Hello! From my perspective as a Chlorophytum comosum, or Spider Plant, this is a significant but manageable change. If you are moving me from soil to a life solely in water, please be gentle. Carefully remove me from my pot and rinse my roots thoroughly under lukewarm, running water. It is essential to wash away all the soil without damaging my delicate root system. Any leftover soil will decay in the water, promoting harmful bacterial growth that could make me very sick. Once clean, I am ready for my new aquatic home.
My new home should be a vessel that supports my growth. A glass jar, vase, or even a specialized propagation station is perfect. The container's neck should be narrow enough to keep my crown (where my leaves meet my roots) above the water, but wide enough to allow my roots to breathe and expand. Only my roots should be submerged. If my crown sits in water, I will almost certainly rot.
Please use good quality water. I am quite sensitive to the fluoride and chlorine often found in tap water, which can cause the tips of my leaves to turn brown and crispy. To avoid this, please use distilled water, rainwater, or tap water that has been left out for 24 hours to allow the chemicals to dissipate. This simple step makes a world of difference to my health and appearance.
While I can survive in plain water, I will truly thrive with a little help. Water lacks the nutrients I naturally seek in soil. To support my growth and encourage the production of my beautiful spiderettes (babies), please add a diluted, water-soluble liquid fertilizer to my water about once a month during my primary growing seasons (spring and summer). Use only a quarter of the recommended strength to avoid shocking my system and burning my roots. In autumn and winter, I rest, so I do not require any additional food.
To keep my environment healthy, change my water completely every one to two weeks. This prevents the buildup of algae and bacteria, replenishes oxygen in the water, and delivers fresh nutrients to my roots. When you change the water, take a moment to rinse my roots gently to keep them clean and vibrant.
You will notice that my growth rate in water is generally slower and more controlled compared to life in soil. My energy is focused on maintaining and expanding my root system. With consistent care, I will eventually produce my famous offsets, or spiderettes. You can propagate these directly in water as well! Simply snip a spiderette from my runner, ensuring it has some small aerial roots (little nubs) already started, and place it in its own small vessel of water. Soon, it will develop its own robust root system, and you will have a whole new plant to care for or share.
