What to Do With a Spider Plant in May – to Ensure Vigorous Growth All Season Long

What's better than a low-maintenance houseplant with a striking (and undeniably retro) look? The spider plant is an eternal favorite, but it does require a little more attention right now. In May, you'll want to soak the soil, clean the foliage, and prune off any dead leaves to really supercharge growth.

As spring continues, spider plants have now entered their active growth period, which means that maintenance is crucial. Your spider plant will be notably thirstier this month, and it will also need adequate light and humidity to keep thriving.

Spider plant care isn't a strenuous job, but it's worth checking off these essential tasks to ensure that yours enjoys strong growth this spring and summer. (And if you want to add one to your collection, you can pick up a spider plant from Fast Growing Trees.

1. Soak the Soil

'I always recommend spider plants to beginners because they're so easy to care for,' says Tenielle Jordison, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'They’re forgiving of neglect and usually bounce back with a bit of water. However, it’s not uncommon for your spider plant’s foliage to get a little crisp in May – and if this is the case, you'll want to give it a good soaking.'

Dry, brown foliage is a tell-tale sign of dehydration, and your spider plant will definitely thank you after a long drink.

'I like to take mine out of its pot and let it sit in the sink for about 20 minutes,' says Tenielle. 'This thoroughly moistens the soil and by the time I check on it, it’s already perked back up.'

Even if you don't spot any poorly leaves, now is the time to start watering your spider plant more regularly. It's the best way to support the plant during its growth season, and it will keep its foliage looking vibrant and glossy.

'If you haven’t already, you should increase watering frequency this month,' confirms Tenielle. 'Your spider plant is now actively growing, and light and temperatures are higher, so it’s definitely thirstier.'

The secret to perfecting your watering schedule? A soil moisture meter, like this one from Walmart.

'Use your moisture meter to check when the top couple of inches have dried out,' says Tenielle. 'This is the point at which you'll need to water it again.'

Tenielle Jordison

Tenielle is a Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens with over six years of journalistic experience, including previously having the role of Gardens News Writer. She holds qualifications in BA Journalism, Media and English Literature and MA Magazine Journalism. Before coming to Homes & Gardens, Tenielle was in the editorial department at the Royal Horticultural Society and worked on The Garden magazine. As our in-house houseplant expert, Tenielle writes on a range of solutions to houseplant problems, as well as other 'how to' guides, inspiring garden projects, and the latest gardening news.

2. Check For Pests

Spring doesn't just mean faster growth for your beloved plants – it also means that a flurry of common houseplant pests might start to appear.

'Houseplant pests emerge from winter dormancy in spring and can multiply fast,' explains Tenielle. 'Now is the time to monitor your spider plant for the likes of spider mites, aphids, mealybugs, and fungus gnats.'

You can clean houseplant leaves using microfiber cloths like these ones from Amazon, or plant dusting gloves, also from Amazon.

Simply wipe down the leaves to remove dust; if you find clusters of insects, you can also use homemade bug spray or neem oil spray (which you can pick up at Walmart).

'I like to clean my spider plant’s foliage regularly to deter pests,' says Tenielle. 'It also helps me spot them quickly and get rid of them before the issue becomes too severe or spreads to my other houseplants.'

3. Remove Fading Leaves

While you're examining your spider plant's foliage and checking for pests, you'll also want to identify any fading leaves and snip them off.

'Spider plants need minimal pruning, but any yellow or brown leaves should be removed in spring,' advises Tenielle. 'The damage can be caused by a wide range of things, including the fluctuating temperatures over late winter and early spring, too much or too little water, and too much sunlight.'

With this in mind, it's worth moving your spider plant if it's in either a gloomy or an overly bright spot – and making sure to keep watering regularly to ensure healthy leaves.

'Brown or yellow leaves won’t turn green again, so you can simply remove them at the base of the plant with clean, sharp pruning snips,' says Tenielle. (Reliable pruning tools are key; try something like the Fiskars indoor pruning shears, which you'll find at Target.)

'Not only will light pruning improve your plant's appearance, but it will also help redirect the its energy into putting on new growth,' says Tenielle.

4. Boost Humidity Levels

Temperatures might be climbing as we approach summer, but spider plants love humidity – and May is the perfect time to give them a boost. (Adequate humidity is, in fact, the key to avoiding those yellow or brown leaves.)

'Thanks to their native habitat of tropical regions in southern and western Africa, spider plants enjoy around 50-60 percent humidity,' explains Tenielle. 'Improving your plant’s humidity levels will help you avoid leaf discoloration and promote stronger growth.'

To create optimal conditions, Tenielle recommends using a pebble humidity tray, like this one from Amazon.

'I simply pop my spider plant on a pebble tray for plants,' she says. 'However, you can also place a humidifier nearby; even misting your spider plant regularly will help.'

5. Propagate the Offshoots

One of the best parts about growing a low-maintenance indoor plant is being able to propagate it and add to your collection – and spider plants regularly produce baby plants, or 'spiderettes', which can be easily repotted.

'If you’ve been growing your spider plant for a few years, spring is when you might find babies growing on long stems known as runners,' says Tenielle.

'May is a great time to take houseplant snips, cut the offshoots (also called spiderettes) off the runners, and pop each one into its own pot with a well-draining potting mix.' (Something like the Miracle-Gro indoor potting mix is ideal; you can stock up at The Home Depot.)

Once your spiderettes are all settled in their own pots, they will start to grow faster than you might expect.

'Keep the pots in a bright, warm spot, and they should root pretty quickly, providing you with a brand new plant,' says Tenielle. 'Alternatively, you can leave the offshoots to grow on the parent plant; this will eventually transform it into a hanging spider plant.'

Want to make your spider plant look even more spectacular this spring? We asked experts how to make spider plants bushier – and how to get a spider plant to flower.

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