How is this Spider plant alive?!

[Colm Osiris]

this Spider plant was my late mother's, and i've had it for many years. it's pretty much always looked like this, and i don't know how it manages to stay alive, though i'm very glad it has.

is it ok like it is, is it viable? should i think about repotting it? if so, how should i position it in the new pot?

 

[Anniekay]

Hah!! Find it a bigger pot and put all that mess inside it. Plants want to live, ya know, and that one's managed to send nutrients all along those stems to keep it going.

 

[Colm Osiris]

thanks Anniekay, i'll do just that.

 

[MiTmite9]

Spider plants are a popular houseplant for a couple reasons: (1) They're pretty and (2) They are one of the hardiest, least fussy plants ever.

 

[Low Altitude]

Spider plants are a popular houseplant for a couple reasons: (1) They're pretty and (2) They are one of the hardiest, least fussy plants ever.

Absolutely! Nigh indestructible. Extraordinary plants.

 

[starlightnursery]

Spider plants are a favorite among houseplant enthusiasts for a couple of key reasons. First, their long, arching green leaves with white stripes add a beautiful touch to any indoor space. Second, they're incredibly resilient and low-maintenance. Spider plants thrive in various conditions, tolerate occasional neglect, and are highly adaptable, making them perfect for beginners or anyone with a busy schedule.

 

[moderniko]

I absolutely love spider plants! Their vibrant green leaves with those white stripes add such a fresh vibe to any room. Plus, the fact that they’re so low-maintenance is a huge bonus for someone like me who tends to forget about watering now and then. They’re perfect for beginners or anyone who wants an easy, beautiful plant that doesn’t need constant attention!

 

[Colm Osiris]

thank you everyone, sorry, i didn't know there'd been all these replies.

i love them too, and generally, yes, i'd agree, they are pretty resilient. but this particular one, when i took it out of the pot in order to repot it, the roots disintegrated. there's only a few straggly roots now, but i have repotted it, and am hoping for the best. here it is now.

and here are some more, the two on the left are non-variegated. there's another six i want to find homes for, and quite a few more in glass jars with water. but once i get the hanging baskets, i will be able to let the plantlets grow as much as they want, and i really won't need to take cuttings! they've taken over my windowsills!

interestingly, some of the variegated ones in the jars have started to lose the variegation, and are pure green, but not on all the leaves.

talking of resilience, how about this tree?!

 

[makeit1]

I absolutely love spider plants! Their vibrant green leaves with those white stripes add such a fresh vibe to any room. Plus, the fact that they’re so low-maintenance is a huge bonus for someone like me who tends to forget about watering now and then. They’re perfect for beginners or anyone who wants an easy, beautiful plant that doesn’t need constant attention!

I’m a huge fan of spider plants too! Their vibrant green leaves with white stripes instantly brighten up any space. The best part? They’re so low-maintenance, which is perfect for someone like me who forgets to water sometimes. If you're looking for something even easier, I recently found some great artificial versions from Designer Plants that look just as beautiful but require zero upkeep. Ideal for adding that fresh vibe without the hassle!

 

[Colm Osiris]

The best part? They’re so low-maintenance…

thanks makeit1. normally, yes, i agree, and normally i wouldn't worry, as occasionally they do actually die, but most survive. but this was my mother's, and i am worried about it. there's been no visible new growth yet. i don't know why the roots disintegrated like they did, the soil wasn't excessively wet, and there wasn't any sign of insects that i could see. can anyone shed any light on this? thanks.

although this one, and a few others i have, are variegated, most of mine aren't, but they're still beautiful, especially when in flower. not so striking, but still gorgeous. here are a couple of them.

 

[makeit1]

It sounds like you're really attached to this plant, especially since it was your mother's, and I completely understand your concern. Sometimes, even when we do everything right, plants can struggle for reasons that aren’t always obvious. If the roots disintegrated, it might have been root rot or an issue with the soil’s drainage, even if it didn’t seem too wet. Checking for any signs of disease or fungus in the soil might help. You could also try repotting it in fresh, well-draining soil and see if it perks up.

Variegated plants can be a bit more sensitive, so giving it some extra TLC could help encourage new growth. Your other plants sound lovely, too! It's always great to have a mix, and I bet those flowers are stunning when they bloom. Hopefully, this one will bounce back soon!

 

[Colm Osiris]

nothing seemed to be happening, i was hoping for some new growth, but i suppose as there was so little root, it'll take a while. so i put some more soil on the top, over one of the little aerial roots, just in case. nothing's happened there yet, but several of the leaves are upright, and not floppy, and there is a new leaf growing. so i'm hopeful it will survive.