Q&A for How to Divide a Spider Plant

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How do I replant baby spiders from my mother plant?

Community Answer

Put the babies in a glass of water to grow their own roots. When the roots are long enough (about 1" long), plant in a new pot.

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Question

Is there a better time of year to separate a spider? During the summer while it's growing, or in the winter while it's dormant?

Community Answer

I was taught that winter is not a good time to disturb them. I have followed this philosophy for over 40 years, although I have also had emergencies when I was forced to repot in the winter. I have found that they will survive in that event, but they seem happier when moved in warmer weather.

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Question

Can I transplant the mother plant if it has new plantlets growing out of it?

Community Answer

Yes. These are very hardy plants. Just transplant as you normally would. I don't like to remove the babies until I have a new home for them. They are fine to stay with the mother even during transplant. I often like to wait for them to get bigger before I move them so mom can be moved independently. Sometimes there are so many babies that I only take the big ones.

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Question

My dog ate my spider plant, and the only thing left is a big root that looks dead. Is there any way to revive this plant?

Community Answer

The lily family is tough. Although I have not had this happen with a spider, my guess would be that if you give it some time to recover from the trauma and keep it a little more moist than normal, it will probably come back.

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Question

Can young plants be planted in same pot?

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

My plant has several babies. Can I leave the babies with the mother and not replant them, or is it important to cut them?

Community Answer

You can leave them on or remove them and place them in a glass of water to root. I like to root them together with several others, because they tend to lean on each other for strength. It makes for a hardier plant. They'll last in water for several weeks and are very pretty.

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Question

Can I grow a spider plant from only the tubers?

Community Answer

Yes. Just cover the singular tube with water and leave it alone. It may even have siblings.

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Question

Can I trim the top of the spider plant? The leaves part.

Community Answer

If you are talking about the brown tips, yes. There is no need to trim the leaves. Just trim them at an angle so they don't look stubby.

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Question

Is it safe to cut some of the roots off?

Community Answer

Yes, but do it with caution. The thicker roots contain more water so it has a chance of being infected. Try not to trim away too much.

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Question

Do spider plants grow new plants?

Community Answer

Yes, the mother plant forms baby spiders from a long, brownish stem. It flowers, and then a small plant grows from the flower, which can be harvested and grown. The mother plant can also split and form two or more separate centers, which leaves then grow from.

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Question

How do I stop my spider plant's roots from coming out of the top of the soil?

Community Answer

This is a sign that the plant needs to be repotted. Chose a pot that is about twice the size of the plant.

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Question

How do I plant the plantlets?

Community Answer

The babies can be put in water to root, or laid on top of soil that you keep very moist.

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Question

Do I need to cover the mother plant stem with soil when replanting?

Community Answer

Yes, you will have better luck with the plant taking better when replanting if you cover at least 1/2 inch of the plant stem.

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Question

Can I trim my plant back if it has a large root?

Community Answer

Absolutely, you can trim a plant back if it has a large root.

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Question

The leaves on my spider plants are very long and are bending and breaking, how do I cut them?

Community Answer

Just cut them with clean scissors at an angle just below the bend where you see the break.

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Question

When I separate my baby spider plant from the mother plant, where do I cut it?

Community Answer

I like to keep part of the mother's stem on both sides of the baby and place the stem piece under the soil. The roots should naturally form and the plant will grow.

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Question

What size pot is mostly preferable to plant spider plants?

Community Answer

This completely depends on the size of your spider plant. Spider plants enjoy being root bound, and it encourages them to propagate. If you're repotting because your plant has outgrown its current pot, then go at least 1 size up. I wouldn't go any smaller than a 4" pot if you're planting a spider plant off the vine of the mother. Remember that these plants grow quickly, so if you're doing a 4" pot, I would only put 1 or 2 babies together.

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