The spider plant is a common plant to most gardeners. It is known for being a bushy and easy plant to grow, even for beginners. The name spider originated from its features, whereby the plantlets produced by long stems resemble spiders.
Since the plant is easier to grow than other plants, more people have chosen to grow it in their homes and offices for decoration. However, the problem occurs when the plant doesn’t grow as the owner requires. That means it’s thin, and it is supposed to be bushy.
So, can spider plants be bushier? Yes, a spider plant becomes bushier when you take care of it. Also, you need to regularly prune excess leaves, repot, and propagate them to ensure they are healthy when growing. If you don’t take care of your plant, the result will be a leggy and less bushy spider plant.
How to make spider plants Be bushier
To make a spider plant bushy, you must meet all the requirements for a plant to grow. These requirements include the following;
- The sun,
- Temperature
- Soil
- Water
- Moisture content
- Trimming
- Repotting
- Fertilizing
All these factors contribute to your plant being bushy. A bushy spider must be healthy to sustain all the leaves it grows during that period. So, ensure that you know how to care for the spider plant if you want to succeed in making it bushy.
Since these are the same factors required for it to grow into a healthy plant, it means a bushy spider plant is a healthy plant.
Factors to consider when making a spider plant bushier
Spider plants are hardy plants capable of handling harsh conditions. But, you need to satisfy their conditions to get a healthy plant. Here are the conditions to follow to make a spider plant bushy.
Sun
Exposure to the sun improves the rate at which spider plants make food through photosynthesis. However, it doesn’t require direct sunlight. If you expose it to direct sunlight, it’s likely to scorch, which leads to wilting.
The best exposure to the sun is indirect in a lightly shaded area. Or, if you have the plant indoors, place it in a bright east-facing window where it can get sunlight for 4 to 6 hours a day.
Also, ensure you turn the plant so that all sides can receive the same light. Exposing one part of the plant will result in the plant leaning to one side and growing lopsided.
Temperature
Moderate temperatures are the best for a spider plant to bloom. Just like other plants, temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees F during the day and 55 degrees F at night are favorable to make your spider plant bushier.
The plant can tolerate low temperatures during the day, but that can result in stunted growth. So, to make your spider plant bushy, ensure that you protect it from higher or lower temperatures.
You can move the plant indoors during winter to avoid frosting. On the other hand, when indoors, protect it from drafts, heaters, and air conditioners. These things can stress your plant, making it less bushy.
Soil and fertilizer requirements
As you know, the soil is essential for the growth of any plant. Soil contains nutrients, water, and oxygen that support the growth of a spider plant.
You need moist, well-draining soil to make your spider plant bushy. Most people prefer to purchase potting soil or make their own using compost materials on the farm. Compared to garden soils, potting soil is free and not compact.
A recipe for making your soil is using coconut coir, perlite, and vermiculite. These materials have good water retention capacity and good drainage properties. They ensure your plant has the required amount of water at all times. You can also add these materials to the potting soil you purchase.
Always ensure that when you water the soil, you leave it moist and not wet. Wet soil can cause root rot — a major cause of dying plants.
Measure the soil pH and ensure it is neutral. Spider plants tolerate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soils, but prefer neutral soil. So, keep the pH between 6 and 7.2.
The plant requires moderate fertilizer because it can’t grow properly in high salt-concentration soil. The salt causes the leaf tips to start turning brown. Water the plant with distilled or rainwater to minimize the accumulated salts.
Water
For a plant that grows in warm temperatures, it requires plenty of water to be bushier. But that doesn’t mean suffocating it in water. The best amount of water makes the soil moist and not wet.
Wet soil can block the soil’s pores, causing the root’s suffocation. If you have difficulty knowing when to water a spider plant, purchase a moisture meter, to check the amount of moisture in the soil before you water.
The suitable soil won’t have a problem holding and draining off excess water. Water your soil at least once a week.
Pruning and Trimming
Pruning is the process of removing excess or overgrown foliage on a plant. When you remove this excess foliage, it allows the roots to promote growth, which results in a bushier spider plant.
Besides that, pruning and trimming can help keep pests and diseases away from the plant. Remove yellow and dead leaves to prevent spreading to other parts of the plant.
The main reason to trim your plant is to remove excess leaves, making it short and compact. For it to become bushy, you’ll need compact and neat leaves. And because the plant grows fast, you must do it regularly to avoid tall leaves.
Ensure that you use sharp and sterilized garden shears or a pruning knife when pruning. Cleaning your tools prevents contamination of diseases from other plants. So, if you do it right, you can make your spider plant bushier in no time.
Also, the best time to prune is in the spring or summer.
Repotting
So, you may not think much of repotting, but it does well for a plant when you repot. For instance, if the spider plant has a small pot and it’s outgrowing it, you need to change it to a bigger pot.
It’s easy to notice when it is time to repot a spider plant. The roots start to show above the soil. When that happens, it’s time to move it. Since it’s not a complicated task, a beginner can do it.
To repot a spider plant, remove it from its container, and rinse off soil from the roots. Then trim mushy or rotten roots. Then replant it in a larger pot containing fresh soil.
Also, trim off any dead leaves. Continue taking care of the plant to help it become bushier.
Conclusion
Spider plants are the best plants to have indoors. They are even better when bushy. So, to have a bushy spider plant, you must maintain it properly and ensure it is healthy when growing.
To make your spider plant bushier, ensure you prune regularly, repot to give the plant space, and propagate. And obviously, general care and maintenance are a must.
