How to Pot Spider Plant Babies

Spider plants are a popular and easy-to-care-for houseplant that can quickly fill up a space with its cascading foliage. The plant produces tiny spiderettes, or babies, that can be potted and grown into new plants. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to pot spider plant babies.

Step 1: Identify which spiderettes to pot

Spider plant babies grow from small nodes on the end of long stems called runners. The first step in potting spider plant babies is to identify which ones are ready to be separated from the parent plant. The babies should be about 2-4 inches long and have a well-established root system. You can gently push the spiderette to one side to see if it has roots yet. If it is still attached to the runner, then it’s not ready to be potted yet.

Step 2: Prepare a pot and soil mix

Choose a pot that is slightly larger than the spiderette’s root system. Fill the pot with a well-draining potting mix, about halfway up the pot’s depth. You can use cactus soil or make your own mix by combining soil with perlite, sand or vermiculite. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes to allow excess water to drain away.

Step 3: Separate the spiderette from the runner

Gently tug the spiderette off the runner, being careful not to damage the roots. You can also use a sharp, clean pair of scissors to cut the runner just below the baby. Make sure that there are a few roots attached to the spiderette to ensure it has a good chance of thriving on its own.

Step 4: Plant the spiderette

Place the spiderette in the center of the pot and gently fill in soil around it, making sure to cover the roots. Firm down the soil around the plant to remove air pockets. Leave about an inch of space between the plant and the pot's rim. Water the soil well to settle it around the roots.

Step 5: Proper care for the newly potted spiderette

Place the newly potted spiderette in a spot that receives bright, indirect light. Spider plants are forgiving and can handle a wide range of light conditions. Keep the soil slightly moist, but not waterlogged. Overwatering can lead to root rot and eventually kill the plant. Water the plant once a week, or when the top inch of soil feels dry. Spider plants thrive in humid conditions, so consider placing a small dish of water near the plant to increase humidity. Fertilize the plant once a month with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.

Conclusion

With just a little effort, you can turn one spider plant into several by taking advantage of the plant's natural ability to produce spiderette babies. Potting these babies is an easy process that can yield great results. Once potted, the new spiderette will grow and thrive on their own, adding beautiful greenery to your home.