Spider plants make excellent choices for houseplants as they thrive well in limited spaces. Nonetheless, they may experience shock when transferred from one pot to another.
Transplant shock can be caused by a variety of factors, such as repotting, light changes, temperature changes and watering. Fortunately, spider plants usually recover from transplant shock and thrive once returned to their original environment.
Repotting
Repotting is a routine houseplant maintenance task that helps replenish soil nutrients your plant has absorbed over time. Fast-growing plants or those in small containers should have their pots repotted every one to two years for optimal health and growth.
Repotting spider plants can be quite traumatic for them, as their roots weren’t intended to be exposed to air and may experience shock. To reduce this stress, do the repotting process indoors in a warm and humid environment.
Repotting a spider plant requires using high-quality potting soil that drains well. Depending on your local climate, you may also need to add some coconut coir for additional water retention.
Potting soil that is too dry can lead to problems for your spider plant, so it is essential that you select the correct potting soil. A neutral pH potting mix with excellent drainage is ideal and for extra moisture retention you may add perlite into the mix.
Repotting your spider plant involves massaging its roots with a fork to loosen them and make them more accessible to the new potting soil. Doing this will enable the roots to penetrate deeper into the soil, stimulating new growth.
Repotting your spider plant into a smaller pot that is one to two sizes larger than its current home will allow it to flourish in its new environment. Do not choose a pot that is too large as this will suffocate the plant and prevent proper growth.
Additionally, select a pot that is tall enough for your plant to get enough airflow. Doing this will keep the plant healthy and enable it to bloom successfully.
Your spider plant’s roots may swell beyond the top of its potting medium as they develop, or you can see roots emerging through holes at the bottom. If this occurs, it means your plant has grown too large for its container and needs repotting.
Temperature Changes
Transplant shock is a common occurrence when plants are moved from outdoors to indoors. The colder weather, decreased air movement and need for acclimatisation in the new environment can have an adverse effect on plants who aren’t used to the change in temperature.
Transplant shock can be devastating for plants, so to ensure their resilience during the move it’s essential that their root system be strong enough. Unfortunately, plants with weak or damaged roots from disease, pests or damage will likely experience issues during transplantation.
Additionally, plants should be placed in an environment with temperatures that are at least moderate. A room where plants are being moved from outdoors should have a temperature of at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit – warmer than their natural environment.
Excessive direct sun can cause the leaves of plants to turn brown and eventually die. This is because direct sunlight causes leaf damage as well as increased water loss from their leaves due to heat stress.
To combat this issue, place the plant in a room with moderate temperatures and ample indirect light. Furthermore, you can increase humidity levels by misting your plant or placing a humidifier in the room.
Some of the more noticeable symptoms of transplant shock include wilting, yellowing or dead leaves. Fortunately, most of these effects will resolve with proper care and attention to your plant’s condition over time.
Overwatering can cause your spider plant’s roots to rot, so be sure not to overwater. Repotting is also recommended since these fast-growing plants do best when in smaller pots.
Repotting not only encourages your plant to grow, but it also offers you the chance to propagate new baby plants in the springtime. When repotting, make sure there is at least 2 inches of space between its old pot and new one so that new roots have room to expand.
Light Levels
Lighting is essential for maintaining healthy and vibrant foliage on your spider plants. To determine whether they’re getting enough light, perform the hand shadow test by placing your palm 12 inches above a white piece of paper and watching for an intense shadow to form.
If your plant is getting too much or too little light, you may need to repot it into a larger pot or move it somewhere that gets more indirect light. Alternatively, try rotating the plant regularly so one side gets more direct sunlight than the other.
Repotting your spider plant is also an opportunity to aerate the soil and add beneficial organic fertilizers. This is an ideal time to give your plant a much needed boost of essential nutrients.
When watering your spider plant, only use filtered water as tap water can contain particles that could be detrimental to its health. Furthermore, avoid overhead watering and only apply the liquid until all of the soil has been thoroughly saturated.
To make this task simpler, you can purchase a special spray bottle designed specifically for misting plants. This helps maintain your plant’s soil and leaves while improving air quality as well.
When repotting your spider plant, be sure to remove any dead or damaged leaves. Doing so will prevent it from becoming over stressed and promote even growth.
Another potential reason your spider plant may be feeling stressed is due to a pest infestation. Pests pierce through its leaves and steal its nutritious sap, leading to sticky and weak symptoms in the spider plant.
First and foremost, eliminate as many scale insects from your spider plant as possible. This is a relatively straightforward task and the more often you do it, the healthier off your plant will be. After that, either manually clean it with a vacuum or spray with an organic insecticide like neem oil for maximum control.
Watering
After transplanting, spider plants require more frequent waterings than usual. This is because the new home must be adjusted and the proper amount of water must be provided for healthy growth.
For this plant, it’s best to use filtered water since tap water may contain harmful particles. Doing so will help ensure your new houseplant doesn’t become sick or experience dehydrated roots.
When watering your new spider plant, ensure to do so evenly and thoroughly. Doing this will help prevent fungus and bacteria from growing on the plant.
If your climate is hot or humid, you may need to water your new spider plant more frequently than usual. Doing so allows the plant to access water reserves stored in its root system, helping it survive dry spells.
By doing this, you can prevent root rot and browning leaves that could ultimately cause the plant to die quickly. Furthermore, make sure the soil remains evenly moist at all times.
If your spider plant is experiencing a slowdown in growth, repotting it into new soil could be the solution. Doing this allows the plant to absorb more essential nutrients from the environment and revive itself back to health and strength.
Repotting a spider plant requires taking it out of its container and placing it in an appropriate large pot with drainage holes. If your plant is placed in such an environment, watering will need to be done more frequently than usual.
Another option is to repot your spider plant into a smaller container, like a planter or hanging planter. This is often done to add some height and visual interest to the overall aesthetic of the plant. You could even repot into an overpot which doesn’t need drainage holes but still drains water easily.
Once your spider plant has settled into its new home, it’s time to start caring for it. This includes watering, repotting it into its new spot and providing it with enough light.
