Need Help With Dying Spider Plant

Question

I bought an indoor spider plant and a fern to grow it as a wall decor. The plant was full and healthy when purchased. After purchase, I repotted it to the wall hanging container that I had. The spider plant container the plant came in had a lot of draining holes ; however the container I moved it into, has hardly a draining hole. Excess water drips from any spaces at the bottom and that’s about it. And as for the fern, the container it came in didn’t have any drain holes. I did retain the soil the plants came in and used another soil (Miracle-Gro Expand ‘n Gro Concentrated Planting Mix) to fill in for additional soil in the container that I had. Also, I was watering once every week (the soil is pretty dried out between each watering) and the plants receive filtered light from the patio blinds (pretty low light). Both the plants started dying after repotting. Fern is completely dead within 2 weeks. Could someone help me understand what I did wrong when transplanting? Also, please advise what plants and potting mix are ideal for the container and lighting conditions that I am growing them in.

Answer 1

Both plants will benefit from low to moderate nutrient content. We do not recommend specific brands of soil, but any seed starting mix amended with a cactus mix will suffice. The fern will benefit from a little organic material or compost, but I'm afraid that any product from MiracleGro will be far too "hot" for either of those plants.

Drainage is VERY important for the spider plant. It is being overwatered if there are no drain holes. They do not tolerate moist soil.

Here are two articles to help you care for the plants:

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/ferns-houseplants/growing-ferns-indoors.htm

https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/spider-plant/spider-plant-care-gardening-tips-for-spider-plants.htm