The popularity of spider plants is undeniable, and it’s easy to see why.
They’re easy to care for, tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, and can even help purify the air in your home.
The Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a perennial flowering plant that is native to South Africa. It gets its common name from the long, thin leaves that grow from the center of the plant and resemble spider legs.
Spider plants are popular houseplants because they are easy to care for and can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. They do not require a lot of sunlight or moisture, and they can even grow in low-light areas. Ivy plants are also known for their ability to improve indoor air quality by absorbing harmful toxins.
They prefer to be watered with room temperature water and grow best in a well-drained soil mix. Bright indirect light and moderate humidity are best for optimal growth. Keep the soil evenly moist and water thoroughly when the top of the soil feels dry to the touch.
How to care for a Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)?
One of the best things about spider plants, also known as Ivy plants, is that they are very easy to care for. Here are a few tips to keep yours looking its best:
Watering
Although the spider plant is drought-tolerant, it still needs to be watered occasionally. It is best to use rain or distilled water when watering ribbon plants. This will help to avoid any build-up of minerals in the soil that can occur with tap water.
Spring – Autumn: Water your Chlorophytum well during this time (at least once a week), and make sure that the soil is moist but not soggy. Be sure to check the soil regularly and humidify when necessary. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out before giving the plant a thorough watering.
Winter: During the winter months, reduce watering and stop fertilizing altogether. Watering too much during this time can cause root rot.
Soil
Spider plants need nutrient-rich, well-drained soil that won’t hold onto moisture for too long. If the soil is too dense or doesn’t drain well, the roots will rot, and the plant will die.
A good potting mix should be light and airy, with plenty of organic matter. You can also add some perlite or vermiculite to the soil to help with drainage. The soil mix should have a pH balance around of 6.0-7.5.
Temperature and Humidity
Spider plant does well in warm temperatures and moderate humidity. They are very hardy and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, but grow best between 65-80 degrees F (18-27 C.). A 10-15 degree temperature swing, either way, will not hurt them.
Mature plants can tolerate brief periods of temperatures as low as 50 F (10 C.), but new growth will be damaged at this temperature.
Fertilizer
Feed your spider plant up to twice a month during the growing season (spring and summer), using a balanced liquid houseplant fertilizer. Apply the fertilizer at half-strength when watering your ivy plant.
The amount of fertilizer you give your plants can have a big impact on their growth. Too much fertilizer can lead to brown tips on spider plants’ leaves; not enough fertilizer will cause slow growth of the plant. The key is to find the right balance for your Ivy plant.
Light
Chlorophytum comosum grows best in bright, indirect light. It will tolerate low light but may become leggy and sparse.
Direct sunlight can be harmful to spider plants, causing their leaves to burn and develop brown tips. If you notice the leaves starting to brown, try moving the plant to a location where it will receive less direct sunlight.
Spider plants prefer a slightly moist environment, they are suitable for example in the bathroom. They are also good for rooms with low-light conditions.
Repotting
Spider plants are fast-growing houseplants. That’s why they can quickly outgrow their pots and their roots can get too crowded. This can cause problems with growth and flowering, so it is important to re-pot them frequently.
If you notice that your plant is starting to outgrow its pot or that the roots are coming out of the drainage holes, it’s time for a new pot. You may also notice that the main plant is becoming top-heavy and unstable in its current pot.
Spider plants need to be repotted in the early spring every 2 to 3 years to ensure they have enough space to grow. You should choose a pot that is slightly bigger than the one in which your spider is currently housed. Be sure to use a well-draining potting mix and humidify your plant thoroughly after repotting.
Propagation
It is easy to propagate Ivy plants. The adult plant produces small white flowers that give way to tiny baby plants, or “spiderettes.” These can be propagated easily to create new plants.
There are a few different propagation methods you can use:
1. Take spiderettes from an existing spider plant and pot them up in the soil.
Spiderette without roots
Set the “babies”, still attached to the parent plant, into a pot filled with well-draining potting mix. Then allow it to root before severing the stem attached to the mother plant. A bent paper clip or piece of wire can be used to hold the plantlet in contact with the soil until it develops roots. After a few weeks, roots will begin to form, and you can cut the “spiderette” from the mother plant’s stem.
