Spiderettes

Move over succulents, it’s time for spider plants to make a comeback!

Well, that’s the way I see it anyway.

A couple weeks ago, someone left a box of spiderettes in the recycle pile at Redux. I couldn’t stand to see the little plants lying limp and dry, so I gathered a dozen jars and glasses, and started rooting them in water. (You might recall seeing a couple in my last post).

Then, recently, a friend gave me this round stained glass hanging planter (thanks Clare!). It took me back to my early childhood and the memory of a stained glass pyramid planter (which I coveted). Being the 70’s, it was planted with a spider plant, of course.

Needless to say, a few of those spiderettes from the recycle pile got planted in my new planter. I love how the universe works sometimes…

Now, for those of you not in the “spider plant know,” spiderettes are the “pups” or “babies” of a mother spider plant. In the spring, the spiderettes start out as little flowers at the ends of long stems, then they grow leaves, and then their own roots. Yep, like all babies, they deplete nutrients from their moms, so its a good idea to limit the number of pups hanging from your mama plant.

To remove a spiderette from a main plant, clip the stem at both ends. Sometimes the spiderette has roots already, and you can just plop it in some potting soil. But sometimes you need to “root” the plant in either very moist soil or in water. Tip on tips: if you notice the tips of the leaves getting brown, try distilled or rain water instead of tap water.

Other than that, spider plants are easy-peasy to care for and are an excellent choice for those of us with no green thumb. You see, the trick is to ignore them a little. They like to dry out between waterings. Go ahead and forget to water them, but you know, not for too long.

Spider plants also do well in indirect light, so they will enjoy most places in your home. These rooting spider plants in reclaimed glass jars create interesting center pieces on the dining room table, or as accents in the bathroom, or perhaps a nightstand.

Now I long for a big old water jug for rooting spider plants. I’d keep a beautiful betta fish in the water, and watch it swim around the roots. Ahhh…the creative process.

 

 

 

Spiderettes hanging from their mother plant at Encinal Nursery, Alameda.