What to do for a sick spider plant?

Author: Leonie Luettgen  |  Last update: Saturday, December 6, 2025

Start by assessing your spider plant's environment. It should be getting adequate sunlight, water, and proper drainage. Bent leaves will recover, as long as you meet your plant's care and growing needs. Consider repotting the plant in fresh, nutrition-rich soil to rejuvenate it.

How do you fix a sick spider plant?

Tips for saving a dying spider plant. Remove all the dead roots. Mix orchid bark with regular potting soil. Place it in front of a window with bright indirect light. Give it a good water. Pick the unhealthy leaves. Give it a haircut. Spray insecticidal soap on it. Give it a new spot with more sunlight.

What does an overwatered spider plant look like?

Brown Leaves

If you notice the leaves turning brown, your spider has likely been overwatered with tap water.

Is it okay to put milk on a spider plant?

Is Milk Good for Plant Leaves? Milk can be used to clean leaves as well as deter some common issues such as powdery mildew or aphids.

How do I make my spider plant healthy?

Spider plants love bright, indirect light. Keep them in a spot that's sunny but not directly in the sun, and they'll thank you with lush green leaves. Finally, a little Epsom salt every so often can be like a spa day for your plant, helping it grow healthier and more vibrant. There you go!

My Spider Plant is Dying? What Do I Do?

How do you nurse a spider plant back to health?

Aftercare and Maintenance
  1. Avoid overwatering the plant and ensure proper drainage in the pot.
  2. Use a well-draining potting mix and avoid compacting the soil.
  3. Allow the top inch of the soil to dry out before watering again.

Is sugar water good for spider plants?

Since we now know that using sugar in our waterings won't help plants effectively, we must also consider the potential harm. The number one effect that most studies have found is that sugar can reduce the plants' ability to absorb or take in any water.

Does coffee help spider plants?

A: Coffee grounds are excellent for the healthy growth of your spider plants. Nitrogen-rich, coffee grounds contain other micronutrients needed by spider plants.

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.

What food is good for spider plants?

Fertilise Spider Plants with an indoor plant fertiliser like Scotts Osmocote Pour+Feed for Indoor Plants once a month during spring and summer, to encourage strong healthy growth.

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 does a thirsty spider plant look like?

If you notice the green striping on your Spider plant is fading, it's likely because it's very thirsty! Fading leaves may also be droopy and limp.

What eats spider plants?

Common Pests Affecting Spider Plants
  • 🕷️ Spider Mites. Tiny but mighty, spider mites wreak havoc with their webbing. ...
  • 🛡️ Scale Insects. Scale insects masquerade as harmless bumps on your plant, but don't be fooled. ...
  • 🦟 Fungus Gnats / Fruit Flies. ...
  • 🐛 Mealybugs. ...
  • 🦗 Thrips. ...
  • 🦋 Whiteflies. ...
  • 💡 Understanding IPM. ...
  • 🌱 Cultural Control Methods.

Should I cut the brown tips off my plant?

Answer: Brown leaf tips or edges can happen on any indoor plant but are common on some species like spider plant and dracaena. Trimming the brown portions off the leaves with a scissors can improve appearance, but new browning will occur if the root cause is not addressed.

What is wrong with my spider plant?

Low humidity, excessively dry soil, salt accumulation and/or chemicals, particularly fluoride or chlorine, in tap water may cause brown leaf tips. Using distilled or rainwater will help prevent tip browning. Overwatering or planting in poorly drained soils can lead to root rot.

How do you revive a sick spider plant?

Start by assessing your spider plant's environment. It should be getting adequate sunlight, water, and proper drainage. Bent leaves will recover, as long as you meet your plant's care and growing needs. Consider repotting the plant in fresh, nutrition-rich soil to rejuvenate it.

How can you perk up a lethargic spider?

Spiders will most likely become lethargic due to low moisture, hunger or a toxic substance. If your spood is not molting and is acting strange, here are some things to try: First, offer your spood water. You can soak a Q-Tip or cotton ball with water, or a mixture of honey or sugar and water.

What helps spider plants thrive?

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

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.

Can I use Miracle Grow on my spider plant?

Simply cut off the small plant, stick it in a small pot of moist Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix, and water gently. Ready to start growing spider plants? Click on any of the product links above for more information, to purchase the product online, or to find a retailer near you.

Do spider plants like Epsom salt?

🌿 Ensuring Proper Nutrient Absorption

A sprinkle of Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate) or a dose of iron-chelate can fix these issues. But again, don't go overboard—only use these supplements if signs of deficiency appear. Remember, the curly spider plant isn't a glutton. It prefers a light meal over a feast.

Is baking soda good for spider plants?

Dissolve ½ teaspoon of baking soda and one teaspoon of liquid soap in a gallon of water. Using a spray bottle, spray on tops and bottoms of leaves until the mixture drips off. Repeat every two weeks until existing spots stop enlarging and new spots no longer appear.

Is Misting good for spider plants?

Other possible causes for leaf tips turning brown are insufficient humidity and too much sunlight. To remedy these problems, regularly mist your spider plant with soft water or move it elsewhere, respectively. Waterlogging and pest infestations can also lead to leaves turning brown and dying.

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