Two Become One - Combining Spider Plants
When people find out that you like plants, they bring you plants as gifts (I’m not complaining!). A friend of a friend came over to see my garden last summer and she graciously gifted me cute little plant clippings from her spider plant.
Limited well-lit space for my plants is an issue in my urban apartment, so when I transplanted the spiderettes that were rapidly outgrowing their small pots, I combined them into one container as one plant to save on valuable sill space. You can do this with many different plants, not just spider plants.
Try it for yourself by following these five easy steps:
1. Water
2. Pick A Container
Look at the size of two root balls and gauge a pot that is just slightly bigger than them combined. Use a container with a drainage hole for an easier watering process. When I water, I water very thoroughly so a drainage hole is absolutely necessary.
3. Loosen Up The Root Ball
Especially if the plant is quite root bound, loosening up the roots will allow the roots to spread out in their new soil and discover their new space (or what I like to call their new “apartment.” Cute). Be gentle but don’t worry too much about breaking up some of the roots. While you are loosening them up, shake off any old soil that comes off easily.
4. Shape And Design
The best way to figure out how they look together is to physically place them together. Is one side more full than the other? Play with them. What looks good together? You are looking for a full, well-rounded look at isn’t too heavy on one side or the other. Spider plants have cascading stems that arch and fall freely and I had these two spiderettes on my windowsill cascading in one direction so naturally, they grew fuller on one side. This made it simple to combine them for a full and rounded shape.
5. Water Again
Give your new plant a thorough watering and allow for all of the water to drain out the bottom. This will help the roots get established.
