What to Do If Spider Plants Get Pests? 6 Methods to Deal With Them

Baijiu has a certain alcohol content, which can cause the cells of the pests to lose water, thereby killing them.

Mix baijiu and clean water at a ratio of 1:5, then apply it to the parts of the spider plant damaged by scale insects and aphids. Do this once a week for 3 to 4 consecutive times, and the pests will be killed.

Vinegar is also a very effective insecticide. It can effectively clear away pests on spider plants and is suitable for killing soft-bodied pests without shells. This method is convenient and safe; it not only achieves the goal of pest removal but also makes the damaged spider plant leaves turn green and glossy again.

Use 50 milliliters of food vinegar. Dip a small cotton ball in the vinegar until wet, then gently wipe the stems and leaves of the affected plant with the wet cotton ball to wipe away and kill the scale insects.

The residue left after plants (herbaceous and woody plants) are burned is called plant ash. It is an insoluble substance. Sprinkling plant ash on spider plants can block the breathing pores of aphids and suffocate them to death.

a. Grind plant ash into powder and sift it. In the early morning when the dew has not yet dried (or after first sprinkling water), dust the plant ash onto the bodies of the aphids. You can also put the ash in gauze and shake it on. Repeat every three to five days for 2 to 3 consecutive applications.

b. Mix 500 grams of plant ash with 2.5 kilograms of water, soak for a full day and night, filter out the impurities, then spray the filtered liquid on the affected spider plant. This can effectively kill aphids.

The special pungent odor contained in onion keeps pests away from spider plants, and it is especially effective against soft-bodied pests.

Take 20 grams of onion bulb, mash it into a fine paste, add 1000 milliliters of water, soak for 24 hours, then filter and spray. This can prevent red spider mites and aphids.

Tobacco contains nicotine, and this component is highly toxic to insects with long-lasting effect. A solution made from tobacco can also invade the insect body from any part and poison its nerves, causing death.

We can use leftover cigarette butts from ordinary smoking and mix them with an appropriate amount of water to make an insecticide, then spray it on the leaves and stems of the spider plant. It has a good effect on aphids, scale insects, whiteflies, leafhoppers, bean flies and flat beetles.

Soap contains fatty acid breakdown components, which can turn into a natural waxy coating. When sprayed onto pests, it causes them to dehydrate and die.

Cut the leftover soap into thin slices, dissolve them in hot water, add water at a ratio of 1:60, and after it cools, spray it on the spider plant. The spraying frequency is three times a week, and it can prevent aphids and red spider mites. If soap + tobacco + water is used, it can have just the right insecticidal effect.

The Complete Guide to Spider Plant Care, The Complete Guide to Spider Plant Varieties!

The Complete Guide to Spider Plant Care, The Complete Guide to Spider Plant Varieties!

Spider plants can absorb formaldehyde and create a good breathing environment for us. With slender leaves trailing lightly in green and small flowers that do not flash red, even if you do not understand all that poetic floral sentiment, you can still grow spider plants well! Below, Huahua will give everyone a rundown of the complete guide to spider plant care!

I. How to Grow Spider Plants

Spider plant is a perennial evergreen herbaceous flowering plant with fibrous roots. It has varied forms and is also highly shade-tolerant and easy to manage. It is often used as a hanging potted plant, for indoor decoration or garden landscaping. For its care, you should master the following points:

1. Light

Spider plants like a semi-shady environment. In spring and autumn, avoid direct strong sunlight. In summer, when sunlight is especially strong, they should only receive some slanting light in the morning and evening, and during the day 50%-70% of the sunlight needs to be blocked, otherwise the leaf tips will dry up. Variegated varieties are especially afraid of strong sunlight. But in winter, they should be given more sunlight so the leaves can stay soft and fresh green.

For household potted spider plants, they should be placed in front of a south-facing window, otherwise the leaves will lose their luster and may even wither.

2. Temperature

The most suitable growing temperature for spider plants is 15-25°C. If the winter temperature drops below 5-7°C, attention must be paid to cold protection and insulation.

3. Watering

Spider plants like a moist environment, and the potting soil should be kept moist regularly. In summer, watering should be sufficient, and around noon and in the evening you should also spray water on the branches and leaves to prevent the leaves from drying out.

Indoors there is often a lot of dust. If a lot of dust accumulates on the spider plant, it not only affects growth but also spoils the fresh, bright look of the branches and leaves. Therefore, the branches and leaves should often be sprayed and washed to keep them bright and beautiful.

