How to propagate spider plants? We propagate spider plants by water, potting soil, and stolen methods.
As a gardener who has Studied plants for several years, I am here to guide you on propagating spider plants Using these three methods.
The first time I tried propagating spider plants, I produced sick plants with yellow leaves.
Here is another helpful article. Click here to learn why your Monstera is Turning Yellow And Proven Ways To Fix It.
How To Propagate Spider Plants In Water
If you plan to avoid propagating your spider plant in soil, breed it in water instead. It is an excellent option for quickly designing your home or workplace.
The water technique of propagating spider plants enables you to first develop the plant’s roots before planting it into the potting soil with already developed roots.
If roots are propagated correctly in the water, roots will take about a week to ten days to develop. This technique is more efficient than soil growth.
We will use a glass vessel that allows you to see the roots of your new plant grow inside.
Materials And Tools For Spider Plant Propagation In Water
Below is a tool needed to propagate spider plants in water;
- Baby Spider Plants
- Clean Knife, Pair Of Scissors, Or Garden Pruners
- Transparent Glass Or Containers
- Clean Water, Distilled Water, Or Rainwater
- pot with 3 to 4 drainage hole
The Steps For Propagating Spider Plants In Water.
Step 1: Fill the clean container halfway with clean water. You can use a jar, tumbler, or other containers. Fill the vessel about halfway with water.
Step 2: Gently separate the spider plant offspring from the parent plant using a sanitized sharp knife or scissors.
Cut them from the long stems, ensuring careful cutting near the ground, not the tree. Make sure the offshoot has leaves.
Step 3: Remove the leaves around the base of the plantlet or under the stems before placing them in water. Any underwater vegetation under the water will rot.
Submerge the young tree so the water only reaches the plant’s root.
Step 5: Place the vessel in an area with indirect sunlight.
Step 6: Change the water every few days if it becomes dirty, and then wait for roots to form.
Step 7: You should see the roots forming after about a week at this stage. You must plant the spider on the soil once the root has developed and reach 2 inches.
Fill the container with soil and ensure the pot has 3 to 4 drainage openings. To ensure proper draining, add perlite.
After Filling the container, make a deep, round, and broad hole with a chopstick or finger to contain only the roots of the new spider plant.
Step 8: Plant the new spider plant inside the hole you made with a stick. Now cover the plant gently and Avoid covering the leaves.
Use a well-draining potting soil and keep the roots from becoming too wet. The roots will ultimately grow into the earth and branch out.
You are done with these steps.
Step 9: Place in full sunlight: Place the baby plant in a warm, sunny location. Not in direct sunshine, direct sunshine can kill the tender plant.
Pros And Cons Of Propagating Plants In Water
Pros:
Visible process: water propagation makes it easy for plant owners to observe root development as this is interesting for both adults and children, making it a learning process.
Quick Rooting: water propagation is usually faster than other propagation methods. The root of the spider plant grows rapidly in water rather than soil.
I only love this process because it’s time-saving.
Versatility: water propagation is a great opportunity to plant multiple spider plants in a different glass; propagating numerous spider plants enhances the chance of success.
Multiple propagation of spider plants allows you to replace any dead spider plant during propagation.
Decoration: Water propagation can serve as a decoration in our environment; seeing those spider plants growing inside a glass vessel brings beauty to the environment.
If interested 👉click here to learn how to make a hanging planter with wood.
Con
Transplanting shock: moving your developed spider plant from water to soil could cause transplanting shock if not properly handled.
Avoid touching sensitive parts like the plant’s roots during transplantation, and handle them carefully.
Root rot: plants staying long in water could cause root rot and potential issues to the plant; this happened to all house plants during propagation
Ensure the water is changed for 3 to 5 days when it gets cloudy.
Low nutrients: propagating in water might deny the plant some nutrients for a specific period. It doesn’t mean that water propagation is bad 😞
We all know that soil contains more potential nutrients than water, but both are important.
