Spider plants are known to be terrestrial plants. This information means that spider plants nourish themselves with the soil. However, we do understand that spider plants’ beauty is just irresistible, and we all want to have them and use them everywhere. So, the question now is if this wonderful plant can live submerged in water?
Can I grow a spider plant in an aquarium? Spider plants can survive in aquariums under the right conditions. Spider plants will not survive if they are fully submerged underwater. You must only immerse the roots and keep the plant leaves afloat. If you follow this, then your spider plant will survive.
Although the process will be tricky and somewhat difficult, spider plants can live underwater. You just have to ensure that the environment, climate, fertilizers, and space are appropriate for spider plants.
Spider Plant Aquarium Survival
Everything You Need To Know About Having Spider Plants in Your Aquarium
Aquariums are full of different plants and fishes. So it is only natural that a spider plant would look marvelous in it. Spider Plants improve the overall beauty of your aquarium. You just have to make sure that you only keep the roots underwater and not the plant leaves.
Can Spider Plants Survive in My Aquarium? For spider plants to survive in aquariums, they need to have fertilizers, light, balanced temperature, and proper water levels. Fortunately, aquariums have easy access to this. Because aquariums are usually big, they have a high-water volume and controlled water aeration system.
In addition to that, spider plants have access to light nutrition because aquariums typically have their own light system. The fishes’ excretion also acts as a natural fertilizer to spider plants.
They thrive on it by absorbing the nutrients from the fishes’ excretion. Furthermore, spider plants help maintain the temperature and oxygen levels and the other organisms present in the aquarium.
On the other hand, it is not a guarantee that your spider plant will survive just because the aquarium has all the requirements. Therefore, it is still imperative that you monitor your spider plant for any signs of decay.
Spider Plants And Fish Safety
If you are concerned about the marine animals in your aquarium, then you no longer have to worry because spider plants are non-toxic.
Will Spider Plants Poison My Fishes? Spider plants are non-toxic and will not poison your fish. As a matter of fact, spider plants actually prolong your fishes’ lives. The roots of a spider plant give off carbon dioxide and utilize the oxygen that greatly benefits your marine animals.
What Should I Watch Out For With Having Spider Plants in My Aquarium?
Like we previously stated, growing spider plants in an aquarium is a challenging task. You have to ensure that they can thrive in a wet environment. As a safety measure to take, you may need to implement a tray or any bolstering equipment that would hold your spider plants in place. This technique will make sure that your spider plants do not drown and stay afloat.
Spider Plant Aquarium Requirements
How To Grow Spider Plants in a Wet Environment Like Aquariums
In order to guarantee the success of your spider plants in a wet environment like aquariums, you need to meet several requirements on light, temperature, fertilizer, and water requirements. Here is an in-depth explanation of each requirement essential to all wet environments.
Light Requirements
Just like any other plant, spider plants need adequate light to survive. No matter where you put them, they must have access to enough light but not the direct sunlight. With that said, you must have a light source above your aquariums or place the fish bowl in a spot that only has partial lighting.
Temperature Requirements
Spider plants can withstand temperatures as low as 11 degrees Celsius and as high as 32 degrees celsius. However, you need to keep in mind not to push it and make sure the temperature is balanced to maximize the benefits of spider plants. On the other hand, if you will be putting your spider plants with aquatic organisms, then you may want to cater to their needs instead.
Fertilizer Requirements
Spider plants need fertilizers in order to grow to their full potential, and they may get this from the fishes that live with them. Fish excrements and waste food allow spider plants to flourish and thrive in a wet environment. But, if you think you need more boost or your tank is too small, then you may opt to use water-soluble fertilizers. As a piece of additional information, make sure to rinse away pesticides in your spider plants before submerging them in water to avoid disruption to your fishes’ ecosystem.
Water Requirements
Spider plants only survive in water environments that are rich in Nitrogen and well-aerated. With that said, you have to keep in mind that they need enough oxygen, carbon dioxide, and lighting to be able to perform photosynthesis in creating their water environment.