Dead and yellow leaves at the lower part should be removed at any time. Normally, keep humidity at a normal level; it should not be too dry, nor too wet.

4. Fertilizing

Spider plant is a foliage plant that is relatively tolerant of fertilizer. If fertilizer and water are insufficient, it easily becomes scorched and aged, the leaves turn yellow, and it loses its ornamental value. From late spring to early autumn, apply organic fertilizer liquid once every 7-10 days, but for variegated varieties such as golden-edged and golden-hearted ones, less nitrogen fertilizer should be applied, so the variegation does not fade or even disappear and affect the look.

You may appropriately apply organic fertilizer fermented from bone meal, eggshells and the like. After full fermentation, take an appropriate amount of diluted liquid and apply it once every 10-15 days, which can make the variegated leaves bright and vivid.

5. Changing Soil and Repotting

In managing potted spider plants, in order to achieve lush stems and leaves, the soil should be changed and the pot replaced once every year in March. If the pot is relatively deep and the base fertilizer is sufficient, repotting can be done once every two years. When repotting, knock the plant out of the pot, cut off the withered and rotted roots and excess roots, replace with new culture soil rich in humus, and then apply livestock hoof and horn pieces or decomposed cake fertilizer as base fertilizer. After planting, place it in a semi-shady, warm place to recover.

The most suitable growing temperature for spider plants is around 25°C. After the plant resumes vigorous growth, hang the flower pot under a corridor eave or in an appropriate indoor position. Generally, the height should be such that it does not bump your head, and attention should be paid to ventilation.

II. How to Grow Spider Plants in Water

1. Choosing a container

Simple version: Choose a glass vase according to the size of the spider plant. Yogurt bottles, drink bottles, wine bottles and the like are all fine, but it is best if the bottle mouth is slightly smaller, so the plant can be held in place and will not tilt.

Deluxe version: Deluxe growers have their own deluxe hydroponic containers, all kinds of artistic ceramic pots, available everywhere online and in flower shops. As long as you have money in your pocket, you can find any kind of hydroponic container!

2. Removing from the pot

Pick an auspicious day and take the spider plant out of its pot. As long as the temperature is suitable and a bit cool, it is fine.

Pull the whole spider plant out of the original flower pot. At this time, the force must be gentle. If you yank it out all at once, the roots and leaves are easily broken, so be gentle. Shake off the old soil on the roots and rinse them clean with water.

3. Pruning

At this point there is no need to be soft-handed; be sure to prune heavily. Cut off all the roots with root hairs, leaving only the thick, strong roots that have not yet grown root hairs.

Why does Huahua say this? Growers who have done hydroponics surely know that those white, plump roots will rot after hydroponics and will also pollute the water quality, and they will need pruning later anyway. It is better to deal with them cleanly at the beginning of hydroponics. After the roots are pruned, also trim the rotten leaves and weak leaves.

In short: cut off everything that should be cut, and leave one clean spider plant.

4. Planting in place

Put the pruned spider plant into the container. Many growers say this step is hard to do, because the spider plant always will not stand up and keeps tilting this way and that.

If you bought the deluxe version container, you do not need to worry about this problem. But if it is a homemade hydroponic bottle, then Huahua will give you two tricks that are sure to work well.

According to the size of the plant, use a narrow-necked bottle to wedge the spider plant in place.

If you stubbornly insist on using a wide-mouthed bottle, then you can...

With such a small space, even a very small spider plant can stand up.

5. Adding water

Some people like to add water first and then plant, but Huahua still recommends that everyone plant first and add water afterward. There is a scientific basis for this.

This is because it is best not to let all the roots of the spider plant be soaked in water. It is enough for the water to cover 1/3-1/2 of the roots, leaving a few centimeters in the air, which can enhance root respiration.

As for exactly how much that amount is, of course it still depends on the bottle and the length of the roots after planting, so water should be added afterward.

III. Spider Plant Propagation by Division

Tools to prepare: scissors, soil, flower pot, spider plant, water, sandy soil

1. Division by soil culture

① Use a shovel to break up the prepared flower soil, and prepare scissors, a flower pot and an appropriate amount of water.

② Find a vigorous new shoot and cut it off with scissors. It is best to keep the rhizome, as this makes it easier to survive.

③ Add half a pot of soil to the flower pot and add some water. If the soil is fine, it is recommended to spread a layer of granular soil at the bottom of the pot for better drainage.

