How Long Is It Before a Potted Spider Plant Roots in Water?

Basics

• Though they can tolerate some sunlight, spider plants thrive in bright but indirect light. Too much sun -- and too little water -- can cause tip burn. Spider plants are somewhat drought adapted, with fleshy tuberous roots, so allow plants to dry out between watering. Otherwise soil should remain evenly moist. Plants do well in all-purpose potting soil. Provide daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and 50 to 55 degrees at night. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees for short periods, but too much cold can be disastrous. Keep spider plants away from windows to protect them from winter drafts.

Care

• Fertilize spider plants every few months with either water-soluble or time-release fertilizer during active growth periods. Plant diseases are rarely a problem when spider plants are grown indoors. Aphids, spider mites, scales and whiteflies are the most common pests, but more frequently plants suffer from either over or under watering. Over watering can cause root rot. Under watering, too much fertilizer or water high in soluble salts can lead to tip burn on leaves.

Propagate

• Spider plants are most easily propagated from plantlets, or the new miniature plants that form -- complete with tiny roots -- at the end of flower stalks. Propagate them also by root division or from leaf cuttings. Divide and re-pot spider plants periodically, in any season, to prevent tuberous roots from cracking plant pots. Don't fertilize newly divided plants for at least four to six months. Plant leaf cuttings in small plastic pots of moist, sterile planting soil. Slide each pot inside a plastic bag to maintain high humidity until roots form. Place pots in bright indirect light.

Root Plantlets

• Miniature spider plants that form at the end of flower stalks are already rooted, and these small roots will begin to grow as soon as they make contact with moist soil. You can also root these tiny plants in water -- more accurately, encourage existing roots to grow larger and longer -- though it's not necessary to do this before planting them. Simply cut the plantlet from the stalk, leaving 4 to 6 inches of stalk still attached. Fill a glass jar with water and place the plantlet roots in the water, keeping the plant top from falling into the water with the attached stalk. Don't wait longer than two weeks before planting -- because the longer roots get, the more you'll risk breaking or damaging them when you replant them in potting soil.