How to Prune Spider Plant

Household plants are some of the best in helping improve ambiance or create a homely feel. One such plant is the spider plants. Having these in a basket on your window sill allows the plants’ ribbon-like leaves to flow over it seamlessly and adds life to your kitchen or living space.

However, plants tend to overgrow and require pruning every once in a while. For a spider plant, the leaves can spill over appearing disheveled instead of flowery. Also, smaller spider plants start to grow from the roots causing competition for nutrients resulting in a withering plant. The most extreme is yellow-like leaves on your green potted plant.

Step One: Prune for a Healthy Houseplant

Select the right shears

The shears you choose for the pruning should remain sharp. Blunt shears can damage your plant or uproot when trying to remove extra leaves at the plant’s base. Sterilize the shears to avoid transferring any contaminants to your favorite spider plant.

Start with the yellowing or brown leaves

Assess the plant to determine the location of any leaves that are yellowing or brown. These signify dead leaves and a disease affecting the plant. Cut the leaves at the base. Removing the colored parts will lead to further infestation with the same bugs or conditions.

Cut out the extra leaves

Spider plants tend to overgrow, and the leaves flow in every direction. The leaves may grow to lengths of 12 inches. The plant girth also increases to 12 inches filling the space.

Trim root-bound plants

Rootbound spider plants have no growth room as they fill the pot. It is the first indication that your plant requires snipping. Trim on either side of the bottom as well to keep the plant from overgrowing.

Upend the pot holding the plant instead of pulling on the spider plant, allow it to detach smoothly and once it is out of the soil, check and remove any dead roots. Add some dirt and essential fertilizers for nutrients in the pot and replant it. Moisten the soil and protect it from direct sunlight.

Spring/summer pruning

You cannot clip your plant anytime you feel like it. The plant needs a recovery period, and doing it in winter or autumn minimizes its chances of survival. The advisable period is in spring or summer when it is warm. You can prune an annual basis or after every two years, depending on plant growth.

Step Two: Baby Plant Removal

Check for baby spider plants

A houseplant is one of the best self-sustaining plants in the world. Once the parent grows old, it allows smaller plants by allowing baby shoots to start growing in the pot. A few baby plants do not have a major impact on the larger flowery plant.

However, too many results in nutrient and sunlight competition resulting in a dying or withering plant. To increase plant longevity and improve its appearance, you need to prune or remove the smaller plants.

Clip the plants

Using your shears, clip the baby shoot at the base to remove it. Throw the shoot. If you desire to grow the baby plant, cut the stalk, and separate a mother from baby.

Plant the plant

Uproot the baby and prepare a separate pot to plant it. Prepare the growing soil and drill holes for better water drainage. Dig a hole in the middle and place the baby plant at the center. Gather the soil all around the roots after draining off.

Some of these smaller plants have no roots. If you still want to replant them, place them in water. Leave them for some time to allow roots to form before replanting them. Keep changing the water once dirt appears.

Water the small plant

Add water once you transplant from the water to the soil. Ensure that the water runs from the drilled holes at the bottom. Regular watering will ensure the plant remains soaked with an adequate amount of water to stimulate growth. In a few weeks, the plant will be strong, and growth is visible.

Pros of Pruning Spider Plants

Proper conditions for growth allow the spider plant to reach growth levels of utmost 3 feet in length and girth. To minimize overgrowth, owners prune the plant.

Here is why it is important to trim the plant:

• It keeps the plant in a manageable size for the owner
• It makes them more desirable and more fitting with the interior home décor and personal preferences of the owner
• Rejuvenates the plant as competing plants are cut out. Besides, some require repotting in inducing a spurt of growth.
• You get additional plants with the original if you decide to plant the baby plants your prune

Tips

1. Use sharp shears when clipping the plant to avoid further damage to the leaves.
2. Cut the leaves at the base or near the bottom. If diseased, the blade retains the wound and cutting it at the base ensures that the infected leaf is no longer part of the plant.
3. Remove the small plants growing beneath the large plant if you see it wilting.
4. Replenish the water and nutrients after the pruning process to restart the growth process.
5. Use rainwater for your plant as it contains no chemicals. If unavailable, purchase distilled water. These prevent the plant from getting yellow or brown leaves.
6. Do not leave the plant under the sun for too long. Extreme sunshine can cause the leaves’ browning, especially if the moisture level in the air is low.

Summary

Household plants require regular surveillance and attention to prevent wilting, browning, or yellow leaves. First, they improve the general feel and appearance of your home. Secondly, some have nutritional value, but without proper care, they become a burden and lose their beauty.

The spider plant is one of the best to have in your home. It is easy to manage and does not require constant monitoring after replanting to a pot. The spider-like appearance with the long limbs improves the appearance of any single space.

Conclusion

The proper pruning process requires an individual to know of all essential growth conditions of their spider plants. Know when to remove the baby shrubberies are appearing all over the base of the plant. Determine when it is overgrown and requires pruning.

Gather all supplies, bring in the plant, and prune it under the sun for ample lighting. Replant baby shrubberies and add to your collection of spider plants. With the above guide, it has become easy to prune and maintain a healthy and elegant plant in your home.