Eager to multiply your spider plants into many, but propagating them is taking time? Discover why this happens and how to grow them big faster!
Spider plants are lovely perennials found worldwide. The cool part is that they are usually propagated from plantlets called spiderettes or pups. But the problem many face is that these mini spider plants do not respond to stimuli and exhibit little to no growth. Read on to find why this happens and how to fix it!
Reasons Why Your Spider Plant Babies Aren’t Growing and How to Fix Them
1. Clipped Too Early
Great haste makes great waste! This stands true for spider plant propagation when the pup is cut off from the long, vine-like stem too early. Spiderettes are just miniature versions of the mature plant and need their own established root system, which helps them survive after being planted in a new environment. If you detach the pup before it develops strong, visible roots, it may fail to grow or even survive.
The Fix: Be patient and allow the spiderette to develop visible roots before cutting it from the mother plant. A good sign is when the baby plant has roots at least an inch long.
2. Unhealthy Mother Plant
Spiderettes are essentially clones of the mother plant, which means if the latter is infected with diseases or is in poor health, the pup will display the same conditions. This can slow down or stop the growth of the baby plant, eventually leading to its death.
The Fix: All you have to do is observe! Choose a healthy mother plant after inspecting it for pest infestations, damaged parts, or diseases. Only propagate from a healthy, vigorous plant. A thriving mother plant will produce strong, healthy spiderettes!
3. Insufficient Sunlight
Once propagated into a container of its own, the spiderette needs to be treated as a distinct individual plant. Provide it with all the basic growth requirements, including 4-6 hours of bright indirect sunlight. A lack of sun will hamper the photosynthesis process, leading to lower energy production and growth.
The Fix: Move the container to an east- or north-facing windowsill where it will receive gentle light. Grow lights are also helpful during winter or in low-light rooms. If you’re feeling creative, use mirrors to bounce more light onto the plant.
Note: Shelter the plant from afternoon sun as it is too harsh and may scorch the sensitive young plant.
4. Improper Watering
This point includes both over- and underwatering the pup. Although it loves moist soil conditions, soggy and oversaturated substrate can lead to wet feet and root rot. On the other hand, underwatering interferes with the transportation of nutrients to all parts of the plant. Both these issues lead to poor or no growth in spiderettes.
The Fix: The rule of thumb while watering spider pups is to stick a finger into the soil. If the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water. Avoid letting the soil completely dry out between sessions. Using a pot with drainage holes also helps prevent waterlogging.
5. Wrong Type of Water
Did you know that spider babies are highly sensitive to the chemicals in water? Even using regular tap water can lead to chemical scorching due to the presence of chlorides and fluorides! This small mistake is one of the biggest reasons for non-growing spider babies!
The Fix: Use distilled or RO water for watering. These pure to mild alternatives of regular tap water make a huge impact and help boost the survival of your new spider plant! If these options aren’t available, let the tap water sit overnight. It will help reduce the chloride concentration through evaporation.
6. Nutrient Deficient Potting Mix
Sometimes potting mixes lack some of the nutrients to support healthy growth for baby spiderettes. This calls for the use of external nutrient supplements.
The Fix: Balanced liquid fertilizers diluted to a quarter of their strength are perfect for improving the soil nutrient ratio. You even use natural alternatives, such as banana peels, eggshells, and seaweed extract. Although they are not as potent as industrial fertilizers, they have little to no side effects.
Note: Avoid overusing chemical fertilizers, as they can burn those delicate roots.
7. Unsuitable Pot Size
Using a large pot for a baby plant is utter foolishness! An overly large container will retain higher amounts of water, making the soil soggy. This leads to root rot and also invites fungal infections. Spider plant pups have relatively smaller roots that need water at higher levels of the substrate.
The Fix: Choose a small pot, typically 3–4 inches in diameter, with good drainage holes. This ensures the soil retains just enough moisture while allowing excess water to escape, keeping roots healthy.
8. Improper Transplanting Depth
While planting the spiderette into the pot, going too deep or shallow will drastically affect its growth. You must thread the needle, ensuring that the plantlet is deep enough to stabilize and grow proper roots without topping over or putting stress on the shoot system.
The Fix: Ensure that only the roots are buried while the foliage remains above ground. In most cases, a depth of about half an inch is optimal. It may vary slightly depending on the size of the pup.
9. Transplant Shock
Most plants fall into shock when transplanted into a new environment, and spiderettes are no exception. When transferred into a pot, they usually stop responding to stimuli and do not grow at all for a bit of time.
The Fix: During this period, keep conditions stable; don’t fertilize, prune, or move the plant around too much. With steady care, the plant will acclimate and resume normal growth.
10. Patience is Key
Spider plants have a slow to medium growth rate. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they take a few weeks to show noticeable changes in their size and appearance. They grow faster during the warmer seasons, and transplanting just before spring is the best option.
The Fix: Remember, consistency and patience will get you the results you desire. Don’t rush the process and let nature run its course.
With the right care and attention, your spider plant babies will soon transform into beautiful, thriving plants, adding fresh greenery and beauty to your home!
