The Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a favorite, houseplant. It is practically foolproof for novice gardeners.
These sturdy little houseplants are easy to care for and hard to kill!
They grow with zeal, reproducing babies in even the most challenging of circumstances.
Table Of Contents
- How Many Spider Plant Varieties Are There?
- Spider Plant One Of NASA’s ‘Top Clean Air Plants!’
- Do Spider Plants Have Any Medicinal Uses?
- Are Spider Plants Poisonous To Cats And Humans?
- Why Choose Spider Plants?”
- What Light Does Chlorophytum Grow Best In?
- Chlorophytum Comosum Care Provides Consistent, Moderate Temperatures
- Where Are The Best Places To Keep Chlorophytum Comosum Plants?
- What Soil Type Do Airplane Chlorophytum Plants Grow Best In?
- Can You Grow Spider Plants In Water?
- How To Root A Spider Plant In Soil
- How Often To Water Spider Plants
- Do Spider Plants Need To Be Fertilized?
- Repotting And Transplanting Spider Plants
- How Long Do Spider Plants Live?
- Spider Plants Care
- Where To Buy Spider Plants
- Can Spider Plants Be Planted Outdoors?
- 9 Smart Outdoor Spider Plant Care Tips
- Is The Spider Plant The Ultimate Beginner’s Plant?
In this article, we provide helpful information on growing these simple, cheery houseplants. Read on to learn more.
How Many Spider Plant Varieties Are There?
Are you wondering, “what does a spider plant look like?”.
There are almost 200 Chlorophytum species (191 at last count). The most popular is the well-known spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum. There are several other cultivars of Chlorophytum comosum:
- Chlorophytum comosum “Vittatum” – broad white stripe down the center of the leaf, popular in the 1990’s. The “Vittatum” cultivar is the plant most people recognize. It has longer, curved narrow leaves of a medium shade of green. This type of airplane plant is very popular for growing in hanging baskets.
- Chlorophytum comosum “Variegatum” – The reverse of ‘Vittatum’, ‘Variegatum’is generally more compact with white stripe, margins or edges and dark green leaves. Over time this striking variety replaced the popular ‘Vittatum’ in most garden centers.
- Chlorophytum comosum “Bonnie” – is growing fast in popularity. ‘Bonnie Spider Plant’ carries the color pattern of ‘Vittatum’ but the leaves bend and curl. Some call it the – curly spider plant. It is also more compact than other varieties. Its compact size makes ‘Bonnie a perfect addition for small areas like a bathroom.
In fact, Spider plants are one of the best low light plants for the bathroom. Some refer to them as “toilet plants.”
I guess they like them since “spiders” are one of the few plants that don’t need much light! I guess they like them since “spiders” are one of the few plants that don’t need much light!
The common spider plant carries many common names. You may hear them referred to as:
- Variegated Spider Plant
- St. Bernard’s Lily
- Airplane Plant
- Spider Plant
- Ribbon Plant
- Anthericum
- Spider Ivy
Chlorophytum comosum is the formal botanical name of the plant. The basic spider plant has green leaves of a dark to medium shade.
The green spider plant is not the most popular variety. In fact, it only makes up about ten percent of sales of this type of plant.
Spider Plant One Of NASA’s ‘Top Clean Air Plants!’
Researchers at NASA conducted a study to determine the best methods of keeping the air clean at space stations. According to this comprehensive Clean Air study, there are many excellent benefits to keeping live plants in any setting. As a result of the NASA study, the humble green Chlorophytum comosum was considered one of the best indoor plants tested.
Learn more about the Clean Air Study in our article: THE FALSE TRUTH On The “12 Best Plants” To Improve Indoor Air Quality
Do Spider Plants Have Any Medicinal Uses?
Just as indoor houseplants bring specific benefits to space stations, homes and bedrooms, they have also been proven to enhance healing in medical settings. Kansas State University conducted a study showing that patients staying in hospital rooms with plants had lower blood pressure and steadier, slower heart rates.
They needed less pain medication, felt less stress, were less fatigued and recovered more quickly.
Are Spider Plants Poisonous To Cats And Humans?
According to the American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) Chlorophytum Comosum is non-toxic to both dogs and cats. In fact, these enthusiastic, easy-to-grow plants are actually edible.
More on the topic of Spider Plants Poisonous To Cats?
