What to Do With a Spider Plant in August – 5 Tasks for Healthy Plants and Glossy Leaves
Get the most from this easy-going indoor plant in summer – and even have new plants for free
August is the perfect time to spruce up a spider plant and treat it to a little TLC. Hopefully your spider plant will have been growing vigorously over the past few months, putting out lush new foliage, searching roots and even cascades of fascinating spiderettes.
However, high temperatures, hardworking AC units and changes in watering routines can all impact the health of your indoor plants and your spider plant care, so it's worth knowing more about growing habits and needs to keep them flourishing.
Here, we delve into five tricks you need to know this month to help your plant, from propagation (using a kit such as these glass propagation stations from Walmart) to watering, repotting and more.
Pot Up Spiderettes And Grow New Plants
With plant growth accelerating this month, it's likely your spider plant has produced multiple babies.
Known as spiderettes or pups, these can easily be separated from the parent plant and potted up to grow on, making Chlorophytum comosum one of the easiest houseplants to grow from cuttings.
'August is a great time to propagate because the warmer, brighter conditions help the plantlets get rooted and established more quickly than in the cooler, darker months of winter,' explains horticulturalist Justin Hancock.
Start the process 'by pruning the baby plantlets from the stalk and submerging their roots or base in a shallow vessel of water until they reach about 1 inch long before potting,' explains plant expert Paris Lalicata.
'Alternatively, you can just root them directly into a new pot with moist potting mix and place them in an area that gets bright light and higher humidity,' she continues.
Justin is Costa Farms Horticulturist with 25+ years in the industry. A plant enthusiast and educator, he has a degree in horticultural science and has worked in garden centers and botanical gardens, as a garden designer, and in garden publishing. He has experience gardening across the country, from Minnesota to Oregon to Miami. Hancock is also co-host of the Costa Farms podcast Plant Rx.
Delay Repotting In A Heatwave
One of the best fast growing indoor plants, this month is the ideal time to upgrade your spider plant to a larger plant pot.
'August can be a good time to repot your spider plant if it has currently outgrown its container and you notice either roots growing out of the drainage hole, or the plant appears 2-3 times larger than its current planter,' says Paris.
Gently tap around the pot, loosening roots and soil before removing the plant. Fill the new, slightly larger container a third full of well-draining compost, such as this specialist Gardenera compost from Amazon.
Place the plant in the new pot, ensuring the crown sits just above the soil line, and fill around the roots with more compost. Water and leave to drain thoroughly before moving back into position.
This indoor plant task can surprisingly be weather-dependent. 'I’d avoid repotting during a heatwave, especially if your plant is exposed to high temperatures, and wait until the temperatures get cooler,' cautions Paris.
Paris has been with The Sill for almost five years and heads up Plant Education and Community. A self-taught plant expert with over ten years of experience growing houseplants, she currently maintains an indoor garden of more than 200 plants in the northeast. Her passion is making plant care more digestible for budding plant parents and sharing the many benefits of having plants indoors.
Water On Demand Rather Than By Routine
August's high temperatures can disrupt how you water all types of spider plants.
'If you’re experiencing heat waves in your area and you don’t keep your indoor air cool with an AC, plants can certainly start to drink up water faster, so your spider plant may need additional watering,' explains Paris.
If the top 1-2 inches of potting compost are dry to the touch, then it's time to water, but other telltale signs don't involve dirtying your hands.
'Your plant will tell you it’s starting to get thirsty by subtle changes in the leaves - they’ll be less glossy and more matte and the deep green tones may appear more blue-green in color,' says Justin. 'As the thirst continues, you may start to see leaf tips/edges go yellow and then brown.'
Watering these small indoor plants from the top or bottom is a matter of personal preference. Just be sure to soak and drain thoroughly to avoid root rot.
'During heatwaves, check the soil every few days rather than watering on a fixed schedule,' he continues.
A simple soil hydrometer - such as this from Amazon - will eliminate any watering guesswork. While a Bluetooth Hygrometer will monitor light levels and temperature too.
Boost Humidity Levels
Hailing from South Africa, spider plants need some humidity to thrive. With August's rising temperatures, maintaining a degree of moisture in the air in our homes can prove tricky.
As plant expert Ofra Gaito explains: 'Summer heat and air conditioning can both reduce indoor humidity. If you notice brown leaf tips, placing the pot on a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants can provide a modest boost in humidity.'
Find eco-friendly clay pebbles at Lowe's and team them with a humidity saucer such as this one from Amazon.
With more than 30 years of business leadership experience, Ofra Gaito has built a career centered on creating successful companies, delivering exceptional customer experiences, and making a positive impact on the people they serve. Since 2020, she has served as CEO of Verdant Lyfe, transforming a lifelong passion for plants into a thriving full-time business.
Watch Out For Leaf Bleach
August's fierce sunlight can severely harm the strappy leaves of a spider plant, resulting in crispy, brown patches that the plant cannot recover from. Recognising exactly what leaf scorch is and how to avoid it is key to keeping these classic indoor plants healthy.
Early warning signs that the plant is in too bright a spot are that the foliage will lose its color, with classic cream and green stripes becoming pale. Known as 'sun stress', this is the sign to promptly move these otherwise low-maintenance indoor plants to a cooler, shadier spot before permanent damage occurs.
Keep an eye on where direct afternoon sun falls within your home and consider fitting a UV-blocking sheet at windows - such as this from Lowe's - to stop harmful burning rays.
What to Shop:
Hopefully, by knowing how to care for your spider plant in August, you will be inspired to add to your indoor plant collection. Discover more ideas for decorating with plants and learn how to speed up houseplant propagation.
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