Many plants not only need to be watered daily and repotted once or twice a year. In order for them to grow and thrive well, some also need regular pruning. Does this also apply to the spider plant?
Does a spider plant need to be cut regularly?
A spider plant does not need regular pruning. Just remove wilted leaves and inflorescences if necessary. If the plant gets too large, you can divide it and cut off cuttings once they have small roots to plant.
Does the spider plant need to be cut regularly?
Green lilies grow quite luxuriantly if cared for well, but they do not require pruning. Depending on the type of spider plant, its leaves are around 20 to 40 cm long. If individual leaves wilt or turn brown, pluck them out. Also check whether your spider plant is in the right location and is being watered sufficiently. This way you can avoid similar damage in the future.
Cut off wilted flower heads if there are small children or pets in the family. It's best to do this before the seed pods form because the seeds are mildly poisonous. You can also easily cut off the offshoots as soon as they have small roots. Plant these children and enjoy new plants.
What to do if the spider plant gets too big?
If your spider plant gets too big, repot the plant. When the roots outgrow the pot, it's high time to do so. Choose a new pot with a larger diameter; the pot does not have to be particularly deep. When repotting, you can divide your spider plant into two plants.
Sharing is relatively easy. However, you should not cut the root apart but rather carefully untangle it. Only separate the plant with your hands to prevent major injuries to the roots. Mix some mature compost (€12.00 on Amazon) into the potting soil. This way the new plants will continue to grow easily.
The most important things in brief:
- no regular trimming necessary
- if necessary, cut off wilted inflorescences
- Plucking out wilted leaves
- dividing plants that are too large
- Cut offshoots if necessary and plant them
Tips & Tricks
When dividing a large spider plant, break the plant apart instead of cutting, this prevents unnecessary injury to the roots and makes it easier for the new plants to grow.