Spider Plant: The Complete Care Guide to This Air-Purifying Houseplant (Page 3 ) | May 15, 2025

Spider Plants don’t require heavy feeding:

Apply a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer at half strength once a month during spring and summer
Reduce or eliminate fertilizer during fall and winter
Over-fertilization can cause brown leaf tips and salt buildup
Propagation: Growing Your Spider Plant Family
One of the most delightful aspects of Spider Plants is how readily they reproduce. The small plantlets (sometimes called “spiderettes” or “babies”) that develop on long stems make propagation incredibly simple.

Water Propagation
Select a healthy plantlet with some small roots already forming
Place it in a container of clean water, ensuring the root area is submerged
Position in bright, indirect light and change the water weekly
Once roots reach 1-2 inches in length (usually 2-3 weeks), transplant to soil
Direct Soil Propagation
Leave the plantlet attached to the mother plant until it develops small roots
Place a small pot with moist soil near the mother plant
Pin the plantlet onto the soil surface using a bent paperclip or small rock
Once established (2-3 weeks), cut the connecting stem
Air Layering
Fill a small pot with moist soil
Place the pot near the mother plant
Position the plantlet on the soil surface while it remains attached to the parent
Once rooted, sever the connection
Common Problems and Solutions
Brown Leaf Tips
Causes:

Fluoride or chlorine in tap water
Low humidity
Salt buildup from fertilizer
Dry soil
Solutions:

Use filtered or distilled water
Increase humidity around the plant
Flush the soil occasionally to remove salt buildup
Adjust watering schedule
Yellowing Leaves
Causes:

Overwatering
Poor drainage
Insufficient light
Natural aging of older leaves
Solutions:

Allow soil to dry out between waterings
Ensure pot has adequate drainage holes
Move to a brighter location
Remove older leaves at the base of the plant
Fading Variegation
Causes:

Insufficient light
Aging of the plant
Solutions:

Move to a brighter location (still avoiding direct sun)
Propagate new plants from healthy plantlets
Pests
Spider Plants are relatively pest-resistant but can occasionally attract:

Spider mites:

Look for fine webbing and stippled leaves
Treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil
Increase humidity to discourage infestation
Aphids:

Check for small clusters on new growth
Remove with a strong stream of water
Apply insecticidal soap if needed
Mealybugs:

Identify by white, cotton-like deposits
Remove with alcohol-dipped cotton swab
Treat severe infestations with appropriate insecticide

Next: The Best Vitamin to Fade Age Spots Naturally

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