Spider plants are incredibly easy to propagate, but they don't actually grow from leaves. Instead, they are grown from the shoots, or "spiderettes", that grow on long stems from the mother plant. Here's how to grow new spider plants from these shoots:
Propagating Spider Plants From Shoots
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
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Identify Mature Spiderettes: Look for small, plantlets that develop on the ends of the long, thin stems of the mother plant. These will look like miniature spider plants and often have small aerial roots already beginning to grow.
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Prepare the Pot: Fill a small pot with moist potting soil.
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Cutting and Planting:
- You can either cut the spiderette off the stem with a clean pair of scissors or pruning shears.
- If the spiderette has developed aerial roots, plant the base of the shoot directly into the moist potting soil. Ensure the base is gently covered by the soil.
- If there are no visible roots, plant the base of the spiderette and make sure it's in contact with the potting soil. Roots will form eventually.
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Watering: Water the newly potted spiderette, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
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Care and Growing:
- Place the new spider plant in a bright location that gets indirect sunlight.
- Water when the top layer of the soil feels dry.
- In time, the shoot will develop into a new, healthy spider plant.
Summary of Growing Spider Plants from Shoots
| Step | Action |
|---|---|
| 1. Identify | Choose a healthy spiderette with or without aerial roots. |
| 2. Prepare | Moisten the potting soil in a new pot. |
| 3. Planting | Cut the shoot, then plant the base in the new pot. |
| 4. Watering | Water generously after planting. |
| 5. Care | Provide indirect sunlight and water when the topsoil is dry. |
Important Note: According to the provided reference, the spiderettes, or shoots, will start growing roots while they are still attached to the mother plant. This makes them very easy to propagate. You can cut them off, put them in moist potting soil, and water them when the soil gets dry to grow a new plant.
It's important to remember that you grow spider plants from shoots (spiderettes) and not from leaves.
