Spider Plant Salt Damage

Sources of Salt

• Fertilizer is often a source of salt, and fertilizing your spider plant too much may result in the accumulation of salt in the soil. In addition, tap water often contains a high amount of salt. Softened water contains a lot of sodium and is not recommended for watering plants.

Salt Damage

• Spider plants do not tolerate salt that accumulates in the soil. The first sign of salt damage on your spider plant is brown tips on the leaves. The spider plant may also stop growing, and, if the salt levels in the soil are left unchecked, it may eventually die.

Flushing Out the Salts

• Once you notice the browning leaf tips on your spider plant, take it to the sink. Slowly water it with lots of water so the water flushes out the drainage holes. As the water drains, the salts in the soil will drain out as well. Keep watering so the water drains out of the pot for about 30 seconds.

Prevention

• Stop watering a spider plant with your tap water if it is softened. Instead, buy bottled water or get water from a friend's house. Make sure you fertilize spider plants with a houseplant fertilizer only during active growth periods, and use the amounts recommended on the label, no more. In addition, since spider plants are sensitive to salt and most tap water has some salt in it, water your plant so some of what you are watering drains out the bottom. This will flush out the older salts at each watering. Discard the water that collects in the drainage dish. You can also simply water your spider plant over the sink each time.