Spider plants can transform the interior of a home into something tropical, and they can add an elegant touch to any patio. However, getting a spider plant to thrive in its small pot can be quite a challenge. A quality fertilizer is just the thing to keep your plant healthy, but you need to be careful you don’t hurt your spider plant in the process.
Over the years, I’ve searched for the perfect fertilizer to restore nutrients to the soil without damaging the roots of my plants or turning their leaves brown. Here is everything that I’ve learned, as well as my top picks for the best spider plant fertilizers.
Best Spider Plant Fertilizers
If you are in a hurry to start fertilizing, here below are my top choices. However, to get the full lowdown on how, when, and what to fertilize your Spider plant, keep reading until the end.
Best Ready-To-Use Fertilizer
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food 1-1-1
The gently balanced 1-1-1 NPK makes it ideal for regular use throughout the growing season and its liquid formula means that you’ll see results fast.
Best Slow-Release Fertilizer
EarthPods Premium Bio Organic Plant Food .2-.2-.4
The slow-release, 100% natural pods provide peace of mind and a stress-free environment for the indoor gardener.
Best Concentrate Liquid
Schultz Cactus Plus Fertilizer 2-7-7
A fast-acting liquid concentrate that can be applied directly to the soil to help replenish lost nutrients in the soil and support new growth in ailing plants.
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Choosing the Best Fertilizer for Spider Plants
There are several different types of fertilizers that are commonly recommended that will help your spider plants to grow during the growing season and to keep them healthy year after year. I’ll be delving into the effectiveness of each a little later in the article.
Your choice of fertilizer will rely on how often you want to fertilize. Granules and spikes allow you to fertilize less frequently. From every three to four weeks, and sometimes even less often. Bear in mind that different brands warrant different distribution times and methods.
Liquid fertilizer also has unique application methods for each brand. Some manufacturers require weekly or biweekly feedings with small amounts of fertilizer, and others allow you to do a feeding just once a month.
With all fertilizers, it’s extremely important to make sure you follow directions closely. Failure to do so can result in over-fertilizing your plant which – for Spider plants – can often lead to brown leaf tips.
Spider Plant Fertilizer N-P-K Ratio
The N-P-K ratio in fertilizers stands for the amount of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium contained within the particular product.
An N-P-K label should be easy to find on the packaging and will be signaled with numbers and dashes, looking something like this: 1-1-1 or 7-2-2 for example.
Nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium are primary micronutrients that are critical for healthy growth and development in all plants, but it’s not the same size fits all situations.
Nitrogen helps encourage leaf growth and color, while Phosphorous helps establish successful root development. Potassium is essential to help with flower and fruit blooming and helps build resistance to pests, diseases, and temperature stresses.
Spider plants benefit from a moderate amount of fertilizing during the growing season which takes place between spring and late summer and a low-dose or balanced N-P-K is best.
Fertilizing too often or with high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium can lead to a buildup of salt in the soil that can result in brown tips.
Soil pH and Nutrient Uptake
Before we get into the types of fertilizer, I recommend testing the pH of your soil. An unfavorable pH level, whether too high or too low, will result in the nutrients being absorbed by the soil rather than the plant. These nutrients will then be unavailable for nutrient uptake by your spider plant.
Spider plants favor slightly acidic soil with a pH level of 6-7. A soil pH that is too low can be increased by adding lime. If your soil pH is too high, you can try to decrease it by adding organic elements like compost or mulch.
Organic vs Synthetic Fertilizers
Organic fertilizer is a fertilizer produced with minimal processing. Organic fertilizer contains natural materials, like plant and animal waste and compost. Organic fertilizer helps to improve the overall health of the soil itself, which in turn helps your plants.
While organic fertilizer can take longer to have an effect compared to synthetics, it is healthier in the long run for both your soil and your plants.
Synthetic fertilizers are composed of manufactured chemicals and typically results can be seen in a shorter amount of time. The drawback with non-organic feeds is the impact they can have on the environment due to the possibility of run-off into water sources.
They also have the potential to cause irritation or toxicity to people and plants if the manufacturer’s guidelines are not adhered to.
Granular Vs Liquid Fertilizer
Choosing either a granular or liquid fertilizer will dictate how often you need to feed your spider plant.
Granular fertilizers – which often look like pellets – are fast and easy to apply, making the fertilization process painless. They offer a slow release of nutrients where the granules break down into the soil over time, this means you will need to fertilize less when compared to other fertilizing products.
Liquid fertilizer will require application more often, usually weekly, or biweekly, depending on the instructions. Liquids can be bought either ready-to-use or will need diluting in water. They promise to deliver quicker results because they don’t need to be broken down and are therefore absorbed by roots and via foliage faster than granules.
