When and How to Divide Spider Plants

I vividly bear in mind the day I grew to become a brand new houseplant mum or dad.

In fact, I’d grown up with flora in the home – together with brown shag carpeting, darkish wooden wall paneling, and loads of macrame. It was the late 70s and early 80s in spite of everything.

However by means of school and my mid-20s I used to be too busy touring round and shifting home to consider preserving a plant alive within the fleeting moments between adventures.

So after I lastly settled down lengthy sufficient to provide one other residing being (moreover myself) consideration, it was a momentous event.

A good friend of mine was splitting up overgrown specimens of their indoor jungle and earlier than I knew it, they’d thrust a freshly potted child spider plant into my arms.

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To discerning, uncommon plant collectors, that scraggly little ragamuffin wasn’t the prettiest specimen on the earth. However to me this ugly duckling was probably the most beautiful creature I’d ever laid eyes upon.

That first houseplant was only the start of my love story with vegetation.

I’ve realized an terrible lot about being a plant mum or dad since then, and I do know a factor or two about spider vegetation specifically. Fortunate for you, I’m right here to cross on my data, from one spider ivy mum or dad to a different.

Spider vegetation might be propagated in numerous methods and shared with household and mates, as my good friend shared with me.

And in the identical approach my good friend did, these houseplants might be divided, or cut up. However how will when you ought to divide your specimen? And when is the very best time to do that?

This text will particularly deal with dividing spider ivy – why, when, and how you can do it.

For the entire story on caring for these houseplants, learn our complete spider plant rising information.

Right here’s what’s forward:

Let’s get cracking!

Why Cut up Spider Crops?

There are three good causes to divide spider vegetation: to handle the dimensions of an overgrown specimen, to encourage wholesome progress, and to propagate new vegetation to share or add to your assortment.

If given sufficient room, mature spider vegetation can develop greater than two toes large! And the thick, fleshy tuberous roots and rhizomes of those houseplants develop rapidly.

Though they like to be barely pot sure, the roots can finally develop into too crowded, so dividing and repotting will hold them wholesome, completely satisfied, and looking out their greatest.

If the roots and rhizomes get too cramped and crowded, the central, inside part of the basis ball can develop into broken. You could discover indicators of stress like leaf yellowing or browning, withering, and poor well being usually.

Splitting the roots and potting up the divisions rejuvenates the plant and retains it at a manageable measurement, so that you don’t have to hold repotting into bigger containers because it grows.

Should you’re a thrifty or beneficiant houseplant mum or dad, that propagating at dwelling is one of the best ways to fill extra pots with new specimens to inexperienced up your area and to share the love with household and mates.

That is the best way I grew to become a plant fanatic, in spite of everything. Why not pay it ahead to another person?

When to Divide

Spider vegetation might be divided at any time of the yr. Should you discover the rhizomes pushing up out of the soil, or if the roots have crammed the pot, it’s time to repot into a bigger container or divide the specimen.

This might be each one to 5 years, relying on the dimensions of your specimen, the dimensions of its unique pot, and your plant’s situations and progress price.

Should you want recommendation on how you can repot your spider plant, try our information.

These houseplants do greatest once they’re comfortable of their pots. However it could possibly look like a nice line between “comfortable,” or comfortably pot sure, and too darned cramped.

In case your specimen appears wholesome and it has some room in its present area to develop, there’s no have to disturb it – except, in fact, you resolve to propagate new vegetation!

So in case your spider ivy is busting out of its pot, or if you wish to make some child vegetation, learn on to discover ways to divide your spider plant.

Easy methods to Divide

Earlier than you start, collect up the gadgets you’ll want. It’s greatest to plan forward, so that you’re not scrambling round searching for the appropriate instruments whenever you’re in the course of performing surgical procedure.

You’ll want a pointy, clear knife for slicing by means of robust roots, a trowel or scoop, and a pair of backyard pruners.

You’ll additionally want some contemporary potting soil.

One thing like this Natural Potting Combine from Gardener’s Provide Firm, accessible in 20-quart luggage, can be supreme.

Natural Potting Combine

It’s blended with compost and particularly formulated for container rising.

