Why can’t I get this common house plant to thrive?
Why won't this common house plant thrive in my office? Lots of indirect sunlight, room temp normal, and I've tried watering more/less, etc. I can't figure it out. It just gets less and less healthy.
How often do you water her? And what else do you do to the plant? Soil conditions? How long have you had her?
MiepingMiep
From the photo I would say that is close to no light. Lowlight also increases chances of over watering since the water in the soil evaporates much slower and the plant doesn’t use as much without light
ColorfulBooks
I stick my spider plants in front of south facing windows with a mini blind and they LOVE it. Or directly under a grow light. Try additional light.
Suspicious-Cable-502
Mine started thriving when I moved it into a sunny spot. Looks like it’s quite dark there.
MediocreGood
I think your issue is light.
My spiderplant can take direct morning light like a champ.
diddlinderek
As others have said. Probably no light considering it’s high up and half the plant is covered by the pot.
lions_hvac
It looks like a combo of too much water and too low light. My plants love a good bright indirect sun for up to 8 hours a day. And I let them dry completely between watering.
Salthy_sophy
Try to place it another place for 1-2 weeks
LowStorage4569
Check ph of soil
DCNumberNerd
If you can’t move it to a brighter location, can you lower it some? And spider plants are sometimes picky about their water – they don’t like the salt in softened water or some additives to tap water. Using rain water or buying distilled water or letting your water sit out for a while may help.
Physical-Money-9225
More light
Life-Ant-6842
More light…
Fun-Pineapple5719
I love spider plants! I have a ton and spider babies galore. I believe they are classified as a succulent, so you’re probably over watering. Mine get moderate sunlight and I only water every 3 weeks ish, or when I notice the soil is completely dry.
teeraytoo
Is that a self-watering plant? No. Let it dry out between watering
CommonSensePrincess
For an easy care plant, the spider plant can be particularly fussy. 😩 needs bright light. Fast draining soil. Regular watering. Can be sensitive to water additives like chlorine.
Sheffield Plants on YT swears by semi-hydro (leca and water)for his spider plants and they look lovely; but I haven’t tried that myself.
Would recommend bright light
WorriedElk5818
I kicked mine out of the house. She had to fight for her life, and she thrived.
whiskersRwe32
Definitely more light. Mine is thriving outside under the patio but it gets a lot of indirect sunlight. I water it probably once a week.
kcunning
My ah-ha moment with light was when a more experienced grower explained that inside light is downgraded a notch. Direct outside = indirect inside. Indirect outside = low-light inside. I ended up buying grow lights since there was no way they could get enough light due to tress near my window.
This-Bluebird6119
What’s the soil look like?
breinbanaan
Likely over watering. Spider plants are hard to kill
Level-Bug7388
What’s your soil mix?
SmokedPapfreaka
I have mine in a south east facing window sill with as much direct sunlight as we can get here in western WA and it is thriving. They love the sun and they love to dry all the way out between watering.
The self watering pots are the devil. I bet you you’re way overwatering her.
Lynda73
Pot too big, light too low.
Desperate_Gur_3094
yea i think the pot is too big as well as all the other comments.
thatboredchickster
Move in somewhere that gets bright morning light and indirect afternoon light. Repot it into better soil and only water when the top two inches are dry or get a moisture thermometer.
When you repot it check for root rot and trim it off.
Paposazon1032
You may need more indirect sunlight or morning sunlight.
28 Comments
How often do you water her? And what else do you do to the plant? Soil conditions? How long have you had her?
From the photo I would say that is close to no light. Lowlight also increases chances of over watering since the water in the soil evaporates much slower and the plant doesn’t use as much without light
I stick my spider plants in front of south facing windows with a mini blind and they LOVE it. Or directly under a grow light. Try additional light.
Mine started thriving when I moved it into a sunny spot. Looks like it’s quite dark there.
I think your issue is light.
My spiderplant can take direct morning light like a champ.
As others have said. Probably no light considering it’s high up and half the plant is covered by the pot.
It looks like a combo of too much water and too low light. My plants love a good bright indirect sun for up to 8 hours a day. And I let them dry completely between watering.
Try to place it another place for 1-2 weeks
Check ph of soil
If you can’t move it to a brighter location, can you lower it some? And spider plants are sometimes picky about their water – they don’t like the salt in softened water or some additives to tap water. Using rain water or buying distilled water or letting your water sit out for a while may help.
More light
More light…
I love spider plants! I have a ton and spider babies galore. I believe they are classified as a succulent, so you’re probably over watering. Mine get moderate sunlight and I only water every 3 weeks ish, or when I notice the soil is completely dry.
Is that a self-watering plant? No. Let it dry out between watering
For an easy care plant, the spider plant can be particularly fussy. 😩 needs bright light. Fast draining soil. Regular watering. Can be sensitive to water additives like chlorine.
Sheffield Plants on YT swears by semi-hydro (leca and water)for his spider plants and they look lovely; but I haven’t tried that myself.
Would recommend bright light
I kicked mine out of the house. She had to fight for her life, and she thrived.
Definitely more light. Mine is thriving outside under the patio but it gets a lot of indirect sunlight. I water it probably once a week.
My ah-ha moment with light was when a more experienced grower explained that inside light is downgraded a notch. Direct outside = indirect inside. Indirect outside = low-light inside. I ended up buying grow lights since there was no way they could get enough light due to tress near my window.
What’s the soil look like?
Likely over watering. Spider plants are hard to kill
What’s your soil mix?
I have mine in a south east facing window sill with as much direct sunlight as we can get here in western WA and it is thriving. They love the sun and they love to dry all the way out between watering.
https://preview.redd.it/swn84fugpekf1.jpeg?width=1284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=7a120328f1e93f95bfd930260040d135df9984cb
The self watering pots are the devil. I bet you you’re way overwatering her.
Pot too big, light too low.
yea i think the pot is too big as well as all the other comments.
Move in somewhere that gets bright morning light and indirect afternoon light. Repot it into better soil and only water when the top two inches are dry or get a moisture thermometer.
When you repot it check for root rot and trim it off.
You may need more indirect sunlight or morning sunlight.
https://preview.redd.it/3bh9f7uwvekf1.jpeg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=15a629edd4124b39478fff3594b52d8e6af60865
Not enough light?