---
title: "Hi! Does anyone know what these fluffy white growths are on the base…"
description: "Hi! Does anyone know what these fluffy white growths are on the base of my spider plant? They must be at least a cm long as there are stones in the pot for…"
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lKxUkhzRR_aIJD7o1QvtwQ/653f8dc0a68b445b3044fde3"
community: "Pests, diseases and problems"
author: "j cronin"
published: "2023-10-30T11:04:32.765Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wj13QU1UOv3MLw-eSABjM1uAk3PdX_oJ_wjW4F4_LxM/481066f499634cb7869e32db45ba3df9.webp?size=large"
---

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# Hi! Does anyone know what these fluffy white growths are on the base…

_Posted by j cronin on 2023-10-30_

Hi! Does anyone know what these fluffy white growths are on the base of my spider plant? They must be at least a cm long as there are stones in the pot for drainage and there’s one thicker shorter one and a thinner longer one.  
There are the roots themselves and then these little white bits too.  
The plant itself is okay, but has some black tips on the leaves, even on the new growths, but I don’t think it’s under watered?  
Thank you so much! x

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wj13QU1UOv3MLw-eSABjM1uAk3PdX_oJ_wjW4F4_LxM/481066f499634cb7869e32db45ba3df9.webp?size=large)

## 9 comments

### Iwetmyplants🌱 commented on 2023-10-30

Those are roots

### Rook commented on 2023-10-30

I think your plant is outgrowing the pot, and you may want to make sure that’s not mold on the roots because those are definitely roots

#### j cronin replied on 2023-10-30

ah ok thank you!

#### Rook replied on 2023-10-30

Yeah ofc!😊

### Sunny commented on 2023-10-30

It’s not mold. It’s roots. Pull the plant from the pot and you may see that spider plant roots are thick and excessive. They quickly get root bound and can live happily in that state.

![Attachment 1 of 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/wefqOljjhEOiS9LRzOB1-QhxkVJiB4A5DGumXhnNrhs/8a25dd050c3b47db9449013096327388.webp?size=large)

#### j cronin replied on 2023-10-30

thank you so much that’s really helpful! x

### Tamara commented on 2023-10-30

Yes roots

### Plant Father commented on 2023-10-30

i recommend looking into perched water tables in potted plants, there are plenty of articles online that will explain why adding rocks to the bottom of the pot actually reduces the soil’s draining capacity

#### j cronin replied on 2023-10-30

that’s really interesting thank you! i’ve always been taught to put gravel down, but i’m having a look now and when i repot i’ll leave them out!

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