My grandma gave me a chunk of her spider plant and I repotted it in some miracle grow organic stuff. I've had it for about a month and a half now and it has been growing like crazy but it's not falling and is now starting to lean which I'm afraid is hurting it. I just put it in this larger planter hoping that would help. Is this normal? Do they go up before they kinda fall and spread out?
Roots rot easily, which translates to a lack of stability, if you keep the soil too wet. This plant doesn't like wet feet, and prefers the soil to dry down to just the point where you can no longer detect moisture on the tip of a sharp wood skewer stuck deep in the soil. It also prefers very bright light, which tends to increase rigidity.
Al
I know the roots aren't rotting and I've been watering properly. Just wondering if them growing up and up and up is normal.
I think they do better in smaller pots, some do grow up and then will fall, your's hasnt been able to establish it self yet. Give it time and I would put it back into a smaller pot, maybe others will have different advice.. It looks very healthy.
Yes they grow up before they grow out. I think they have to fill the container with the roots before they will start growing babies. Yours look very healthy but not big enough to start growing spiders.
WHEN they start growing babies depends more on the ontogenetic age of the plant (what growth phase it's in) than any other factor. Plants do react to tight roots in various ways, and some of the ways they react is pleasing to the grower. Generally speaking though, tight roots are stressful, and as such inhibit growth and o/a vitality. The grower might prefer that a plant is grown with tight roots, but the plant reacts to that stress negatively - just as it reacts to other forms of stress.
It's one thing if a grower decides to use the stress of tight roots as the means to an end, but understanding the effects of tight roots and what hangs in the balance when working toward an end makes us better growers.
Al
Your plant looks fine, it is normal for them to "stand up" when healthy. Falling over is not something that would happen unless there is always light on 1 side and the plant is never turned. The "stuff" hanging over the edge of mature plants are babies on stolons, not leaning plants. These plants make huge roots, like carrots. Your choice of a big pot is a good one, IMO, for going as long as possible until it needs to be repotted. When the roots fill the pot, the tips of the leaves will start to turn brown.
I have to agree with jasminesmom--some plants actually like being tight in a pot.
Your pot seems too big for this new plant.
Spider plants grow small, bulbous "clove-like" sections from their roots which store water.
Hence--you do not need to water a Spider plant all that often.
These "clove- things" will, eventually fill the pot to the point where you cannot even see any soil.
Root-pruning with rejuvenate Spiders when they become too root-bound.
Do it in spring when you may be putting your plants outside. Fresh soil--fresh start....
Just get a sharp knife and cut the outer ayer, as well as the bottom of the root-ball off.
Do not be afraid! it won't kill your plant! They will just sit there for a while recovering--
and then start growing...
The "babies" will come when the plant has grown a lot more than yours is.
Also--when the roots get tight--
Also--there are different Spider Plants--some DO grow more upright--others hang freely.
Some3 are variegated--some are all green. Some have the whiter stripe in the middle of the leaf--
and some have it on the outside of the leaf....They are ALl good and easy houseplants to have.
Only thing you need to think on is that they do not like chlorine in your eater- turns the leaf-tips brown.
As is the case with all dracenas.
Here are a couple of pictures to show you this....
1--a more green, upright Spider
2--a more "hanging" Spider
3--These are in 6" pots--and really hang. Also--totally root-bound.
4--and here is a more unique one--called the "Curly Spider"....cute!
Gita
Spider plants are an essential part of any hanging plant collection. Pot them into simple baskets, provide it with ample water and food, and within two years, you should be rewarded with a full display. Alternatively, they can be positioned atop columns for a beautiful display. Note that plantlets will not form on immature plants. The most common problem is underwatering and feeding during the growth season—these are robust plants.
Rotate it occasionally so it will grow evenly rather than lopsided.
Awesome information that I wanted to share about these cool plant is that
- Spider plants are believed to improve indoor air quality.
- It’s also known as “Ribbon Plant” or “Airplane Plant” (because the little plantlets look like airplane propellers) and is part of the lily family.
WOW what a beautiful collection of spiders !!!!
The only reason a grower might think a spider plant prefers to be root bound comes from the fact that they don't tolerate wet feet well. If a grower is using an inappropriately water-retentive soil, it's better to grow the plant tight so it uses water from the soil faster and there is less chance of root issues due to the soil remaining wet for an extended period. Still, this is substituting one stress with another we hope is less noxious. Undoubtedly, tight roots negatively affect both the growth rate and the vitality of the plant, but it's better to suffer those negative impacts than it is for the plant to suffer root rot.
What makes the most sense, is to grow the plant in a container that provides enough room for roots to run, and to use a soil porous enough that you can water at will w/o having to worry about the soil remaining soggy for so long it gives root problems a chance to develop. This does away with both the negatives of reduced growth and vitality associated with tight roots and the potential for root rot or root function impairment associated with soggy soils.
Growers who know enough about plants to manipulate them successfully might at times like the result of subjecting a plant to tight roots, but the plant itself won't like and doesn't prefer rootbound conditions.
Al
