Spider Plant
Care and Pictures
Chlorophytum Comosum
Difficulty
Easy
Size
Medium
Soil
Well Draining Soil
Water
Allow top 1-2 inches to dry out between waterings
Light
✓ Low Light
✓ Medium to High Light
✓ Direct Sunlight
Temperature
15-27 °C
59-80 °F
Toxicity (Leafs)
Cats - Safe
Dogs - Safe
Humans - Safe
Humidity
Ideally
50 - 60 %
Propagation
Stem Cuttings
Division
Seeds
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Spider Plant Care Guide
The Spider Plant is a beloved indoor plant with a characteristic dense rosette of slender, elongated leaves. The leaves have stripes of light/medium green and white/cream.
This popular plant can produce small, white flowers on long wiry stems. The flowers can then develop into plantlets or “pups” that dangle gracefully from the mother plant, giving this plant its many common names.
We like having this plant at home as it is extremely easy going and un-demanding. Its long and narrow, multi-colour leaves offer a nice contrast with other houseplants, making any space more interesting and “alive”.
Looking at the “pups” hanging around is enjoyable and we normally leave them there unless they are knocked off by someone by accident. The pup is then placed in a small vase with water, becoming a lovely tabletop decoration before it is planted off and given away as a simple but thoughtful gift.
Common Name(s)
- Spider Ivy
- Ribbon Plant
- Airplane Plant
- St. Bernard’s Lily
- Hen and Chickens
- Mala Madre (Spanish)
- Lazo de Amor (Spanish)
- Phalangère (French)
- Herbe Vaudoise (French, Switzerland)
- Falangio (Italian)
- Nastrino (Italian)
Latin Name
Monstera Deliciosa
Family
Chlorophytum comosum belongs to the Asparagaceae family, which encompasses a diverse range of monocotyledonous flowering plants.
Country of Origin
The Spider Plant is native to South Africa and thrives in a variety of environmental conditions.
In its natural habitat, it experiences warm, temperate climates with moderate humidity, making it an ideal match for the average household conditions year-round.
The Spider Plant is quite adaptable and tolerates occasional temperature fluctuations, however, as many other houseplants it is sensitive to frost so temperatures below 2°C (35.6°F) should be avoided.
Varieties
Over the years, this popular houseplant has been developed into several cultivars, each showcasing unique leaf patterns and colours.
Popular varieties include:
- Variegatum – Features green leaves with white margins.
- Vittatum – Characterized by a central white stripe flanked by green edges.
- Bonnie – Displays curled or wavy leaves with green and white variegation.
- Ocean – Presents broader leaves with a central green stripe and white margins.
Care Rating
Easy.
Spider Plant is considered as an easy plant to care for. The spider plant is an excellent choice for beginners and a classic choice for even experienced plant enthusiasts.
Mature Size
– Height: Normally up to 30–40 cm (12–16 inches) when fully grown.
– Width: 60–75 cm (24–30 inches)
Watering Needs
Just like many other houseplants, Spider Plants must be watered once the top ½ inches of the top soil are dry. This is to avoid root rot which takes hold when overwatering (watering when the soil is still moist throughout).
Brown tips on the leaves normally indicate underwatering.
It is a good idea to adjust watering based on seasonal changes, increasing waterings during active growth periods in spring and summer and reducing them in winter.
Ideal Humidity Levels
While Spider Plants can tolerate a range of humidity levels, they thrive best in environments with humidity between 50% and 60%. When humidity is low, the leaf tips may brown.
Ideal Temperature Levels
Spider Plants prefer temperatures ranging from 15°C to 27°C (59°F to 80°F).
Avoid placing you Spider Plant in places where there are stream temperatures or temperature changes such as near drafty doors and windows, air-conditioning vents, or heaters to prevent stress.
Light Needs
Spider Plants thrive in bright, indirect light but can adapt to a variety of lighting conditions. Lower light levels can be tolerated though growth may slow down, and leaf variegation might diminish along with leaf discoloration.
Strong/direct sunlight can burn the leaves so the Spider Plant should be acclimatized slowly or something should be used to protect the plant such as a net curtain.
Recommended Soil Mix
Spider Plant is happy with a well-draining, nutrient-rich soil.
To achieve this, you can mix containing peat moss, orchid bark, and perlite. A mix of potting soil, coco coir, and sand also works well to maintain aeration and moisture balance.
Toxicity
Spider Plants are non-toxic to humans and are generally considered safe for pets, including cats and dogs. However, don’t let your cat chew on the leaves as this can lead to digestive upsets if ingested in large quantities.
Propagation Method
Propagating a Spider Plant is easy and there are several methods:
- Plantlets (Offsets): The most common method involves detaching the small plantlets that develop on the stolons (long stems) of the mother plant. These plantlets can be placed in water until roots develop or planted directly into soil.
- Division: Mature plants can be divided by separating the root ball into smaller sections, ensuring that each section has a healthy set of roots and leaves. This method is best done when repotting a mature Spider Plant when different plants in the pot are evident.
- Seeds: It is also possible to grow Spider Plants can be grown from seeds, however, this method requires patience. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining potting mix, kept moist, and placed in a warm environment with bright, indirect light. Germination can take several weeks.
Spider Plant Picture Gallery
