Spider plants are one of the best and easiest houseplants to care for. But they do require a little bit of maintenance. Here are some easy fixes for how to make a spider plant bushier…and more beautiful!
Expert Tips for a Bushier Spider Plant
- Propagate your plant, and use the spider plant babies to fill sparse spaces in the mother plant.
- Prune regularly for healthy growth.
- Need a quick fix? Purchase small, inexpensive spider plants, and add them to your main spider plant for instant bushiness!
How to Make a Spider Plant Bushy
The good news: it’s quite simple to make a spider plant bushier.
They’re very hardy and resilient plants, perfect for beginners or those who are green-thumb resistant. Some of these methods are quick fixes while others are about properly caring for your spider plant.
Propagate Spider Plant Babies
Here’s one of the best tricks in the book to get a full, lush spider plant: make babies!
Spider plants are by far one of the easiest plants to propagate. During the growing season, spider plants naturally produce long stems that bloom. Those flowers eventually become spider plant babies (offsets).
When the spider plant babies have reached a minimum of an inch tall, you can clip them from the mother plant’s stem. Then, place them into water or soil until they develop roots.
Once they have roots that are at least an inch long, you can plant them back into the mother plant to fill in the gaps, making the plant look thick and bushy. Give them a good watering, then they’ll settle into their new (old) home.
Buy Smaller Spider Plants
When I was moving and staging my house, my spider plant looked empty. At the time, my spider plant didn’t have any babies I could use to fill it up.
Instead, I grabbed a couple of the tiny 5 cm pot spider plants that are usually just a few dollars. Like the propagated babies, I used them to fill in some of the empty spaces. This is probably the quickest way to make your spider plant look fuller.
Regularly Prune Your Spider Plant
Just like a hedge or tree outside, you can help prune your spider plant to encourage a rounder, bushier shape rather than a stretched-out plant.
Spider plants grow quite quickly, especially in the spring and summer. Don’t be scared to give them a big pruning. They’ll grow back all the better for it.
Repot Overgrown Spider Plants
If you’ve noticed that your spider plant has lost the pep in its step, AKA its growth has become stagnant, it could need a new pot.
Wait until the soil is somewhat dry, then gently grasp your spider plant’s center. This should pull it up from its pot easily. Check the roots to see if they look squished.
Generally, if the roots have fully taken on the shape of the pot, it’s time to repot the plant. Gently wiggle the roots of their shape and then plant into a new, larger pot with fresh potting soil for indoor plants.
Once the plant is repotted, this will stimulate new growth and make your spider plant bushier once again.
Give It the Right Conditions
Lastly, the best way to get a big and full spider plant is to give it everything it needs. If a spider plant is in its ideal conditions, it will naturally grow to be bushy and happy.
Make sure to follow these care guidelines:
- Plant in well-draining potting soil in a pot with drainage holes
- Place in bright, indirect light. It likes lots of sunlight, but direct sunlight can burn the leaves.
- Let the soil dry out between waterings. If your plant is drooping at all, water could be the culprit!
- Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the growing season (spring to summer).
Learn more care tips in my spider plant guide!
Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Plants
Why is my spider plant so sparse?
If your spider plant is sparse, it’s probably not getting the right conditions. While spider plants can tolerate low light, they do prefer bright, indirect light. Try moving your spider plant to a new spot.
Also, ensure your pot has drainage holes, and root rot isn’t the problem. Spider plants are slightly drought-tolerant and should be watered when the soil is dry.
What’s the best place to plant my spider plant?
Spider plants like bright, indirect light. So rather than right on the windowsill, think a foot or two away from one. They also like a little humidity, so a bright bathroom or living room is a great spot for them. They also work as hanging plants and as tabletop plants.
I live in rural Spain . My spider plants live in troughs on the balconies of my house all year round . Perfect weather here as I’m in a river valley , hot but also humid. Perfect conditions for one of my favourite plants
Love spider plants but if u plant them in garden they cover them garden in no time. Childhood memories