④ After adding half the soil to the pot, hold the spider plant with your hand and put it into the pot, then add soil until it is close to the surface of the pot. Add some more water. Remember to water often!!!

⑤ OK, done!!! After transplanting, remember to wipe the soil around the flower pot clean and take a beautiful photo!

2. Division by hydroponics

① The stolons of the spider plant will grow many small spider plants. When the small spider plants grow a bit, about 5 centimeters or so, or they can be longer, take a water basin, pour in water, and put the stolons into the water or on the water surface. Spider plants are super strong at sensing moisture.

② After a few days, check the bottom of the spider plant and small white buds will appear. These are the aerial roots of the spider plant. That is, when there is sufficient moisture, the small spider plants on the stolons will grow roots by themselves.

③ When the aerial roots grow a bit longer, cut off that branch. Find a glass bottle of about the right size, and a perfect pot of spider plant is done. It is just that simple, just that willful!

IV. What to Do If Spider Plant Leaves Have Dry Tips?

1. Failure to repot in time

If the pot is not changed for a long time, the nutrients in the soil are used up, which will inevitably affect the growth of the plant.

Solution:

Repot in March every year. If the plant is relatively large and the flower pot is relatively deep, repot once every two years. When repotting, take the plant out of the pot, cut off the withered roots, and apply a certain amount of base fertilizer into the soil. After repotting, place the plant in a semi-shady, warm place to recover.

2. Improper light

Spider plants like an environment with sufficient light. Insufficient light affects the accumulation of nutrients through photosynthesis, and the leaves very easily dry up. But for variegated varieties of spider plants, too strong sunlight instead causes yellow leaves.

Solution:

In spring and autumn, avoid the strong sunlight at noon. In summer, when the sunlight is especially strong, besides getting a bit of sunlight in the morning and evening, block more than 70% of the light during the day. In winter, give more sunlight so the leaves can stay emerald green. Cut off leaves that have already turned yellow in time. After supplementing with sunlight, new branches and leaves will slowly grow out.

3. Improper fertilizing

Spider plant is a plant that is relatively tolerant of fertilizer. If fertilizing is insufficient, the plant easily ages and the leaf tips dry up.

Solution:

From late spring to early autumn, apply organic fertilizer about once every 10 days. For variegated varieties, the nitrogen fertilizer content can be appropriately reduced, so the variegation does not fade and affect the ornamental value.

4. Improper watering

During the growth of spider plants, if water is insufficient and the air is dry, especially if the spider plant is placed in a narrow corner, the leaves will develop dry tips due to lack of water.

Solution:

In spring, summer and autumn, spray water often to prevent the leaves from drying out and keep the potting soil moist. In addition, when grown indoors, a lot of dust accumulates on the leaves, so the leaves should be cleaned regularly to keep them bright and beautiful.

V. What to Do If Spider Plant Leaves Turn Yellow?

1. Too much fertilizer burning the plant

If too much fertilizer is applied, the fertilizer that the spider plant cannot absorb will burn the root system of the spider plant. Reflected in other parts of the spider plant, this means yellow leaves.

Solution:

Immediately stop fertilizing, pour in clean water, or repot and change the soil.

In addition, pay attention to ordinary fertilizing as well. Spider plants usually do not have a very large demand for flower fertilizer. If you want the spider plant to grow vigorously, you can soak bean dregs in water, ferment them fully, and then dilute the liquid. You can also use a little compound fertilizer, preferably organic fertilizer. A compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium is best, and once every half a month is enough. When the temperature is below 4°C, spider plants should stop being fertilized.

2. Improper light

If spider plants do not get sunlight, the chlorophyll in the leaves decreases and the leaves turn yellow. But exposure to strong sun is also a form of torture for spider plants. If the sun is too strong, the spider plant will be "sun-dried" and the leaves will also turn yellow!

Solution:

We need to let the spider plant receive at least four hours of diffused light every day. You can also place the spider plant under an indoor incandescent lamp or place it on a balcony to grow. In summer, when the sun is very strong, put the spider plant in a shaded place and do not expose it to strong sun.

3. Improper watering

Watering too much, combined with poor drainage of the potting soil causing water accumulation, means the root system of the spider plant cannot breathe, and when this is reflected in the leaves, they turn yellow! Another reason is that the spider plant has been watered without thoroughly soaking the soil for a long time, causing the roots of the spider plant to lose water, and the lower old leaves then turn yellow.

