underwatering and Spider Plant
Quick answer
If underwatering is what's going on with your Spider Plant, the most likely cause is: The Houseplant Survival Manual (1982) describes underwatering and insufficient nourishment as the cause of brown leaf tips on Chlorophytum comosum. In young spider plants whose fleshy roots have not yet filled the pot, the same brown tip damage is also a sign that the plant needs potting on, because a restricted rootball cannot draw or store enough water between drinks and the foliage pays the price at its margins.
Start here:
- 1. Water the compost well, until water runs through the drainage hole, and then keep the compost evenly moist during the growing season, allowing only the top layer to dry between waterings
- 2. In the rest period, water more sparingly so the rootball does not stay saturated, but never let the spider plant reach the point of total dehydration
Why underwatering happens to Spider Plant
chlorophytum comosum
The Houseplant Survival Manual (1982) describes underwatering and insufficient nourishment as the cause of brown leaf tips on Chlorophytum comosum. In young spider plants whose fleshy roots have not yet filled the pot, the same brown tip damage is also a sign that the plant needs potting on, because a restricted rootball cannot draw or store enough water between drinks and the foliage pays the price at its margins.
How to correct underwatering on Spider Plant
- 1
Water the compost well, until water runs through the drainage hole, and then keep the compost evenly moist during the growing season, allowing only the top layer to dry between waterings
- 2
In the rest period, water more sparingly so the rootball does not stay saturated, but never let the spider plant reach the point of total dehydration
- 3
If the brown leaf tips look unsightly, snip them off with clean scissors, but do not cut into the still-green leaf tissue, because new browning will spread from any cut into living tissue
- 4
If tips continue to brown despite regular watering in a young plant, pot on into a larger container so the thick fleshy roots have room to take up moisture
Keep underwatering from repeating on this Spider Plant
Establish a soak-and-light-dry rhythm rather than letting the compost swing from bone dry to soggy. Feed regularly during the growing season so the plant is not relying on limited reserves, and pot on young plants promptly when roots begin to force the soil up to the rim of the pot.