Stress: As I suggest, propagating in water is a bit stressful because you have to monitor and change the water frequently.
For those who stay at work for weeks or days before returning, giving their plants their full attention might be difficult.
How Long Can Spider Plants Develop Roots in Water?
A spider plant should start developing roots within 7 to 10 days. Once the roots reach 2 to 3 inches long, transplant them immediately into potting soil.
Several factors could determine how long they will take in water, including the spider plant’s size and environment.
Ensure the water changes every 3 to 4 days if it gets cloudy. Changing the water is a way of maintaining the plants in the water.
Can Spider Plants Stay In The Water Forever?
No spider plant can’t stay in water forever. Keeping your spider plant in water for so long is not an idea for long-term healthy growth.
Spider plants can survive in water for three weeks to 2 months. Depending on constant maintenance, they will only produce roots and a few stunted leaves.
The new leaves suddenly die when they stay too long in water; however, if you don’t transplant them into the ground, You will need to change the water more often.
Remember that spider plants are not aquatic but are meant to grow on soil. Growing them in water for so long can lead to various issues.
The issues that arise in the spider plant that stays in the water for so long are nutrient deficiencies and potential problems like root rot when grown solely in water.
How To Propagate Spider Plants Through Potting Method
The first recommended way to propagate a spider plant is to cut off the baby plant and plant it directly into well-drained potting soil.
The advantage of this technique is that the roots will start developing from the soil directly. This method did not require any planting or reporting stress.
Baby spider plants planted this way are less likely to die from transplant stress than those rooted in water.
The only disadvantage is that it may take longer to shoot up, but this is the best, and I prefer it because I don’t need any other maintenance or stress.
The time it takes is not much different from the watering method because soil planting is the most common method of planting any plant.
Materials Needed For Propagating Spider Plants Through The Potting Method
- Adults Spider plant
- Well drainage Potting soil
- Small pot or container with at least four drainage holes; feel free to open more if they don’t have
- Water
Step By Step To Grow Spider Plants In Soil.
Step 1: bring your adult spider plant and identify the mature, strong shoot with long limbs and developed roots.
Step 2: Cut off a healthy spider plant shoot with a sanitized knife or sharp shears.
Make sure each section has its own set of roots and shoots.
You must collect them from the long limbs where the spider plant develops roots.
Step 3: Add Soil to Your Pot: Fill your planter or flower pot with potting soil.
Make a hole deep enough to fit the underside of the infant spider plant using your pencil or chopstick.
On the soil, use a chopstick, pencil, or spoon to open the center of the soil and make sure the hole is enough for the cutting and root to enter.
Step 4: insert the spider plant into the hole, ensure the roots are free, then cover the soil and avoid covering the leaves.
Firmly compress the soil around the plant’s root to keep it in place.
Step 5: Get a spray bottle or any water-containing verse to water the soil until it is moist, but be careful not to waterlog it.
If you want to know how to water a spider plant correctly, click here to read plant. [Like]
Step 6: After watering, move your fresh potted plant to a sunny location with indirect sunshine and moderate temperature.
Direct sunlight will burn your spider plant and make the color yellow. Are you noticing a yellow leaf on your spider plant? Click here to learn the cause and how to cure it.
Step 7: Give it some time for the roots to develop from the base of the plant. It can take a few weeks.
Suppose it takes time, and you do not see any root development. In that case, you can dig the soil to see if there are any roots and cover it immediately after inspection.
I wish you good luck.
Click here to learn how to decorate a flower pot.
Pros And Cons Of Propagating In Soil
Pros
Free from transplanting shock: propagating in soil helps avoid shock during transplanting because there is no need to transplant from one pot to another.
The plants remain untouchable and free from disturbance inside the soil; you only need to water them when needed.
Sufficient nutrients: good soil provides important nutrients to the plant to boost its growth.
Less attention: we do not have to monitor it like water propagation once our cutting is planted in the soil
The plant develops itself and brings forth roots without constant changing of soil.
