Despite their creepy-crawly name,spider plants(Chlorophytum comosum) are among themost popular houseplantsto grow.
Spider plants are moderately fast-growing plants.
Their rosettes of slender, gently arching leaves stretch from around 12 to 18 inches long.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
The leaves are green or striped green and white.
Mature plants regularly send out long stems that bear small, star-shaped flowers.
If the flowers are fertilized, a small fruit forms.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Outdoors, spider plants prefer to grow in light shade.
They tolerate heavy shade, but their growth won’t be as robust.
Direct sunlight scorches the leaves.
The Spruce / Krystal Slagle
Spider plant prefers a fairly neutral soil pH but tolerates slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil.
Water
Spider plants like lightly moist but not soggy soil.
Overwatering causes root rot and ultimately kills the plant.
Use amoisture meterto evaluate the soil, and water the plant just before the meter reads “dry.”
Temperature and Humidity
Spider plants need warm, humid conditions.
They won’t tolerate temperatures below 50F and should be protected from drafts and air-conditioning vents.
Adjust the amount if necessary depending on your plant’s growth.
Don’t fertilize the plant in the winter when it goes semi-dormant.
Pruning Tip
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Here’s how it’s done:
Alternatively, remove mature plants from their pot and divide them.
Gently pull apart the root ball into sections, keeping as many roots intact as possible.
Then, replant the sections.
In warm climates, spider plants do well in outdoor planters and as edging or ground cover plants.
Grow spider plants in containers that are no more than 1/3 larger than the root ball.
Ensure that the containers have ample drainage holes, and use a loose potting mix.
Spider plants will typically need repotting every two to three years.
The best time torepotis in the spring.
Then, fill around it with fresh potting mix.
A natural and effective way to combat some infestations is simply to rinse the plant with water.
If the infestation is severe, use an insecticide, or a natural remedy such asneem oil.
Another solution may be to repot and divide a plant that has become overly root-bound.
Leaf burn may also occur if a spider plant is getting too much direct sunlight.
Remember that these plants prefer indirect light or shady conditions.
Browning Leaves
There are several reasons why your spider plant’s leaves could be turning brown.
Too much fertilizer and an abundance of fluoride and chlorine in water are also possible causes of discoloration.
Overwatering spider plants leads to root rot, which causes browning leaves, as well.
Moreover, the leaf tips turn brown if the humidity is too low.
Outdoors it grows well in a moderately shaded area.
It looks great as an edging plant or in window boxes.
The effect of four or five spider plants in a small office will not be noticeable.
A spider plant that is well cared for and regularly repotted and divided can last for decades.
They are often handed off from generation to generation.
Spider plants are among the easiest plants to grow indoors but are susceptible to browning leaf tips.
Browning leaf tips are typically due to excess salts in soil or water or too much sun.
Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum.University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
Common Houseplant Insects and Related Pests.
Clemson University Cooperative Extension.
Spider Plants and Clean Air.National Wildlife Federation.