Solution:

If you have watered too much, loosen the soil in time and control the moisture. Also, when watering normally, be sure to water thoroughly. Generally, spider plants are watered about once every ten days in winter, and in summer, depending on how dry it is, once every 3-5 days. Water thoroughly and ensure smooth drainage.

If the air is dry, you can often use a sprayer to spray and wash the branches and leaves. This not only increases air humidity but also prevents dry leaf tips, and can also keep the leaf surface clean and improve the ornamental value. It achieves multiple things at once!

In addition, growers should pay attention to the timing of watering. It is best to water in the morning or evening, not at noon. Suddenly giving a pot of cold water to a spider plant in the heat of the day will chill it to the core.

4. Unsuitable temperature

The suitable growing temperature for spider plants is 15-25°C. They grow fastest at 20-24°C, stop growing above 30°C, and the overwintering temperature is 5°C. If the temperature is too low or too high, the leaves will turn yellow!

Solution:

The best solution, of course, is to give the spider plant a suitable temperature. The most suitable growing temperature is 20-24°C. Usually, just try to maintain this temperature.

5. Insufficient nutrition

The source of nutrition here is not only fertilizer but also the soil itself. If the potting soil is not changed for a long time, the lack of some trace elements will lead to poor growth of the spider plant and yellowing of the leaves.

Solution:

The best way to solve this problem, of course, is to repot the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)~ Remember to mix fertilizer into the soil when repotting~ This can prevent nutrient deficiency and root burn.

6. What to do if the spider plant has root rot?

1 Excessive water

Cause:

Spider plants like water, but they are also most averse to too much of it. When watered too much, the roots sit in an oxygen-poor environment for a long time, and over time the root system will turn black and rot.

Solution:

Reduce watering, give more sunlight, improve ventilation, and let the moisture in the soil evaporate as quickly as possible. You can poke a few holes around the base of the spider plant to increase air permeability. If you have watered far too much, it is best to take the plant out of the pot directly, let the soil dry, or replace it with new soil.

If the problem is not discovered in time and the spider plant's root rot is severe, it is best to take the plant out of the pot, trim off the rotted roots, soak it in disinfectant for a while, and after drying it for 2~3 days, repot it in new soil.

2 Excessive fertilizer

Cause:

The spider plant itself will react to whether it has been fertilized too much. Frequent fertilizing or fertilizing too strongly can easily burn the roots.

Solution:

If the fertilizer concentration is too strong, water immediately and let the water flow out from the bottom of the pot. Alternatively, take the plant out of the pot and replace the soil. In addition, promptly check the condition of root rot, trim the roots, disinfect them, and let the roots recover.

3 Sticky soil

Cause:

If the soil is not changed for a long time, the soil will become compacted. The soil is quite sticky, which is not conducive to root growth.

Solution:

Change the soil. This is the simplest and most direct method. If the soil compaction is not very serious, you can mix perlite into the soil to ease it. If the compaction is relatively serious, just replace it with loose, fertile soil.

4 Root damage

Cause:

Root damage can happen in an instant. When you repot, one careless moment can cause it: scraping the outer layer or breaking root hairs. In a short time no problem will appear. But in the soil environment, roots with wounds will slowly rot.

Solution:

Try to avoid damaging the root system. When repotting and trimming roots, be careful to handle the plant gently.

Within 1~2 months after root damage, if the root system cannot recover, it will gradually rot. After repotting, pay attention to checking the spider plant's growth and deal with any abnormality promptly. If the roots have completely rotted, the hope of regeneration is a bit slim, but timely transplanting can still save it. Cut off the small plantlets on the stems of the plant and plant them directly in potting soil or water. Once they grow roots, they can be planted!

5 Pests and diseases

Cause:

Pests and diseases are a problem many plants cannot avoid. When bacteria and fungi breed in the soil, or even root-knot nematodes appear, the first thing to suffer is of course the roots. Insects will gnaw on the root system, which then causes rot.

Solution:

If the root rot is mild, you can water the potting soil with a 400-500 times dilution of carbendazim solution to sterilize and disinfect. Use once a week for three consecutive weeks, and remove the yellow leaves.

If the root rot is severe, dig it out, cut off the rotted roots, disinfect with potassium permanganate solution, put it in a ventilated place to dry for about 1 day to 2 days, and then replant it.

6 Low temperature

Cause:

The roots of spider plants are very sensitive, especially in water culture. The temperature of the environment and the water is very important. When the water temperature differs greatly from room temperature, or the newly added water is too cold, root growth will be affected and root rot may occur.