It doesn’t trouble me to stroll round with soil beneath my nails, but when it bothers you, seize your gloves. Should you don’t have a pair, learn our information to the very best gardening gloves for suggestions.

You’ll additionally want further containers for the divisions. The selection of container is as much as you, however I believe they give the impression of being nice in hanging baskets and planters. I’ve acquired mine in containers which are designed to mount on a wall.

Check out these Manhattan Wall Planters made by Ecopots.

Ecopots Manhattan Wall Planters

They arrive in three completely different sizes, and some tasteful, impartial colour choices.

They’ve a hidden mounting system for a clear and trendy look, and so they’re comprised of 80 % recycled supplies. Good when you respect Scandinavian decor like I do!

The brand new containers must be a minimal of three to 4 inches large, or bigger, relying on the dimensions of the divisions – and do not forget that spider vegetation prefer to be a little bit comfortable of their pots, so hold this in thoughts when making your alternatives.

And no matter containers you select, ensure that they’ve enough drainage holes.

When you’ve gotten all the pieces you want, put together an area the place you don’t thoughts getting issues a little bit messy. I prefer to work at my kitchen desk, however a counter or the ground works too.

Within the basement, or within the storage, wherever you resolve to work, set your self up for a clean and environment friendly workspace.

Put down some previous newspapers or discover a tray to work over to make cleanup a little bit simpler. Or, when you don’t thoughts a little bit grime, simply go for it! That’s what brooms and vacuums are for.

Now you simply have to rustle up your plant and also you’re able to go. I don’t learn about you, however I speak to my houseplants. I inform them how stunning they’re and the way a lot I like them.

I additionally prefer to hold them knowledgeable. This is able to be a superb time to elucidate what you’re about to do and reassure your spider plant that all the pieces will probably be okay. As a result of it can. You bought this!

Begin by eradicating your spider plant from its pot.

Squeeze the edges of the pot to loosen it, then whereas supporting the plant on the base of the foliage close to the roots, gently wiggle it out of the container.

Strive to not harm the roots. Set the spider plant on its aspect so you may examine the basis ball.

Subsequent, utilizing your fingers, shake out many of the soil from across the roots so you may see what you’re working with. Trim off any broken or lifeless roots.

Relying on the dimensions of the specimen you’ve gotten, and the dimensions of the divisions you’re aiming for, resolve the way you’ll cut up it up.

It’s essential to not make your divisions too small. If the brand new root balls are too small, it can take longer for the spider vegetation to get better and placed on new progress.

While you’re prepared, use your fingers to separate the roots into sections. If the roots are robust or dense, use your knife to chop them. Every part ought to have a superb quantity of wholesome foliage and rhizomes.

While you’ve acquired your new divisions cut up and able to pot, put together the containers. Scoop some contemporary soil into the bottoms of every pot. Set the brand new division within the pot, and help it whereas rigorously including soil across the roots and gently firming it into place.

The highest of the soil ought to find yourself being about an inch from the highest fringe of your pot, and simply overlaying the roots and rhizomes, leaving a little bit of the crown uncovered. Modify the plant’s place if essential and add extra soil.

While you’re happy together with your work, give your divisions some water.

This can settle the soil across the roots. If it settles fairly a bit, and the roots are uncovered, add some extra soil after which water it a little bit extra. Repeat the potting course of with your whole divisions.

That’s it! You probably did it! Congratulate your self and reassure your new divisions with a number of delicate phrases of encouragement.

Keep away from fertilizing for not less than a month to permit your little spider vegetation time to root of their new containers and get better from any stress.

Make and Share Recollections 

Spider vegetation are forgiving and straightforward to handle for novices. The truth that they’re completely lovable makes them a favourite for knowledgeable houseplant dad and mom as nicely.

Dividing your spider plant when it has outgrown its container or whenever you’re in a giving temper will hold your specimen completely satisfied and wholesome.

Share the love by gifting a spider plant division. You by no means know – you would possibly simply be creating memorable moments for another person too.

Do you bear in mind your first houseplant expertise? Share your reminiscences and drop your story within the feedback under. I’d love to listen to from you!

And to study extra about spider vegetation and how you can look after them, try our different articles subsequent: