Why Is My Spider Plant Drooping

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The spider plant, also known as Chlorophytum comosum, is a beautiful addition to any home. Homeowners often pick these vibrant long-leaved plants to spice up a home. 

But what happens when the normally bright green and whitish leaves begin to go limp and lose their luster?

Droopy Spider PlantPin

There are a few reasons why your spider plant has begun to droop. You may be overwatering it, have plant pests, etc. 

Rest assured that a drooping spider plant is not necessarily at the end of its life cycle. Read on to understand why your spider plant is drooping and how you can fix it.

Reasons Why My Spider Plant Is Drooping

Water Issues

If your spider plant is drooping and shedding leaves, you may have overwatered it. Unfortunately, this is one of the most common reasons a spider plant starts drooping.



When you water the plant, try out a soil mix with less water. Rarely watering your plant can also lead to it drooping. 

On the other hand, overwatering your plant can also cause the leaves to turn brown and fall off the plant.

Overwatering can also lead to root rot. If you suspect root rot, you will need to repot the plant. 

Begin by removing the plant from its current pot and running clean water over the roots. Remove any dead roots and use a fungicide. Finally, replant your spider plant in new soil in a new pot.

On average, you can water your spider plant about once a week. If needed, you can give your plants extra water during the hot summer months. 

You can water it every few days as long as the soil has dried.

Plant Pests

If your airplane plant has pests like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, or whiteflies that feed on the spider plant. 

These pests excrete a liquid that causes damage to the leaves of the plant. This infestation can also lead to the spider plant drooping.

These pests can be controlled by using a pesticide spray such as neem.

Temperature And Sunlight

Spider plants are tropical plants and need warm temperatures to thrive. 

When the weather outside is too cold, the leaves of the plant droop more and even turn a brownish color. Therefore, keep the plant indoors when the weather is too cold.

These plants need as much natural indirect sunlight as possible. A lack of good sunlight can easily result in drooping leaves. 

An ideal placement may be near a window with a sheer curtain.

Do Spider Plants Need Fertilizers?

Yes, if you want to grow new shoots, you can fertilize your spider plant. Fertilizing your spider plant will help it grow new shoots which are great to give away to friends.

If you have too many spider plants in your house, you can always clip the topmost leaves from the plant and use them to grow new plants. You can either take a few root segments or clip the leaves.

You must be very careful with fertilizing any houseplant, including spider plants. If you decide to fertilize them, make sure you dilute the fertilizer with water.

Over-fertilizing can result in drooping leaves and prevent the plant from producing flowers. During the growing summer months, you can fertilize biweekly and about once every month or two in the winter.

Is My Spider Plant Dead?

Spider plants are extremely resilient and can bounce back from a lot. It will likely survive if you forget about your plant for a while. 

So if your plant shows signs of wilting, drooping, or developing spots, it can still be saved.

If your spider plant is wilting, do the following:

  • Water the spider plant if it is wilting due to lack of water.
  • If your spider plant is wilting due to cold weather, move it somewhere warmer. Just remember to avoid direct sunlight
  • In the event of drooping and shriveled leaves from direct sunlight, move them to a spot with some shade
  • Check for bugs. If you spot any on your plant, quickly use a pesticide.

A Drooping Spider Plant Can Be Saved

In conclusion, the spider plant is a beautiful, easy-to-grow houseplant. It can, however, be a little finicky at times. 

When it’s not thriving, it’s often due to improper care. Knowing why your spider plant is drooping can help you fix the problem. 

If your spider plant is drooping because it’s not getting enough light, there are steps you can take. You can move it to a brighter location or use a light bulb or lamp to provide more light. 

You can adjust your watering habits if it’s too wet or too dry. 

If your spider plant is drooping for other reasons, you may need to take action. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for help from a gardening expert. They can help you identify the problem and find a solution.

More on Growing and Caring For Spider Plants

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