How to separate a large spider plant?

Author: Anderson Windler  |  Last update: Friday, June 26, 2026

Dividing spider plants
  1. Remove the root ball from the pot.
  2. Clear most of the soil from the roots.
  3. Carefully untangle the roots.
  4. Divide the plant by pulling or cutting it apart with clean secateurs and/or a knife.
  5. Plant the new individual plants back into pots with fresh soil.

What to do when a spider plant gets too big?

You can also cut off excess leaves if your plant is overgrown, but it's best to repot if the plant is getting too big.

Do spider plants like to be crowded?

Spider plant is not terribly fussy, so your options are numerous with this plant. Just depends on how you want to do it. If you decide to leave them crowded, just be on the lookout for signs that the roots have become too crowded and be ready to repot. (Wilting often, brown leaf tips, fading colors.)

How to break up a root-bound spider plant?

Remove from the pot. Use your fingers and untangle and unwrap the roots. (Some will break, relax.) Repot in a larger pot with fresh potting soil and water.

Can you split large spider plants?

Divide the plant by pulling or cutting it apart with clean secateurs and/or a knife. Plant the new individual plants back into pots with fresh soil. Keep at 15°C until the plants are established, then move them to a warmer place. Take care of your spider plants.

How to split a spider plant | plant propagation | root division

Why are my spider plant roots so big?

Thick roots will form quickly on the spiderettes, even if they are taken from the mother. However, a mature spider plant with swollen roots may also indicate a unique storage organ has formed on your plant. Spider plants form dense, fleshy clusters of tubers.

What makes a spider plant happy?

The best thing about spider plants is their low-maintenance needs, making them a perfect choice for beginner gardening enthusiasts. While bright, indirect light and well-draining soil are highly recommended for these plants, they can tolerate lower light conditions and occasional neglect, too.

What are the disadvantages of spider plants?

Spider plant generally has few pest problems other than scale insects and mealybugs. Tip burn of the leaves is a common problem that can have many causes. Low humidity, excessively dry soil, salt accumulation and/or chemicals, particularly fluoride or chlorine, in tap water may cause brown leaf tips.

Should I leave the babies on my spider plant?

Q: Should I cut the babies off my spider plant? A: For propagation purposes, you can cut or leave the babies on the spider plant and root them while still connected to the stolons. If you don't intend to multiply the plant, you should cut the spiderettes during pruning sessions.

What to do with a giant spider plant?

Keep your spider plant happy by:
  1. Only watering when the top two inches of soil feel dry.
  2. Avoiding direct sunlight - medium light is best.
  3. Giving a little boost of fertiliser during warmer months.
  4. Not overthinking it. Spider plants don't need much TLC to thrive.

Do spider plants like deep or shallow pots?

A: Spider plants prefer shallow (or wide) pots over deep or tall pots, as their root system's growth pattern benefits from such pots.

What do brown tips on spider plants mean?

The humidity is too low.

If the air around a spider plant gets too dry, its leaf tips can dry out and turn brown. Spider plants are tropical plants that need 50% to 60% humidity. You may naturally have this much humidity in your home during the summer, but in winter, indoor humidity levels tend to drop.

How to repot a huge spider plant?

How To Repot a Spider Plant
  1. Step 1: Remove From The Container. Carefully remove the plant from the current pot, making sure you don't damage the roots. ...
  2. Step 2: Tease The Roots. ...
  3. Step 3: Divide (Optional) ...
  4. Step 4: Plant In New Pot. ...
  5. Step 5: Water Thoroughly.

What is the weird thing growing out of my spider plant?

The long, wiry stems protruding from the inner core of the plant are called spider plant babies, plantlets and my personal favorite Spiderettes. They are simply the offspring from the parent plant.

How do I make my spider plant bushy?

  1. Nov 24, 2023. Tips to make your spider plant bushier and more beautiful. ...
  2. Choose the right pot. Go for a slightly smaller pot than what you have in mind as it encourages root growth and foliage expansion. ...
  3. Repot at right time. ...
  4. Prune the leaves. ...
  5. Regular feeding. ...
  6. Light matters. ...
  7. Moisture and humidity. ...
  8. Soil drainage.

Do spider plants have a lifespan?

These hardy houseplants can live for a long time. The typical lifespan of a healthy spider plant is about 20 years, although some gardeners have kept their spider plants alive for over 50 years. These plants can withstand a fair amount of neglect, but thrive with moderate attention.

Do spider plants like sun or shade?

A spider plant likes bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight as it has the potential to scorch the leaves. Spider plants will grow in low light, but they'll grow slowly and may not produce plantlets.

Do spider plants like coffee grounds?

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

They appreciate the nutrient boost from coffee grounds. Benefits: Enhances foliage growth. Helps maintain soil health.

Why is my spider plant crying?

Signs of an Unhealthy Spider Plant

Wilting leaves can be the plant's cry for help, often a sign of either too much love (overwatering) or neglect (underwatering). Check the soil's moisture before reaching for the watering can. Browning leaves are like the plant's way of saying it's stressed out.

Do spider plants prefer to hang?

It's unnecessary to hang spider plants, but doing so shows off their naturally cascading leaves and gives the plant extra room. They also look great in a plant stand or cascading down from a shelf. If you decide to place your spider plant on a surface instead of hanging it, make sure not to crush its leaves.

Is Miracle Grow good for spider plants?

Fill the container one-third of the way with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, which is designed to be less prone to gnats (it contains no compost or bark to shelter them), a common issue with spider plants. The mix also contains coconut coir, which holds and releases water to help maintain even moisture.

How to split an overgrown spider plant?

The idea is to slice off and throw away the damaged roots, then divide the healthy roots into several pieces. Remove the plant from its pot and take a look at the roots. You may need to wash the soil from the roots with the hose in order to see them well. Identify the damaged roots and cut them off.

What to do when your spider plant gets too big?

If your plant has yellowing leaves, gets too large for its container, or puts out lots of baby plants, it's probably time to prune. Use clean shears to snip away leaves near the base of the plant.

How do you perk up a spider plant?

Re-pot a drooping spider plant you have had for more than a year. Consider adding some fertilizer to perk up your plant. A few minutes of touching up some cosmetic blemishes, like brown tips, make a big difference for your spider plant.

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