Immediate adaptation: the plant becomes used to its environment from the first day of planting because it won’t be repotted.
Con
Slow root development: Soil propagation takes longer to develop roots than water propagation.
Dirty process: when working with soil, it is assumed that you must get dirty, but since you can’t avoid it, just put on a garden glove and apron.
Hidden development: in soil propagation, you can’t see the root developing with your naked eye.
Since the development is hidden from human eyes, monitoring is not enjoyable because you won’t see anything.
Potential watering issues
Overwatering or underwatering might result in issues during soil propagation but know the right time to water a plant and ensure you use good soil and draining pot.
How To Propagate Spider Plants Through The Stolon Method
Propagating spider plants through the stolon method is similar to what would occur in nature.
Stolon is the extended stem-like growth in which spider plant newborns develop.
Stolons are horizontal stems on the soil’s top or below the earth. Stolons are comparable to branches except that they generate adventitious roots at nodes and grow horizontally rather than vertically.
Materials Needed To Propagate Spider Plants Through The Stolon Method
- A fully-grown spider plant
- A flower pot filled with potting
- a sharp scissors or knife
- Potting soil
- Containers or small vases
How To Propagate Spider Plants Through The Stolon Method Step By Step
Step 1: Identify a healthy, mature spider plant to reproduce.
Inspect a healthy plant with stolons and plantlets that have grown along its length. At least two or three leaves should be present on each plantlet.
Spider plant plantlets are sometimes called spider plant babies, siderites, or pups.
Step 2: don’t Cut the stolen from the mother plant.
Now, move the small pot you want to use for propagation close to the mother plant and fill it with potting soil.
Open the soil with a chopstick, pencil, or any stick; the hole should be enough to contain the baby without obstruction.
Step 3: Plant the plantlet in the soil; if the stolon is shaking around the soil, use a wire bent in a V-shape or hook to prevent it from moving.
Pin 📌 it together with the soil or elsewhere.
Water the soil moderately to ensure the water drains out from the drainage holes.
Step 4: Position the new plant in a sunny area with indirect sunlight or window light.
Step 5: separate the Stolon: once you notice enough growth on the new spider plants, feel free to separate them.
You will notice the stolon is turning yellow at this stage, so cut it off.
Pros And Cons Of Propagating Through Stolon
Pros
Natural Reproduction: propagating using the stolon method is a natural and pure process of multiplying plants.
The Stolen method promotes high development and vigorous growth in the spider or any other house plant.
Established Root System: a stolon already has an established aerial root, making the growing process easy and fast.
Sensitive to the environment: The propagating spider plant by Stolon has less sensitivity through environmental changes, providing no harm and less transplanting shock.
Quick growth: Stolon grows more rapidly when planted than other propagation methods I have mentioned.
Cons
Limited quantity to propagate: the number of plants reproduced through the stolo method may be restricted.
Suppose your spider plant only provides five stolons. In that case, you only have the chance to propagate five stolen because of its availability.
Space-consuming: propagating spider plant by stolon method, the stolen plant needs space to spread at its plantlet.
Depend on Parent Plant: Stolon realizes its support and nutrients on the parent plant for setting period Before separation.
How To Propagate Spider Plants By Division
Propagation by division is the simplest method among other methods I have mentioned above. The only thing you have to do is to avoid damaging the root system.
The most interesting thing about this method is that you won’t worry about spider plants, babies, or stolons.
Propagation by root division is when you remove the whole plant from its pot and cut it into similar parts for reproduction.
This method is similar to repotting a plant. If you can report your house plant, nothing is hard for you. Click here to learn how to repot a monstera plant. [Link]
Material Needed For Propagating Spider Plant By The Division
- Potting soil mix
- Clean water
- A pot with at least 3 to 4 drainage home
- A clean, sharp, sterilized running tool like a knife, scissors, or shear. If you want to know how to sharpen a pruning shear, click here to read now. [Link]
Step-By-Step In Propagating Spider Plant By Division Method
As I said earlier, this is a simple step that everyone can do. Even though you are complete newbies, let’s get started.
