One of the most common and well-known houseplants is the spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum. It’s especially popular among novices because it’s simple to grow and spread, tolerates neglect, and thrives in practically any environment. The little plantlets produced on long trailing stems that resemble spiders give it its common name.
This clump-forming perennial herbaceous plant with narrow, strap-shaped leaves that emerge from a central point is native to coastal parts of South Africa. The leaves might be pure green or variegated with white or yellow streaks running lengthwise. The leaves appear to be funneled or folded down the middle, rather than being flat. Plants reach a height of 12-15 inches. The plant’s large, fleshy roots and rhizomes have developed to retain water, allowing it to withstand irregular irrigation.
Long, wiry stems up to 2 feet long, with a few small leaves, are generated, especially in response to short days and long, uninterrupted nights for at least three weeks, though they can appear at any time of year inside. At the terminals of the stems, little white star-shaped flowers appear. More leaves are generated at the end of the stems after flowering, generating miniature plantlets. When a flower is fertilized, it produces a leathery, 3-angled capsule-type fruit with flat black seeds.
Spider plants have been found in studies to be very successful at cleaning indoor air by absorbing pollutants such as formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide in homes and offices.
Indoors, in medium to bright light, spider plants are very easy to grow all year. It thrives in moderate humidity and chilly to moderate temperatures, while it can endure higher temperatures. Use a soilless medium or a general-purpose potting soil. When plants are slightly pot-bound, they flourish and generate the most plantlets. They require periodic repotting to perform at their best because they grow swiftly and the roots can easily become overcrowded.
Between thorough waterings, allow the soil to dry gradually. Fertilizing every 3-4 months or feeding more regularly with a half-strength fertilizer solution is typically sufficient. Be careful that plants that have been intensively fertilized may not produce as many plantlets, and that too much fertilizer might cause tip browning.
Except for scale insects and mealybugs, spider plants have little pest concerns. Leaf tip burn is a widespread condition with a variety of causes. Brown leaf tips can be caused by low humidity, overly dry soil, salt accumulation, and/or pollutants in tap water, particularly fluoride or chlorine. Tip browning can be avoided by using distilled or rainwater. Root rot can be caused by overwatering or planting in poorly drained soils.
In cool climes, this plant can also be cultivated as an annual outside. It thrives in most well-drained soils and should be bedded out once the last frost has passed. With its grass-like foliage that contrasts nicely with other foliage types, spider plants make a fantastic addition to containers. It’s ideal for a hanging basket because the stems can dangle down. They require bright light when grown outside, however if grown in full sun, they may become sunburned. They create a beautiful ground cover in partly shaded regions of the garden in warmer climates.
Planting the “spiders” or plantlets that follow the flowers in their own pots is a simple way to reproduce spider plants. Set the plantlet on the surface of a pot filled with soilless potting material, still attached to the mother plant, and allow it to root before removing the stem attaching it to the mother plant. To keep the plantlet in contact with the soil until it grows roots, use a bent paper clip or a piece of wire. Alternatively, choose a plantlet that has already begun to produce roots and pot it. Plants that are larger can also be divided. They can also be produced from seed, though offspring may not have the same leaf hue as the parent.
- The leaves of ‘Milky Way’ have green borders and a large white to cream center, giving it a lighter appearance than other cultivars.
- The dark green leaves of ‘Vittatum’ have a wide, creamy white stripe running down the middle of each leaf. It grows at a slower rate than the green varieties.
- The leaves of ‘Variegatum’ are relatively broad green with white edges. Compared to other cultivars, this one produces fewer plantlets.
- The middle leaf vein of ‘White Stripe’ features a short white to cream line that fades as the leaf ages. Instead of being green, the flower stalks are cream to yellowish.
How long do spider plants live for?
Spider plants can be found nearly everywhere these days; one has been sitting next to the staircase at my parents’ home for the past 20 years and doesn’t appear to have aged at all. As a result, I began to wonder how long spider plants live.
Many spider plants outlive their owners because they are perennial plants with an unlimited existence. They can easily live for 50 years or more with proper care, and their durability makes them popular as family heirlooms.
They’re also fairly resilient and one of the best air filtering plants, which is why they’re so common in offices. Check out the material I’ve compiled below if you’re intrigued about what makes them masters of survival.
How big is the biggest spider plant?
Chlorophytum comosum grows to a height of about 60 cm (24 in), yet as a hanging plant, it can reach a height of many feet. It has fleshy, tuberous roots that are approximately 510 cm (24 in) in length. The long, narrow leaves are 2045 cm (818 in) long and 625 mm (0.21.0 in) wide, with a length of 2045 cm (818 in).
