With cascading leaves and an easy to care for growth habit, spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are beloved by indoor plant newbies and experts alike and offer a host of beneficial properties. Plus, these plants grow fast! While this rapid growth means you can end up with a stunning specimen plant, it also means you’ll need to repot your spider plant regularly. Keep reading to learn all you need to know about repotting spider plants.
- Repotting Spider Plants – The Essentials
- Why Repotting Spider Plants Might be Necessary
- How Often Do Spider Plants Need to Be Repotted?
- Best Times of Year to Consider Repotting
- The Best Soil Mix When Repotting Spider Plants
- What Tools Will I Need When Repotting Spider Plants?
- Size & Types of Potting Vessel Considerations
- How to Repot Your Spider Plant
- Post Repotting Care
- Repotting Spider Plant FAQs
- Wrapping Up
Repotting Spider Plants – The Essentials
If your spider plant is healthy, you can expect to repot it every one to two years. The best time to repot is the spring or early summer. When you repot, choose a container that is a few inches larger than the original and use a well-draining soil mix.
Why Repotting Spider Plants Might be Necessary
Wondering why you need to repot your spider plant in the first place? Check out these common reasons.
Plants Have Outgrown Their Containers
As you may already know, most types of spider plants grow quickly as a house plant. While it’s easy to see the plant’s leaves increasing in number and length, it’s a little more challenging to see the growth occurring underground.
However, spider plant root growth aligns with that of their above-ground counterparts! That means your new plant may become root-bound over time.
A root-bound plant may be unable to properly absorb water, leading to tip dieback and other issues. Repotting your plant to a larger container will help solve these problems.
Plants Are Growing in an Improper Soil Mix
Even if your spider plant is in the proper sized container, you may realize you’ve planted it into the wrong type of potting mix. If your spider plant soil is staying wet or not holding water, you may need to swap out for a proper soil mix.
You’ll need to remove your plant from the current container and repot it using a better soil mix.
Plants Have Developed Disease Issues
While spider plants are generally easy to care for, they can develop some disease and pest issues such as the spider mite. Overwatering or using poorly-draining soil can lead to a fungal problem known as root rot.
If you notice this issue or signs of brown tips, you’ll need to trim and prune back infected roots and repot in well-draining soil.
How Often Do Spider Plants Need to Be Repotted?
You’ll need to repot your spider plant every one to two years. However, the schedule can vary depending on a variety of factors.
Fast-growing plants will need to be repotted more often than slowly-growing plants.
Additionally, the size of the pot will also impact how often you need to repot. Plants with a bit more room in their pots don’t need to be repotted as frequently as if they were in a snug pot.
Additionally, you’ll want to follow similar guidelines when you’re propagating spider plants.
Best Times of Year to Consider Repotting
The best time of year to repot spider plants is in the spring. At this point, your plants will have resumed growing, which will allow them to settle into their new containers.
If you don’t get to repotting during the spring, you can also repot during the beginning or middle of summer.
Finally, if you notice issues with root rot, you should repot ASAP, even if it’s fall or winter.
The Best Soil Mix When Repotting Spider Plants
Spider plants prefer a well-draining soil mix that can also hold moisture. Ideally, this mix will have a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
If you want to use a store-bought soil mix, choose an option like FoxFarm Happy Frog Potting Soil or Burpee Premium Organic Potting Mix.
Alternatively, you can make your own soil mix. To do so, combine the following ingredients:
- three parts peat moss or coco coir
- one part pine bark fines
- one part perlite
- one part finished compost
What Tools Will I Need When Repotting Spider Plants?
Repotting spider plants is a simple process that doesn’t require many tools. Before you begin, obtain the following supplies.
- Container that is a few inches larger than the original
- Well-draining potting mix
- Towel or tarp to contain any messes
- Sharp and sanitized pair of shears or scissors
- Gloves – even though spider plants aren’t considered toxic to humans, it’s prudent to wear gloves throughout any extended houseplant care project.
Size & Types of Potting Vessel Considerations
When you repot your spider plant, you want to use a container that is just a few inches larger in diameter than the original. If you choose a too small pot, you’ll need to repot again in a few months. And if you use a container that is too large, the soil will stay wet too long.
The container material isn’t essential. Spider plants will grow well in ceramic, terra cotta, and plastic planters.
However, ensure your container has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How to Repot Your Spider Plant
When it’s time to repot your spider plant, follow these steps.
- Before you begin, spread out a tarp or towel to contain any messes. Alternatively, you can complete the repotting process outside.
- Gather your plant, new container, and new soil mix.
- Remove your spider plant from its current container. If it’s rootbound, you may need to gently wiggle it back and forth to free it from the pot.
- Once the plant is out of the container, gently brush excess potting soil.
- Next, inspect the roots for any signs of disease. If you spot any mushy or discolored roots, trim them off using your shears or scissors.
- Fill your new container with an inch or so of fresh potting soil.
- Place the plant into the new container.
- Fill empty spaces with more potting soil. When you’re done, the base of the spider plant’s leaves should be even with the top of the soil.
Post Repotting Care
After you repot your spider plant, it may look a bit stressed. Don’t worry, this is normal! Instead of rushing in to fix wilting or drooping leaves, practice patience.
Place your spider plant in a warm area with bright yet indirect light. Only water your spider plant when the top few inches of soil is dry – even if your plant appears wilted!
A few weeks after repotting, your plant should appear healthy. If it doesn’t, it’s time to ensure you’re using a well-draining soil mix and growing in an appropriate temperature zone.
Repotting Spider Plant FAQs
Should I Soak My Spider Plant Before Repotting?
No, you do not need to soak your spider plant before repotting.
Should You Water a Spider Plant Immediately After Repotting?
This depends on the soil. If your soil is dry, you should water after repotting. However, if it’s already moist, there’s no need to water.
Do Spider Plants Like Big Pots?
Spider plants don’t need huge pots, but they also don’t like to be root bound. Therefore, use a pot only a few inches larger than the plant’s root ball.
Why Is My Spider Plant Limp After Repotting?
Repotting can be a stressful process, so don’t fret if your plant looks weak after repot it. If it looks limp, place it in a warm area with bright, indirect light and only water when the top few inches of soil is dry. After a few weeks, your plant should bounce back.
Should I Mist My Spider Plant After Repotting?
No, you do not need to mist your spider plant after you repot it.
Should I Fertilize My Spider Plant After Repotting?
No, you do not need to fertilize your spider plant immediately after repotting. Instead, you should stick to your regular fertilization schedule.
Wrapping Up
Keeping an eye on your spider plant and repotting it when necessary will help keep your spider plant healthy. Remember to repot if your plant has outgrown its current container, developed a root disease, or planted in the wrong soil type.
Briana holds a B.S. in Plant Sciences from Penn State University. She manages a small market garden where she grows vegetables and herbs. She also enjoys growing flowers and houseplants at home.
