Whether it’s watering, potting, or using the right type of soil, caring for spider plants is pretty straightforward. It’s the fertilizing that might confuse some people.
What type of fertilizer should you use? How often should you fertilize them?
Do spider plants even need fertilizing? Well, today, I answer all these questions and more so you can grow a healthy spider plant.
Let’s get right to it!
What Role Do Fertilizers Play in Growing Spider Plants?
Picture this: You drink plenty of water every day. You go on long day walks, so your skin receives enough sunlight.
You also work out three times a week. Is this weekly schedule missing something?
Yes, food! Look, you can get as much water and sunlight as you want, but you’ll never develop a strong body without food.
That’s exactly what fertilizers do to plants. They provide nutrients for them to grow strong, healthy foliage.
And yes, while soil provides plants with nutrients, it’s not always enough on its own. If you want your spider plants to go through their regular growth cycle, you need to provide the ideal environment.
That includes investing in a proper fertilizer.
What Is the Best Fertilizer for Spider Plants?
That’s probably the first question that pops into most people’s heads since there are numerous types of fertilizers on the market.
Should you go for organic or inorganic? Are liquid fertilizers more effective than granular or slow-release ones?
I’m here to tell you: it doesn’t matter.
Many growers prefer granular fertilizers, while others use slow-release. You can even go with an all-purpose fertilizer if available.
Whatever you get, just make sure it has a balanced NPK ratio.
That means it includes equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. That’s the most nutritional type for spider plants.
How Often to Fertilize Spider Plants
There’s no point in using the right type of fertilizer if you don’t know how often you should fertilize your plant. After all, over/under-fertilizing will do more harm than good.
Here’s the thing: spider plants aren’t heavy feeders, so you won’t have to fertilize them that often. Once every two weeks or a month should be enough.
However, if you’re the forgetful type, there are a few signs you can look for to identify if it’s time for a fertilizer dose.
Discoloration and drooping are spider plants’ way of telling you they need more nutrients. You might also notice their growth has slowed a bit.
Avoid fertilizing your plants in autumn. That allows them to enter the dormancy period, giving them the chance to rest during winter.
Can You Use Orchid Fertilizer on Spider Plants?
Orchids don’t need much fertilizing. So, I know many orchid owners are curious if they can use their leftover fertilizer on other plants.
Yes, you can. Orchid fertilizer is only dangerous if you’re planning to consume the plant you’re applying it on.
Additionally, most orchid fertilizers have the same nutrients that spider plants need to grow healthy. So, you shouldn’t face any trouble.
Of course, you still need a fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio.
However, different orchid fertilizers incorporate different components. You want to ensure there aren’t any chemicals that could potentially harm your spider plants.
So, always check the components going into these fertilizers before you buy them.
Can You Use Miracle-Gro on Spider Plants?
If you’ve been on the internet for a while, you probably saw a few growers advising people to stay away from Miracle-Gro. These are usually pro-organic fertilizers, which aren’t always available to everyone.
Miracle-Gro isn’t perfect, but it’s a viable, affordable option. This might sound strange, but plants can’t differentiate between organic and synthetic fertilizers.
As long as the fertilizer contains the necessary nutrients to grow spider plants properly, there shouldn’t be any issues.
Guess what? Miracle-Go contains these necessary nutrients, so your spider plants won’t complain.
How Long Can Spider Plants Last Without Fertilizers?
The answer to that question depends on the type of fertilizer you use. The stronger it is, the longer the plants can last.
I recommend not depriving them of fertilizing for more than three months. If you’re curious to know the answer to that question, though, you can always wait until you see the signs.
You can also use a test strip to examine how healthy your plant is.
What Happens If You Over/Under-Fertilize Your Spider Plants?
If you’re a new plant parent, you might think: “I need to fertilize my spider plant as often as possible to help it grow healthy.” That’s a recipe for disaster, though.
The fertilizer will absorb the moisture out of the plant’s roots, leaving it to dry out.
Not only will you put the plant’s health at risk, but you’ll also lose its aesthetic appeal. That’s because spider plants start to develop brown edges when you over-fertilize them.
At that point, you want to take it easy on the fertilizers.
Under-fertilizing your plant results in discoloration, too. Instead of developing brown edges, though, the leaves just lose their color.
It also hinders the growth of your plant.
How to Fertilize Spider Plants
Let’s face it: you’re reading this post primarily because you want to learn how to fertilize spider plants. Well, I’ve got you covered.
The process is actually easier than you think:
- Water your plant so the moist soil can easily absorb the fertilizer
- Dilute/mix the fertilizer as instructed by the manufacturer.
- Pour it on top of the soil.
- If you’re using granular fertilizers, avoid the stem and the leaves. Focus on the base of the plant.
Note: some people like to water the plant after fertilizing. You can try both and see which works for you.
Final Thoughts
Now you know if spider plants need fertilizers or not. They’re not heavy feeders, so stick to small doses every month or so.
These plants are flexible. You can use various types of fertilizers, and they’ll give you great results.
All you have to do is learn how to fertilize them properly.
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.