You can also place “babies” in a glass of water and set it in bright, indirect light. The fleshy roots will grow within a few weeks and the plant can then be repotted into the soil.
Spiderette with roots
Select a spider plant baby that has already started to develop roots and cut it from the mother plant. Then plant it in a pot, and water it well. Make sure to use a potting mix that is well-draining and contains plenty of organic matter. Don’t let the soil become soggy, but keep it moist. Place the pot in a bright spot out of direct sunlight and within a few weeks, you should see new growth.
2. Propagate spider plants by division of an existing mother plant.
The best time to divide a spider plant is in the spring, just as new growth is beginning to emerge. To divide an ivy plant, start by gently removing the plant from its pot. Next, use your hands or a sharp knife to divide the white roots into two or three sections. Replant each section in its own pot filled with fresh potting mix, and water well.
3. Propagate spider plants by seed.
You’ll need to wait until your spider plant is in bloom and producing flowers. Once the flowers appear, they must be pollinated. You can do it by brushing all the flowers with a cotton swab or a small brush. After a while, a small green seed pod should appear in place of the faded flowers. After the pods are dry, open them and collect the seeds.
The next step is to plant the seeds in the potting mix. Place the pot in a warm, sunny location and keep the soil moist (not soggy) until sprouts appear. A few weeks should be enough time for the seeds to germinate. Once the seedlings have two sets of leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots. With a little patience, you will soon have new spider plants growing in your home.
The most common spider plant varieties
There are around 200 species of spider plants, and they can vary in size, color, and leaf shape. Each variety has its unique appearance, but all spider plants are known for their long, thin leaves and ability to produce new plants from their flowers.
Despite this amount of varieties, only a few are suitable for growing indoors. The most popular ivy plant varieties include the variegated, curly, and green varieties. Each of these varieties has its unique benefits that make it a great choice for indoor cultivation.
Here’s a look at some of the most popular varieties of this easy-to-grow plant.
Variegated Spider Plants
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ – This variety has green leaves with white or yellow margins.
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum‘ – This variety has green leaves with a white stripe in the center.
If you want to add some color to your home, a variegated spider plant is a way to go. Variegated spider plants are a beautiful and easy-to-care-for addition to any home. As the name suggests, these plants have leaves that are variegated with colors such as white, cream, or yellow.
The variegated spider plant looks stunning when planted in hanging pots or containers. These plants are a great choice for beginning gardeners due to their ease of growth. It makes this variety of Ivy plants a good choice for both indoor and outdoor cultivation.
Green spider plants
Chlorophytum comosum ’ Lemon’
Shamrock spider plant
If you are looking for a lush, vibrant green ivy plant, look at the classic spider plant varieties: Shamrock and Lemon. These plants are beautiful, glossy green, and will make an amazing addition to any home. They can be grown in pots or hanging baskets. But it won’t be easy to find them on sale. They are quite rare varieties.
Curly Spider Plants
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie Variegated’
If you’re looking for something a little different, try the curly spider plant. The leaves of this plant are curly and variegated with shades of green and yellow, giving it a unique and eye-catching appearance. The curly ivy plant is an ideal choice for small spaces (bathrooms, patios, tiny rooms etc.) due to its compact size.
What are some common problems with spider plants?
Chlorophytum plants are pretty resistant to pests and diseases compared to other indoor plants. But they can occasionally experience some problems. However, these problems are usually quite easy to solve and rarely cause serious harm to the plant.
As with any plant, it is important to give the Ivy plant the proper amount of water, light, and nutrients. If you notice the leaves of your ivy plant beginning to turn yellow or brown, this is usually a sign that the plant is not getting enough water. Make sure to check the soil before watering, as overwatering can also lead to problems.
1. Leaves turning brown or yellow
The most common problem with spider plants is the browning of the leaves. This can be caused by several factors, including overwatering, underwatering, or too much direct sun. To fix this problem, simply adjust your watering and light levels accordingly. In case of overwatering, the soil will be soggy, and the leaves will appear wilted. When the spider plant is underwatered the leaves will feel crispy and dry.
