Spider plant poorly

[scotkat]

Leaves going yellow and a bit brown .

I find it hard to keeps spider plats as houseplants.

[vilcat]

Are you over-watering?

[scotkat]

Did't think so maybe lack of.

[vilcat]

Leaves generally fold in the middle first before dying when under-watered.

[Kniphofia]

They do have fleshy roots and require quite a bit of water. Is it too hot where your plant is? I don't think they're as easy as people make out!

[JohnBeaulieu]

I think it is those fleshy roots that help them through times of drought by storing moisture. Spiders have been one of the most poular houseplants for hundreds of years because they are very adaptable. I summer my plants outdoors and they survive hot sun down to being out until there are frost warnings. Mind you these extremes are gradual over time.

This is not to say that I have not killed a spider over the years. Extreme neglect or actual freezing will do them in. I was looking through some books to find spider problems and they are very few... The only things I came across were - Leaves pale and limp in winter because of to much heat or little light. Brown tips from underfeeding, touching, or hot air.

I find that when in doubt about why a plant is going downhill, it is often a good idea to check the roots. Pop the plant out of the pot to make sure the roots are healthy. This way you can check for root-feeding pests such as soil-mealy bugs, you can see if roots were rotting from over watering or dying from lack of water. Repotting with some fresh mix usually does not hurt.

If you suspect lack of nutrients, do not fertilize an extremily dry plant. Give it a day or so of proper moisture before fertilizing.

Sometimes plants decline no matter what we try. If you have some baby spiders on stolons from your main plant, you may want to root one or two as insurance, just in case.

I hope that may give you a few ideas.

John

[Angela]

I gave up spider plants. My cats ate them. Used to wait until they looked just beautiful, then shred them in one sitting.

[rsergeantorchids]

I find that spider plants love high humidity inside and do well in bathrooms, if you have a window in the bathroom for light that is. Be sure that your plant isn't ner a heat source like a vent, radiator, gas fire. The heat is to intense and drys out the plant to quickly for their liking.

I left my spider plants outside this winter and just cover if there is a threat of frost. So far they are doing great! I have several volenteers that are growing directly in the ground and I haven't moved them in 2 seasons.

[Xiler84z]

Originally Posted by JohnBeaulieu Brown tips from underfeeding, touching, or hot air. John

Hi! I have a spider plant and the tips are turning brown. I read that you said that it can be from underfeeding, touching, or hot air. What do you mean by "touching?" And how often do you recommend fertalization?

Thanks,
Becky

[Snuzi]

Originally Posted by rsergeantorchids I left my spider plants outside this winter and just cover if there is a threat of frost.

I'm pretty much the same zone (9a) & I have my spiders planted in the ground outside (no mulching). Some are on the north side, east side, some in pots on the south side. The only ones that froze back was the ones in the pot on the south side - which are now sprouting back. You may want to try a few this winter to see how they fair.