Propagating Spiderettes: Growing Your Own Plant Babies

Do you love plants but are tired of buying new ones every few months? Are you looking for a way to expand your plant collection without breaking the bank? Look no further than propagating spiderettes! This easy and fun process allows you to grow new plants from the spiderettes (baby spiders) that grow off of mature spider plants. In this article, we’ll guide you through the steps of propagating spiderettes and show you how to care for your new plant babies.

What are Spider Plants?

Before we dive into propagating spiderettes, let’s first talk about spider plants in general. Spider plants, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, are popular houseplants known for their long, slender leaves and small white flowers. They’re easy to care for, thrive in a variety of conditions, and have air-purifying qualities that make them a great addition to any home or office space.

What are Spiderettes?

Spiderettes, also called plantlets or baby spiders, are tiny plants that grow off the main plant. They form at the ends of long stems that shoot out from the base of the spider plant. These stem-like structures are called stolons and are usually white or light green in color. As the spiderette grows, it develops its own root system and can eventually be separated from the parent plant to create a new plant.

How to Propagate Spiderettes

The process of propagating spiderettes is fairly simple and straightforward. Here’s what you need to do:

Step 1: Locate the Spiderettes

Begin by examining your spider plant for spiderettes. These small plants usually appear on mature spider plants that are over a year old. Look for long stems shooting out from the base of the plant with small white or light green mini-plants growing at the end of each stem.

Close up of a spiderette growing on a spider plant

Step 2: Prepare a Potting Mix

Fill a small pot with a well-draining potting mix. A mix of equal parts perlite and peat moss works well for spider plants.

A potting mix being added to a pot

Step 3: Cut the Stolon

Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut the stolon that connects the spiderette to the parent plant. Be sure to cut as close to the spiderette as possible without damaging it.

Scissors cutting a stolon on a spider plant

Step 4: Plant the Spiderette

Plant the spiderette in the potting mix, burying the roots just below the surface. Water the soil to settle it around the plant and place the pot in a bright, indirect light location.

A spiderette being planted in a pot

Step 5: Care for the New Plant

Maintain a consistent watering schedule for your new plant, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Spider plants prefer bright, indirect light and can tolerate lower light levels as well. Fertilize the plant once a month during the growing season to promote healthy growth.

The Benefits of Propagating Spiderettes

Not only is propagating spiderettes an affordable way to expand your plant collection, but it also helps to rejuvenate older spider plants. Older spider plants can start to look straggly and lose some of their fullness. By propagating spiderettes and growing new plants, you can give your original plant a fresh start and help it to continue thriving. Additionally, spider plants are great air purifiers, removing harmful toxins from the air and improving indoor air quality.

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for a fun and easy way to add to your plant collection, propagating spiderettes is a great option. This process allows you to grow new plants from the spiderettes that grow off of mature spider plants. With just a little bit of care, your new spider plant babies will be thriving in no time!

Spiderettes, plantlets, babies, propagating, Chlorophytum comosum