Spider plants are generally easy-going, low maintenance houseplants But even hardy spider plants can struggle when growing conditions aren’t right If your spider plant is looking sad and stressed, don’t give up on it yet! Here are tips for reviving a dying spider plant and nursing it back to health.
Signs Your Spider Plant is Struggling
Watch for these signs that indicate your spider plant needs help
- Yellow, brown, or drooping leaves
- Dry, shriveled foliage
- Few new leaves or runners forming
- Leaf tips turning brown
- Wilting even when well-watered
- Evidence of pests like spider mites
Don’t wait until leaves start falling off to take action. At the first signs of trouble, assess the situation and make appropriate fixes.
Common Causes of Spider Plant Decline
Spider plants thrive with basic care, but they can suffer if key growing conditions aren’t met. Common causes of spider plant stress include:
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Overwatering – Soggy soil leads to root rot.
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Underwatering – Too little water causes leaves to dry out.
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Excess sun – Direct light scorches leaves.
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Low light – Insufficient light leads to weak growth.
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High salt buildup – From repeated tap watering without flushing soil.
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Pests – Spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, etc.
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Old age – Spider plants live 3-6 years typically.
How to Revive a Dying Spider Plant
With early intervention, it’s often possible to nurse a struggling spider plant back to health. Here are tips:
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Assess watering needs and adjust frequency so soil dries out between waterings.
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Move plant to a bright, indirect light spot. Provide artificial light if needed.
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Wash leaves with soapy water to control pests. Apply neem oil as needed.
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Leach soil by watering heavily to remove built-up salts.
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Repot in fresh potting mix if roots are compromised or to refresh the soil.
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Remove dead leaves and trim any damaged parts to reduce demand on the plant.
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Stake stems of tall or weakened plants for support.
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Mist leaves if the plant is stressed from low humidity.
Preventing Future Spider Plant Issues
Once your revived spider plant is growing happily again, keep it healthy by providing ideal care:
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Water only after the top inch of soil is dry.
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Keep in bright, indirect light. Rotate periodically.
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Wipe leaves with damp cloth to keep dust-free.
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Repot every 2-3 years in well-draining soil.
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Propagate new spider plants from the healthiest leaves.
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Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with balanced houseplant fertilizer.
With a little TLC and proper growing conditions, you can nurse your struggling spider plant back to vibrancy!
Frequency of Entities:
spider plant: 23
leaves: 12
water/watering: 8
soil: 6
light: 5
pest/pests: 4
foliage: 3
new: 3
plant: 3
Has It Outgrown Its Container?
Repotting your spider plant is recommended about once a year.
It may be time to give your plant more room to grow if you see roots sticking out of the bottom of the pot, if growth seems to be stopping, or if it looks like it’s getting too crowded.
Moving to a bigger container also gives you a chance to fix soil that is lacking nutrients or doesn’t drain well.
Carefully take it out of its current home and move it to a bigger pot with potting soil that drains well.
Water until the soil is moist but not soggy. Continue with regular care.
Need more help? Find a detailed guide to repotting spider plants here.
How Much Light Is It Getting?
Sometimes they will wilt because they are failing to get the correct amount of sunlight.
You may have put a pot in the perfect spot in a window during the summer, but by winter, that window doesn’t get much light.
You may find it necessary to move the container to a different location as the seasons change.
Just make sure you continue to situate the pots in bright, indirect sunlight.
Spider plants like to be in the sun, but too much direct sunlight can burn the tips of the leaves and make them lose their color.
It has been sitting in direct sunlight for a while and looks droopy, with maybe some browning leaf tips. Give it a deep soak for a few minutes and then move it to a cooler, shadier spot.
It will die if it is in full shade or far from a window. Move it to a place with more light.
How To Save Dying Plants // Resurrecting Spider Plants Near Death
FAQ
How do you bring a spider plant back to life?
How do you fix an unhealthy spider plant?
Can a spider plant be saved from dying?
Here are the plant-care guidelines from the introduction that, if followed promptly, can save your spider plant from dying. Since the spider plant is regarded as a relatively low-maintenance plant, it doesn’t require as much watering as you might think. Frequent watering causes root rot, which, as previously stated, is a major indoor plant killer.
How do you revive a dying Spider Plant?
My method for reviving a dying spider plant is to water correctly, allowing the top 2 inches of the soil to dry out between bouts of watering, maintaining the optimal temperature for growth, locating the spider plant in bright indirect light, and recreating some of the conditions of its native environment.
How do you keep a spider plant from overwatering?
To prevent overwatering your spider plant, make sure that the soil is not moist when watering. Also, make sure that the excess water drains out through drainage holes. Learn to water your spider plant according to the season. For instance, the plant should be watered more in summer and less in winter. 2. Stop Underwatering Your Spider Plant
Is it too late to save a spider plant?
If your spider plant has lost all of its leaves, it may be too late to save it. However, you can try to revive it by following the steps outlined above. Repot the plant in fresh soil, water it sparingly, and provide it with adequate light and nutrients.