Solution:

Root rot in water-cultured spider plants is much simpler to handle. Check the growth of the root system frequently, and promptly cut off rotted roots. When changing the water, make sure it is close to room temperature and avoid water that is too cold or too hot.

7 Excess nutrients

Cause:

Many people love nutrient solution when caring for water-cultured plants. If used too much, it will instead affect the growth of the spider plant. The nutrient solution used in water culture has a low dissolved oxygen content, causing the plant roots to die from lack of oxygen and gradually rot.

Solution:

Change the water frequently. Each time you change the water, clean the container walls and the spider plant roots. Nutrient solution can be used, but be careful not to overuse it; follow the instructions.

After a spider plant has root rot, just use clean water to grow it. Wait until the roots adapt to the environment and grow new roots before adding nutrient solution.

8 Poor water quality, high water level

Cause:

The issue of water quality needs to be explained properly. If there are residual plant fragments or residual substrate, nutrient solution sediment, and so on in the water, causing the water quality to deteriorate, root rot is very likely to occur. In addition, the water level is also a key factor in root rot.

Solution:

Leave half of the spider plant's roots in the nutrient solution and expose the other half to the air. This can greatly increase the oxygen supply to the plant's roots and effectively reduce the occurrence of root rot.

Change the water promptly to keep the water clean. Tap water at home should be left to stand for one day before use.

7. Complete list of spider plant varieties

1 Silver-edged & golden-edged spider plant

2 Golden-centered spider plant

3 Silver-centered spider plant

4 Broad-leaved spider plant

5 Green-leaved spider plant

8. Placement locations for spider plants

1 Placing a spider plant in the kitchen

Kitchens generally use white or light-colored decor and stainless steel sinks. A spider plant can soften the hard lines and make your kitchen full of life. Place the spider plant by the window or on a table away from the stove, and the kitchen air will be great.

2 Placing a spider plant in the bedroom

Spider plants are easy to care for. Place one at the head of the bed or beside the bed. With sunlight coming in, a simple and elegant room plus a verdant spider plant will lift your mood greatly. When choosing a spider plant, do not use a whole large plant; choose a small plant or hang it on the wall opposite the bed.

3 Placing a spider plant in the living room

Generally, a living room with the main door facing west is relatively bright, and potted plants belonging to metal and earth elements should be used; a spider plant fits. Place it on the coffee table in the living room or beside the TV cabinet for plenty of positive energy, and it can also effectively absorb harmful gases in the air.

Alright, the common problems have all been introduced.

Do flower lovers still have questions?

Comment below.

Huahua is waiting for you!

The complete guide to spider plant care knowledge, so your spider plant will never die again

The complete guide to spider plant care knowledge, so your spider plant will never die again

Still worrying about not being able to grow your spider plant well at home? Still staring at your dead spider plant with no tears left to cry? Today Huahua is giving you a complete all-purpose spider plant care guide, from care to common problems. You really are not going to take one?

Daily care

Light requirements:

Spider plants should be placed in bright places such as the living room. When cultivating them, note that if the light is too strong, they need shade~

Temperature requirements:
Spider plants like a warm and humid climate and are afraid of cold and high temperatures. They grow fastest at around 20~24°C. Above 30°C and below 0°C, growth stops, and the leaves easily turn yellow with dry tips.

Water requirements:
During the spider plant's peak growing season, watering should be sufficient, and the potting soil should often remain moist. Also frequently spray the leaves and branches with clean water close to room temperature to prevent dry tips, but do not let water accumulate.

Soil requirements:
If the pot and soil have not been changed for a long time, the various nutrient elements contained in the potting soil will have been exhausted, and the three major elements nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium will not have been replenished in time. The plant will lack nutrients, and the leaves will appear yellow and thin.
It should be promptly repotted with fertile loam and compound fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer. As the plant grows, it should be pruned and repotted. To maintain a good plant shape, the old leaves at the base should be trimmed frequently, and the soil and pot should be changed at intervals.

Fertilizer requirements:
Apply more nitrogen fertilizer, but not too much at one time. It is best to apply thin fertilizer frequently.
If too much fertilizer is applied and it exceeds the plant's needs, at first the leaves will be shiny and uneven, and later the root system will rot and the leaves will turn yellow. Fertilizing should be stopped, more clean water should be watered, or the plant should be repotted, the roots cleaned, and new soil replaced.

Key tips for winter care

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In winter, when the temperature is below 5°C, water less. Do not let the potting soil become too wet, otherwise the leaves will easily turn yellow. Stop fertilizing when the ambient temperature is below 4°C.

