This video was inspired by a viewer who has had trouble with her spider plant leaves bending and breaking. Find out the reasons why spider plant leaves bend and break, including insufficient water.
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Today, we’re answering a question from subscriber Christina H—thank you, Christina! This is a common issue with spider plants. This is Lucy, a spider plant featured in our revival series (link in the description). She was recently repotted and is already showing new growth.
Christina asked about spider plant foliage bending and breaking, both indoors and outdoors. There are a few common reasons for this issue.
1. Foliage Gets Crushed:
Spider plant leaves often droop below the pot. If you’re not careful when setting the pot down after watering, the foliage can get pinched underneath, causing pressure and breakage. This may also snap off leaf tips or even entire leaves.
2. Underwatering:
Another major cause is letting the plant get too dry. When spider plants dry out, the foliage droops and creates a permanent crease in the leaf. That crease can cause the leaf to eventually break. Once a leaf creases, it won’t recover. You can either remove the damaged leaf or let it stay until new growth replaces it. Just don’t remove too many at once, or you might cause root rot due to an imbalance between top growth and moist soil.
Watering Tips:
Spider plants don’t like to be too wet or too dry. Don’t water “just in case”—this leads to root rot. Instead, use a moisture meter and water when it reads around 4, before it dips into the dry zone of 3. For a pot this size, water when the top half-inch is dry. For larger pots, wait until ¾ to 1 inch down is dry. A lightweight pot is another good indicator that it’s time to water.
Pay attention to drooping leaves—they’re a red flag that you’ve waited too long to water, which could lead to bending and breakage.
3. Pot Placement and Handling:
Using a hanging basket can help prevent the foliage from getting trapped under the pot. Also, be cautious when moving your plant, especially around other plants. Spider plant leaves are tender and can break easily, especially in mature plants with babies (plantlets) at the end of long stems, which make them heavier and more prone to damage.
4. Fertilizing:
Keep your spider plant healthy and resilient with good fertilization. Healthy foliage is less likely to bend or break. We recommend using Green Gourmet Houseplant Food—link below.
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Spider Plant Foliage Care FAQ
Why do spider plant leaves bend and break?
This can happen when the foliage is pinched under the pot or if the plant becomes too dry, causing drooping and creasing in the leaves.
How can I prevent my spider plant’s leaves from getting damaged?
Avoid setting the pot on top of the leaves, use a hanging basket, and handle the plant carefully—especially around other plants and in mature specimens with heavy plantlets.
What is the best way to water a spider plant?
Use a moisture meter and water when the reading is around 4. Don’t let it dry out too much or stay too wet. Check soil moisture at about half an inch deep for small pots and up to one inch for larger ones.
Can bent spider plant leaves be fixed?
No, once a leaf is creased or bent, it won’t return to its original shape. You can trim it or leave it until new growth develops.
How does fertilizing help prevent leaf damage?
Fertilizing with a high-quality houseplant food strengthens the foliage, making it more resilient to bending, creasing, and breaking.
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