If you want to know how to transplant spider plants, this guide will teach you a thing or two about how to do it – from looking for the young plantlets to watering the soil, we’ve got you covered! Spider plants of the Asparagaceae family will require occasional transplanting whether you are growing them indoors or outdoors.
They produce spider plant babies during fall when the nights are long. These young plants crowd out the parent plant causing it to grow slowly, therefore, needing transplanting for the new young plant – read on to learn all about it.
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How to Transplant Outdoor Spider Plants?
To transplant outdoor spider plants look for the young plantlet located near the mother plant, remove the young plant using sterilized equipment, find a new location for the young plant and, finally, water the soil that you have planted it in.
1. Look for the Young Plantlet
These plantlets mostly grow near a mother plant. These young plantlets have their roots firmly attached to the ground and will need you to remove them carefully.
2. Remove the Young Plant
Remove the plant by cutting the stem attached to the mother using clean and sterilized pruning shears. Ensure the cut is as close to the plantlet as possible. Once you have cut the stem, slide a hand trowel under the plantlet and lift it with the root ball.
3. Find a New Location for the Young Plant
Dig a hole deep enough to hold the clump of soil you had cut earlier. Place the root ball of the baby spider plant in the hole and fill it with soil all around. Gently press on the surrounding soil to keep the plant firmly planted in the new place.
4. Water the Soil
Finally, water the soil deeply so that it flows to the roots and the soil absorbs it entirely. This will encourage the fast establishment of the plant’s strong and deep roots. This is also a way to propagate spider plants more efficiently than buying new plants all the time.
How to Transplant Indoor Spider Plants?
To transplant indoor spider plants you must remove the whole plant from the container, tease the soil from the roots, remove the young spider plants, prepare the potting soil mix, transplant them into new pots and water the plant thoroughly.
1. Remove the Whole Plant From the Container
Depending on the time the plant has been in the container, it can be easy or difficult. If the plant is firmly held in the container, tip the pot on its side and gently tap it on the outside so it releases the roots.
Gently pull the plant out from the base without tugging on its leaves so that you don’t cause damage. If you have an overgrown plant with roots clinging to the drainage holes or the sides of the container, it’s best to loosen the soil first before trying to pull it out.
Run a knife or a sharp object along the edges of the pot to disengage the roots. You may also squeeze the sides of the pot if it’s plastic to loosen the roots and allow the plant to slide out easily.
2. Tease the Roots
Once the plant is out, tease the roots to release as much soil as possible without causing damage. An overgrown spider plant will have roots circled, taking on the shape of the container.
Loosen the roots to allow separation of the young plants from the mother. Using your fingers, gently pull the roots apart at the base to free them. Do this as you remove the old soil to create space for fresh soil around the mother plant’s roots.
You might pull a few roots in the process but don’t worry; the plant is fine if you don’t cause too much damage. If you notice some of the roots are too long, you can cut them back using a sterilized sharp pair of shears. However, remember not to remove more than a third of the root mass to prevent shocking the plant.
3. Remove the Young Spider Plants
Once the roots are free, it’s time to remove the young plants that you need to transplant. Identify the sections where they separate easily from the mother plant and pull them apart.
Each young plant should have several leaves and long roots that are well attached to the plant. If some roots are still tangled and cannot come apart easily, trim them using clean, sterilized shears.
4. Prepare the Potting Soil Mix and Fill the Pot Up
Prepare the same number of pots as your young plants so you can plant each individually. Leave an inch or two below the pot’s rim to avoid spilling out the soil when watering. Ensure your soil mix drains properly so it does not create a buildup in the pot. Place the pots at your place of reference, ready for planting.
5. Transplant Into the New Pots
With your pots and soil ready, it’s time to plant. Pick the plant at the base and lower it into the soil that already has a hole in the center of the soil. If you are planting two plants in one pot, make two holes side by side.
Set the plantlet in the pot and cover the roots with plenty of potting mix without covering the leaves. Press down the soil gently around the roots to remove any air pockets. Don’t push too hard; this will compact the soil and limit airflow.
6. Water the Plant Thoroughly
Finally, water the plant thoroughly, allowing the water to flow to the roots before putting the saucer under the pot to trap excess water. Watering after planting is essential as it settles the roots after being exposed to the air encouraging fast establishment. And just like that, you have found a new way of propagating spider plants.
Frequently Asked Questions
– When Is the Best Time to Transplant a Spider Plant?
The best time to transplant a spider plant is at the beginning of spring after the danger of frost has passed. It’s also necessary to transplant when the roots are visible and the plant is pushing out of the pot. Repotting babies plants in the winter season will kill them.
– What Is the Best Soil To Grow Spider Plant Babies In?
The best soil to grow spider plant babies in is a healthy potting mix that drains well and retains moisture. The potting mix should contain one part perlite, peat moss or coco coir, and four pine barks. This makes an excellent mix for your young plants.
If growing directly in the garden, ensure the soil has a slightly acidic pH. That means a range between 6.0 and 7.0.
– What Encourages the Spider Plant To Produce More Babies?
Exposing your plant to more sunlight encourages this plant to produce more babies. Remember, it has to be bright indirect sunlight that will not kill it. Avoid keeping the plant in the hot afternoon sun, especially if you live in hot areas.
Conclusion
The best way to learn how to transplant spider plants is by doing it practically. Spider plants are common, and almost every home has one, so you can try the one you already have and see how well you do it – if you want to grow more plants, you can do so without spending more money buying. Here are some pointers to remember as you begin your transplanting journey:
- It is crucial to consider the health of the mother plant, even as you transplant the young ones, to avoid killing it.
- When preparing your potting mix, add the nutrients required to grow this plant.
- The best way to use large spider plants is to divide and plant the young ones independently, thus adding more plants to your collection.
There you have it; let us know how well you transplant your young plants following this guide in the comments!
