Can A Spider Plant Live in Just Water? (Revealed)

Can you grow spider plants in water?

Well, if you use a hydroponic solution, then the answer is yes.

As we all know, plants need certain nutrients to grow and thrive.

They cannot be maintained in water for the long term.

However, rooting small plantlets and transplanting them into the soil once they have a strong root system are always good ideas.

Most houseplants are easy to grow in water for some time. Pothos and spider plants are some examples of this.

If you want an easy way to propagate a favorite plant, you can do it by taking cuttings or offsets. The cuttings will root quickly in just a glass of water.

Once the rooting process is established, you’re going to need to provide nutrients for the new plant for future development.

How Long Can Spider Plant Live in Water?

When it comes to watering spider plants, you have to always be careful when changing the water. Knowing the right time to do it can help your plants grow healthy.

You can change the water every 5-7 days, which is an appropriate interval.

When you see the water turning pale or discolored earlier, it is best to change it before the schedule. Clean water will also let you monitor root development.

To make the plants grow as expected, avoid using water that is too hot or cold. Always use room temperature water to save the plant from shock.

Tap water usually contains water that has fluoride or chlorine, which causes the leaves to brown.

And therefore, use pure, mineral, well, pond, borehole, or rainwater, or leave your tap water for a day to remove chlorine.

Also read: How to Revive an Overwatered Spider Plant? (Easy Fix)

Can You Put a Spider Plant Baby in Water?

Yes, you can put a spider plant baby in the water by propagating them.

Propagation is, in fact, the easiest way because baby spider plants grow new white roots very quickly in the water.

You can allow the roots to develop a bit before planting the propagated baby plants. This helps ensure the plant recovers faster and is less startled.

You may also notice new growth more quickly.

There are three ways to propagate baby spider plants:

(1) by cutting and planting them in the ground, (2) by planting them in the ground while still attached to the mother plant, then separating them from the mother plant, and (3) by planting them in water.

For your information, ordinary old water is unlikely to sustain cutting for a long time.

The main nutrients can be obtained from fertilizers. The risk of root burns from salt build-up is a potential payoff.

Growing spider plants in water is the first step to starting a new plant. However, it’s not a sustainable system.

Also read: Why is My Spider Plant Turning Brown? Find Out Why!

Can Spider Plants Be Hydroponic?

Not only are spider plants amazing, but they are often touted as great plants for beginners, college students, and even those who tend to forget to water their plants.

Hydroponic spider plants are very easy to care for. All they need is enough light and water, and they are ready to go.

They are not particularly picky about temperatures, preferring moderate temperatures but tolerating a certain amount of heat and cold.

The plants will also tolerate some space between waterings.

When planted in soil, spider plants are more tolerant of underwatering than overwatering.

Also read: How Often to Water Spider Plants? (Tips for New Plant Parents)

A Common Problem with Spider Plants

While spider plants can survive many conditions, it doesn’t mean they thrive in them.

If the leaves of your spider plant are discolored, there are several possible problems.

This can be a problem with the amount of sunlight it receives.

Too much can burn the leaves, but not enough to cause dormancy and death.

Yellow and brown leaf tips can also mean too much chlorine in the water they are getting.

Keep this in mind when growing spider plants hydroponically.

Also read: Do Spider Plants Need Sun? (Explained)

Conclusion

So, can a spider plant live in just water? 

The answer is yes, as long as you use a hydroponic solution.

Keep in mind that spider plants cannot be maintained in water for the long term.

However, rooting small plantlets and transplanting them into the soil once they have a strong root system are always good ideas.

Try to change the water every 5-7 days, which is an appropriate interval.

If you notice the water turning pale or discolored earlier, change it before the schedule.

Don’t use water that is too hot or cold to make the spider plants grow as expected.

Always use room temperature water to save the plant from shock.

To learn more about how to take care of your spider plant, read our spider plant care guide for beginner.

Until next time. Happy gardening!