How to propagate a spider plant
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are the ultimate choice for would-be gardeners. Beginners, specifically, may find this plant easy to take care of and grow. But why?
The spider plant is well-known for its offshoots (also called spiderettes) that can be planted and re-grown. But before you can do that, you need to learn how to harvest them. Today, Whitakers will talk you through the main method for propagating spider plants.
We’ll cover all aspects of care, from what type of light is best to keeping cuttings healthy. With our step-by-step guide, you can learn how to propagate a spider plant in water!
When should I propagate my spider plant?
The spider plant’s active growing period is spring and summer. During these months, the plant produces the most energy for new growth. With warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours, it’ll be easier for any cuttings to develop strong roots.
What you’ll need
To understand how to propagate a spider plant, you’ll need to collect the following tools:
- A clean jar/glass
- Room temperature water
- Sharp scissors or pruning shears
- Small plant pots
- Well-draining potting mix
- Perlite (optional)
- A spray bottle or watering can
How to propagate spider plants in water
1. Fill a jar
Begin by choosing a clean glass jar and filling it with water. It’s best practice to use room-temperature water. Remember, if you’re using tap water, let it sit out for an hour or so to allow chlorine to dissipate.
Using a clear jar is helpful so you can easily see the roots developing. Make sure the container is large enough to hold the spiderette’s roots without cramping them. (Tip: Always use a clean container to prevent any bacteria that could harm your cutting.)
2. Gather cuttings
Identify healthy spiderettes on the mother spider plant.
These are the little baby plants dangling from long stems (stolons) off the main plant. For best results, wait until the spiderettes are a couple of centimetres (5-7 cm) long, so they have a better chance of thriving on their own.
Use clean, sharp scissors or pruning shears (sterilise the blades with rubbing alcohol if possible) to cut each spiderette off the stolon, right at the base of the baby plant.
Remove any leaves near the bottom of the spiderette that might end up submerged. Then they won’t rot in the water. (Tip: You can take several cuttings if your plant has lots of babies – spider plants are notoriously fruitful!)
3. Add cuttings to jar
Place your spider plant cutting into the jar of water. The very base of the plant (where its tiny root buds or nodes are) should be in the water, but keep all the leaves above the water line.
You may only need a centimetre or two of water in the jar – just enough to cover the roots or root area of the spiderette. Again, to keep the water from fouling, make sure that you DO NOT let any leaves sit in the water.
If there’s enough space, it’s okay to put a few spiderettes together in one container; we’re sure they won’t mind sharing!
4. Place in the sunlight
Put the jar with your cuttings in a warm spot that gets bright, indirect sunlight. A bright room or a windowsill with filtered light (for example, near a window with a sheer curtain) is the best-case scenario.
Baby spider plant leaves are delicate, so avoid overheating the water by placing your plants away from direct, harsh midday sun. It’s important to keep an eye on the water quality: check the jar every few days and top it off if the water level drops.
If the water turns cloudy or greenish, replace it with fresh water to prevent algae build-up.
In a week or two, you should start to see roots sprouting from the base of the spiderette (often within 7–10 days in good conditions, though sometimes it can take a couple of weeks). Be patient and keep the cutting in bright light while it grows roots.
5. Fill pot with soil
Now, it’s time to prepare a small pot for each rooted spiderette.
You should choose a pot with drainage holes so that excess water can escape. Fill the pot with a fresh, well-draining potting mix – a soilless seed-starting mix blended with a bit of perlite should do the trick!
You can also use a standard houseplant potting soil, ideally one that isn’t too heavy (you might mix in some sand or perlite if the soil is dense).
Fill the pot about 3/4 full, and gently poke a hole in the centre of the soil big enough to accommodate the new roots of your spiderette. Make the hole deep and wide enough, so the roots won’t bend or break when you plant.
6. Plant cuttings
Now it’s time to transplant your water-rooted spider plant into soil! Handling your spiderette by the leaves or the base, rather than the roots, carefully remove it from the water jar.
Place the roots into the hole you prepared, setting the baby plant so that the base (where the leaves start) is just at soil level. Gently fill in soil around the roots and pat it down lightly to get rid of air pockets.
Make sure all the roots are covered by soil and that the little plant is standing upright. Afterwards, give the soil a good watering to keep it moist (but not waterlogged).
7. Place in indoor sunlight
Find a nice spot inside for your newly potted spider plant cutting. It should be in bright, indirect light, similar to the light it was rooting in. For example, place it near a window where it gets plenty of light but not long periods of direct sun on its leaves.
8. Check cuttings
After around 2–4 weeks, check how well your new plant is rooting. A simple way to test is to give the baby plant a gentle tug. If it still slips out or feels loose, it means it hasn’t rooted firmly yet and needs more time.
If you feel resistance when you tug, that’s a good sign that roots have taken hold and are growing into the soil: success!
Continue to care for the young spider plant as you would a mature one: keep the soil lightly moist (but not soggy) for the first month or so, then you can water it normally when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Shop for gardening supplies with Whitakers Garden Centre!
Now that you know how to propagate a spider plant, why not start the harvest? With spring on the horizon, your chances for a fruitful crop are only growing brighter! In the meantime, if you’re gathering gardening supplies, be sure to browse Whitakers Garden Centre.
We’ve got houseplants and gardening tools, compost, bark and mulch: everything you need to start an indoor and outdoor springtime garden.
FAQs
Why isn't my spider plant growing babies?
Spider plants need to be mature (at least 1–2 years old) and receive plenty of indirect light to produce babies.
Should I cut the babies off my spider plant?
Yes, but only when they are large enough (around 5-7 cm) and ideally have small root buds at their base. Cutting too early may weaken the baby plant’s chances of survival.
What method of propagating spider plants is easiest?
Water propagation is the easiest method for beginners
Is it better to propagate spider plants in water or soil?
Both methods work, but water propagation makes it easier to monitor root growth.
How long do spider plant cuttings take to root?
Cuttings usually take 7–14 days to sprout roots in water, depending on light and temperature.
Why do my baby spider plants keep dying?
Common causes include overwatering, lack of light, or weak cuttings taken too early.
- Daniel Corlett