Is your spider plant growing out of control? Does it look messy and unkempt? It’s time to prune and restore its beauty. Pruning a spider plant is a simple yet important task that requires your attention. While an overgrown spider plant is a common reason to prune, there are other factors to consider as well.
Key Takeaways
Why Should You Prune?
Spiderettes, the plant’s baby spiders, are nutrient-hungry. They absorb a significant amount of fertilizer and water from the mother plant. While this helps them grow roots and thrive on their own, leaving them attached for too long can deprive the main spider plant of essential nutrients. Pruning the spiderettes and trimming the plant will ensure its overall health.
Another reason to prune is brown tips. This occurs when the plant is exposed to excessive direct sunlight or when the water contains high levels of fluoride or chlorine. Tap water in cities often includes these chemicals, resulting in brown leaves.
How to Properly Prune
When pruning a spider plant, start by removing any leaves from the base of the plant. Spider plants are resilient and can grow up to three feet in both diameter and length, so removing some foliage won’t harm them. Eliminate any discolored or dead leaves. During repotting, you may also need to trim the roots, but this is only necessary once every year or two. Be careful not to cut too far back on the roots to avoid root rot.
Removing the spiderettes is a straightforward process. Cut the stem that connects the baby plant to the mother plant, close to the base. Once the spiderette is free, remove the stem from the baby as well, trimming as close to the spiderette as possible.
Essential Tools for Pruning
While scissors can suffice for trimming and pruning spider plants, considering their rapid growth and the likelihood of having multiple plants, pruning shears can help. The Fiskars Softouch Micro-Tip Pruning Snips are ideal for this task. With their six-inch scissor-like tip, they can reach the base of the plant effortlessly. Moreover, the ergonomic grip design protects your hands from strain.
Pruning your spider plants ensures their vitality and strength. A well-groomed and cared-for plant is the healthiest. Neglecting to remove brown leaves allows the damage to spread, while leaving spiderettes attached starves the mother plant of nutrients. Make sure to prune your spider plants regularly for a vibrant and triumphant display of foliar beauty.
