Should I leave the babies on my spider plant?

Author: Wilfrid Beier  |  Last update: Monday, December 15, 2025

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 happens if you don't cut the babies off a spider plant?

The stem may shoot out more babies before it's ``done it's job''. The stem itself will eventually die back, and other stems may grow in the same general way to put out more in the future. Spider plants only do this when their conditions are met, so you may find it not doing this in future unless it's ready to do so.

How long can you leave spider plant babies attached?

Spider plant plantlets, also known as spiderettes, babies or pups, form at the end of the long offshoots where the mother plant blooms. To ensure the spiderettes will survive on their own, leave them attached to the mother plant until they have grown at least five leaves that are about 5cm long.

Should I remove pups from a spider plant?

Should I cut all the babies off my spider plant? You can cut all the "babies" off at once, whether you're planning to propagate them or not. If it's the latter and you only need a certain amount of them, it is beneficial to remove them all regardless.

Should I let my spider plant have babies?

There has been lots of experiments to prove that stressing out your spider plant will ensure that it sends out babies though. If you don't plan to propagate the babies of the spider plant there's really no reason that you need them. It's more or less just a cosmetic addition to the plant.

My Spider Plant is Not Growing Babies?

Why is my spider plant producing so many babies?

Pot Size and Repotting: Spider Plants produce more babies when they're in a slightly tight pot.

How often should I water a spider plant?

How often should I water my spider plant? A light drink every week or so is all your spider plant needs, watering less frequently in autumn and winter. You're just looking to dampen the compost. A good way to check if it needs watering is to dip your finger into the soil, up to the second knuckle.

Should I remove Spiderettes?

Pruning spider plants

You can also cut off the offshoots, known as spiderettes or pups, and use them to propagate spider plants. Pluck any completely withered leaves off the plant. If only the tips of the leaves are browning, feel free to cut them off with a clean pair of scissors.

Can you plant spider plant babies directly into soil?

Propagating a spider plant in soil is the easiest and quickest method. Plus, it usually produces stronger roots as they weren't sitting in water prior to being transplanted. Some plantlets may have small roots starting to develop, meaning they are more mature and will develop root systems sooner, says Langelo.

Do spider plants need sun?

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. In low light, striped spider plant leaves may lose their variegation.

Where to cut off spider plant babies?

Find baby spider plants growing from the tips of the mother plant's stems. Just make sure the baby plants have knob-like protrusions growing at their base. Then, cut off the baby plants about 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the base of the stem using clean scissors or shears. Dampen a paper towel and lay it inside a bowl.

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 make spider plant bushier?

  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.

What can I do with unwanted spider plant babies?

A: You can leave spider plant babies on the parent for some time if there are just a few of them. Ensure to water and feed the mother plant sufficiently. But if the number increases rapidly, it's best to trim them off when the offshoots start developing nodes and leaves.

How long do spider plants live?

When well-cared for, these plants can live anywhere from 20-50 years! Ready for this? The typical lifespan of a chlorophytum comosum vittatum or chlorophytum comosum variegatum, the two most common varieties, is around 20 years.

How to tell if your spider plant is having babies?

Spider plant babies

Long, vine like stems will emerge from the centre of your plant when it is mature and happy. Spider plant babies grow at the tip of these long stems. To make new plants from spider plant babies, either snip off the spider plant baby or grow it on while it's still attached.

How to know when to repot a spider plant?

Also, consider the plant's condition to know if it needs repotting. Ideally, repotting is only necessary when the roots have become crowded or are showing through the drainage holes and the plant is visibly struggling.

Do spider plants like to be planted together?

Selecting Spider Plant Companions

This means looking for companions that prefer similar light levels, watering schedules, and humidity. Spider Plants enjoy well-draining soil and moderate watering, so companions should have comparable requirements to avoid over or under-watering mishaps.

How long does it take for spider plant babies to root?

The water method of propagating spider plants allows you to develop the plant's roots first, then plant it with already established roots into the soil. If rooted in water, roots will form within seven to 10 days. One disadvantage of water-grown roots is they can be weak and must later acclimate to the soil.

How often should you water spider plants?

Try to water your spider plant about once a week. Letting the soil dry out a little between waterings is a good idea. If you start to see fungus growing, yellowed leaves, or root rot occurring on your spider plant, you may be overwatering.

Should I remove spider nest?

Removing spider nests can alleviate anxiety and reduce the risk of allergic reactions, making a space more comfortable and safer for everyone.

Do spider plants multiply?

When a Spider Plant reproduces, or propagates, it grows a long stem that will develop tiny “spiderettes,” or what we like to call Spider Plant babies. These babies can be kept on the stem until they have developed roots, which will look like small protrusions at the base of the spiderette.

How do I know if my spider plant is happy?

You know your spider plant is thriving when new long, viney stems emerge from the centre of the plant for baby plants (or spidettes) to grow on. Spider plant babies are so easy to grow; you just need to cut the spidettes off from the stem and pot them in damp compost.

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.

Should I mist my spider plant?

Your Spider Plant will do well in normal household humidity but will thrive with a bit more humidity. Brown leaf tips may indicate the air is too dry, so mist your Spider Plant regularly using a Mister.

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