Where to Plant Spider Plants
Spider plants have long, graceful leaves that can drape attractively over the edges of their pots. If they grow too heavy, they can tip over, especially if set on shelves or tables. Spider plants do well indoors in most climates and can be grown outside in very warm areas.
Being tropical natives, spider plants love humidity and warmth, making bathrooms perfect spots as they can absorb moisture from shower steam.
How and When to Plant Spider Plants
You can begin growing a spider plant indoors at any time of the year. Choose a pot with good drainage. For hanging spider plants, opt for a lightweight pot that's a few inches larger than the original. For tabletop displays, a heavier pot like terra cotta, which helps manage moisture, works well.
Start by filling your pot with potting mix. Carefully take the spider plant out of its original container, gently loosening the roots. Place it in the new pot, fill with soil, and water thoroughly to help it settle.
To propagate spider plants, use plantlets or seeds. Detach plantlets from a mature plant, place them in a small pot with potting mix, water lightly, and keep them in indirect sunlight until they root.
Note: Before acquiring a new plant, make sure your environment meets its needs. Not every plant will do well in every location.
Spider Plant Care Tips
Spider plants are ideal for novice gardeners due to their forgiving nature. Water them when needed, plant in well-drained soil, and position them in a bright spot near a window to ensure they thrive.
- Light: Spider plants thrive best in bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight can scorch their leaves, so be cautious about placement. While spider plants can survive in low light conditions, they typically grow slower and may not produce the baby plantlets if you're planning to propagate. In such lighting, the beautiful striped patterns on some spider plant leaves might fade.
- Soil and Water: Spider plants thrive when their soil dries slightly between waterings. Check the soil every 4 or 5 days to gauge whether the soil feels dry to the touch. If it does, water the plant thoroughly until water flows out from the bottom of the pot. For the healthiest leaves, use rainwater or distilled water, which helps prevent leaf discoloration.
- Temperature and Humidity: Spider plants love warm temperatures and high humidity. The plant will be stressed if it's near fans, air conditioners, or cold drafts. Keep the temperature above 50°F. If your home is dry, misting your spider plant a few times a week can help maintain the needed humidity.
- Fertilizer: Fertilize spider plants monthly in spring and summer using a water-soluble fertilizer. Follow the label recommendations for application. Brown leaf tips are a sign of over-fertilization.
- Pruning: Prune away dead leaves when you see them. If your plant seems to be slow in growing, pull out plant shoots to focus the plant's energy on new growth.
Potting and Repotting Spider Plant
Use pots that aren't much bigger than the plant root for spider plants—about 1/3 larger. Planters should have good drainage holes.
Repot spider plants in fresh potting mix every two to three years, but keep the new planter only a couple of inches larger than the previous pot.
Pests and Problems
Typically pest-free, spider plants can sometimes attract whiteflies, spider mites, scale, and aphids. If the plant has good air circulation, adequate watering, and bright light, it may avoid these pests. If pests appear, rinse them off thoroughly with a spray from the shower or garden hose.
How to Propagate Spider Plant
Healthy, thriving spider plants send up long wiry stems with little plantlets at the end. The plantlets can be removed and placed on top of moist potting soil, where they will quickly take root, forming a new plant. Another option is to tuck the plantlet into the soil around the mother spider plant and create a container full of spider plants.
Types of Spider Plant
- Orchid Spider Plant: Chlorophytum orchidastrum 'Green Orange' has deep green lance-shaped leaves that more closely resemble those of Chinese evergreen than a common spider plant. Its orange leaf stem and central vein glow in bright indoor light.
- Solid Green Spider Plant: Chlorophytum comosum, with solid green leaves, is much less common than variegated forms. Grow it just as you would one of the striped varieties.
- Variegated Spider Plant: Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum' has bright green leaves with a central white stripe. The width of the stripe varies from nearly the entire width of the leaf to a narrow band along the main leaf vein.
- Variegated 'Bonnie' Spider Plant: Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegated Bonnie' has curled green leaves striped with creamy white.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do spider plants symbolize?
In Asian cultures, spider plants are believed to bring luck and good health. Spider plants' sturdy and long vines represent stability.
Do spider plants purify the air?
Spider plants do have an air-purifying quality. In large numbers, spider plants can purify the air in a home or office, but it would take dozens of plants in an average size home to make any major improvement.
Why does my spider plant look unhealthy?
Some reasons a spider plant isn't thriving include low humidity, salt accumulation or chemicals in the soil (especially fluoride or chlorine), or excessively dry soil.
Should spider plants be placed in a window?
They can be placed in a window, as long as they are not in direct, intense sunlight. Bathrooms and kitchens, with high humidity, are great places for these plants.
Which direction should you face a spider plant?
East or west-facing windows are the perfect spot for spider plant. A south-facing window might have light that is too bright, unless you add a curtain or place the plant further back from the window.
