Best Pots for Spider Plants: Detailed Guide

Selecting the Right Pot for Spider Plants

A good pot will ensure that the plant remains healthy and strong. You must ensure you get a good pot with the right style, material, and size. Selecting the pot style will depend on your personal preference, whereas the size of your plant will determine the size of the pot. The pot you pick for your spider plant babies will differ from what you will use for a fully-grown spider plant.

The right pot should always be a few inches larger than the spider plant and have proper drainage holes to remove excess water. The material you use should also support the plant’s growth and be conducive to healthy maintenance requirements. First, let’s look at the different pot types:

1. Plastic Pots

Plastic pots are popularly used for housing spider plants due to their flexible nature, allowing them to adapt to growing roots. When spider plants’ roots grow and crowd the pots, other materials can easily break, whereas plastic can stretch to make room.

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Another awesome feature plastic pots have is that they are not as porous as other materials. Additionally, they are easily available and affordable. Unlike other materials, you can easily drill drainage holes with a plastic pot where there is none.

2. Wooden Pots

Wooden planters are also a great choice for healthy spider plants. The best part about wooden pots is that they can be tailored to accommodate your spider plant and style. For example, with wooden pots, you can be sure that your plants will maintain their moisture longer than when you have other materials. Another great part about these pots is that they are unlikely to crack when the roots get too crowded inside.

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3. Fabric Pots

Fabric planters boast the ability to allow your plants to breathe, letting in sufficient oxygen without drying easily. Also, fabric pots don’t easily damage when exposed to extreme weather conditions such as sunlight. And because these bags are lightweight, re-potting your spider plant is easier because they reduce the overall weight of the plant.

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When Should You Re-pot A Spider Plant?

Spider plants grow quickly and should be replanted after one to two years. Nonetheless, it is no surprise that you may need to re-pot a spider plant sooner than one or two years. Some of these reasons are obvious, and some may need a little bit of experience.

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Below are the factors that indicate when a spider plant needs re-potting:

1. When the Soil Dries Out Too Quickly

Normally, when the spider plant roots become parched and require a bigger pot, the soil tends to dry out faster than usual. Essentially, the roots grow and become too big for the pot they are in, making them overcrowded. A good way to know for sure is when you keep watering the plant several times a week, with the soil being unable to retain moisture.

2. The Roots Protrude From the Topsoil

Another indicator that your spider plant needs re-potting is if you see the roots sticking up from the topsoil. The more the roots grow, the more they crowd the pot inside. However, when there is no more room for them to occupy, they stick upwards through the topsoil. Ensure you change the pot immediately when you notice this kind of growth to prevent root rot.

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3. Your Plant Stops Growing or Appears Limp

When a spider plant’s soil can no longer provide adequate nutrients, it grows limp, or the leaves wilt. Usually, plants grow limp or stunted growth when the pot is overcrowded. Likewise, when roots are overcrowded, they cannot serve the plant sufficiently as required because they need to absorb adequate nutrients for good health.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Ideal Pots for Spider Plants

i). Do spider plants need big pots?

While spider plants grow pretty fast, they don’t necessarily need big pots. What should guide you is that the pot should always be one or two sizes larger than the spider plant’s root ball. Ensure you know when the plant needs extra space or re-potting.

ii). Do spider plants like to be crowded?

Spider plants thrive in crowded spaces. However, it is important to understand that they die easily when they become too crowded because they lack nutrients. It is, therefore, important to ensure that you provide the right environment for healthy spider plants.

iii). What is a good pot size for a young spider plant?

The first rule to adhere to is to always re-pot a spider plant into a pot 2 inches larger than the original pot you bought the spider plant in. Remember that while a new spider plant needs a crowded pot, these plants suffer when things get a little too crowded.

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iv). What is a good pot size for a fully-grown spider plant?

A mature spider plant must be in a pot at least 10 inches and 24 inches. Of course, the size will depend on how big your spider plant is, but these are the best pot sizes for a fully-grown spider plant. And if you opt for the 24 inches, you can add small spider plant babies to ensure you have a bushy-looking plant.

v). How many spider plants per pot?

To make it bushier, you can add smaller spider plants to the same pot as your spider plant. However, it is important to be very careful not to overcrowd the pot to the point of negative effects. As you add other small-sized spider plants, ensure that you don’t overdo it and affect your plant instead of helping it grow healthy.

vi). Should this plant pot have good drainage?

Drainage holes are very important for the health of your spider plant. It is essential to prevent root rot by keeping excess moisture at bay. A good drainage hole will ensure that your Chlorophytum comosum plants are conducive to proper growth.

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vii). What’s the best potting soil for spider plants?

Choosing the right soil for your plant can sometimes take time and effort, especially if the plant only does well in a specific type of soil. The right type of soil for spider plants is draining soil that can retain moisture. And it is important to note that spider plant babies and fully grown ones use the same type of soil. So, when you have the right soil with you, the next step is to find out if spider plants require fertilizers and then get planting!

Conclusion

Spider plants are amongst the best indoor houseplants. However, it is important to learn more about spider plants and their needs before shopping for the right pot. Understanding the plants better will ensure that you know which pot to purchase. Ultimately, the right pot should provide the spider plant with a healthy environment to thrive and grow without shortage or hindrance.

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