If you have just purchased a new spider plant it might appear to require more space.
Even the pot might look overly crowded and you might wonder whether you should get a big pot so you don’t have to repot again.
Spider plants do not necessarily need big pots to grow healthily. They develop rapidly and like to be crowded, however the best solution is always to get a pot one or two inches larger than the current one.
In this post we will discuss the best pot for spider plant, whether you should use a wide or deep pot and tips on how to repot a spider plant to mention a few
Do Spider Plants Need a Big Pot?
Spider plants do not always require large containers. This is because the optimal container size is one or two inches bigger than the plant’s root ball. Before deciding to upgrade to a slightly larger pot, the most important thing to remember is to check for signals that the plant needs repotting.
Spider plants love a crowded environment and this happens often because of their proliferation rate.
Given their rapid development rate, you may find that you need to change the pot more frequently to prevent overcrowding. Spider plants thrive best when they are pot bound.
You should consider repotting spider plants before their containers crack.
The way you care for your spider plants determines how fast they will grow.
When roots are visible above the earth, it is appropriate to transfer spider plants to larger containers. If they are overcrowded in the container, the plant’s roots can get malnourished.
What Are The Pros and Cons of Using a Big Pot to a Small Pot?
Pros of Using A Big Pot
- Water dries out more slowly in a big pot than in a small pot. This means you water your plants less often than when you have a smaller pot.
- A bigger pot gives your flowers larger room for growth. This means your flowers can expand more and grow rapidly. This ensures a faster growth rate as well as a plant.
When your plants are able to expand as much as they like they look strong and happy and they can get most out of the nutrients you feed them.
- Bigger pots allow your plants to get more sunlight especially if you live in a place where there is little or too much sun. Also, your plants are able to get more moisture in bigger pots than they do in smaller pots. The water you feed to your plant is able to penetrate and reach the roots which then transfers to the leaves.
- If you also prefer to have flowers with varied designs then it is better to use a bigger pot as this gives the flowers room to expand. You can also fit more flowers into a bigger pot and as well plant bigger flowers.
Cons of Planting in a Big Pot
- Bigger pots are less easy to move than the smaller pots. If you leave some place where you have frequent winters you might want to consider getting smaller pots for your flowers as they are easier to move.
- Bigger pots also take up too much space so if you have a limited space it is preferable to use a smaller pot. For example if you plan to grow houseplants on your balcony it is better to use smaller pots as they can fit better into that kind of space.
It is recommended that before buying a pot for your plants, you need to know if that pot will be great for your plants.
For example if you have a plant that doesn’t grow so large planted in a big pot it is likely to fall over.
Some plants also prefer to be root bound or to be a little bit crowded just like spider plants.
Here is an article I wrote on should spider plants be root bound
What’s The Best Pot for A Spider Plant?
Finding the correct size, shape, and material for a spider plant’s pot is essential when choosing a container for the plant.
The style varies depending on your preferences, and the size will vary based on the size of the plant.
Plastic containers are the most popular containers for spider plants because of their flexibility and ability to swiftly extend to accommodate the plant’s growing roots.
If you neglect to repot a spider plant for an extended period of time, plastic pots are less likely to break than those made of unglazed ceramic or terracotta.
Choose a pot that is 1 to 2 inches larger than the one currently housing the spider plant when repotting.
Ensure that the bottom of the container is well-drained, with numerous drainage holes.
Clay pots frequently suck water from the soil, making them a poor choice; the spider plant’s propensity to produce tuberous roots so enormous that they break fragile pots makes clay pots a potential tragedy in the long run.
Heavy plastic containers are more flexible and hold moisture more effectively.
Can a Spider Plant Stay in a Small Pot?
A spider plant can grow in a small pot as the ideal container for a spider plant is one that is slightly bigger than its root.
Depending on the size of the plant, the container should be no more than a few inches larger than the plant.
Spider plants do not always require large containers; the optimal container size is one or two inches larger than the plant’s root ball.
Before upgrading to a slightly larger pot, the most important thing to remember is to check for signals that the plant needs repotting.
So you can go ahead to get that small pot you have in mind. But do ensure to keep a regular lookout on your plant so you know when to Repot it into a larger container.
Do Spider Plants Like Deep or Wide Pots?
Like we have mentioned earlier, the pots you use for your spider plants depend on the care they get and how rapidly they grow.
Spider plants have thick tuberous roots which keep extending downwards as the plant grows.
Spider plants like to be crowded so they do necessarily need wide pots except if it is a large plant.
Deep pots on the other hand give the roots enough space to flourish. Regularly check the plants to see that they are not overcrowded.
Once they get too crowded, the roots are not able to get enough nutrients to all parts of the plant.
Also check out this article I wrote on using fertilizers for spider plants
Tips On How to Repot a Spider Plant
- When repotting a spider plant in its existing container, remove the plant carefully.
- The next step is to clean and cut the roots before replanting the plant in a larger container.
- When transferring spider plants to larger containers, ensure that the new containers have adequate drainage holes. This is because spider plants cannot withstand moist soil for lengthy periods of time.
- Use an all-purpose potting soil or a soilless medium when repotting spider plants.
- Fill the bottom of the container with soil, then insert the plant’s roots.
- Continue adding soil and tucking it around the roots until the entire root system is concealed.
- Water the plant well and tend to it as normal.
To repot a spider plant baby which are the spiderettes hanging from the plant, use a sharp and clean knife or scissors to cut its link to the mother plant.
Then, put it in a tiny container with the same soil mixture as adult spider plants.
Keep the soil mildly moist (but never wet!) and the spiderette will quickly take root and continue to develop.
Conclusion
Spider plants care as we all are quite minimal and the worst trouble you’ll get is probably from overwatering.
However, the containers you plant the spider plant also determines how well and fast they grow. Spider plants do not necessarily require a bigger pot to grow well.
Spider plants like to be root bound and crowded. However, they should not be too crowded as this can lead to a lack of nutrients.
When raising spider plants from seedlings, you can start out with a smaller pot and increase the size as they grow.