Aside from its healthy effect on your immediate environment, the Chlorophytum comosum imparts a wide variety of other health benefits. The Chlorophytum originates from South Africa, and in Africa it is considered more than just a pretty face. It is also a healthy, green, leafy veggie!
The leaves of the Ribbon Plant are just chock full of micronutrients, vitamins and minerals, such as:
- Powerful anti-oxidants
- Beta-carotene
- Magnesium
- Vitamin C
- Calcium
- Protein
For these reasons, it makes up a significant portion of the daily diet of many rural Africans. If you grow yours in great abundance, you can use them to enrich your daily diet by preparing them as you would tough greens, such as mustard greens.
Pick young, tender leaves. Wash them thoroughly and cook in boiling, salted water for about ten minutes. Sauté the boiled greens with sliced onions, carrot and garlic in coconut oil until all veggies are tender. Some people find the greens bitter. Serve with a white gravy (milk and flour gravy) to counteract this quality.
Why Choose Spider Plants?”
It’s easy to see that keeping houseplants is a great way to make your home, work or school environment healthier and more pleasant. However, many people are very concerned they just cannot keep houseplants alive. With Chlorophytum comosum, you needn’t worry.
Even if you have never kept a plant before, you are very likely to have good luck with a spider plants. Only the most egregious neglect and abuse can kill them, and when you start with one, you are sure to have a whole family of little spiders in no time at all. Growing spider plants is an enjoyable, easy, satisfying, affordable way to fill your home with happy greenery.
What Light Does Chlorophytum Grow Best In?
You don’t need a lot of space or an elaborate setup for spider ivy. They are very happy growing in hanging baskets and pots, and they do fine in bright indirect light.
For this reason, they are an excellent choice as a bedroom plant. They are also very nice to keep in the bathroom where lighting may be a bit dim.
If you have a sunny window with bright indirect lighting to fill with plants, Ribbon Plants will do well there, too! They also do nicely under fluorescent lighting (as in an office or school setting) or with full spectrum artificial light or grow lamps.
Spider plant light requirements:
The type of lighting you provide will affect your plants’ appearance, but all types of light work well to keep these hardy little troopers healthy. Generally speaking, more sun will produce more pronounced variegation in striped varieties and darker green in solid varieties.
Lighting also affects the rate of blooming and reproduction. Plants kept in brighter lighting tend to produce more flowers and offspring than those kept in dimmer settings.
Too much blazing, direct sunlight can be detrimental and will tend to burn the leaves. If planting or setting your plant outdoors, keep it out of the midday sun.
Chlorophytum Comosum Care Provides Consistent, Moderate Temperatures
Chlorophytum comosum tolerates a range of temperatures, but you should provide a consistent temperature. Sudden changes in heat and cold are always to be avoided.
Also, simultaneous contrasts in temperature are to be avoided. For example, you should not place any plant in a location where it will receive a chill from a window and a blast of heat from a heating vent.
Generally speaking, your plants will do best at consistent temperatures ranging from 70°-90° degrees Fahrenheit; however, they can tolerate lower temperatures.
A plant kept at a consistent 65° degrees Fahrenheit will live nicely, but it won’t grow or reproduce much. If the temperature accidentally drops as low as 35° degrees occasionally, the plant will survive, but these low temperatures are not at all recommended. The plant will not survive freezing.
Occasional extreme heat can be tolerated, but consistent temperatures higher than 90° degrees Fahrenheit are not recommended.
Where Are The Best Places To Keep Chlorophytum Comosum Plants?
Some good locations to place your Spider Ivy plant around the house and office include:
- Hang one or several baskets above your shower in your bathroom.
- Set small, potted plantlets on the back of your toilet.
- Place a potted plant on a corner shelf near a small bathroom window.
- Keep potted spider ivy under a fluorescent, full spectrum or grow light in a windowless room.
- Keep a potted airplane plant your office desk under fluorescent and/or natural direct or indirect sunlight.
- Keep plantlets in small pots or rooting in cups of water on a sunny kitchen windowsill.
- Shade your bedroom window with an arrangement of hanging spider plants.
- Fill hanging baskets on your sun porch or patio.
- Plant airplane Chlorophytum comosum plants in large, sheltered outdoor planters.
- Establish sheltered beds outdoors during warm weather.
- Plant in a tall cylinder planter for a unique look in a small space.
