How to Propagate Spider Plant Babies

October 25, 2026

Spider plant babies dangling above small pots on a shelf

To propagate spider plant babies, rest a plantlet on a small pot of moist mix while it is still attached to the mother plant, pin it down, and cut the runner once it roots. You can also snip off plantlets and root them in water or soil. Either way, spider plants root quickly and reliably.

Key Takeaways

Rooting a plantlet while it is still attached to the mother is the most foolproof method.
Detached plantlets root readily in water or a light, moist mix.
Large spider plants can also be divided at repotting time.
Plantlets often form in response to short days and long nights; heavy fertilizing can reduce them.
The ASPCA lists spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs.

What are spider plant babies?

Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) sends out long, arching stems called stolons or runners. Small plantlets, often called "spiderettes" or "pups," form at the ends. Each one is a miniature version of the parent and can grow into a full plant.

NC State Extension notes that plantlets form when the plant gets short days and long, uninterrupted nights, with less than 12 hours of light a day for at least three weeks, and that excess fertilizer reduces plantlet formation (NC State Extension). The University of Wisconsin–Madison Extension adds that indoor plants may produce them at any time of year (UW–Madison Extension).

When is a spider plant baby ready to propagate?

Look for these signs:

The plantlet has several well-formed leaves.
Small nubs or short roots are visible at its base.
It looks firm and green, not shriveled or pale.

Plantlets with visible root nubs root fastest. Very tiny babies can still be propagated, but leaving them attached to the mother plant while they root gives them the best start.

What do you need to propagate spider plant babies?

Small pots with drainage holes.
A light, soilless or well-draining potting mix. Clemson Extension suggests adding perlite to improve drainage for spider plants (Clemson HGIC).
Clean scissors.
A bent paper clip or piece of wire to pin plantlets.
Optional: a small glass or propagation station for water rooting.

Find snips and watering tools in our plant care tools, and glass vessels in terrariums and propagation.

Method 1: How do you root a spider plant baby while it is attached?

UW–Madison Extension describes this as the classic approach. The mother plant keeps feeding the baby until it can support itself.

Set up a pot. Fill a small pot with moist, soilless mix and place it next to the mother plant.
Position the plantlet. Rest the base of the plantlet on the surface of the mix without detaching it.
Pin it down. Use a bent paper clip or piece of wire to hold the plantlet in contact with the mix.
Keep the mix moist. Water lightly so the surface stays damp while roots form.
Test for roots. After a couple of weeks, tug gently. Resistance means roots have anchored.
Cut the runner. Once rooted, snip the connecting stem. Your new plant is independent.

This method works especially well for hanging spider plants. Set small pots on a nearby plant stand or shelf under the dangling babies.

Method 2: How do you root spider plant babies in water?

Snip the plantlet. Cut it from the runner, close to the base of the baby.
Place in water. Set it in a small glass so only the base touches water. Keep the leaves dry.
Choose bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which heats water and burns leaves.
Refresh water. Change it every few days. NC State notes that chlorine and fluoride in tap water can cause leaf tip burn, so rainwater or distilled water is a good choice.
Pot up. Move the plantlet to a light, moist mix once it has a healthy set of roots.

Water rooting lets you watch progress, and a row of glass vessels with green babies looks great on a windowsill.

Method 3: How do you plant spider plant babies directly in soil?

Snip the plantlet. Choose one with visible root nubs for the best results.
Plant shallowly. Press its base into moist mix so the root nubs touch soil but the leaves sit above it.
Add humidity. A loose clear bag or dome helps for the first week or two. Open it daily for air.
Keep evenly moist. Do not let the mix dry out until roots establish, but avoid sogginess.

UW–Madison also notes you can simply pot up a plantlet that already has roots, which is the quickest route of all.

Which spider plant propagation method should you choose?

Method	Success rate	Effort	Best for
Attached to mother	Highest	Low, but needs space beside the plant	Small or rootless plantlets
Water	High	Change water regularly	Watching roots; display
Direct to soil	High with root nubs	Keep moist and humid	Quickest finished plant
Division	High	Requires unpotting	Crowded, mature plants

Can you divide a spider plant instead?

Yes. NC State lists division as the recommended propagation method, and UW–Madison notes that spider plants grow best slightly pot-bound but need frequent repotting because their thick roots crowd quickly. When you repot, gently pull the root ball apart into sections, each with leaves and roots, and pot them separately.

Choose pots with drainage. UW–Madison warns that overwatering or poorly drained soil can cause root rot. Browse our planters and pots, or show off a mature plant in a hanging planter so its babies can cascade.

Why won't my spider plant make babies?

Too young: Young plants focus on leaves and roots first.
Too much fertilizer: NC State and UW–Madison both note heavy feeding reduces plantlet production.
Lights on late: Plantlets are triggered by long nights. A plant under room lights every evening may produce fewer.
Low light: UW–Madison recommends medium to bright indirect light year-round.

Is spider plant safe for pets?

The ASPCA lists spider plant as non-toxic to both cats and dogs (ASPCA). That makes it a great plant to share. Clemson notes that excessive chewing can still upset a cat's stomach, so hang it out of reach if your cat loves to nibble.

Looking for more easy plants? See our list of the best indoor plants for beginners.

How do you care for new spider plants after they root?

Young spider plants need the same basics as mature ones. UW–Madison Extension recommends medium to bright indirect light year-round and letting the soil dry slightly between thorough waterings. Clemson Extension suggests watering when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil are dry.

Feed lightly. UW–Madison suggests fertilizing every 3 to 4 months, or more often at half strength, and warns that heavy feeding can cause brown tips and fewer plantlets.

Leave new plants in their small pots until roots fill the container. Spider plants grow best slightly pot-bound, so moving them into large pots too soon only leaves extra wet soil around the roots. Within a season or two, your new plants may start producing babies of their own.