What do you do when your Spider plant suddenly has its roots above the soil?
It may be a surprise for you if you’ve never encountered it before.
There are a few possible causes for this but don’t worry; it is fixable.
In this guide, let’s learn to tackle this problem in your indoor garden!
Contents:
Why Are Spider Plant Roots Growing Above The Soil?
Firstly, you should know why Spider plant roots are growing out of the soil.
This is a common problem with Spider plants, and it can be caused by several factors.
So, let’s look at these factors carefully –
- Overwatering
- Poor drainage
- Pests or diseases
- Not Enough Humidity
- Poor Potting Mix
- Too Much Fertilizer
- Repotting Spider Plants Too Often
- Wrong pot size
- Underwatering
- Overcrowding
These are the most common reasons for this issue in your Spider plant.
And, now that you know the reasons, it will be easier to find a solution.
So, let’s check out the next section!
10 Ways To Fix Spider Plant Roots Above The Soil
In the following section, I will be discussing ten ways that you can use to fix this problem in your plant.
Here, I will be starting with the most common and basic solutions and then moving on to the more advanced ones.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
1. Check The Soil Moisture
The first thing you need to do is check the soil moisture.
Spider plants prefer well-drained soils.
This means the soil should not be soggy or waterlogged.
To check the moisture, insert your finger 2-3 inches into the potting mix.
If it feels damp, then it’s fine.
But if it feels soggy or wet, you need to take action.
2. Allow The Soil To Dry Out Completely
If the soil is too moist, you must let it dry out completely.
To do this, stop watering your plant and allow the topsoil to become completely dry.
Once the soil is dry, you can start watering again, but do it sparingly.
Water only when the topsoil is dry to touch.
3. Improve The Drainage
If the drainage in your pot is poor, then water will not be able to drain properly, and this will cause the roots to rot.
To improve the drainage, you can add some perlite or grit to the potting mix.
You can also use a pot with drainage holes for better results.
4. Prune The Roots
If the roots are too long, they may grow out of the soil.
To prevent this, you will need to prune the roots regularly.
Use sharp and sterilized scissors or shears to cut the roots back to size.
Dust the cut ends with some powdered charcoal to prevent infection.
5. Repot The Plant
If the roots are growing out of the pot, it’s time to repot the plant.
Choose a pot that is one size larger and has good drainage.
Fill the new pot with fresh potting mix and transfer the Spider plant carefully.
Prune any roots that are longer than 3-4 inches before replanting.
Here’s how to repot your Spider plant –
- Water the plant a day before repotting to make the roots more pliable.
- Carefully remove the plant from the old pot and shake off any excess soil.
- Prune the roots if necessary and dust the cuts with powdered charcoal.
- Place the plant in the new pot and fill it with fresh potting mix.
- Water well and keep the plant in a warm, sunny spot.
Follow these steps, and you will be able to repot your Spider plant without any problems.
6. Use A Humidifier
Spider plants prefer high humidity levels, but if the air in your home is dry, then they may start to experience stress.
To increase the humidity levels around your plant, you can use a humidifier.
This will help keep the roots moist and prevent them from drying out.
However, it’s not a practical solution for everyone.
If you can’t use a humidifier, you can try the next solution.
7. Group Plants Together
Yes, Spider plants like to be in groups!
When Spider plants are grouped together, they create a microclimate around themselves which increases the humidity levels.
So, if you group your plants, they will be able to create their own little humid bubble and keep growing steadily.
Note: This is different from growing multiple Spider plants in the same pot.
Here, the plants should be in different pots but placed close to each other.
If you follow this practice, your plants can thrive even in dry conditions.
8. Use A Peat Moss Pot
Peat moss is an excellent way to increase the humidity around your plant.
It holds moisture well and can help keep the roots moist even in dry conditions.
To use peat moss, you will need to create a mini-greenhouse around your Spider plant.
Here’s how to do it –
- Soak some peat moss in water overnight.
- Drain the excess water and place the peat moss in a pot.
- Place the Spider plant in the pot and cover it with a clear plastic bag.
- Secure the bag around the pot with a rubber band.
- Place the pot in a warm, sunny spot.
The peat moss will help create a humid environment around the plant and keep the roots moist.
However, you will need to water the plant regularly to prevent the peat moss from drying out.
9. Provide Sufficient Nutrients To The Plant
Spider plants need a balanced diet of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium for steady growth.
If the plant is not getting enough nutrients, the roots may start to grow above the soil.
To prevent this, you should fertilize your plant regularly with a balanced fertilizer.
But don’t overdo it.
Too much fertilizer can burn the roots and damage the plant.
10. Check The Soil Quality
Finally, if everything else fails, the problem may be with the soil.
Spider plants need well-drained, loose, and aerated soil for their growth.
If the soil is too dense, it will compact around the roots and prevent them from getting the oxygen they need.
To fix this problem, you can add some organic matter to the soil to make it lighter.
Compost or perlite are both good options.
You can also try loosening the soil around the plant with a fork or trowel.
This will help improve the aeration and drainage of the soil.
Now, if you follow these tips, you will be able to fix Spider plant roots above the soil.
But remember, the best way to prevent this problem is to take care of your plant and provide it with the proper conditions for growth.
That said, these roots are not necessarily a bad thing.
So, if you don’t mind seeing such roots on the plant, there’s no need to worry.
Just enjoy your plant!
FAQs
No, Spider plants do not like being root-bound.
They prefer to have ample space to grow and spread out.
If you notice the roots growing out of the pot or above the soil, it’s a sign that your plant is root-bound and needs to be repotted.
Ideally, it would help if you did not cut the roots of your spider plant unless it’s absolutely necessary.
However, if you do need to cut the roots, use sharp and sterilized scissors or shears.
If your spider plant has fat roots, it’s a sign that the plant is not getting enough water.
The roots will start to store water, and this will make them swell.
To fix this problem, you need to water your plant more often.
In the case of Spider pups, they may also have fatter roots because they are not getting enough nutrients.
You can fertilize the plant to provide it with the nutrients it needs.
No, Spider plants do not need deep pots.
They are relatively small plants, and they only require a pot that is around 6-8 inches deep.
Spider plant roots are typically around 2-3 inches deep.
However, the roots can grow up to 6 inches deep if they are not getting enough water.
This is why it’s important to water your plant regularly and not allow the soil to dry out completely.
Over To You
Spider plants are relatively easy to care for, but their roots can cause some problems if they are not well-taken care of.
If you notice the roots growing out of the pot or above the soil, take action immediately.
Do you have any tips on how to fix spider plant roots?
Share them in the comments below!
You can also ask me any questions you have about Spider plant care.
I’ll be happy to help!
Please share this guide with your friends and family if you found it helpful!
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