Looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that suits beginners?
A perennial that survives in less-than-perfect conditions?
The spider plant won’t disappoint you.
Once you’ve secured the right conditions for this adorable plant, it will grow rosettes of arching leaves that can reach a length of 18 inches. And with optimum care, some varieties can live up to 50 years, although most spider plants live for 20 years.
But, again, this depends on providing the plant with ideal growing conditions.
So, what is the best soil for a spider plant?
This blog post will tell you everything you need to know about the spider plant’s soil requirements, so let’s read together to learn more about this adorable maintenance-free plant.
What is the Best Soil for a Spider Plant?
Spider plants are native to Central and South Africa and thrive in different types of soil as long as it’s well-draining.
Scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum, spider plants are among the most popular houseplants. They can survive in different indoor environments but will thrive when you mimic the conditions of their native habitat.
Despite tolerating various soil conditions, these plants thrive in loose or loamy soil that doesn’t hold much water around the roots. When the soil is too compact, this plant can suffer from root rot that suffocates the plant and kills it unless you do something about it.
Good drainage is essential because the roots of this plant will suffocate without enough ventilation.
As a matter of fact, inconsistent watering doesn’t harm this plant because the roots retain moisture.
So, you can water the plant when the first inch of the soil feels dry, as this plant prefers slightly moist environments.
This, however, doesn’t mean that the plant will stay healthy in soil with sharp drainage. It should retain some moisture to keep the plant healthy.
Spider plants also thrive in neutral soil and can even tolerate some salt. Nevertheless, you’ll begin noticing some browning on the tips of the leaves if there are high salt levels in the soil.
Can You Use Potting Soil for a Spider Plant?
Yes, spider plants love loose potting soil, so these plants will thrive in a nutrient-rich potting mix. It should be able to retain some moisture and still provide the plant with the healthy ventilation it needs.
As a matter of fact, a spider plant can grow in any potting soil, including a general-purpose houseplant potting mix. However, the potting soil type will affect the plant’s health and how fast it grows.
So, what does this mean for your spider ivy plant?
It means that growing the plant in a porous, nutrient-rich potting soil will keep it healthy and yield the best results.
On the other hand, when grown in compact potting soil, this plant will eventually die because of root rot. But that’s not all.
Even if the plant survives and overcomes the overwatering problem, it will be more prone to pests and diseases.
What Type of Soil Does a Spider Plant Need?
Most pre-mixed soil mixes will work for spider plants.
Choosing the soil type depends on several factors, like the amount of light the plant receives, watering schedule, and humidity.
When the plant doesn’t receive enough light, your soil should be more porous to allow the roots to access more oxygen.
The spider plant thrives in partial shade, but with more light, it can tolerate growing in compact soil that retains more moisture because the heat will help the water evaporate.
If you don’t water your spider plant regularly, it can grow in a slightly compact soil that retains more moisture.
The roots should stay wet for some time to allow the plant to absorb the nutrients from the soil.
Humidity levels also play a crucial role in determining the type of soil where you can grow your spider ivy plant.
The leaves’ tips will become brown if the humidity levels are too low. The potting soil shouldn’t be too porous in this case, or the plant will suffer.
Your plant will lose more moisture through evaporation, so it needs to grow in compact soil that retains more water.
Finally, the material of your plant pot can help you pick the suitable soil for your ivy spider plant.
Some pot materials, like terracotta, absorb moisture, so you must grow your plant in a medium that holds more water.
If you choose a porous soil mix, the plant will be dehydrated.
Other pot materials like plastic or ceramic don’t absorb moisture, so the potting mix should provide better ventilation to keep the roots healthy.
Do Spider Plants Like Acidic Soil?
Spider plants thrive in neutral pH levels but can tolerate slightly acidic and alkaline soil.
However, these plants prefer acidic soil over alkaline.
When there is too much salt in the soil, it affects water absorption, and the plant tips will turn brown.
This alkaline soil doesn’t suit spider plants.
Do Spider Plants Like Coffee Grounds?
Coffee grounds can benefit spider plants.
These are considered a popular type of green compost that can boost the health of many houseplants when mixed with paper filters to maintain the compost’s balance.
They’re full of nutrients, especially nitrogen, which enriches the soil and acts as a natural fertilizer.
The nitrogen in the coffee grounds needs to be processed by the nematodes in the soil first to provide the plant with essential nutrients.
Spider plants are moderate feeders, and adding coffee grounds to the soil will restore the regularly depleted nutrients to keep the plants healthy.
You can also prepare tea by adding water to the coffee grounds and watering your spider plant.
But that’s not all. Coffee grounds are slightly acidic, so they can be added to slightly alkaline or neutral soil to make it more suitable for spider plants.
It only gets better because adding coffee grounds to the soil or potting mix can actually save your plant from some pests.
Snails and slugs are known to avoid coffee grounds, so you can mist your plant using a coffee solution made of used coffee grounds and water.
Nevertheless, you should be careful with using them because adding too much used coffee grounds can increase the acidity too fast.
Can You Use Succulent Soil for Spider Plants?
Succulent soil is loose enough to allow your spider plant to thrive without suffering from the symptoms of overwatering.
This soil contains sand and perlite to improve ventilation and keep the plant healthy.
If the soil drains too fast, mix your succulent soil with some regular houseplant mix. You can also water your plant more often.
Can You Plant a Spider Plant in Cactus Soil?
Cactus soil is suitable for spider plants because it drains well.
It’s a little bit coarser than succulent soil, which tends to be finer. So you can water your spider plant more often because it drains fast.
Can I Use Orchid Soil for a Spider Plant?
Some types of orchid soil can work for spider plants as long as they provide good drainage.
Orchid potting mixes usually hold more water than succulent and cactus soil, so you should water your spider plant less often, or it can be subject to the dangers of overwatering.
Some types, like an orchid potting soil containing fir bark, will provide better drainage, so it works better for your Chlorophytum comosum.
Final Thoughts
A spider plant can thrive in different soil types as long as it’s well-draining and doesn’t hold much moisture.
This plant is subject to the dangers of overwatering and will suffer from yellowing leaves and stunted growth if it grows in compact soil.
Different types of soil and potting mixes can work for your spider plant as long as they provide good drainage. This includes succulent soil, cactus soil, and well-draining types of orchid soil.
Ensuring the soil has a neutral or slightly acidic pH level is also crucial. If the soil is too alkaline or contains too much salt, add some coffee grounds as compost to increase its acidity and keep your spider plant thriving.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.