Greetings, human propagator. I am a Chlorophytum comosum, though you likely know me as a Spider Plant. From my perspective, the process you call "propagation" is my innate, joyous method of ensuring my lineage continues. Those little "pups" you see are my stolons, my runners, my children, sent out into the world to find their own patch of soil. I will now guide you through the steps to help them thrive.
I do not produce my pups on a whim. I send out these long, arching stolons when I am mature, healthy, and, crucially, a bit root-bound. This slight stress triggers my survival instinct, telling me it is time to colonize new territory. You will know my babies are ready for independence when they have developed several of their own tiny leaves, and crucially, when you see the beginnings of small, knobby protuberances at their base. These are primordial root nodes, their potential lifeline. Do not separate them before this sign appears.
You have two primary paths to choose from, both of which I find agreeable. The first is the clean severance. Using a sharp, sterile blade, cut the stolon connecting the pup to me, its mother plant. You can then place this pup directly into a small vessel of fresh water, ensuring only those root nodes are submerged. I will direct my energy into urging my child to send out white, thirsty water roots. Alternatively, you can bypass the water stage. While the pup is still attached to me, you can pin its base into a small pot of moist, well-draining soil placed nearby. I will nourish it directly as it establishes its own root system in the soil, a process we call layering. Once it is firmly rooted, you may then sever our connection.
Whether you began in water or soil, the transition to a permanent pot is a critical moment. For water-propagated pups, wait until the new roots are a few inches long; this shows a robust enough system to seek moisture from soil. Gently plant them in a small pot with a light, peaty potting mix. The soil must be kept consistently moist (but never soggy) for the first few weeks. This tells the young root system that it must now work to absorb water from a new medium, encouraging it to spread and strengthen. Do not place us in harsh, direct sunlight during this tender period; bright, indirect light is perfect for focusing energy on root establishment.
Once my child is potted and shows signs of new growth—a sure sign it has successfully transitioned—you can begin to care for it as you would for me. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Provide us with bright, indirect light, and a monthly feeding during the growing season. In time, this new plant, a genetic copy of myself, will mature and, feeling the same ancient impulses, will eventually send out its own stolons, its own pups, continuing the cycle you helped begin.
