Spider plant... with a trunk?

9 years ago

My coworker inherited this pot of three spider plants that are very old. At least three or four years, minimum. They are healthy and put out a lot of plantlets, but they seem to be growing trunks. The trucks are green, and don't appear to be causing any issues. My coworker would like to separate them, and I offered to help. Should I leave this trunk exposed, bury it like a root, or see about removing it altogether? Keeping in mind that the current roots are all attached to the trunk.

Ideas, thoughts, suggestions?

Featured Answer

Karen S. (7b, NYC)

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

Pardon me Steven, have you grown these plants? Most of the time what you say is true & I agree not to plant higher than the soil line, but not here. Also that soil is inappropriate for these, needs improvement to be faster draining.

This plant appears to be shedding its lower portion (below the soil). I was waiting to see others' responses, but don't recommend replanting w/ lower portion.

I'd suspect these 'trunk' stems already have root nubs on them. Carefully removing those dead, dry leaves will help us see if there are root nubs on the stem.

I'd suggest buying Cactus & Succulent soil (C&S) & a bag of Perlite & mix them 50/50. If mine, I'd chop it at the soil line, discard everything below. I'd repot them either together or individually in new soil in plastic pots (smaller pots if individually planted).

Is that soil hard to the touch? I suspect it's become too dry to take much water, allowing the base of the stems to dry out as the soil compacted, exposing the lower stems. If one takes that rootball apart, likely one will find a mixture of thick, succulent roots characteristic of Spider plants which have kept it alive, but also dry brittle roots that are dead & need removal.

I'd love to see photos of the cleaned up stems & whatever else you find when unpotting. Fun & rewarding plants, enjoy!

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Comments (9)

Steven Schnepp
9 years ago
Don't fix what isn't broken.

A lot of plants can die if you bury them too high above the soil line. You'll do no good and can do a lot of harm. Cutting the stem off is just asking for trouble, especially if you're putting them through the stress of repotting.

Separate them, but don't bury them any deeper than they already are.
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Steven Schnepp
9 years ago
I grew some many moons ago. They died when I moved out of my father's house.

If the stalk portion feels mushy, rotten, or dead inside then I agree it's something to be concerned about.
Photo Synthesis
9 years ago
Spider plants propagate so easily from their offsets that when mine began to get leggy like this, I trimmed off the healthiest pups and started them off in new pots with new soil. Once those took hold and began growing, I replaced my old ones with them.
rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
I just cut them above the soil line and re-root when they get to that point. Never had a problem with spider plant when doing that. Or Grow some pups as Photo Synthesis said above...
Ali DD
Original Author
9 years ago
Thank you so much for the input, everyone.

Karen, I went ahead and carefully trimmed away the dead leaves. It looks like it just kept growing new leaves and shedding off the old, just as you said. I'm going to bring this up to my coworker and see how they want to proceed, as it is their plant, not mine.
Karen S. (7b, NYC)
9 years ago
last modified: 9 years ago
Hi Ali,

Thx for the pic, I can see the root nodes from here, confirming you should just cut it at the soil line. See at the 2 o'clock position at your pic? Those 3 things, green & beige & coming to a point, are the root nodes (nubs). Once potted up & buried, those nodes will develop further into roots, that is what they are.

I'd cut it at the narrowest part of that stem. If yours, I'd say you could even snap the bottom off at that narrowing.

Helpful for all to see, thx for sharing this.
Ali DD
Original Author
9 years ago
Sharing the pictures was part of the reason why I posted this thread. I hadn't seen anything online similar to this, but it doesn't seem like it should be too uncommon. I'm gonna advise my coworker and hopefully get that stem cut down.

While I was cleaning up the plant, I noticed that what was believed to be three plants in one pit, tangled together, is just one whole plant that has divided itself. I plan to divide it (with permission) and see how they do.
A P
last year
Ive seen spider plant grown on purpose bonsai like, lower leaves cleared so it looks like a tree