Propagating spider plants: cuttings & parts

The various methods of multiplying spider plants are usually easy and uncomplicated. After a while, several small ones can be grown from a larger plant.

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) forms kindles, which makes propagation quite easy. In this article you will find out how you can successfully propagate the spider plant with the help of the Kindel and what other options are available.

How to propagate spider plants

The most obvious and easiest way to propagate spider plants is through offshoots, which are formed on the long inflorescences. Some of them already put down their first roots in the air and develop into independent, small plants as soon as they are potted. Especially with large specimens, however, propagation by dividing the spider plant is also a good idea. How to proceed correctly with the two methods is explained in detail below. Propagation via seeds would be possible and these are commercially available. However, this variant is not common and quite complicated. Since there are no suitable pollinators, the spider plant usually does not set any seeds here. However, pollination by hand is possible.

Propagate spider plants via offshoots

The offshoots usually develop terminally on the old inflorescences of the spider plant. They are best left there until they have developed at least 5 leaves with a length of about 5 cm. This ensures that the plant can independently generate enough energy to grow.

Cutting offshoots

There are two possible times to cut off the spider of spider plants:

1. Before planting, the flower stalk can be cut off about 2 to 3 cm away from the offshoot. The remaining stalk on the mother plant may be completely severed.
2. The flower stalk can also be cut off after rooting in the new substrate. This has the advantage that nutrients and water are still supplied via this connection. When the child has grown in its own pot, the link is broken afterwards. Such propagated young plants often continue to grow faster.

Plant spider plants

If roots can already be seen on the offshoots, they can be planted directly in a small pot with substrate. However, these are not yet fully developed, so-called initial roots, which first have to form functional root hairs. Our peat-free, for example, is a suitable substrate Plantura organic universal soil. Due to the contained coconut fibers and the quality compost, it has a good water storage capacity, which plays an important role for the growth of the spider plant. A room temperature of around 20 °C and a bright location are ideal for offshoots with roots. If no small roots have formed yet, the offshoot can remain connected to the mother plant to be on the safe side and planted in a small pot. Or you put it in a glass of water until the first roots form.

However, unrooted offshoots can also be cut and potted. Then let them root at 15 °C in partial shade, which takes about 10 days. The soil must be kept constantly moist and the plant must be sprayed occasionally.
So you can see that the already prolific spider plant makes almost every method possible.
A few more tips for Planting spider plants, whether large or small, can be found in our special article.

Sharing spider plants

Dividing spider plants is best done when the plant is going to be repotted anyway. Specimens that have already grown a little are particularly suitable for division. With this type of propagation, a certain amount of sensitivity is required, as the fleshy roots break off quickly. The process is explained in the following step-by-step instructions:

• Remove the root ball from the pot
• Remove most of the soil
• Carefully unravel roots
• Pull plant parts apart or cut with a clean tool
• Plant all plants back into pots with fresh soil
• Keep at 15 °C until growth, then set warmer again
• Caring for spider plants properly

In our further article detailed information you will find everything you need to know about the Toxicity of spider plant.