Clearly, your Chlorophytum comosum will be happy almost anywhere you choose to place it. No plants really do well without light altogether, but the rugged spider plant is flexible and accommodating to just about any level of artificial or natural light.
Related: Tips on Spider Plant Care Indoors
Airplane pup with roots and leaves with white stripes down the center
What Soil Type Do Airplane Chlorophytum Plants Grow Best In?
As with most indoor house plants, good aeration and a well-draining soil will produce good plant growth. However, aside from that recommendation, there are few strong suggestions in growing medium. Airplane plants are very tolerant of a wide variety of types and textures of soil.
A standard potting mix made for African violets seems to be best, or try creating your own mix using potting, container or garden soil mixed with light ingredients such as:
- Vermiculite
- Pine Bark
- Coco coir
- Perlite
- Peat
Limestone and/or dolomite are good additions to help raise the pH level. Chlorophytum comosum prefer a fairly neutral pH of 6.0-6.5. If you are an experienced gardener, you may wish to try mixing your own spider plant soil, but this is not at all necessary.
Any good, light potting or container mix will do fine. As mentioned, using a soil mix designed for African violets will serve the plant well.
Can You Grow Spider Plants In Water?
To a limited extent, spider plants will grow in water or using the system known as hydroculture. This is a method of growing in which an inert type of growing medium (e.g. clay pebbles or LECA – lightweight expanded clay aggregate) is used in the place of soil.
Use this method to root baby plants (plantlets) and keep the plants growing this way. However, plants can be transferred to a regular potting medium.
How To Root Spider Plants In Water
Root small plantlets by popping them into a small glass or bowl of filtered or distilled water. Simply place them in the water as you would flowers in a vase. The water should cover the roots without contacting the leaves.
Place the container in a still location with indirect lighting. Change the water daily to prevent bacteria and mold growth. Once the plantlets develop good roots, transfer them to a pot, hanging basket or planter with the appropriate growing medium.
Rooting your airplane plants in water can be a convenient way to keep a number of plantlets alive while you arrange for a more permanent setting. But it is not a good way to keep these plants long term. They like a well-drained growing medium, and water does not meet that description.
Additionally, in the long term, the plants will need more nutrients than plain water can provide. While you can purchase specially prepared spider plant fertilizer mixes for hydroponic gardening, these are not ideal for spider plant care. This type of plant kept in water on an ongoing basis will not thrive and will live a short life.
How To Root A Spider Plant In Soil
Propagating Chlorophytum comosum naturally, in soil is dead-simple.
These plants naturally send out multiple runners (plant babies) from the mother plant with white, star-shaped flowers become little plants dangling from the end.
In the wild, these little spider plant babies come in contact with the soil, sink their roots and take off on their own.
Spider plant “Vittatum” babies ready to be separated from the mother plant
Replicating this process is easy. Simply clip the little plants off the ends of the shoots with a sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears and set them lightly in loose well drained soil in their own pots, planters or hanging baskets.
Keep your little plants in a sheltered area with a consistent temperature and indirect lighting. Water as needed. Before you know it, they will begin to take root and start growing.
If you want to be “more like nature”, set up host pots of soil around your parent plant and guide the babies into their own pots. Peg them in place if needed and firm the soil around them. When they sink roots, cut them loose from the parent by clipping the connecting runner with sharp shears or scissors. Clip close to the baby plant.
It’s really very hard to go wrong when propagating spider ivy. If your plant is happy and healthy, you are sure to find it weighed down with plantlets in fairly short order.
If you see the mother parent plant being pulled to one side by a horde of little plants, you’ll know it’s time to remove or redirect those babies to their own homes. With any luck at all and a modicum of skill, you are sure to have astonishing success.
How Often To Water Spider Plants
These plants don’t require lots of water. Your specific watering schedule will vary depending upon the temperature and level of lighting you maintain.
Generally speaking, check the soil weekly by poking it with your finger. If the top inch of soil is dry, give your plant a moderate watering.
Keep the soil lightly moist during the warmer months when the plant is actively growing and reproducing. Cut back watering in the cooler months to give the plant a chance to rest and go semi-dormant.
Related: Tips On Watering Spider Plants
Do Spider Plants Need To Be Fertilized?
Spiders do not require lots of much fertilizer. However, spider plants respond well to an application of liquid plant food every few weeks during the spring and summer. Use a good, general purpose, water-soluble houseplant fertilizer like these. Mix it half strength.
