Spider Plant Hanging Basket: Complete Growing Guide

Growing a spider plant in a hanging basket is a great way to add some greenery to your space while keeping your floors clear. This low-maintenance plant is perfect for busy people or those new to plant parenthood.

Spider plants are native to South Africa and thrive in bright, indirect light, making them a great choice for rooms with north- or east-facing windows. They can also tolerate some direct sunlight, but be careful not to scorch the leaves.

To get started, choose a hanging basket with good drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. A basket with a diameter of at least 8-10 inches will give your plant enough room to grow and produce those beautiful white flowers.

A small hanging basket is the way to go for your spider plant. There shouldn't be more than 2 inches of space around the edges to prevent the long leaves from getting soggy and risking rot and disease.

If you already have a large basket, consider planting multiple spider plants to fill out the space. This way, they can be placed closer to the edges for the leaves to hang down the sides.

You don't need to worry about pot space, as spider plants don't mind being confined to their containers. However, be aware that a plant that's gotten used to being in just water may not do too well if transferred to soil.

Here are some key factors to consider when choosing a basket:

Larger baskets can also be filled with compatible companion plants for some visual variety. Just make sure to choose plants that are drought-tolerant, like Peperomia, and avoid Pothos as they can take over the container.

Dense soil can be the death of your spider plant, so it's essential to use a well-draining potting mix. Standard potting soil is too dense and heavy for spider plants grown indoors.

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You can find houseplant-specific potting mixes online or in your local nursery, or make your own mix using a combination of potting soil, perlite, and coconut coir. My standard recipe consists of two parts potting soil, one part perlite for drainage, and one part coconut coir to retain moisture.

For optimal results, adjust the recipe based on the plant's light exposure and watering schedule. More light means quicker evaporation, so you may need to use less perlite and more coir to manage watering.

Avoid using fluoridated water, as it can harm your spider plant. Rainwater or distilled water is a better choice.

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Hanging your spider plant at the right height is crucial for its survival. Hang them close to a bright window in an area away from foot traffic, ideally at the height of the window or just below.

Spider plants need bright indirect light, so avoid hanging them too high or too low. If your plant is hung too high, it won't get enough sunlight to facilitate growth, and evaporation will slow down, leading to root rot.

Ease of care is another factor to consider. I've made the mistake of hanging plants high up in rooms with high ceilings, and it's been a challenge to water them regularly.

The ideal height for hanging your spider plant is in an area with indirect sunlight that you can easily reach. This will ensure you don't neglect watering and your plant stays healthy.

Here are some general guidelines for hanging height:

Remember, spider plants don't do well in direct sun or too much heat, so keep them away from heaters and air conditioning vents. They prefer even, mild to warm temperatures, and should be kept above 55 degrees F.

To keep your spider plant thriving in a hanging basket, it's essential to use a hanging basket with drain holes. This will prevent waterlogged soil and root rot.

Water your spider plant when the top inches of soil dry out, and avoid using fluoridated water, which can be toxic to the plant. Rainwater or distilled water is best.

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Don't fertilize your spider plant too often, as this can burn the roots and limit the number of babies the plant produces. I personally don't fertilize mine at all, and they thrive.

Spider plants prefer bright indirect sunlight, but can't withstand extreme temperatures. If you plan to keep your plant outside, bring it indoors on days below 55°F or above 100°F.

To avoid creating a slipping hazard, take your hanging basket down and place it over a sink or container to properly drain excess water. Once it's done draining, you can secure it back in its place.

Use neutral pH soil to ensure your spider plant stays healthy, and consider giving it water-soluble fertilizers to give it an extra boost.

For more insights, see: How Often to Fertilize House Plants

Repotting your spider plant in a hanging basket is crucial for its growth and health. Just because it's in a basket doesn't mean you can forget about it altogether.

You should repot your spider plant every 1-3 years, depending on its growth rate. Quick growers may need repotting as often as once per year.

Divide the plant into sections with strong root systems when repotting, as this will double your stock and make it easier to manage weight and size in the basket.

You can plant these sections into smaller individual hanging baskets or pots for shelves to spread spider plants throughout your home.