Note: it is advisable to water your spider plant a day or two days before reporting it to help when separating the plant from its pot, but if you haven’t, don’t worry; I will show you how.
Step 1: Water the soil [optional]
If you feel the soil is too dry and won’t allow you to remove the plant freely from the pot, water it and wait for some time; this will help you remove the plant safely without damaging it.
But suppose you water your plant a day or two days before this propagation process. In that case, water is unnecessary if the soil is wet.
Step 2: Remove the spider plant from its pot.
Lie your spider plant on a table and tap the pot with your hand, causing vibration to the soil so the soil will lose.
Hold the spider plant towards the strong stem and move it left and right slightly. Once the soil is loose, remove the plant from its Pot.
Or hit the bottom of the pot so the spider plant will come out.
Step 3: separate soil from the root
Gently use your finger to remove excess soil from the root ball and untangle any roots that tie together, but be careful not to injure the root.
Step 4: divide the spider plant
You must select a spider plant section with enough healthy roots to thrive.
Use your hand or sharp knife to divide the spider plant, but to me, using the hand is the best way, except the root system is so strong. We result in tearing when forcing them to divide from each other.
After dividing, keep them aside. You can divide as many as you want to propagate.
Step 5: prune dead or excess root
If you notice any dead or yellowing roots, use your clean scissors to prune them out and keep the root system clean.
Step 6: Plant the baby spider
Fill your pot with new potting soil. Avoid repeating the old soil because the nutrients have been exhausted.
Use a spoon, pencil, or chopstick to create a hole in the potting soil and then plant the new spider plant.
Allow the root to be free and cover the soil, but avoid covering the leaves.
Step 7: Water the plant
Water the new potted plant ensures the water drains out freely.
Step 8: replant the mother plant if needed
If you decide to replant the mother plant, you must plant them again. But if you decide to propagate all the sections of the spider plant, it is left for you.
Step 9: Position the baby plant
I recommend you keep your new spider plant where they will receive indirect sunlight or window light, but if the window light is harsh, use a curtain to filter them.
Pros And Cons Of Propagating Spider Plant By Division Method
Pros
It is easy: the division method is easy to carry out and requires no specialized skills or special tools.
Quick Results: The division method makes the spider plant develop quickly as the root has been established before propagation.
Multiple propagation: This method helps you propagate as many as you want, especially if you don’t want to use the plant again.
Cons
Possibility of Shock: during this process, the plants might suffer the shock of repotting
Require my mature plans: The only disadvantage is that you need a mature plant for this process to develop them.
Root Damage Risk: if you are not careful, you might damage the root system, causing it not to reproduce, but they are possibility for them to grow back
Is Spider Plant Difficult To Propagate?
No, spider plants are among the easiest to propagate. A spider plant produces “pups” or offsets mostly used for propagation.
A spider plant can be separated from the parent plant during the multiplication of spider plants, making propagating spider plants easy.
Can Spiders Grow From Leaves?
Unfortunately, you can’t propagate spider plants from leaves because spider plants do not produce new shoots from their leaves.
Spider plant leaves are light and do not store water like succulent plants.
If you are looking for plants to propagate from leaf cutting, you should consider snake plants.
By 👉clicking here, You will be taken to the article in which we show you how to propagate snake plants by leaf-cutting
Consider propagating snake plants at home because snake plants are air purifier plants that purify our environment.
Click here to learn the benefits of the snake plant.
Why Is My Spider Plant Not Taking Root?
After propagation, Spider plants can take a few weeks to root out, So you have to be patient.
If it has gotten up to 16 days, gently open the soil to inspect the spider plants to see if there are any shoots.
If they are, they should cover the soil gently and wait for the leaves to spike.
Now, some factors might influence spider plants not to take root.
Watering Issues:
Over or underwatering is an issue after propagation.
