I've had this spider plant for years. It's definitely grown (it was just a few inches tall when I got it) but it's never looked happy. It's always looked droopy and leggy and a little yellow. It has great drainage. I water when it's dry (maybe once a week in the summer and once every few weeks in winter). I bottom water. I've experimented with more light (does it need more because of the variegation?) or less light, but that hasn't changed anything that I can notice.
I have other fully-green non-variegated spider plants that are very happy, so I thought I knew how to take care of spiders. But this variegated one continues to stump me.
It's making a stalk with a baby right now so maybe it's not SUPER sad and deprived, but what can I do to make it happy?
by thecarrotflowerking
9 Comments
A baby stalk is a great sign! When’s the last time you gave her a pot upgrade?
I just shoved mine in some dirt put it outside for the summer and watered it once a week. Has big flower stalks brimming with babies now and filled the pot. Seems to like lots of light.
Sigh, reminding me I need to check the roots of my spiders
https://preview.redd.it/kvm537eyehlf1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=bcc1decda4155acb64edf8173e6bb8b0dc073aae
Mine really likes this situation. Spider plants I’ve kept right next to a window never did well, now I put them where it’s bright in the room where the light isn’t as direct or it’s shaded a bit. There’s big windows all around this room, so it gets plenty of bright light, just not directly blaring on it.
They need less light than you think. Let the soils dry out some but the next time you water, try a little generic nitrogen rich fertilizer. For house plants, miracle grow is pretty cheap and effective.
The other commenter pointed out how rootbound they can get. This is the most root crazy plant I’ve ever seen. If you wanted it to grow like crazy, repot it into something twice the size with some fresh soil, potting soil or cactus and succulent mix then some light fertilizer. It WILL grow.
He’s scared of dinosaurs 🦕
Idk but I also struggle with this plant. Mine always get root rot
Your pot is pretty deep. Also, mine flowered about 6 feet from the window and in a darker area that is less than what a lot consider “indirect light”
https://preview.redd.it/ibvhngjmxhlf1.jpeg?width=3072&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=80ea3d313d315ee4d1b6561e51638911b01070c3
ETA: the flash is probably on in the pic, don’t be fooled lol
I would give it fresh soil