Northern region

In northern areas with heating, normal indoor care is enough. For details, please refer to the above!

If it is a northern area without heating, try to maintain the temperature, and do not water. Because spider plants have fleshy roots, they store some water. Not watering for a while will not kill them for the time being. Even if the leaves wither, there is still a chance of new shoots in the spring of the following year.

Southern region

Some southern areas have no heating, but the winter temperature is relatively cold. As long as it does not freeze, the spider plant can get through it. Flower lovers do not need to worry if the leaves wither. Remember not to water, so the root system is still alive, and when spring comes it can revive with vitality!

Water-cultured spider plant

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Tools and materials:

1. Spider plant, small scissors 2. Bottle, tray, or decorative pot 3. Cold boiled water or treated tap water

Step 1:Use tap water that has been left to stand

Find a transparent glass bottle and fill it with water. Remember: it cannot be ordinary tap water. Because tap water contains chemicals such as bleaching powder, which are not good for the growth and development of the spider plant's root system. Cold boiled water is best, with no pests, diseases, or algae spores and other impurities.

Tap water released from the faucet should be left open for 12 hours to remove the chlorine in the tap water. This is more conducive to healthy plant growth. In particular, the root hairs can remain white and tender for a long time without turning green, improving ornamental value.

Step 2:Place washed pebbles

Wash the pebbles. Many beginners trying water-cultured spider plants for the first time simply think that as long as the spider plant is put in water, that is enough.

In fact, if the entire plant is submerged in water, excessive anaerobic respiration will cause the spider plant's roots to rot. Find some suitably sized, smooth-looking pebbles, wash them, and put them into the glass bottle, taking up about two-fifths of the whole bottle.

Step 3:Choose a plantlet on a stolon for planting

When choosing a variety, we can select the aerial roots of plantlets growing on the stolons for planting, because this kind of aerial root is very suitable for a water-culture environment, is relatively easy to manage, and generally sprouts roots after 5 days in water.

Use small scissors to cut off the spider plant plantlet, remove old leaves, cut off old roots, leave only a few new leaves, and slowly put it into the bottle. Too many old leaves and old roots will not only consume nutrients in vain, but also delay the sprouting of new roots, so they must be removed.

Step 4:Roots can form after 3-5 days

After about 3 to 5 days, tiny white things begin to appear at the tips or sides of the original green roots (aerial roots). Looking closely, you may exclaim in surprise: "New roots have grown!" As time goes on, the white new root hairs become more and more numerous and gradually fill the bottle.

Before roots have grown and just after they have grown, do not change the water frequently, because young roots are especially fragile when they first emerge. The process of changing water will damage the young roots and hinder their growth rate.

Step 5:Later management requires frequent water changes

In later management, the most important thing is to change the water frequently. Especially in hot seasons, plant respiration intensifies. In addition, during its own metabolism, the spider plant can also convert carcinogenic formaldehyde in the air into substances such as sugars and amino acids and transport them to the roots or release them into the water.

If the water cannot be changed in time, the clear water quality will turn gray, and a layer of dirty matter will float on the surface. In severe cases, it will lead to root rot. When you touch it with your hand, it feels slippery and dirty.

Step 6:Regularly clean up aged and excess root hairs

When new root hairs become more and more numerous, you must also pay attention to two points: first, you can use small scissors to promptly cut off some of the earlier root hairs; second, do not let the entire root system be completely submerged in water. The root system needs a few centimeters exposed to the air. That way, even if the roots soaked in water cannot absorb oxygen, the roots exposed to the air can supplement some oxygen.

Step 7:Add a small amount of nutrient solution on schedule

Spider plants do not like direct light. Generally, placing them in a place with scattered light is enough. Their requirements for nutrients in the water are also not high. About half a month later, add a little nitrogen fertilizer or granular compound fertilizer to the water. The fertilizer-to-water ratio is 1:1500.

There is also a folk custom of using rice-washing water to grow flowers. But the rice-washing water must be left to stand for three to five days. After it has fully fermented, take the clear liquid from the upper layer, then mix it into the water-cultured spider plant bottle at a ratio of 1:10. The concentration must not be too high.

Common problems

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1Spider plant dry tips

1. Give the root system a comfortable home

Choosing a flower pot suitable for the growth of spider plant roots and a suitable potting soil is the foundation for growing spider plants well. To grow a potted plant of a certain size, choose a barrel-shaped pot with a diameter of 20 cm or more, so that the roots can spread out.

