Spider Plant Babies: Propagation Made Easy

Spider plants are basically the rabbits of the houseplant world—they multiply like crazy. If you've got one, you've probably noticed those adorable little plantlets dangling off the sides, just hanging there looking cute and basically begging to become their own plants.

Here's the thing: propagating spider plant babies is ridiculously easy. Like, almost embarrassingly easy. You don't need a green thumb, fancy equipment, or even much time. Just stick them in some water or soil and wait about two weeks.

I've turned one spider plant into seventeen (yes, seventeen) over the past year. Some I kept, some I gave to friends who insisted they'd kill them within a week (spoiler: they're all still alive), and a couple are now living their best lives in my kids' classrooms. That's what I love about spider plants—they're basically impossible to mess up.

Why Spider Plants Make Babies (And Why That's Awesome for You)

Spider plants produce babies—officially called "plantlets" or "spiderettes," though literally nobody calls them that—as their survival strategy. When a spider plant is happy and healthy, it sends out these long stems with little mini-plants attached.

Basically, your plant is giving you free houseplants. Forever. It's the gift that keeps on giving.

These babies even come with tiny root nubs already started, which makes the whole thing stupidly easy. They're like halfway to being their own plant before you even cut them off. Nature did most of the work for you.

When to Cut Spider Plant Babies

You'll know your babies are ready when they've got those little root nubs at the base. Most of them develop these when they're about 2-3 inches across with a handful of leaves.

Some people wait until the roots are longer—like an inch or so. That's totally fine, but I've actually had better luck with younger babies. The ones without super long roots seem to bounce back faster and handle the move better.

There's also this trick where you leave babies attached to the mother plant and let them root in their own little pots while still connected. It's called "layering," and it's pretty much the laziest way to propagate. Once they've rooted, just snip the connecting stem. If you want to go down a propagation rabbit hole, check out our complete guide to propagating houseplants.

Two Ways to Propagate Spider Plant Babies (Both Super Easy)

Method 1: Water Propagation

Water propagation is my go-to because you get to watch the roots grow. There's something weirdly satisfying about seeing those little white roots spreading through the water.

Here's how to propagate spider plants in water:

1. Cut the baby from the mother plant using clean scissors or just your fingers to snap it off. Cut close to the baby, not the mother plant.
2. Place the baby in a small jar or glass with enough water to cover the existing root nubs or the bottom quarter-inch of the plant if it doesn't have roots yet.
3. Set it in bright, indirect light. A kitchen windowsill works great if it doesn't get direct sun.
4. Change the water every week to keep it fresh and prevent bacterial growth.
5. Watch for roots. You'll see white roots developing within 1-2 weeks.
6. Transplant to soil once roots are 2-3 inches long. Don't wait too long—water roots need to adapt to soil, and younger roots adapt easier.

Method 2: Direct Soil Propagation

If watching roots grow isn't your thing (though honestly, who are we kidding, it's half the fun), you can skip the water step entirely and plant straight into soil.

Here's the soil propagation process:

1. Cut the baby the same way as water propagation—clean cut, close to the baby.
2. Grab a small pot with well-draining potting mix. Spider plants aren't super picky, but they absolutely hate sitting in wet, soggy soil.
3. Plant the baby about a half-inch deep—just enough to cover those little root nubs.
4. Water it really well until water drains out the bottom.
5. Keep the soil consistently moist (not soaking wet) for the first 2-3 weeks while it's getting established.
6. Stick it in bright, indirect light and then just wait.

You'll know it's actually rooted when you see new leaves popping out from the center, usually within 3-4 weeks.

Caring for Your Newly Propagated Spider Plants

Once your babies have roots—whether you did the water thing or went straight to soil—they're pretty low-maintenance. This is why spider plants are perfect if you're new to plants or if you travel a lot and tend to forget about them.

Light: Bright, indirect light is what they love most. They'll survive in lower light, but they won't grow as fast or make as many babies. Just avoid direct sun because it'll burn their leaves.

Water: Let the top inch of soil dry out between waterings. Spider plants have these thick roots that store water, so they're way more forgiving if you forget to water than if you overdo it. Brown tips usually mean fluoride in your tap water (switch to filtered) or the soil's too dry.

Feeding: They're not heavy feeders, but they definitely grow faster and produce more babies if you feed them regularly. I use Plant Juice (diluted) pretty much every time I water because the beneficial microbes keep root rot away and the soil healthy. If you want to nerd out on plant nutrition, we've got a whole indoor plant food guide.

Soil: Honestly, any well-draining potting mix works fine. I like mixing in some worm castings when I pot new babies because it gives them a gentle nutrient boost without the risk of burning those baby roots.

Common Spider Plant Propagation Problems (And How to Fix Them)

Spider plants are pretty foolproof, but sometimes things go wrong. Here's what I've run into:

Baby is wilting after planting: It probably dried out. Keep the soil moist (not dripping wet) for the first few weeks. If you're doing water propagation, make sure the water level stays consistent.

Roots aren't growing: Give it time—sometimes it takes 2-3 weeks. If it's been a full month and nothing's happening, try fresh water (water propagation) or check if your soil is too packed down (soil propagation).

Leaves turning yellow: Usually overwatering. Let it dry out a bit more between waterings. Yellow leaves can also just mean your plant is adjusting—give it some time. If you're dealing with other weird plant issues, our troubleshooting guide covers the top 10 problems people run into.

Brown leaf tips: Nine times out of ten, this is fluoride or chlorine from tap water. Switch to filtered water or just let your tap water sit out overnight before using it.

Baby rotted in water: Change the water more often and make sure your container is clean. Bacteria can build up, especially if the water sits for weeks.

What to Do With All These Spider Plants

Okay, so you've successfully propagated spider plant babies. Now you're drowning in spider plants. Trust me, this is a real problem you're about to have.

Here's what I do with mine:

• Give them away—Spider plants are honestly the perfect gift. Friends, teachers, coworkers, that neighbor you barely know. Stick one in a cute pot with a ribbon and boom, instant thoughtful present.
• Fill your entire house—Bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, that weird corner by the stairs. Spider plants clean the air, so the more the better honestly.
• Trade them—Other plant people love swapping. You can trade your spider babies for plants you don't have. Plant swaps are totally a thing.
• Donate them—Schools, libraries, nursing homes, community centers. They're usually super happy to get free plants.
• Just keep propagating—Let your new plants grow up and make their own babies. Build a spider plant empire. Become the spider plant person in your friend group.

The Bottom Line on Spider Plant Propagation

Look, if you want to feel like an actual successful plant parent, start with propagating spider plants. It's quick, it's easy, and honestly you'd have to try pretty hard to mess it up.

In a few weeks you'll have new plants without spending a single dollar. Your original spider plant will just keep making babies for literally years, giving you an endless supply of plants to keep, give away, or use to fill every flat surface in your house (no judgment).

The secret? Bright indirect light, don't drown them, and be patient. That's it. Your spider plant babies will handle the rest.

Want more plant care tips? Check out our complete indoor plant guide and learn about the best beginner plants to grow alongside your spider plant collection.