Question
I finally found a "spider plant" and it is wonderfully full, I have hung it in my kitchen where I use to hang my other one. I had that one for 9 years until I neglected it after taking it outside for the summer. But now my new ones edges are browning and some of the leaves have died completely. Help!!! I water it about once a week with water that I put into big "plastic juice bottles" and store to use next time, I totally saturate it each time I water it.....am I not watering it enough or is it the water. I live in Memphis, TN and we tend to have good water but my friend says we have too much chlorine in the water!!! I love this plant and they are hard to find. Can someone please help me!!?

Answer
Hi Paula,

The spider plant can go a substantially long period of time without water, so water the plant sparingly.  You are right in allowing the tap water to stand for a time before watering the plant, as this gives the chlorine time to dissipate into the air.  The water pressure in the system keeps the chlorine (and other anti-bacterial compounds) suspended in the water.  

Watering is a good thing, but even too much of a good thing can be harmful.  With too much watering, not only is the root system susceptible to root rot pathogens, but the potting medium is depleted of essential minerals.  

Before you continue nurturing your plant back to health, allow it to dry out a bit; water when the soil is dry when your finger is inserted into the soil to the first knuckle.  After that, you can water with a very dilute solution of a water-soluble.  Use any balanced (10-10-10) fertilizer at a rate of 1 tsp. per gallon.  Saturate the rootball as before and allow to dry between waterings.  

Place your plant in a bright, sunny window and monitor closely.  If you continue to notice dying or wilting leaves, check the root system for signs of root rot.