Q.Spider Plant
My mom had a great looking plant hanging in a basket. I brought it home and my cat knocked it over. Since I put back into pot as best as I could I noticed the leaves turned brown and now not much plant left. I have cut off dead leaves, but now it looks almost bald. Is there anything I can do, like pull out (there are 3 main roots) and soak in water to re-root? Any thoughts would be swell.
Certified GKH Gardening Expert
It is likely not that the plant is so much dying back but that your cat may be eating it. Cats LOVE spider plants. They are a narcotic for cats and often they will eat them non-stop and will go to great lengths to get to them once they get a taste for them. Here is more info: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/houseplants/spider-plant/spider-plants-cats.htm
Place the plant well out of your cat's reach and just give it some TLC. It should recover. Beyond this, there is not much you can do.
Probably some of the main structural roots were broken. The plant now has to grow new roots. Put it back in the soil, HANG (so your cat can't reach it) it in a bright spot but not direct sun, water it well ( let water run out the drainage holes), then don't water it again until the soil has reached the slightly damp stage - a moisture meter inserted to the bottom of the pot will show about 1/2 way between dry and moist. https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/testing-moisture-in-plants.htm
After 4 - 6 weeks, fertilize lightly (1/4 the package recommendation) with an equalized (1:1:1formula) or even better a balanced (3:1:2 formula) fertilizer. Continue this care, and the plant should start to put out new leaves, though it may take 2 or 3 months.
When the new leaves start, you can move it to a little brighter area. The most important part is to not let the roots, down near the bottom of the pot, stay wet. That's why you use a moisture meter.
