---
title: "Is this spider plant just getting old? It’s been happy in this pot…"
description: "Is this spider plant just getting old? It’s been happy in this pot and in this place. It’s maybe 4 years old."
url: "https://getplanta.com/community/lZ7uAE3pQ86jnFGxrCwLrg/5CNe5bmfTOu4d9JEd3TwMQ"
community: "Anything about plants"
author: "Lmmdoc"
published: "2024-02-26T15:36:21.675535Z"
language: "en"
image: "https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CGX5Rn9MozIob4MlFchtHDwAOkJ21bYN4M5LU3fI20g/IG83ZKXjTGKJ8yBl4hxa2A.webp?size=large"
---

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# Is this spider plant just getting old? It’s been happy in this pot…

_Geplaatst door Lmmdoc op 2024-02-26_

Is this spider plant just getting old? It’s been happy in this pot and in this place. It’s maybe 4 years old.

![Bijlage 1 van 1](https://images.getplanta.com/v1/resize/CGX5Rn9MozIob4MlFchtHDwAOkJ21bYN4M5LU3fI20g/IG83ZKXjTGKJ8yBl4hxa2A.webp?size=large)

## 5 reacties

### GreenLeaf reageerde op 2024-02-26

I would probably check to see if its root bound. 4 years is a long time in the same pot and these can get some really intense roots.

### Plant Father reageerde op 2024-02-26

it’s probably rootbound but in all honesty this spider looks really healthy and happy! i think you’re doing great, it just might need a larger pot or a root trim in spring. for variegated spider plants it’s quite common for the white edges to go brown, especially if you’re underwatering or the air is particularly dry

#### Lmmdoc antwoordde op 2024-02-26

Root trimming sounds scary. Can you recommend a YouTube video or some simple instructions?

#### Plant Father antwoordde op 2024-02-27

root trimming is a little scary, and can often cause transplant shock. in the long run, it’s better for the health of your potted spider plant though, so that it can continue to grow happily at a reasonable size. i go through a few steps every 3-4 years with my giant spider plant in spring, once it has become so rootbound and crowded that new growth dies from lack of light under the excess foliage.

first, once its time for watering i thoroughly drench the soil and wait a few hours. then unpot him and check the rootball over thoroughly for damage or rot. if it’s matted i will run more water over it with the hose to help detangle the roots. trim any damaged roots, and about 1/3 of the total root mass off. this usually includes more fine roots than tubers, which will help the plant grow more fine roots in the new soil. i like to use potting soil with a small amount of perlite (80/20 or 90/10 if in a porous pot)

there are lots of other methods, but i have found this keeps the old beast happy at a reasonable size, in a 10” plastic pot. i would typically choose terracotta for spiders since they prefer to dry out quickly but a nursery pot is better for a heavy plant.

### Tigerlilly reageerde op 2024-02-26

your spider plant looks quite nice and healthy to me! but it might just need some fresh soil as the nutrients in soil just don’t last that long. they last maybe a couple years. check the roots and if it’s rootbound, just go up one size in pot size (if it’s in a 6”, only go to a 7-8” pot). if the roots aren’t bound, you can always stick it back in this same pot with just some fresh soil.

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