Other Wet Environments For Spider Plants
Spider Plants in Aquaponics
You may put your spider plants in aquaponics because they can thrive in moist soils. Furthermore, the water present in aquaponics is rich with nutrients vital for a spider plant’s development. On the other hand, spider plants will not produce flowers or fruits for use.
Spider Plants in Fish Bowls
Due to the fish bowl’s small size, spider plants would least likely survive here. Spider plants may only act as an ornament in the fish bowl since they won’t be able to work properly. The limited water and lack of aeration system make maintaining the temperature and carbon dioxide levels difficult. You will most likely do more work by changing the water often and sitting your bowl out in the sun for a few minutes daily.
Spider Plants in Fish Tanks
Spider plants in fish tanks add decoration to your fish tank and provide entertainment for your fish. They also purify the air and add humidity to the environment. In addition, spider plants may thrive on fish defecation as fertilizers. The volume of the tank also helps the spider plants with their development. However, spider plants cannot balance the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels on their own in a fish tank.
Benefits of Having a Spider Plant
Everyone loves spider Plants, and it is because of the numerous benefits they offer. Even if you place them in an aquarium, they will still be able to provide these benefits (Again, as long as the plant leaves are afloat!):
Spider Plants Purify the Air
Spider Plants are most especially known for their ability to clean the air of their environment. They function by converting harmful substances found in homes and offices into harmless carbon dioxide.
Spider Plants Increase Humidity
Spider Plants absorb water through their roots. They get unlimited water access when they are in a wet environment. Spider plants circulate the water through their system and keep it longer than other plants. This process causes the environment to become more humid, which is incredibly beneficial because it decreases the chances of fostering several airborne diseases, namely cough, colds, sore throat, and other flu-like symptoms.
Spider Plants are Spectacular Decorations
Spider Plants can capture the attention of anyone and lighten up whatever environment they are in, which is why they are perfect for decorations. They have a unique look of a green and white rosette of long thin arched leaves. Spider plants also appear bold because of their varying color shades.
Spider Plants are Therapeutic
Spider Plants have been said to reduce stress levels. People who have had a spider plant for at least two weeks will have decreased cortisol levels, the hormone known for stress. Spider plants reduce anxiety, anger, depression, and tension. This benefit of spider plants is suspected of coming from their ability to get rid of air toxins.
Spider Plants Absorb the Ozone
Spider Plants further cleanse the environment by absorbing the ozone gas present. Ozone is a colorless gas that is lethal to human health if inhaled too much. Spider plants perform this benefit because of their porous structure that allows them to take in the ozone gas.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spider Plants
Spider plants turn pale or yellow when they do not get enough light. To remedy this situation, you need to improve your lighting system.
This solution may mean that you need to move your spider plant to a spot with more sunlight or get brighter lights for your aquarium.
Spider plants may turn brown for three reasons: too much ozone absorption, high chlorine levels, or too much direct sunlight. Spider plants cannot photosynthesize well when they have absorbed too much ozone gas, which leads to the brown color.
At this point, there is usually no more that you can do to save the spider plant. However, if the cause for brown color is chlorine level or sunlight, then you may alleviate the situation by decluttering and repositioning your aquarium.
If your spider plants start turning black, then that is a sign that they are drowning. A spider plant may also turn back due to over-fertilization.
If so, just make sure to change your fertilization system and take your spider plant out of the aquarium for a few minutes in order to salvage your spider plant’s life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, spider plants can live in aquariums under the right conditions. However, it is a delicate balance between keeping enough of the roots submerged in the water so that the plant has water, and not putting it so deep that it begins to die.
In addition, putting fertilizer in the aquarium to feed the plant can also be dangerous for your fish if you do not use the proper ones or if you use too many.
So if this is something you MUST have, then it is possible and you can work it out. However, finding alternative aquarium-safe plants might be the easier thing to do.