You shouldn’t overwater your spider plant once a week after planting water, but the frequent time might not be the best case.
I recommend you water the soil when the topsoil has dried about 1 in depth.
Don’t water in the afternoon or night. Ensure you water only in the morning, and never allow your soil to dry completely before watering.
To learn more about watering spider plants correctly, click here.
Light Conditions:
The ideal location for a spider plant should be in direct sunlight or window light.
Ensure the plant is not getting enough direct sunlight; as direct light, we burn the leaves and cause them to color yellow.
Click here to learn the cause and solution of why spider plant tips are turning yellow or brown.
Wrong Cutting:
Wrong cutting is an issue when propagating any house plant if the area of the spider plant does not have well-developed roots, strong stems, mature stolons, or plantlets.
Using infected pruning tools could lead to infections. Please sterilize your cutting tools and make sure they are Sharp 👉click here to learn how to sharpen pruning shears. [Links]
Premature Or Sick Spider Plant:
Choosing the wrong adult plant is a major issue during propagation because a sick plant would not germinate.
A baby spider plant that has not developed well will likely die because it hasn’t obtained a strong stem to survive the germination process.
I always recommend first inspecting your plant to see if it is strong and infected.
Are you interested in propagating monstera plants? Click here to read.
Bad Soil:
Involving bad soil or bad pot is an ideal problem during germination.
Using a compatible soil that is clay-like, we store water, which results in waterlogging and causes over-watering issues.
Using loose potting soil will drain out water quickly, and the new spider plants will be thirsty and suffer from a lack of water issues.
We have one general putting soil that all house plants will survive. I have written about it concerning snake plants 👉 are you interested? Click here to learn the best soil for snake plants.
Pot Without Draining Hole:
Opt for a pot with at least four drainage holes so water can drain quickly.
Temperature:
High, low, or fluctuating temperatures could impact the growth rate of your spider plant.
The ideal temperature for spider plants should be around 65-75°F or 18-24°C cold or high to slow down spider plant growth.
Should I Use Water Or Soil To Propagate Spider Plants?
Choosing between water and soil propagation is up to you and your preference. Some people find water propagation easier, while others prefer soil propagation.
Water propagation is the most straightforward because spider plant infants sprout new white roots rapidly in water, allowing you to observe the root as it grows.
The benefit of Propagating with soil is that the roots will be stronger from the start and will not need to be transplanted.
Water-grown roots can be weak and must acclimate to the soil.
What Are Spider Plant Babies?
Spider plant babies, also known as plantlets, are tiny offshoots that develop at the tips of long, slender stalks known as stolons.
Baby spider plants develop on the flower buds after they bloom and can be readily removed and propagated.
Spider plant babies or offspring are typically born when the mother plant is grown and gets sufficient light and water.
These babies or plantlets resemble miniature copies of mature spider plants, complete with their collection of leaves and root systems.
When To Propagate Spider Plants
The right time to Propagate spider plants is spring and summer When the spider plant is in its active growing season They can, however, be replicated at any time of year.
Spring and summer are when the plant is most likely to produce plantlets or stolons for future development.
Note: Avoid Winter; during winter, the plant slows its growth because of less sunlight and temperature.
How Long Do Spider Plant Babies Take To Grow Roots?
As previously stated, spider plant babies usually begin to develop roots within 1-2 weeks of planting in soil. However, based on the environmental circumstances and the health of the plantlet, the time it takes for roots to grow can differ.
Temperature, humidity, and soil wetness can influence root development rate. In general, spider plant infants develop roots faster in warm, humid environments with reliably wet soil.
Conclusion
Now, the propagation of spider plants is Made easy for you; it is essential to remember to Select a healthy, mature spider plant from which to reproduce.
The ideal time to propagate is between the year’s growing season. Still, the primary time for propagating spider plants is spring or summer.
Always Place your fresh potted plant in a sunny location with indirect sunshine, and always remember spider plant babies usually begin to develop roots within 1-2 weeks of planting in soil.
