Spider plants are highly sought-after as indoor greenery, prized for their graceful foliage and adaptability to diverse environments.
Beyond their visual appeal, these plants offer practical benefits by purifying indoor air, absorbing toxins such as carbon monoxide, xylene, formaldehyde, and toluene, making them valuable additions to any home.
However, for novice plant enthusiasts, especially those new to caring for spider plants, watering can be challenging.
Summary:
- Water spider plants when the top 1-2 inches of soil are dry, leaves start turning yellow, or the plant exhibits drooping.
- You can use rainwater or distilled water for best results. Water evenly over the soil, ensuring excess water drains from the pot.
- Adjust watering as overwatering leads to yellow leaves and root rot, while underwatering results in dry, brittle foliage.
| Scientific Name | Chlorophytum comosum |
| Common name | Spider Plant, Airplane Plant, Ribbon Plant |
| Family | Asparagaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial, herbaceous |
| Height | 1-2 ft |
| Leaf color | Green, variegated with white or yellow stripes |
| Leaf shape | Narrow, arching, linear |
| Light | Indirect sunlight |
| Soil | Well-draining, loamy soil |
| Temperature Tolerance | 59-80°F (15-27°C) |
When to Water Spider Plants?
If your spider plant have three following key signs, they mean needing watering:
- The top 1-2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Leaves, particularly lower ones, start turning yellow.
- The entire plant exhibits slight drooping.
To accurately assess soil moisture, you simply insert your finger about 1-2 inches into the soil.
If it feels dry at this depth, it’s time to water your spider plant. This method is straightforward yet effective, helping maintain optimal moisture levels.
How to Water Spider Plants
What Is The Best Type of Water for Spider Plants?
Rainwater or distilled water is ideal for spider plants as they are free of chlorine and harmful chemicals.
If using tap water, let it sit overnight in a watering can to allow chlorine and fluoride to dissipate, as these can harm plants.
Taking these precautions helps avoid issues like brown leaf tips caused by metals, salts, and chemicals in tap water.
How to Water Spider Plants
Here are top tips for you to water your spider plants successfully:
- Avoid using a strict watering schedule.
- Choose a pot larger than the root ball to prevent waterlogged soil and root rot.
- Use a well-draining houseplant mix; add perlite or sand for improved drainage if necessary.
Top Watering
You should use a watering can or position the pot under a tap with a gentle flow.
Next, water evenly over the soil to saturate the entire root ball and allow excess water to drain completely from the pot’s drainage holes.
This method provides direct hydration to the roots and allows controlled water application, although it can occasionally lead to spills or soil disturbance.
Bottom Watering
You should apply the pot in a tray of water, allowing the soil to absorb moisture through the drainage holes.
After about 10 minutes, check if the soil is moist; if so, remove excess water from the tray.
If the soil remains dry, you can add more water and wait an additional 20 minutes before checking again.
This method offers controlled root hydration and reduces the risk of overwatering, it also improves the state of flushing out salts and minerals from the soil.
How Often to Water Spider Plants?
For young plants, in summer, you need to water approximately twice a week to support growth and reduce watering frequency during colder months when growth slows down.
For larger plants, during summer, water about twice every three weeks to maintain health and you can decrease watering in cooler months to prevent overwatering.
Besides, watering frequency for spider plants varies based on several other factors:
Temperature: Higher temperatures 80°F accelerate soil evaporation, demanding more frequent watering. Conversely, cooler temperatures 55°F-65°F lessen water needs as plant metabolic processes slow.
Plant Size: Larger plants with extensive root systems absorb more water and transpire more moisture, necessitating more frequent watering compared to smaller specimens.
Humidity: Higher humidity reduces transpiration through leaves and requiring less frequent watering.
Location: Spider plants in sunny, warm spots or near heat sources dry out faster and need more frequent watering than those in cooler, shaded areas.
Pot and Size: You should choose a bit larger pots with plastic material instead of clay or ceramic.
Potting Mix: Well-draining mixes facilitate efficient water drainage, reducing the risk of overwatering and root rot.
How Much to Water Spider Plants?
Spider plants need consistent moisture without waterlogging.
Their water requirements vary based on many factors such as plant size, environmental conditions, pot type, potting mix…
To maintain plant health, you need to water thoroughly until water drains from the pot’s bottom, allowing excess water to escape.
Besides, you also require to monitor soil moisture regularly and adjust watering frequency to ensure optimal growing conditions.
Common Problems
Overwatering
Excessive watering can cause yellowing or translucent leaves, dark brown leaf tips, or leaf death due to oxygen-deprived roots and root rot.
If you see these signs, adjust watering frequency by allowing the top two inches of soil to dry before watering again.
If signs of overwatering persist despite proper light, you need to refrain from watering until the soil dries sufficiently.
Next, you trim affected leaves to prevent further issues and promote healthier growth.
Underwatering
Insufficient watering results in dry, brittle foliage with crispy brown tips, pale or yellowing leaves, and droopy appearance.
You should establish a regular watering routine, checking soil moisture frequently before thorough watering.
When you ensure water reaches the entire root system, drooping leaves regain turgidity, and pale leaves regain healthy coloration.
Even though crispy brown tips won’t regenerate, trimming these parts can enhance plant appearance.
Brown Leaves
If leaf tips are brown, it may stem from underwatering, salt buildup from overwatering or excessive fertilization, or fluorides in tap water.
You should use rainwater or distilled water to mitigate this.
Not only that, you need to maintain balanced watering, use filtered water, and provide appropriate light conditions to prevent browning.