Before planting, place 3 cm of wood shavings or small gravel at the bottom of the pot as a drainage layer, then add loose, breathable sandy loam and leaf mold, so that the roots can both absorb water and nutrients and breathe freely, and thus grow healthily. Generally, small newly rooted cuttings go in a small pot, and once they have filled it, they are moved to a larger pot.

2. Is it good to let the potting soil be a bit on the dry side?

Many people think that since spider plants like a warm, humid environment, the potting soil and surroundings should be kept moist, and water should be sprayed 1-2 times a day to keep the leaves green without dry tips. In fact, in home care and management, spraying water every day is a hassle, and it also affects the surrounding environment, such as furniture and walls.

In fact, through long-term home care, spider plants have already adapted to a dry environment. As long as the roots grow normally, the tips generally will not dry out. So for everyday watering, do not water until the soil is dry, and when you do water, water thoroughly. Sometimes, even if the soil has dried out completely and the leaves have gone limp, the plant will quickly recover after watering. On the contrary, if the potting soil is too wet, the roots rot easily, causing dry tips and yellow leaves.

3. Too much topdressing is bad, bad, bad

Spider plants do not like strong fertilizer, and many cases of dry tips occur after fertilizing. Some people like to add liquid fertilizer or chemical fertilizer when watering, causing the concentration of mineral elements in the potting soil to become too high.

When growing spider plants, you can basically skip fertilizing. With loose, fertile potting soil as a base when repotting in spring, the plant can grow lush and full, and then during the flower bud formation stage, just water with 1-2 rounds of well-rotted fertilizer.

4. Letting in some air is good for people and plants alike

Spider plants can indeed absorb a variety of harmful gases and are also a very suitable green plant for a newly renovated home. However, the amount of certain toxic gases that spider plants absorb is limited. Relying only on spider plants or other green plants to absorb toxins cannot solve the fundamental problem of indoor pollution.

In fact, spider plants themselves also need fresh air and ventilation. An environment with poor ventilation also tends to cause dry tips, so check whether your home has its doors and windows tightly closed all year round.

5. Give the spider plant a stable environment

Spider plants do not like strong light. When grown at home, spider plants should avoid direct sunlight, but too dark a spot will also affect growth. If a potted spider plant is placed in an unsuitable spot, with light that is too strong or too dim, it will not grow well even if fertilizer and water are sufficient.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light. In spring, autumn, and winter, getting some sunlight every day is fine. For example, the inner side of a south-facing balcony or a spot 1 m in front of a south-facing window can both work for long-term placement, and generally there is no need to move it around.

2
Yellow leaves on spider plants

Most common cause: overwatering

Spider plants are afraid of waterlogging. Too much watering plus poor drainage in the potting soil means the roots cannot breathe, which causes the leaves of the spider plant to turn yellow.

Solution:

In this case, if too much water has been given, loosen the soil promptly to let the excess water evaporate as much as possible, and then in everyday watering, be sure not to water too much; basically, just follow the principle of "water when dry, stop when wet." For spider plants, water about once every ten days in winter, and in summer, depending on how dry it is, once every 3-5 days. Water thoroughly, and make sure drainage is smooth.

Other causes:

1. Insufficient light

Although spider plants can also grow in shaded places, that does not mean they do not need sunlight. If a spider plant is kept in a shaded corner for a long time, the chlorophyll in the leaves decreases, and they will gradually turn yellow. And if the spider plant is always exposed to full sun, that will also cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Solution

It is best to let the spider plant receive at least 4 hours of light every day. You can also place the spider plant under an indoor incandescent lamp or keep it on a balcony. In summer, when the sun is very strong, put the spider plant in a shaded spot and do not let it bake in the sun. In winter, you can place the spider plant somewhere like a south-facing balcony to bask in the sun.

2. Excess nutrients or too few nutrients

If there is too much fertilizer, the spider plant cannot process it, and the leftover fertilizer will burn the roots of the spider plant. Stop fertilizing immediately, water with clear water, or repot and change the soil. And if there is too little fertilizer, the nutrients cannot keep up, so of course the leaves will turn yellow, right? Repot with fresh soil in time.

Solution

Also, spider plants do not need much flower fertilizer in normal times. You can soak bean dregs in water, ferment them fully, and then dilute the liquid. You can also use a little compound fertilizer, preferably organic fertilizer; a compound fertilizer containing nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is best, once every half month is enough. When the temperature is below 4°C, spider plants should stop being fertilized.