How long does it take a spider plant to grow full size?
To preserve their stripes, all variegated Spider Plants require a light spot. The all-green variant (which has no variegation to lose) will grow in a darker environment, but at a considerably slower rate. Direct sunlight should be avoided at all costs.
Watering
In the growing months (Spring through Autumn/Fall), water your plant thoroughly, and if you’ve placed it in a light position, you’ll see rapid growth and a decent probability of Spider Babies.
Water sparingly in the winter because growth slows down regardless of what you do, and too much water sloshing around the roots might cause the plant to rot.
Feeding
These hardy plants can handle sporadic feeding, but for consistent development, feed at least once a month with a basic houseplant fertilizer. During the winter months, do not feed newly planted Spider Babies / Pups or mature plants.
Temperature
The key to good growth is the average warmth of a normal dwelling. In the summer, you can leave your plant outside, but remember to bring it inside before the winter begins.
Your plant will thrive in temperatures as low as 5°C / 41°F if the soil is dry. If the soil is damp or the temperature drops below this, some damage is likely to occur. Any plant that is exposed to a heavy cold will be completely destroyed over night.
Repotting
If given proper care, a Spider Plant will need to be repotted into a larger pot every Spring until it reaches maturity, which takes about 2 to 5 years. You can use regular houseplant or garden compost for this. Check out our repotting instructions if you think you’ll need some assistance repotting your plant.
If you’re concerned that your plant is already too big and you won’t be able to relocate it, don’t repot it into a larger container, as this will limit its growth.
Propagation
Planting up their offsets or Spider Babies is a simple and rapid way to reproduce Spider Plants. When repotting, some people also divide the plant. The three strategies for propagating Spider Babies are listed below:
Where should I put a spider plant in my house?
- Place the plant in a room with bright to moderate light and a temperature that is pleasant for everyone.
- Maintain a slight moisture level in the soil. In the spring and summer, once-weekly watering is sufficient; in the winter, let the soil to dry out a little more between waterings. Fluoride in tap water is toxic to some houseplants, especially spider plants. For the plants, consider using distilled water or rainfall.
- Fertilize your houseplants every two to three weeks with a balanced houseplant fertilizer, as directed on the package.
How do I make my spider plant bushier?
Meeting all of your spider plant’s demands, as well as pruning and repotting it when needed, is the key to growing it bushier. This will increase the overall bushiness of your spider plant and help it to reach its maximum potential.
Can a spider plant survive outside?
The simplest approach to grow spider plants outside is to simply transfer your potted spider plant outside when the weather permits, and back inside when the weather is too cold. With little white star-shaped flowers arching down on long flower stalks, spider plants make wonderful hanging basket plants. On these flower stalks, grass-like new plantlets emerge after blossoming.
Chlorophytum comosun is known as spider plant because of its spider-like dangling plantlets. The plantlets are similar to strawberry runners in that they will root wherever they come into contact with soil, resulting in new spider plants. Simply slice the “spiders” off and stick them in soil to proliferate.
Spider plants are native to South Africa and require a warm, tropical climate to thrive outside. In zones 9-11, they can be grown as a perennial, while in milder regions, they can be grown as an annual. Outside, spider plants cannot withstand frost. If you’re growing them as annuals in a cooler region, be sure there’s no risk of frost.
Spider plants need filtered sunlight, but they may thrive in a range of conditions from part-shadow to shade. In full sun or late afternoon sun, they are prone to getting sunburned. Outside, spider plants make wonderful spreading groundcovers and tree border plants. They can develop and spread quickly in zones 10-11.
Do spider plants attract spiders?
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are so named because the small plantlets or offshoots at the ends of long wiry stems are “spidery,” not because they attract and host spiders. This is one of the easiest houseplants to care for, and it’s usually grown in a hanging container so the stems can cascade.
Can I leave the babies on my spider plant?
Planting the spiderette in a pot filled with any lightweight potting mix is all it takes to propagate a spider plant. You can let the baby plant linked to the parent plant until it takes root, then snip the runner to detach it from the parent.
Is spider plant an indoor plant?
- Water sparingly throughout the first year of growth; after completely developed (within a year), water moderately.
- Keep the soil moist during the spring and summer months to encourage development. Allowing the soil to dry out too much is not a good idea.
- Maintain a constant temperature and humidity level in the room. Spider plants thrive in temperatures ranging from 55 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 27 degrees Celsius), making them an excellent indoor houseplant.
- In the spring and summer, fertilize up to twice a month; nevertheless, avoid overfertilization.