I have grown several spider plants for many years, and along the way, I have learned a lot through first-hand experience about watering them effectively.
I have made the mistake of watering too often, not long enough and once I let the soil dry out too much to the point it repelled water off the surface!
Fortunately, through some testing, trial and error, and research, I’ve solved all my watering woes, and in this article, I share with you all the tips, tricks, and secrets I have learned along the way so you know exactly how to water your spider plants…
Let’s get to the point!
I water my spider plants with a generous soak of rainwater when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Always water with a good soak so that excess water trickles from the drainage holes in the base of the pot. Mist the leaves with water regularly to increase humidity.
Through trial and error, I found that allowing the top inch of the soil to dry between bouts of watering ensures that the spider plant’s moisture requirements are met whilst avoiding problems associated with overwatering, such as root rot.
Keep reading to learn how much to water spider plants in Winter, why you should water with rainwater, not tap water, and how to establish the correct watering schedule for spider plants and spider plantlets from propagation…
How Often to Water Spider Plants
For us to water our spider plants effectively, I think it is best if we understand how they grow in their natural habitat.
Spider plants are tropical plants that are native to Southern Africa where they thrive in relatively high humidity and evenly moist to somewhat dry soil.
As the spider plant’s native environment can be both dry and hot, I learned it has special adaptions to cope with drought stress, such as storing water in its thick, fleshy white roots and rhizomes, which means it can tolerate some neglect when growing in your home.
To care for spider plants successfully, we need to emulate their watering and the typical soil moisture conditions of their native range.
From my research, the best method Spider plants require evenly moist soil with the top inch of the soil just drying out between bouts of watering. Typically, I’ve found this means watering my spider plants once every 7 to 10 days, but I advise this varies according to your climate and conditions in the home.
This cycle of watering meets the moisture requirements of the spider plant without watering too often, which promotes the conditions for root rot.
It should be noted that how often you have to water spider plants depends on several factors, such as:
- The level of humidity in your climate and the home.
- The size of the pot (smaller pots dry out much quicker).
- Whether the spider plant is in the direct path of an air current from air conditioning, forced air, or draughty areas of the house.
- The capacity of the soil to retain moisture after watering.
- The material of the pot the spider plant is planted.
My method for establishing how often you should water your spider plant in the specific conditions of your home is to feel the top inch of the soil.
If the soil feels damp or still moist, I delay watering. If the top inch feels somewhat dry and you can detect very little moisture, then this is the perfect time for a generous soak.
Once you know how long it typically takes for the top inch of the soil to dry out from your spider plant, you can establish a watering cycle that accurately emulates the typical watering and soil moisture conditions of the spider plant’s native environment.
I experimented with using a moisture meter for my spider plants, but my verdict was that they were not precise enough. They often had a reading that said the soil was dried out when, in fact, it was still moist to the touch. For this reason, I recommend feeling the soil with your finger as, in my experience, this is the best way.
Mark’s Top Tips For Watering Spider Plants
- Try to water spider plants with rainwater or filtered water whenever possible. From my research, I discovered that spider plants are very sensitive to chlorine and fluoride (both found in tap water) in the water which can turn the tips of the leaves brown. Watering with tap water occasionally does not do any significant harm from my observations, but rainwater or filtered water is the best practice for maintaining a healthy spider plant.
- Increase the humidity for your spider plants. As we discussed, spider plants are native to relatively humid climates. Either Spray water onto the leaves of your spider plant at least once per week or use a humidifier to create a humid micro-climate that mimics its native environment. I recommend using a humidifier if you are in a particularly dry climate like me. The tips of the leaves turning brown is a sign of stress due to low humidity.
- Avoid placing your spider plant in the direct path of air currents or near any sources of heat, as this can dry out your plant too quickly.
- The optimal temperature for growth. Spider plants are adaptable to a wide range of temperatures but grow best in temperatures between 65°F (18°C) and 75°F (23°C) during the day and 55°F at night. If the temperature in your home exceeds 80°F (27°C), then spider leaves can turn brown due to drought stress, so you should water more often and spray the leaves regularly to save them.
- Size of the pot. Slightly larger pots than the root ball of your spider plant are best as this is thought to encourage the plant to form plantlets for propagation and typically allows the soil to dry out at the optimal rate.
- If you habitually chronically overwater houseplants, I recommend repotting your spider plant in clay or terracotta pots. These potting materials are porous, so the soil allows the soil to dry out more evenly. This is in contrast to plastic, which is impermeable and, therefore, retains moisture for longer, which can promote root rot.
