The Spider Plant is way more chill than most other houseplants, making it the perfect choice for anyone just starting their indoor garden journey. It’s pretty low-maintenance, but you might be wondering: does this plant actually need a regular haircut?
Do I really need to prune it?
Compared to a lot of other indoor greenery, the Spider Plant doesn’t need a regular pruning schedule. As long as you’re giving it the right amount of love, it’ll thrive all on its own. Before you know it, your home will be filled with those gorgeous, arching leaves that can grow up to 16 inches long! If you notice a leaf looking a bit wilted or brown, you can just gently pluck it off. Just a heads-up, though: if you’re seeing a lot of yellow or brown leaves, your plant might be unhappy with its current spot in the house.
You should also keep an eye on the flower stalks and trim them back before seed pods start to form. Spider Plant seeds are actually slightly toxic, so you definitely don’t want them hanging around if you have curious toddlers or cats. A hanging basket is a great, stylish way to keep the plant out of reach. On the bright side, you can snip off babies (spiderettes) whenever you like! With a little care, your plant will keep producing plenty of new starts for you to share.
What if my Spider Plant gets too big?
Spider Plants are fast growers, and they can get so bushy that they outgrow their pots before you know it. Once you start seeing roots poking through the top of the soil, it’s time to move it to a bigger home. When you repot, try putting some broken terracotta shards at the bottom of the new pot—this helps with drainage and prevents the roots from sitting in water.
Many gardeners use repotting time as a chance to divide and propagate their plant. After gently untangling the roots, you can carefully split the plant down the middle. Just be extra careful with those roots; you want to keep them healthy so you end up with two happy plants instead of none! Once split, just pop each half into its own pot with fresh soil and a bit of organic fertilizer or compost.
Pruning your Spider Plant: The Quick Essentials
- Generally, there’s no need for a major pruning.
- You can simply pluck off any leaves that don’t look great.
- Trim back spent flower stalks before they go to seed.
- Keep in mind that the seeds are mildly toxic.
- You can snip off baby plantlets whenever you want.
- If the plant gets too massive, repotting and dividing is the way to go.