Liquid Concentrate or Spray
A liquid concentrate is a great option if you have lots of houseplants to feed. Simply dilute the required amount in a watering can with water and use it to water and feed your plants in one go.
Spray fertilizers offer the convenience of being used as a foliar spray which allows plants to absorb nutrients via their leaves as well as through roots. This option is usually ready-to-use so there is no need for any mixing or measuring before use.
Liquids get to work quickly and offer fast results as plants can absorb nutrients straightway. It does mean that they need to be applied more often however since liquids can leach from drainage holes easily.
Fertilizer Granules
Fertilizer granules release nutrients over time. They become activated via microbes in the soil and from adding water after fertilizing.
Adding granules is a great way to add nutrients to depleted soil especially since Spider plants prefer to be slightly pot-bound and need re-potting less frequently than some other houseplants.
Fertilizer Spikes
Fertilizer spikes are – for many gardeners – the easiest and most mess-free option when it comes to feeding plants. The application could not be simpler. You just need to insert the spike (or pod) into the soil and make sure to cover it.
Spikes break down in the same way that granules do and offer a slow-release feed. The time of replacement will depend on the brand, but typically every 30 to 90 days with regular watering in between.
Best Spider Plant Fertilizer Reviews
The fertilizer market can often appear overwhelming, especially with all the products and options that are currently available on the market.
To make life simple, I have carefully selected five of the best fertilizers for Spider plants with details of when I use them and why they meet my houseplant feeding needs.
Pros
- NPK is perfectly balanced for Spider Plants
- Hard to over-fertilize
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Higher price point compared to other fertilizers
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food is a liquid formula and for me the best all-around fertilizer for Spider plants.
It has a gently balanced 1-1-1 NPK that is ideal for keeping the leaves of Spider plants looking healthy all year long, and for encouraging growth during the growing season. It is also perfect for improving the appearance and quickly rejuvenating ailing plants thanks to its fast-acting nature.
Miracle-Gro suggests two methods of applying this fertilizer- either mix it with water in a watering can or apply the concentrated directly to the soil. I prefer diluting it in a watering can so that the foliage benefits as well as the roots, plus the concentrated formula can make Spider plants susceptible to root or leaf burn.
This product is a bargain because since you need only one pump weekly, if in a small pot, it lasts multiple feedings. With larger plants (in a pot having a diameter larger than 6 inches), you need two pumps, but it still lasts a long time.
How to Use: If diluting in water mix 4 pumps per quart. To apply directly to soil simply pump once and avoid contact with stem and foliage. Mild enough to use every time you water.
Pros:
- Less application time
- More feedings than other products
Cons:
- Expensive when feeding lots of plants or larger houseplants
The entire EarthPods range contains only 100% natural ingredients and coupled with their ease of use, it is easy to see why they are my close second choice for feeding Spider plants.
These are slow-releasing pods which means that all you need to do is push the correct amount directly into the soil around your plants, cover them up and then allow the microbes in the soil to do the rest until they need feeding again in 3 or so weeks.
As an add-on, this brand recommends that you purchase their Teardrops all-purpose liquid as an extra, but quite honestly, my plants have grown vibrant foliage and have even produced spiderlettes this last growing season with just the pods alone.
I find that for smaller plants the 100 pods that come in one container will continue to feed my smaller plants throughout the growing season and often beyond – depending on their size. So for me and other small houseplant enthusiasts, EarthPods offer great value for money and peace of mind when it comes to organic growing.
How to Use: For small plants insert one or two capsules every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Larger houseplants will need more pods depending on their height and width.
Pros
- Can boost foliage and root growth in ailing plants
- Easy to use with the little-to-no mess
- Good value for the price
Cons
- Can cause leaf or root burn in Spider plants if overused
This fast-acting liquid feed from Schultz is advertised as a fertilizer for cacti and succulents, but it’s also suitable for use as a fertilizer for many houseplants, including Spider plants. Use this on ailing plants that may be displaying slightly discolored leaves, to enhance the vibrancy and health of foliage and to promote root growth.
All you need is seven drops added to the soil before you water it. The phosphorous and potassium-rich formula is quickly absorbed via roots and results are noticeable within a week or so.
Whilst this can be applied every time you water, I tend to use it every third watering to avoid any possibility of root or leaf burn.
How to Use: Simply dispense the recommended seven drops of the fertilizer close to the base of the plant using the dropper provided before you water.
Pros
- Can also be used as a foliar spray
- A good option to promote new growth and strong roots at the start of the growing season
Cons
- Can cause leaf burn if used too frequently
Neptune’s Harvest Fish & Seaweed Fertilizer is another wonderful fertilizer to pep up both indoor and outdoor plants, and I like it because it was created especially with houseplants in mind.
