as 35°C, cooling is needed; above 30°C, growth will stop.

Spider Plant Propagation Methods

There are three propagation methods for spider plant: cuttings, division, and seed sowing.

Cutting Method

For this propagation method, spring and autumn are the suitable seasons. You can also directly cut off the clustered stems and leaves from a robust spider plant, then plant them directly into a prepared flower pot. After watering thoroughly to settle the roots, place them in a cool place for care. After one week, propagation will be successful. The number of spider plant propagations can vary according to the size of the pot. A small pot can hold about 2 cuttings, while a large pot can hold about 5 cuttings.

Division Method

This propagation method has an extremely high survival advantage. That is, directly divide and transplant a spider plant in its growth period. Because spider plant has a propagation advantage, it clusters quickly. Lift a spider plant out of its pot, then tidy the old soil and old roots, cut the roots apart, then retain the stems and leaves and plant them separately.

Sowing Method

Spider plant seeds are mostly propagated in spring and can be harvested in March. Because spider plant seeds are small, about 0.5 cm, sowing is mainly done by scattering. The suitable temperature is 15°C. In a normal-temperature environment, they will germinate after two weeks. After waiting for germination and formation, the seedlings can be transplanted.

Spider Plant Planting Steps

① Container preparation: When planting spider plant, choose a flower pot. Glass containers can be used mainly to enhance ornamental value.

② Soil preparation: When planting spider plant, prepare potting soil for transplanting seedlings. You can directly mix sand, peat soil, and humus soil in equal proportions, then add a small amount of base fertilizer and put it into the planting container.

③ Transplanting: Plant the prepared or purchased seedlings into the soil, then water thoroughly to settle the roots. As for the placement of spider plant, it is usually placed in rooms with fewer windows and can be placed in a bedroom away from the sun. It should be kept away from sunny areas, kitchens, and similar areas.

④ Light care: In daily care, avoid direct contact with strong sunlight as much as possible; otherwise, it will very easily cause spider plant leaves to turn yellow. The suitable temperature is about 15°C. Under cool and low-temperature conditions, spider plant grows more healthily, the leaves are glossy, and the yellow golden edges are more obvious.

⑤ Watering: In hot summer, watering can be done in small amounts but frequently. At noon each day when the sun is harsh, mist the leaves to cool them down. This not only maintains moisture but also cleans surface dust. Moreover, spider plant is a succulent plant, and its leaves can store water, which can train its drought resistance. In winter, when the temperature falls below 5°C, water less. Avoid water accumulation and dampness in the pot soil; otherwise, the leaves will turn yellow.

⑥ Fertilizing: In spider plant cultivation, the most common problem is yellowing leaves, and insufficient fertilizer and water is the most common cause of this phenomenon. The fertilizing frequency for spider plant can be maintained at once every 7 days. Choose organic fertilizer, mostly liquid, and avoid direct contact with the roots. Secondly, bone meal can also be chosen and applied once every half month; this can nourish the flowers and leaves and make them brighter. In addition, maintain liquid fertilizer once a week, and in daily care try to avoid contact with nitrogen fertilizer.

⑦ Pruning: Pruning plants is an important step in cultivation, and for spider plant pruning, the main target is rotten yellow leaves. While maintaining soil turning once every 3 months, old roots and excess fibrous roots should be cut off, which can promote the propagation of new buds and new leaves. If not pruned for a long time, spider plant will have too many roots, and after accumulation they will rot and affect spider plant growth.

Spider Plant Planting Precautions

Pest and Disease Control

1. Mites: Spider plant mite infestation mostly occurs in summer. The main cause is insufficient daily ventilation and low humidity on the leaf surface. You can choose to use a 1000-fold dilution of dicofol as a treatment method.

2. Root rot: In severe cases of root rot, the entire spider plant needs to be removed. If the condition is mild, you can choose to spray with a wettable powder. For each spider plant, about 2 grams can be sprayed. For prevention, a 1500-3000-fold dilution can be chosen for root irrigation.

3. Whiteflies: After whitefly pests appear, they spread quickly. At this time, choose to use a wettable powder, with the optimal concentration being 500-fold, and it can be used continuously 4 times.

4. Scale insects: In severe stages, this pest gives off a strong, pungent odor, and the leaf surface becomes sticky. Spray omethoate once every week at a concentration of 1000-fold, using spraying as the treatment method.

Leaves Turning Brown

Spider plant leaves are evergreen, so browning is abnormal, and there are many causes of this phenomenon. For example, too long a period of sunlight, or exposure to cold in severe winter without timely moving indoors for warmth. Spider plant leaves turning brown is mostly caused by cold damage, but this phenomenon will not cause the entire spider plant to rot. The brown parts are mostly at the leaf edges.

At this time, the spider plant needs to be protected from the cold in time and moved to a bright and warm environment. At the same time, prune dead branches and leaves, and strengthen fertilizer and water management to prevent rotting branches and leaves from absorbing nutrients. The leaves that have turned brown will then recover quickly.

Summary: The spider plant growing methods and precautions are introduced above. When growing spider plant, attention should be paid to watering and fertilizing. Secondly, one should also have professional cultivation knowledge and the ability to prevent and treat the various pests and diseases that spider plant may encounter.