Hi everyone! I’m a total plant newbie and I’ve just rescued a spider plant from the supermarket. The poor thing looked like it had seen some things… definitely not their finest display plant. 😅 I picked it up anyway because I’m building my little plant collection one slightly traumatised supermarket plant at a time. Any tips on how to care for it, revive it, or stop it from judging me would be massively appreciated! 🌿🕷️💚
What's made my spider happy: loose, well-draining potting mix and being watered thoroughly but not too often. They have chubby roots that store a lot of water so watering too frequently just rots them. Also, brighter ambient light than I thought they needed-- mine is under a grow light and finally looking good.
2 gillningar Thank you! Sounds like my spider plant basically wants the same lifestyle I do comfy, well-drained, plenty of light, and not being watered too often. 😅 Good to know about the chubby roots too… I was definitely at risk of “over watering” it to death! I’ll give it brighter light and try to let it live its best life. 🌿🕷️💚
3 gillningar
Definitely would recommend a grow light. Also just trim back any less desirable leaves or leaf tips. Mine love a small dose of plant food with each watering.
0 gillningar Thanks, that’s really helpful! 😄 Is it okay to trim the brown leaves and leaf tips without stressing the plant? I want to tidy it up but not make it worse. Also, what plant food do you use? I’d love to give mine a little boost without overdoing it. 🌿
1 gilla I wouldn’t go too crazy with the trimming. Start with the worst ones. Trim them back as far as possible, it will encourage new growth. Then maybe in a week or two go for the tips to give it a more aesthetically pleasing look. These are my cuttings from a mother plant (back in September) and I just focused on removing anything that didn’t survive the planting during waterings. Also just regular light feeding with Elm Dirt Plant Juice. I cut back the recommended dose and just give all my plants a boost at watering time.
Today photo - I put the cuttings together once the ones who survived got more established. Definitely a trust the process and give it time situation lol
Thank you, this is really reassuring! 😊 I’ll start with the worst leaves first and take it slow. Good to know it encourages new growth rather than stressing the plant out. Your cuttings look amazing, definitely “trust the process” vibes! I’ll check out the Elm Dirt Plant Juice too, sounds like a good gentle feed. Thanks again for taking the time to explain everything, it really helps a newbie like me! 🌿💚
1 gilla Of course! We all start somewhere 😀
1 gilla
It’s a bit pale for this variety and the soil looks muddy. I would change the soil. I typically don’t change the soil immediately on a new plant unless it looks stressed. The soil needs a chunkier mix with lots of perlite for excellent drainage. Apply diluted fertilizer about once a month in winter months and twice a month in warmer months. I use Miracle Gro. The photo is an older photo of some plants in a north east window. It’s low light but the color is dark in the green areas.🪴🍀
Thank you so much for the advice! 😊 I did wonder if the soil looked a bit too muddy sounds like a chunkier mix with more perlite is exactly what it needs. I’ll repot it into something better draining so it stops sulking. Good to know about the fertiliser schedule too! I’ll try the diluted monthly feed for winter and step it up when it warms up. I’m also in the North East, so it’s great to hear what works in our light conditions. Really appreciate you sharing your experience (and the photo) your plants look so much healthier and greener than mine, so I’ve definitely got something to aim for! 🌿💚
1 gilla Would I be best to repot the plant asap using your recommended soil mix, and fertilise or would this stress the plant too much?
1 gilla Spider plants are resilient. They can handle the soil change. I keep 20 spider plants outside all year unless the temperature will hit the freezing point. They are some of my oldest plants. They have survived 100°F temperatures too. They hate overwatering because they have thick roots to store water. Let the soil completely dry out before watering. Don’t follow a strict watering schedule. Always check with your fingers or a tool (chopstick) that the soil is dry. The leaves will go limp if they need water. This old photo shows the roots of the plants above.🪴🍀
My partner got one as a gift and as the planty one in the relationship I took it upon myself to care for it. I’ve also been struggling with it constantly browning at the ends. Had it in too sunny of a spot and then not sunny enough of a spot. I’ve now moved it to an east facing window and it’s pretty happy. I’ve also heard to avoid the browning tips, place it in a more humid spot in your house so I’m considering moving it to the window in my bathroom. A chunky soil mix will also help with avoiding too much water sitting where the roots are. I make my own soil mix which involves spending some money upfront but it lasts you forever and you can use it for most of your house plants. I do 1 part orchid bark, 1 part perlite, 2 parts potting soil. You can also alter how chunky or dense it is to fit the need to the specific plant you’re repotting. :)
2 gillningar Thank you so much to everyone who viewed, liked, or replied to my post you’ve all been absolute legends! 🙌🌱 I honestly didn’t expect this much help, but you’ve made this plant newbie feel very looked after. I’ve taken everyone’s advice on board: my spider plant has now had a wee trim, been repotted into a much better chunky mix, and given a wee drink. She’s already looking a bit less dramatic and slightly less like she’s planning to pack her bags and leave me 😂 To the person with 20 spider plants: Thank you! That actually made me feel so much better, I didn’t realise these things could survive everything from freezing temperatures to 100°F. I’ll definitely be checking the soil properly before watering and not sticking to a strict schedule. And the “limp leaf” warning sign is exactly what I needed to hear! To the person battling browning tips: Your experience made me laugh because it sounds exactly like what I’m going through, too sunny, not sunny enough, always judging me from across the room! I’ll try brighter indirect light and might even give the bathroom a go for extra humidity if she starts getting sassy again. Your chunky soil recipe also helped loads thanks for explaining it so clearly. So honestly, thank you again to everyone. You’ve all been so kind and helpful. I’m sure I’ll be back soon with more plant dramas and even more questions. You’re a brilliant community! 💚🌿