3
Root rot in soil-grown spider plants

Cause 1: too much water

Spider plants like water, but they are also most averse to too much water. If watered too much, the roots stay soaked in an oxygen-poor environment for a long time, and over time the root system turns black and rots.

Solution:

Reduce watering, give more sun, strengthen ventilation, and let the moisture in the soil evaporate as quickly as possible. You can poke a few holes around the roots of the spider plant to increase air permeability. If you have watered far too much, it is recommended to take the plant out of the pot directly, dry the soil, or replace it with new soil.

If the problem is not discovered in time and the spider plant's root rot is severe, it is recommended to take the plant out of the pot, trim off the rotten roots, soak it in disinfectant for a while, let it dry for 2-3 days, and then replant it in new soil.

Cause 1: too much fertilizer

The spider plant itself will react to whether too much fertilizer has been applied. Frequent fertilizing or fertilizer that is too concentrated easily burns the roots.

Solution:

If the fertilizer concentration is too high, water immediately and let the water flow out from the bottom of the pot. Or take the plant out of the pot and replace the soil. In addition, promptly check the roots for rot, trim the roots, disinfect them, and let them recover.

Cause 3: sticky soil

If the soil is not changed for a long time, the soil can become compacted. Soil with heavy stickiness is not good for root growth.

Solution:

Change the soil. This is the simplest and most direct method. If the soil compaction is not very serious, you can mix perlite into the soil to ease it. If the compaction is relatively serious, just replace it with loose, fertile soil.

Cause 4: root damage

Root damage can happen in an instant. When you repot, one careless move can cause it: scraping the outer layer or breaking root hairs. In a short time, no problem will show. But in the soil environment, roots with wounds will slowly rot.

Solution:

Try to avoid damaging the roots. When repotting or trimming roots, be careful to handle them gently.

Within 1-2 months after root damage, if the roots cannot recover, they will gradually rot. After repotting, pay attention to checking the spider plant's growth and deal with any abnormality promptly. If the roots have completely rotted away, the hope of regeneration is a bit slim, but timely transplanting can still save it. Cut off the small plantlets on the stems of the plant and plant them directly in potting soil or water. Once they have rooted, they can be planted.

Cause 5: pests and diseases

Pests and diseases are a problem many plants cannot avoid. When bacteria and fungi breed in the soil, or even root-knot nematodes appear, the first thing to suffer is of course the roots. The insects gnaw on the root system and then cause rot.

Solution:

If the root rot is mild, you can water the potting soil with a 400-500 times dilution of carbendazim solution to sterilize and disinfect it. Use it once a week for three weeks in a row, and remove the yellow leaves.

If the root rot is severe, dig the plant out, cut off the rotten roots, disinfect with potassium permanganate solution, put it in a ventilated place to dry, about 1 day or 2 days, and then replant it.

4
Root rot in water culture

Cause 1: low temperature

The roots of spider plants are very sensitive, especially in water culture, where the temperature of the environment and the water is very important. When the water temperature differs greatly from room temperature, or the newly added water is too cold, root growth will be affected and may cause root rot.

Solution:

Root rot in water-cultured spider plants is much simpler to deal with. Check the root growth often, and promptly cut off rotten roots. When changing the water, be careful to make sure it is close to room temperature and avoid water that is too cold or too hot.

Cause 2: excess nutrients

Many people are fond of nutrient solution when caring for water-cultured plants. If used too much, it will instead affect the growth of the spider plant. The nutrient solution in water culture has a low dissolved oxygen content, causing the plant roots to die from lack of oxygen and gradually rot.

Solution:

Change the water frequently, and each time you change it, clean the container walls and the spider plant roots. Nutrient solution can be used, but be careful not to overuse it and follow the instructions. After a spider plant's roots rot, just use clean water to grow it. Wait until the roots adapt to the environment and grow new roots before adding nutrient solution again.

Cause 3: poor water quality, high water level

The issue of water quality needs to be explained well. If there are leftover plant fragments or leftover substrate, nutrient solution sediment, and so on in the water, causing the water quality to deteriorate, root rot is very likely. In addition, the water level is also a key factor in root rot.

Solution:

Leave half of the spider plant's roots in the nutrient solution and expose the other half to the air. This can greatly increase the oxygen supply to the plant's roots and effectively reduce the occurrence of root rot. Change the water in time to keep the water clean. Tap water at home should be left to sit for a day before use.

Spider plant care and common problems

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