How to Easily Propagate a Spider Plant
So you have a spider plant and you’re wondering what all of this propagation talk is about. Maybe you’ve recently started your plant parent journey and you’re ready to take your plant knowledge to the next level or you’d like to start gifting plant babies of your own to your friends and family. If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Want More Spider Plants? Propagate!
If you’ve noticed that your mature spider plant has some little spiderettes (spider plant babies) cascading from the mother plant, you have the opportunity of propagating to create more plants! You can leave the babies attached, however, if you’re plant obsessed and want some new plants, propagation is the way to go! There are a few ways to propagate a spider plant and they all couldn’t be easier!
Propagating Spider Plantlets
The first way to propagate a spider plant is to simply trim off the spider babies from the mother plant and root the cutting directly into its own pot with well draining soil. To do this you will first want to take a good look at your dangling spider plantlet. You’ll notice that each plantlet has its own set of tiny roots. If your plantlets do not have roots appearing on the bottom side of itself, it is best to wait for these to develop before snipping away at the plant baby!
After assessing that your spider plant is ready to go off on its own, cut the plantlet from the long stem that they are hanging onto, making sure to leave its set of roots intact. Next, place your new plant in its own pot with well draining soil, give it a good drink, allow it to receive plenty of bright, indirect sunlight, and voila- you have a new spider plant!
Rooting Spider Plantlets in Water
The second way to propagate your spider plant is for those who are a little bit more nosey and like to see what’s going on under the surface during propagation. When rooting your spiderette into water, you will be able to watch the roots grow over time before planting it into soil!
To achieve this method, the same beginning steps will apply; snip your plantlet from the parent plant while leaving its roots attached. Then, place your spider baby in a vase filled with a little bit of water. The roots should be the only part of the plant that is fully submersed. Try switching out the water every week or so to supply the plant with fresh nutrients, as well. You should notice root growth after a couple weeks! Once the roots have grown to be 1-2 inches long, you can plant it into its own pot with well draining soil and continue to make sure it receives plenty of bright, indirect sunlight.
Propagating Spider Plantlets with a Paper Towel
The last simple way to propagate your spider plant is to use a wet paper towel. This method is very similar to propagating in water, but it will require a bit more attention than the others.
To propagate your spider plant using a paper towel, simply snip your spiderette from the parent plant (leaving the roots intact) and place your spider baby on a damp paper towel. You may find it easier to keep your towel moist if it is placed in a small bowl and misted periodically to keep it damp. Overtime, its roots will grow to be 1-2 inches long and it will be ready to be transplanted into its very own pot!