Another option is to apply a granular balanced time-release fertilizer in the spring when plants begin to grow and another in 3 months. Personally, I’ve found the best results with liquid fertilizer applications.
The fertilizer you choose should have no fluoride and very little boron.
Be sure not to overdo the strength or frequency of fertilizing because this can cause brown leaf tips on spider plants.
Once spring and summer are over, stop fertilizing through the fall and winter.
Repotting And Transplanting Spider Plants
Just as with propagation, Chlorophytum easily transfers to larger pots and containers or even transplant them outdoors to a sheltered bed in the warmer months.
Remember, transplanting or repotting spider plant ivy is optional, though. These types of plants don’t mind being root-bound at all.
Don’t worry when you begin to see the rhizomes (tubers) protruding from the soil. Simply thin them out with a sharp spade and plant them in new pots (or in the ground during warm weather).
There is really no need to replant or repot your original parent plant. It can remain perfectly happy in its original pot indefinitely. Unless they get like the spider plant below which is root bound!
image: via flickr / Keith Williamson
How Long Do Spider Plants Live?
A happy Chlorophytum comosum can live for decades. These sturdy indoor house plants make spiders plants wonderful “test plants” for those looking to learn about houseplant care.
Once you establish the right conditions your spider plant enjoys, you will never lack for botanical companionship again.
Spider Plants Care
For the most part airplane plants are impervious to disease and pests. The main causes of problems are overwatering, poor drainage and excessive fertilizer treatment.
Here are some of the symptoms to watch for, along with some simple fixes.
Red Spider Mites: Look for dull, gray leaves with webby substance on the underside.
Treating with a natural neem oil pesticide sprays should do the trick to eliminate them.
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Discover the best natural ways to get rid of spider mites.
Hunger: Dull, floppy leaves may indicate your plant is ready for feeding with a balanced, liquid houseplant fertilizer.
Remember to mix it half strength and apply only a couple of times monthly.
Brown Rotten Vegetation: If the center of your plant is brown and rotten, it’s probably from over-watering.
Try allowing the plant dry out and see if it will make a comeback.
However, once rotting and root rot sets in you have probably lost the plant. Hopefully, it will have produced some offspring to take its place.
More On: Spider Plant Leaves Turning Brown
Soft, Transparent Leaves: If your plant has been exposed to very cold or freezing temperatures, the leaves may be damaged.
Move the plant to a warm, sheltered area and monitor it closely. If the roots were not damaged, the plant may rally.
Drought Damage: If your plant has dry, colorless, lanky, weak leaves it has probably been damaged by excessively hot, dry conditions.
Relocate the plant to a cooler, sheltered area and provide it with more water.
Brown Leaf Tips: This symptom can be caused by a lot of different things. Among them are:
- Too much direct sunlight
- Fluxes in temperature
- Chemical laden water – use distil water over tap water
- Excessive draft
- Drought stress
- Spider Mites
- Aphids
No matter what caused the problem of brown tips on the leaves, moving your plant to a sheltered area with a consistent, desirable temperature and indirect lighting will probably help.
Water using filtered or distilled water only. If you see signs of pest infestation, treat with a natural pesticide.
Bleached Leaves: If the area near the bend or flex of the leaf is faded or bleached, it is probably the result of excessive sun exposure.
Move the plant to a protected area with indirect light or provide shade.
Caterpillars: You are unlikely to have this problem indoors, but outdoors if you find holes in the leaves, you may be having trouble with caterpillar infestation. Caterpillars can usually be picked off successfully.
If re-infestation occurs, move the plant or protect it with netting.
Where To Buy Spider Plants
Because Chlorophytum comosum is so easily self-propagating, you may not have to buy your first plants. You are very likely to know someone who has babies to give away. If not, little “spiderlets” are often available cheap or free at springtime plant sales, farmer’s markets, flea markets and the like.
If you don’t have any of these resources close at hand, you can surely find lovely specimens offered at your local garden center or in the garden department at Home Depot, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart or any other big or small store offering houseplants.
When choosing airplane plants, seek out healthy, robust looking “spiders” with clean, untorn, undamaged leaves and NO brown lips on the leaves. Check the leaves for signs of illness and infestation as described above. Stay away from plants that may introduce a disease or pests to your home and garden.
