The spider plant is native to the West Indies, Central America, and parts of South America. It is often called the airplane plant because the developing aerial roots hang like ropes from a plane’s wings or propeller.
Spider plants are one of the most popular houseplants in North America. They are easy to care for, and they can grow just about anywhere!
But there is one pesky question that many gardeners have: what type of soil should I use? In this blog post, I will reveal the soil I use for spider plants.
The Best Soil for Spider Plants?
The best soil for spider plants is nutrient-rich, well-draining, and contains plenty of organic matter. I like to start with an indoor potting mix, and then add some perlite, worm castings, and coco chips. This recipe will give the spider plant everything it needs to survive and thrive.
I spent many years of trial and tribulation before finding the best soil for spider plants. It’s one I recommend to all new owners of these lovely house plants.
Spider Plant Soil Recipe:
- 75% Miracle Grow Indoor potting mix (Amazon link)
- 25% perlite (Amazon link)
- Sprinkle of worm castings or compost
- Sprinkle of coco chips
I use an organic potting mix, like Miracle Grow, to provide my spider plants with the nutrients they need. So why can’t you use just organic potting mix? Well, because the roots won’t be able to breathe!
We need to add ingredients that give air but remove excess water. This is why I add perlite and coco chips to my spider plant soil mix.
You can use worm castings or compost for the next step, although I prefer to go with the former. Both of these ingredients will give even more nutrients to the soil.
The best thing about using ingredients like coco coir, peat moss, and worm castings is that they release their nutrients slowly. This is a good thing for plants that are slow growers like the spider plant and you’ll be able to enjoy their beauty at your place for a long time with this type of soil mix.
What Should the Texture Be Like?
The soil should be light and fluffy in texture but still moist at all times. It’s a bad idea to make the soil wet, as spider plants dislike being kept in soggy soil. In fact, wet soil can lead to root rot on your spider plant. Click here to learn more about how to water a spider plant.
The soil should also not be left to dry for too long. dry soil will cause the roots to dry up and this will lead to plant death. It’s best that you water your spider plants in between soaks instead of leaving them for too long without any moisture, or else they’ll suffer from dehydration.
Does the Soil Need Fertilizer?
You should add fertilizer (Amazon link to my favorite fertilizer) to the spider plant soil, but not an excessive amount. A little bit of fertilizer is sufficient for the plant’s needs, as it only needs to feed on nitrogen and potassium from time to time.
The fertilizers should be organic ones without any synthetic substances However, you can also use fertilizer spikes that make feeding your spider plant a lot easier and less messy.
The best types of fertilizer for a spider plant can vary from one person to another depending on what they have available or want but there are some very good ones out there that work well. I like to just use a handful of worm castings in the soil of my spider plants.
Tips and Facts
* Spider plants have an easy life cycle which makes them perfect houseplants even in low light conditions. They make excellent companions for people who work long hours outside of their homes and find themselves coming home exhausted after dark.
* Spider plants are easy to propagate and make excellent plant gifts for friends or family members who love gardening! It’s always nice to share the joys of spider plant ownership with close ones while also giving them a new friend indoors as well.
* You can make spider plant babies!
* Spider plants are also a great way to brighten up the office. They’re low maintenance and easy on the budget, which is perfect for people who work in an environment that doesn’t allow them to buy greenery very often.
* Spider plants need to be watered from time to time, but not too often. If they are left in water for an extended period of time it can cause the roots and stem rot or even droop as well as stunting the growth.
* The spider plant should get indirect sunlight during its active growing season which is spring through early fall. It needs at least three hours of direct light each day with shade during hotter seasons and colder climates so that it does not dry out or freeze up.
Conclusion
The spider plant will grow to be a beautiful, vibrant green plant…
Well, if you just pick the right soil.
Choosing the wrong type of potting medium will lead to an ugly and dead-looking spidee in no time at all!
The best way to maximize the health of your spider plant is by using a potting mix that is specifically designed for growing spider plants. As I mentioned in my recipe, the soil should be full of nutrients, drain well, be able to breathe, and kept moist.
I hope you have enjoyed reading this blog post. If so, please do share it with your family and friends.
