Spider Plant And Self-Watering Pot

Question

I have a rather large spider plant in a self-watering pot. Lately, when I go to refill the water reservoir (the reservoir is below the main pot with the plant), I stick my finger in there – to get a sense of how much water I’ve refilled it with. When I do that, I feel spider plant roots in the reservoir. It’s not the thick tubers that I feel but those “skinny, stringy” roots growing from the tubers. I hope I am making myself clear enough. Is that normal? If not, can you suggest things that I should do to correct it? I was also wondering if I was doing a disservice to the plant by putting it into a self-watering pot. FYI, I put it in there because I was away on a long road trip (over 2 weeks) and certainly didn’t want the plant to dry out so, that is the reason why I put it into the self-watering pot. I’ve read plenty of Gardening Know How articles on spider plants – specifically about its tubers but I’m just not sure about the “skinny, stringy” stuff.

Answer 1

Unfortunately your photo didn't come through. I am unable to see the issue at hand. It sounds like you are seeing the small feeder roots that will do the actual feeding, though. The root nodules are for nutrient storage. If the soil is overly fertile, or even under fertile, it will not produce these very often, if at all. A little too much water can prevent the formation, too. In fact, this is likely.

Being an invasive species very acclimated to neglect and drought means that it can't handle wet conditions. It would rather dry out for weeks at a time then have a little overwatering. The self watering pot might have the opposite effect than you want. Letting the soil dry out almost completely to the bottom will be what keeps the roots healthy.