I find that the best time to use this liquid feed is at the start of the growing season when it’s time to encourage fresh, strong root growth as this one contains a higher proportion of phosphorus. It’s also great when Spider plants are looking a little lackluster and in need of a nutrient boost.
There are three different application methods for this product- spraying by hand, using a sprayer, or applying directly to the dripline. I prefer to apply it by hand because it allows me more control over the amount distributed.
How to Use: For any method, dilute it with water and apply it every 1-2 weeks for the best results. You can determine your timeline by gauging your plant response; I determined that my plants needed a biweekly application based on the leaf response following application. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid over-fertilizing.
Pros
- Mess and fuss-free application
- Spikes provide continuous feeding for up to 30 days
Cons
- More expensive than other methods when feeding larger plants
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Spikes provide continuous feeding for your spider plants and are a hands-off feeding process. A single spike will feed your plant for up to 30 days, after which you should replace it.
I tried these spikes right at the start of the growing season in Spring to give my fresh-out-of-dormancy Spider plants a boost. The additional phosphorous is just what plants need to encourage new root and foliage growth when the growing season gets underway.
How to Use: Insert your spike into the moist soil, about halfway from the root and the rim of your pot. Cover with soil and voila, all done! Avoid using it in the Fall near the end of the growing season.
How to Fertilize Spider Plants
It’s important to fertilize your spider plants with care and caution. If you don’t, you risk overfeeding your plants, leading to brown tips and root or leaf burn.
How to Avoid Fertilizer Burn
You can avoid fertilizer burn on your spider plants by following the instructions based on your specific fertilizer. Avoid fertilizers with an excessively high N-P-K ratio such as a 20-20-20 fertilizer and if in doubt you can always dilute the quantities recommended by the manufacturer.
Unless advised, avoid getting fertilizer product on foliage or too near the stem of your Spider plant. Any concentrated formula or residue can lead to fertilizer burn too. If you do happen to splash water on areas you are trying to avoid, simply flush out the soil and rinse the stems and leaves with filtered water.
If you are inclined to forget when you last fertilized, it can also help to keep track of your plants’ feeding schedule to avoid doubling up. Marking it on a calendar no matter the method helps.
When to Fertilize Spider Plants
Spider plants need to be fertilized during their growing season, which is spring and summer. Fall and winter are when spider plants go into dormancy, and they don’t need to be fertilized during those cooler seasons.
For outdoor Spider plants in hanging baskets, waiting until the weather outside is consistently above 50 degrees is the best time to start fertilizing.
How Often to Fertilize Spider Plants
How often you fertilize your spider plants depends on the fertilizer you choose to use. By using a slow-releasing fertilizer, you may only have to use it once a month.
Liquid fertilizers will need to be applied every few weeks, biweekly and some weekly. It all depends on the brand you choose and your preferred method of fertilizing.
Fertilizing Spider Plants in Winter
Avoid fertilizing your spider plants whilst they are dormant in the Fall and Winter, they simply don’t need or absorb the additional nutrients that fertilizers provide whilst they are dormant and so your efforts and money will be wasted.
Verdict: Best Fertilizers for Spider Plants
The best fertilizers for maintaining healthy Spider plants are those that offer a low N-P-K ratio. Remember that excessive use or high amounts of nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium can cause overfertilization and will damage the foliage and cell structure of your plant.
I only recommend additional ratios of phosphorous at the start of the growing season to kick-start the growth cycle or added nitrogen if you know your soil is depleted or foliage is yellowing.
The best all-around fertilizer for Spider plants is Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food. Ideal for regular use or applied to ailing plants thanks to its gentle, yet balanced liquid formula.
Best Ready-To-Use Fertilizer
Miracle-Gro Indoor Plant Food 1-1-1
The gently balanced 1-1-1 NPK makes it ideal for regular use throughout the growing season and its liquid formula means that you’ll see results fast.
For a slow-release and organic option that is fuss and mess-free, use EarthPods Premium Bio Organic Plant Food.
Best Slow-Release Fertilizer
EarthPods Premium Bio Organic Plant Food .2-.2-.4
The slow-release, 100% natural pods provide peace of mind and a stress-free environment for the indoor gardener.
For ailing Spider Plants that need support to boost foliage or root growth and resistance against disease or even to compensate for depleted soil, use Schultz Cactus Plus Fertilizer 2-7-7
Best Liquid Concentrate
Schultz Cactus Plus Fertilizer 2-7-7
A fast-acting liquid concentrate that can be applied directly to the soil to help replenish lost nutrients in the soil and support new growth in ailing plants.
FAQ’s Fertilizing Spider Plants
Still, have questions? We have answers.
