Gardening > TransplantingNovember 04, 2009

Planting Spider Plant Babies

When you want to propagate those baby spiders, you may wonder what to use if you use the method of cutting it off and growing the roots in water. I am doing this all the time with my big spider plant; I give them to my kids, and place them by the bed for my asthmatic husband.

Here's how I do it: I know many of us drink a lot of 20 oz bottles of soda or water, right? Take one of those, and some ordinary scissors, and cut the bottom off at the bottom of the label. To start I pinch the side of the bottle. Or you can use a knife to start it but be careful! Anyway use that bottom to put two or three babies in and fill it with water.

Then I put it on my window sill (North, if it matters I'm not sure) and check to make sure it doesn't run out of water. In a matter of a couple weeks there will be roots. Then you can put it in rich moist soil, and give it a little extra attention until the roots take hold.

Don't worry about how long you keep them in water to grow the roots, the longer you keep it in water the longer the roots get. I haven't had one die in water.

Source: My first plant was a spider plant, my mom had them since as long as I can remember, and 30 years later she still has the same one!

By Pmorse from Georgetown, DE

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By
03/18/2010

Oh my the very forgiving spider plant! I received one as a gift when my youngest son was born (41 yrs ago) I have moved several times since then taking it with me.

It has it's "babies" all over the country. I " saw" the mother plant in half, when it is root bound and end up with two large ones.. Babies have come back after a winter in the ground, friends have the babies, and 3 lg ones hang on my side porch all summer in the Ga. heat with no ill effects ( i do store them in the garage in the winter ) all in all a wonderful plant.

By
11/11/2009

I just take the feeder/runner, and the new starter on the end, pot it right away. Never NOT started for me. My mama plant is 21 years old. My pothos is 36 years old. I just take a clipping of that and put into good sterile soil as well. Lots of light. This year I brought in the gerbera daisy to see how well it grows. So far so good. In the kitchen with florescent lights on like the sun would be.

By
11/05/2009

That's a good idea! I have a couple of large spider plants I keep outside then bring in for the winter. Last Christmas for gifts for the 20 or so ladies at church I planted the "babies" in pretty ceramic cups or mugs I bought at the thrift store or at yard sales and I tied a red ribbon around the cup. They made very nice and inexpensive Christmas gifts!

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(Archived Nov 04, 2009)Planting Spider Plant Babies

Article: Planting Spider Plant Babies

Q: Just wondering if anyone knows the best way to get a new plant from my spider plant that is making babies. I've heard (or read) that you can put them in water (to make roots) or plant them in a new pot full of dirt. I have also heard that the sprouts will just grow as a plant? I would like to know the best way as I have about 15 to do something with, and no green thumb.

Hardiness Zone: 9a

Thanks,
Tami from Charleston, SC

A: Tami,

You can root spider plant babies in water or soil. Putting them in water will cause them to root the fastest (2 to 3 weeks). Alternatively, rooting them in soil will produce hardy, more adaptable roots over the long haul. If you want to root them in water, use either a narrow necked bottle (so only the baby bottoms touch the water) or use Popsicle sticks, chop sticks or skewers to create a square support over a jar with a wide mouth. Spider plants also love getting outside in the summer, and since you have so many babies to root, this might be a good option for you. Simply move you plant outdoors and peg down the babies into the surrounding soil using bobby pins, baggy ties, etc. At the end of summer, bring the mother plant back indoors and you'll have 15 new spider plants to dig up and share with friends.

Ellen

About The Author: Ellen Brown is our Green Living and Gardening Expert. Click here to ask Ellen a question! Ellen Brown is an environmental writer and photographer and the owner of Sustainable Media, an environmental media company that specializes in helping businesses and organizations promote eco-friendly products and services. Contact her on the web at http://www.sustainable-media.com

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RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

This is so simple that even a person with a brown thumb will come out looking like a gardening pro. All you have to do is cut the baby off the mommy plant. Then place it in a pot of dirt with the leaves above the dirt. Water and you are done! (05/01/2006)

By Ginny

RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

You don't even have to cut off the plant - just put the sprout in a new container of potting soil and let it root before cutting. I have outdoor spider plants in Calif. that are propagating themselves outside without my help! (05/01/2006)

By

RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

I've had better luck starting the babies in water first. Once some roots have grown, then I put the plant in soil. I've tried putting them directly into soil--it didn't work so well for me (but then, I'm a pretty lazy gardener!). Just put the baby in a container almost full of water and float the "root stubs" in it. I like using glass jars, so I can watch the roots grow, and narrow mouth is best so the plant doesn't fall in! Good luck! **I added some new babies into the original "mommy" pot to fill it out--the mommy can die back a bit as more water and nutrients go to support the babies. Worked great! (05/02/2006)

By Marisa

RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

The only way I have done it is to cut the baby and place it in water. They have always rooted very easily. I didn't know you could just place in dirt without them having roots first or even removing them from the plant first, but it is good to know. I have 4 babies I need to do something with before my cat gets them. (05/31/2006)

By Mrs.Rem05

RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

Sorry, I'm a novice at this, but do you place the spiderplant baby's stalk in water or the head of the baby? Steven (07/20/2007)

By

RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

Spider plants are so easy, I wouldn't worry so much about it! You can place the ends in water to let the root, or just simply place them in soil in a pot (ends only, ofcourse!) - they will take off and grow! They are about as prolific as the Wandering Jew plant (which I adore!). A lot of people around here (southern Virginia) plant them in their outdoor gardens, and most seem to make it through the winter. I'm planning to plant a few baby plants today, and see how they do outside. Good luck! (04/04/2008)

By Sasha

Planting Spider Plants (ground or container)

Can Spider Plants servive in the Tucson, Az outdoor weather and in the ground near pool areas..How much sum can they take? (03/02/2009)

By Rebecca Deal

RE: Planting Spider Plant Babies

I put my baby spider plants in a glass of water, not to deep in the water. Once the roots start showing transfer them into soil. Spiders plants love to be pot bound, so don't put them in a big pot. When the roots grow close together, it forces, more growth and babies at the top. jjs (10/22/2009)

By jeannette1940

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