I recently returned from being away from 3 months, and my formerly luxuriant spider plant has gone completely droopy. When I looked, I noticed the stolons were out of the ground, and I also pulled out several dead stolons. The plant also did not put out any babies this year, even though it did in past years. While I was gone it was in my office, which is somewhat gloomy and I had my student water it every couple of weeks. What is wrong with my plant, and what can I do to help it regain its former vigor, if anything. I also note I haven't fed it at all in the last couple of years, because I lost several roses to overfeeding and am nervous about it. The plant belonged to my late fiancee and it is very dear to me, please help.

I would hang it the shower and give it a deep watering. I would give it some half strength fertilizer, after two years there isn't much in the way of nutrients in the soil. I would repot in the early spring just to get fresh soil in the pot. That would be a good time to divide the plant.

My spiders are in 8" baskets and need water almost ever other day during the growing season. I fertilize every month March thru Oct.

Repot now, no need to wait. It needs help.

I agree. Repot it now.

If it was only watered every couple of weeks then I'm not surprised it's suffering. I'm sure once you give it a good drink and some fresh compost it will recover nicely. Do keep us posted. I hope your special plant makes it.

Thank you all for your responses. So I repotted the plant in a much smaller pot yesterday and watered it thoroughly (hopefully not too much). One thing that really concerns me is that some of the leaves feel extremely "thin" and totally floppy. It's leaves were formerly thick and perky. This is what it looks like now. It just doesn't look good at all.

Being in a "somewhat gloomy" office for three months means it has had barely enough light to stay alive, so its response is not surprising. Repotting and fertilize are not a replacement for proper light. Provide as much light as possible and be patient. New growth that comes in should be fine, but the weak growth will not improve.

Will, I agree. I would just cut off the old droopy leaves.