Spider plant is a plant with a name that refers to an insect. Because of its capacity to adapt to such conditions, it’s a plant that’s usually kept indoors. It grows so quickly in an indoor environment that it appears indestructible.
Spider plant belongs to “Asparagaceae” family. It has elongated, thin leaves with green and white stripes that give it a grassy look. It does not take as much attention as other houseplants, but you must first grasp the basics of growth conditions.
Because it is a convenient choice, growing spider plant inside has become popular. If you’re a beginner or simply want a more laid-back choice, the spider plant is the way to go. This plant has an extremely low possibility of dying, and replication is practically effortless.
You must give the greatest growth circumstances possible in order to generate the greatest spider plant. Water, light, humidity, and nutrients must all be provided in the proper amounts. It also necessitates a good understanding of repotting, pruning, pests, and disease control, as you will be dealing with these issues on a regular basis.
If you are going to add a spider plant as a new member in to your garden then this guide will help you with growing and caring for spider plants effectively.
WATERING
The spider plant requires a moderate amount of water. Water should be delivered on a regular basis, but you must wait for the soil to dry before doing so. This will keep the plant’s roots from rotting.
Dip your finger one inch below the soil surface to check the moisture level. There’s no need to water if it feels damp. Water must be supplied if it appears to be dry.
The quality of the water is also vital to consider. The leaves will develop tip burns if the water contains a lot of minerals, notably calcium and fluoride. If you don’t have access to rainwater, you may use tap water if you leave it away for a day to enable salts to settle and chlorine to evaporate.
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
For any plant to create food, it requires a lot of light. However, each plant has its own requirements for light intensity and exposure time. A strong, indirect light is preferred for spider plants.
You may place the spider plant near a window that gets plenty of light. However, you must avoid direct touch with the leaves since it is harmful to them. They’ll either be burnt or bleached as a result of the high light intensity, leaving your spider plant looking pale.
It is required to provide shade, such as light curtains. It will allow for less intense light to reach the plant. Other plants with larger heights and leafy tops can also be used to provide shade.
HUMIDITY
The relative humidity inside a home is usually sufficient for a spider plant to grow. This is due to the fact that they simply require a minimal quantity of humidity. However, excessive fluctuations in humidity, such as severe highs and lows, can be harmful to the health of the plant.
When this occurs, you may make a few changes to improve the situation. You can spray from time to time when the humidity is low. Humidifiers and pebble trays can also help to keep the air wet.
You should also keep your spider plant away from excessive dampness. Fungi and other infections thrive in such a damp environment and can quickly multiply. To avoid this, make sure your plant gets plenty of light and don’t overwater it.
FERTILISER AND SOIL
Even with just a small amount of fertilizer, spider plants thrive. However, it would welcome a consistent supply of nutrients so that you may feed the soil monthly from March to October, when it is actively growing. Because plants are generally dormant throughout the winter, no fertilizer should be applied.
Use a general-purpose liquid fertilizer for houseplants. Reduce the strength of the fertilizer to half that of the original guideline. Always use the diluted solution on the soil, never on the foliage.
EXTRA CARE NEEDED FOR SPIDER PLANT
REPOTTING
The spider plant may handle being root-bound, although repotting should be done on a regular basis. Repotting would provide ample area for the roots to breathe, absorb nutrients, and water, resulting in a healthier plant.
Remove the plant from the pot with care. Examine the roots for excesses and cut them out. If you clip the roots down there, you should also cut the upper half of the plant.
Make a new batch of high-quality potting soil and place the spider plant in it. Fill the gaps with dirt, thoroughly water the pot, and allow it to drain properly. Place the pot in the shade and keep it away from direct sunlight.
PRUNING
You should trim the plant’s foliage from time to time, especially if it has become too dense. Plants that are overcrowded are less efficient, and they will grow stunted. If plantlets are available, you can clip them off and utilise them for propagation.
After that, you can cut the plant all the way down to the root and let it regrow new leaves. Pruning should take place in the spring or summer. It also aids the plant’s moisture and nutrient conservation.
PROPOGATION
Plantlets can be used to propagate the spider plant. These plantlets appear like miniature spiders and are hanging smaller replicas of the mother plant. You must wait for the plantlets to establish their own roots.
Plant the plantlets individually in various pots after cutting them off. Drain for a few hours after properly watering them. Place them in a shaded spot until they’ve established themselves.
PESTS
Spider mites aren’t really bothered by pests. Scales and mealybugs, on the other hand, have a possibility of attacking them. Your plant will be protected if you stay alert and catch them early on.
Manually remove the bugs from the leaves. You may also wipe them out with a cotton ball dipped in alcohol. A simple technique to get rid of them is to spray them with high-pressure water.
TOXICITY
According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, the spider plant is non-toxic to both cats and dogs (APSCA). This implies they may come into touch with the leaves or even eat them because they won’t hurt them. Everyone with a pet or two at home should rejoice.
Nonetheless, it is essential to keep them away from any pets that may come into contact with them. Cats and dogs are known to be mischievous, and they may accidently destroy your spider plant.
CONCLUSION:
Growing spider plants is one of the simplest trips you can take when it comes to nurturing indoor plants. You won’t have to worry about losing them sooner once you’ve established them. They are welcome to remain as long as you desire.
They can rapidly adjust to sudden changes in the environment, thus they are not a threat. Nonetheless, you must keep a watch on crucial situations, as they may endanger your spider plant. We all want the best for our indoor plants, after all.