Welcome Brook.....your little spider looks a bit sad but I hope with a little TLC it should come back. I noticed it was pale and it is difficult for me to see if it is the type with the white center or the plain green, which sometimes has a pale white or yellowish center. The pure green seem to need more water and get very droopy when dry.
Here is a picture of a spider the same age as yours that I just put into a larger pot. Mine also has some brown ends but you can cut them off.
This plant sits on the work table just now waiting to go to its new home. It was very pot bound. It gets no sun but plenty of light. This is the kind most people have as houseplants. I show you this for you to see the difference in plants especially since they are the same age. This is what yours will look like when it is happy again.
Looking at your plant, and your description of the roots, I am not sure you should have it in a pot larger than 3". The lack of roots at that age of plant is concerning. That is certainly not normal. It should have had big thick white roots by this time. They should be in a big clump and very strong Did you have it outside and you may have picked up a slug that ate the roots and you would not have known it? Or did you have another plant outside that you brought in that may have had a slug in the soil?
There is a chance the plant will recover but without seeing it myself, I can not guarantee my advice will help it. It may take a few weeks to show new growth but it it does not perk up then I am afraid it is too late.
I would make sure you water it every week or 10 days after you give it a good soaking drink to start with. I use Miracle Grow potting soil with the fertilizer in it. I use regular houseplant liquid fertilizer from Miracle Grow after the fertilizer in the original soil is gone. It is easy to use and does help. I do not fertilize often, maybe once every month or two. I would put it in a well lighted area and they like to be in a temperature between 60 and 70 or even higher. the humidity in the house is difficult to keep high, so you may need to water more often. For example, if it feels dry on top give it some water from both the top and bottom. You need to be sure the roots are getting water. They do not like too much direct sun or when you take it outside it should not be in the direct sun. I tell you what works for me, it may not be what others do but as I said, it works for me.
If this plant does not survive, please feel free to contact me and I will send you another as a gift and you can try again. Never give up, that is what makes houseplants so much fun. Have a good day. Good luck and please keep us posted.