Can Spider Plants Be Planted Outdoors?
In addition to being happy-go-lucky, trouble-free houseplants, your spiderplants can make a superb addition to your summer garden and/or a year-round ground cover or exotic food crop if you live in a very temperate setting such as Florida.
It’s easy to start a stand of Chlorophytum comosum in your yard if you already have one or more in pots. Transplant your parent plant and/or your plantlets into a prepared bed. Alternately, simply set your parent plants out in a sheltered area with prepared potting soil and let nature take its course.
In an ideal setting, your plants will thrive and send out runners with pretty, star-shaped small white flowers. Each of these will develop into a plantlet that will take root in the ground surrounding the potted parent plant.
When a sufficient number have taken root, can cut them loose and return the parent plant to your home, patio or office.
Another interesting “look” or idea is to plant Chlorophytum on a topiary frame like the one below.
If you live in an area that is warm year-round (zones 9-11) maintain your bed and thin your inevitable extra plants from time-to-time. Used in this way, they make a great ground cover or border plant. Be advised, under ideal conditions, this plant can become invasive.
9 Smart Outdoor Spider Plant Care Tips
#1 – Start with a good location! For best results when planting your Ribbon Plants outdoors, choose a location with filtered sunlight or partial shade. Avoid excessive, harsh sun exposure as this can cause sunburn.
#2 – Avoid excessive sun exposure. Because Chlorophytum comosum grows from thick, water storing rhizomes, they are somewhat drought tolerant, but they do not do well with relentless sun exposure.
#3 – Make the most of the plant’s natural habits. Enjoy these plants outdoors in hanging baskets and planters. Their rampant trailing, tumbling aspects make them particularly attractive when used in this manner.
#4 – Start plants indoors in cold climates. Start plantlets indoors during the winter months and set them out in a bed after all danger of frost has passed.
#5 – Establish and maintain the right soil conditions. Be sure the soil is light, well-draining and slightly acidic. Keep it evenly moist until the young plants are completely established.
#6 Avoid chemicals. Remember the spider plant is sensitive to fluoride and to chlorine. It is best to gather rainwater for them. If not, allow tap water to stand for a full 24 hours so chemicals can dissipate before watering.
#7 – Fertilize lightly. Outdoor fertilizing guidelines are very similar to indoor. Use a balanced (10-10-10 ) liquid fertilizer every other week. It is better to err on the light side than to overdo it. Apply fertilizer at half strength.
#8 – Make your own natural insecticide. When kept outdoors, these plants become more susceptible to pests such as spider mites, whiteflies, scale and aphids. These can be treated using an insecticidal soap or make your own by combining:
- 2 ounces of dish soap (Dawn is the classic)
- 4 ounces of mouthwash (Listerine or knock-off)
- 1 gallon of filtered or distilled water
- Put into a spray bottle and spray liberally as needed.
#9 – Decide whether to grow your plants as perennials or annuals. If you live in an area with warm spring and summer months but freezes in the winter, plant your spider plant outdoors as an annual. Take them up and keep them indoors in the winter time or simply let them die back and start over again in the spring.
Is The Spider Plant The Ultimate Beginner’s Plant?
They may not be the ultimate beginner plant. Some would argue for the other “easy to grow” houseplants like the Sansevieria cylindrica (snake plant), zz plant or cast iron Aspidistra elatior, but it ranks right up there.
Even if you have never had success with plants, you are bound to do well with Chlorophytum comosum. In fact, you are very likely to end up with more than you need!
Luckily, these sturdy little plants are versatile and can enjoy luxuriant growth in any home, office or garden setting. If and when you are overrun, share the wealth with your friends and relations. Just think of the money you’ll save on gifts for all occasions!
Spider plants make excellent houseplants for learning about plant care. They are truly forgiving plants. Most if the time only flat out neglect can kill them. However, they do require some attention and make excellent plant teachers!
Don’t confuse the inexpensive spider plant with the “Spider flower” (Cleome hassleriana) – easy to grow, inexpensive to purchase and wonderful plants to learn from.
Also there is another commercially grown “spider plant” the variety is Chlorophytum amaniense, also known as Chlorophytum orchidastrum. One selected cultivar known as “Fire Flash” came to the foliage trade from Thailand on the 1990’s. It’s bright orange spider plant mid-veins produce a striking appearance.
