Table of Contents
- 1 Key Takeaways
- 2 Steps to Propagate Spider Plant Babies
- 3 FAQ
- 3.1 Where do you cut the spider plant to propagate?
- 3.2 What are the different methods for propagating spider plants?
- 3.3 When is the best time to propagate spider plant babies?
- 3.4 How long does it take for spider plant babies to root?
- 3.5 Should I use rooting hormone when propagating spider plant babies?
- 3.6 How do I care for newly propagated spider plant babies?
- 4 References
Key Takeaways
- To propagate spider plant babies, you’ll need a mature spider plant with babies, clean scissors or pruning shears, well-draining potting mix, small pots or containers, and water.
- Look for healthy spider plant babies with roots at least an inch long.
- Remove the baby from the mother plant by cutting it from the stem with clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears.
- Plant the spider plant babies in the potting mix, ensuring the roots are covered and the baby is secure.
- Water the newly potted babies thoroughly, allowing excess water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
- Place the pots in bright, indirect light and maintain a consistent temperature between 60-80°F (15-27°C).
- Water the spider plant babies when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- Spider plant babies typically root within 1-2 weeks when provided with proper growing conditions.
- Spider plants can be propagated year-round, but the best time is during the growing season (spring through fall).
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Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are popular houseplants known for their ease of care and propagation.
Like most plants, spider plants can be propagated.
Propagate: To breed more specimens of a plant by natural processes from the parent stock.
This guide provides step-by-step instructions on how to propagate spider plant babies successfully.
Steps to Propagate Spider Plant Babies
What You’ll Need
- Mature spider plant with babies
- Clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears
- Well-draining potting mix
- Small pots or containers
- Water
Identify healthy spider plant babies
Look for small plantlets growing from the mother plant’s stems. Choose babies that have roots at least an inch long (University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, 2021; Missouri Botanical Garden, 2021).
These babies, also known as spiderettes, are the key to successful propagation (Cornell University Cooperative Extension, 2021).
Remove the baby from the mother plant
Use clean, sharp scissors to cut the baby from the stem, ensuring you include a portion of the attached stem (Peerless, 2021; University of Vermont Extension, 2021).
Sterilizing your scissors or pruning shears with rubbing alcohol can help prevent the spread of diseases (Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, 2021).
Prepare the potting mix
Fill small pots or containers with a well-draining potting mix designed for houseplants (University of Florida, 2021; Penn State Extension, 2021).
A mix containing peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite is ideal for spider plant babies (University of Minnesota Extension, 2021).
Plant the spider plant babies
Create a small hole in the potting mix and place the baby’s roots into the hole. Gently cover the roots with the potting mix and lightly press to secure the plant (Peerless, 2021; University of Minnesota Extension, 2021).
Ensure the baby is planted at the same depth it was growing on the mother plant (Clemson Cooperative Extension, 2021).
Water the newly potted babies
Water the babies thoroughly, allowing the excess water to drain from the pot’s bottom (University of Florida, 2021; Cornell University Cooperative Extension, 2021).
Spider plants prefer evenly moist soil but can tolerate brief periods of drought (University of Illinois Extension, 2021).
Provide the right growing conditions
Place the pots in bright, indirect light and maintain a consistent temperature between 60-80°F (15-27°C). Water when the top inch of soil feels dry (University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, 2021; Clemson Cooperative Extension, 2021).
Spider plants can adapt to various light conditions but thrive in bright, indirect light (University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2021).
Looking for other types of spider plants and how to care for them? Read further about:
FAQ
References
Lindsey Hyland grew up in Arizona where she studied at the University of Arizona’s Controlled Environment Agriculture Center. She continued her gardening education by working on organic farms in both rural and urban settings. She started UrbanOrganicYield.com to share gardening tips and tactics. She’s happy to talk about succulents and houseplants or vegetables and herbs – or just about anything in a backyard garden or hydroponics garden.
