Spider ferns are beautiful, leafy plants that are easy to care for—and even easier to grow more of! One of the coolest things about spider ferns is that they grow tiny baby plants, called “pups” or “plantlets,” right on their long fronds. These babies are like little clones of the parent plant, and with a little help, they can grow into full plants of their own.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to creating new spider ferns from these baby offshoots.
🌱 What You’ll Need:
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A healthy spider fern with baby plants (pups)
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Clean scissors or garden shears
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Small pots with drainage holes
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Potting soil (a mix for ferns or houseplants is great)
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A spray bottle or watering can
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Optional: a clear plastic bag or humidity dome
🌿 Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Wait for the Right Time
Let the babies grow on the mother plant until they have a few small leaves and some roots starting to form. This means they’re strong enough to live on their own.
2. Cut the Baby Plant Off
Using clean scissors, gently cut the baby off the long stem (called a runner). Make sure you don’t damage the baby’s tiny roots if they’re already showing.
3. Plant the Baby
Fill a small pot with moist, well-draining potting soil. Make a little hole and place the baby in it, root side down. Gently press the soil around the base to hold it in place.
4. Keep it Humid
New plants love moisture. Mist the baby plant every day or cover it lightly with a clear plastic bag to trap humidity (just don’t let the bag touch the leaves). Keep the soil damp but not soggy.
5. Give it Indirect Light
Place the pot somewhere with bright, indirect light—like near a window with filtered sun. Avoid direct sunlight, which can burn the baby plant.
6. Be Patient
It may take a few weeks, but the baby will start growing more leaves and stronger roots. Once it’s more established, you can care for it just like a grown spider fern.
📝 Quick Care Summary:
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Wait until babies have roots before removing
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Use light, moist soil
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Keep warm and humid
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Water gently and often
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Avoid direct sunlight
Growing spider ferns from their babies is fun, simple, and a great way to fill your space (or gift others!) with fresh, green life. It’s like watching a little miracle grow—one leaf at a time.