(The tips of spider plant leaves can turn brown or yellow for several reasons. Read my article on how to revive a dying spider plant to find the cause and solve it).
How Often to Water Spider Plants in Winter
It is important that we acknowledge that the spider plant’s demand for moisture can fluctuate according to seasons, even if it is indoors.
Spider plants enter a state of dormancy over Winter in response to fewer hours of light and lower light intensity. This means spider plants typically require watering less often compared to active growth in the Spring and Summer.
Also, cooler temperatures can reduce the rate at which the soil and the plant dry out, which can increase the risk of root rot if you do not decrease the frequency of your watering.
Typically I water my spider plants once every 2 or even 3 weeks in Winter in response to less hours of sun, to meet the moisture requirements whilst also avoid root rot.
However, some variables can significantly change how often you should water spider plants during Winter.
In our homes, the temperature can fluctuate significantly during Winter thanks to sources of heat such as radiators, fires, and forced air, which lowers the humidity and causes the soil to dry out more quickly.
I had to move my spider plant away from the radiator as one Winter; the soil baked hard and repelled water off the surface of the soil without reaching the roots.
My solution to the problem was to place my spider plant in a basin of lukewarm water for 30 minutes to properly rehydrate the potting soil. After it had a good soak the soil was able to absorb moisture properly after each bout of water. Of course, I also moved my plant away from the radiator too.
If you notice the tips of the spider plant’s leaves turning brown then this is a sign of drought stress and you should increase how often you water and mist regularly to counter the drying effects of indoor heating.
If the spider plant leaves turn yellow or black, this indicates you are watering too often.
Spider plants are hardy, so as long as you wait for the top inch or so of the soil dries out between watering the plant should recover from bouts of over-watering or under-watering in Winter.
How Often to Water Spider Plantlets from Propagation
If you are propagating developing plantlets from the parent plant then water so that the surface of the soil stays evenly moist but not saturated.
I use a paper clip to pine down the plantlet onto the soil so that the roots are making contact with the surface of the soil.
Small plantlets do not have a very well-developed root system and, therefore, are very susceptible to drought.
So it is important to water the plantlets more regularly than the parent plant, which, by comparison, can store water in its thick, fleshy white roots and rhizomes so it can tolerate much dryer conditions.
I always check the soil’s moisture by using my finger to judge the level of moisture in the top inch of the soil, as this is the strata of soil in which the plantlets are drawing up their needed moisture.
As long as the soil is consistently moist and does not dry out, then your plantlet should be able to develop roots and grow.
Pro tip: I recommend watering with a really good soak rather than watering lightly, as this creates more evenly moist soil and encourages the roots to grow and develop so they can sustain a much larger plant.
How Much to Water Spider Plants
I should emphasize that knowing how much to water spider plants is as important as knowing how often to water.
Whilst there are many variables such as climate, temperature, and humidity that can all influence how often to water spider plants, the amount of water should always be the same.
I always water spider plants with a really good soak so that excess water tickles out the base of the pot.
Watering in this way ensures that the water has infiltrated the soil so that the roots can uptake the moisture they require.
A really generous soak also encourages the roots to grow down into the soil and mature so that they can store water which increases the spider plants resistance to drought.
As we talked about earlier, watering your spider plant too lightly results in only the top inch or so of the soil being moist and the water does not reach the roots where it is required. This causes the tips of the leaves to turn brown as a sign of drought stress.
I have expeirmented with bottom watering whereby I placed my spider plant in a tray and fill it with water until the potting soil draws up all the moisture. I personally found this method works really well and it certain helps if the surface of the soil is repelling moisture as I described eailer in the article.
The draw back to this is that it takes much longer as I have 5 spider plants (due to propagating them) and over 100 houseplants! Therefore I water from the top most often.
(Read my article, spider plant not growing and not producing babies?)
If you’re looking for more care tips, read my article How to Grow and Care for Spider Plants Indoors.
Do you have any more questions about watering spidder plants or have any interesting insights to share then please comment below! I love to hear from you!!
Key Takeaways:
- Water spider plants with a generous soak so excess water trickles from the pot’s base. Wait until the top inch of the soil is dry before watering to meet the moisture requirements of spider plants while avoiding root rot.
- Mist spider plants regularly to create a humid micro-climate that emulates the conditions of its native range.
- Ensure that the soil stays evenly moist for spider plantlets as they develop roots.
- Always water spider plants with a generous soak to promote healthy root growth.