If your spider plant is not getting enough light, its leaves will start to turn yellow. This is because the plant is not able to photosynthesize properly and is not getting the energy it needs to stay healthy. Try moving your spider plant to a spot that gets more bright, indirect light. If that doesn’t work, you can also try using grow lights to give your plant the extra light it needs. Finally, make sure you are fertilizing your spider plant regularly. A lack of nutrients can also cause its leaves to turn yellow. When variegated spider plants are grown in low light, they can lose their white stripes and turn solid green.
2. Brown tips
If your plant is looking unhealthy, and you can’t figure out why it might be because it’s sensitive to chlorine or fluoride in tap water. This is a common problem that results in “burnt tips” on plants. If you think this might be the issue, try watering your plant with distilled or filtered water and see if there’s any improvement.
Too much direct sunlight can also cause brown tips on ivy plants. These plants like moderate sunlight and should be placed away from direct bright light.
3. Flowers not blooming
If your spider plant’s flowers aren’t blooming, don’t despair! There are a few things you can do to get them to bloom:
Repot the plant in fresh potting soil
One reason is that the potting soil you’re using isn’t ideal for spider plants. They prefer a potting mix that’s light and airy, so if it is too dense, it could be preventing the flowers from blooming.
Move the plant somewhere with more light
Another reason could be that the plant isn’t getting enough light. These plants prefer bright, indirect light to bloom. So if your plant is in a low-light area, it may not bloom.
Between waterings, allow the soil to dry
One more thing that can cause spider ivy not to bloom is overwatering. The flowers won’t develop properly if your potting soil is too wet. To remedy this, simply let the soil dry out a bit before watering again.
4. Pests
Spider plants are especially susceptible to mealybugs and spider mites. To get rid of these pests, you can try to rinse the plant with water or use a combination of insecticidal soap spray and neem oil.
Spider mites will cause the leaves to appear brown or bronzed. The undersides of the leaves may look speckled or webbed, and if you look closely, you may be able to see tiny specks moving around on the plant. If you’re seeing something like black spots or webbing on the leaves, it could mean you have a spider mite infestation. That needs to be treated at once. Spider mites are very small pests that can quickly cause serious damage to your plant.
Mealybugs are tiny, white bugs that may appear as cottony material on the leaves, or they may appear as small yellow bumps on the stem. Mealybugs are usually a sign of a serious problem with your plant. It’s important to act quickly to treat them before they can do more damage.
What are spider plants good for?
Spider plants are not only easy to care for, but they offer some benefits as well:
Can improve indoor air quality
They are excellent air purifiers, removing harmful toxins from the environment. It has been shown through studies that the Chlorophytum comosum is quite effective in absorbing formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene from the air.
Non-toxic to pets and humans
Spider plants are non-toxic to both pets and humans, making them a safe choice for households with children or animals.
Great for beginners
Spiders are ideal for beginners because they are low-maintenance, easy to grow, and can tolerate almost any conditions.
They are versatile
Spider plants are extremely versatile, making them a great choice for indoor gardening. They can be grown in a variety of ways – in pots, hanging baskets, or even in the ground in your garden, indoors and outdoors. Plus, there are many varieties available, so you can find one that fits your specific needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, spider plants are easy to care for, offer many benefits, and rarely have problems. They are a great addition to any home or office and can help purify the air and improve your mood. If you’re looking for a unique way to add some green to your home, consider using ivy plants. With a little creativity, you can turn these humble houseplants into statement pieces that will liven up any space. I have found that ivy plants are one of the most versatile houseplants out there. For anyone looking for a new plant to add to their collection, I highly recommend them.
FAQ
How often to water a spider plant?
Spider plants are pretty low maintenance and need to be watered every few days. If the leaves start to look a little droopy or the soil is too dry, it’s time to water your plant.
Why is my spider plant dying?
It could be a few things, but the likely reason is overwatering. They don’t need to be watered as often as other plants, and you can actually easily kill them by watering too much. Make sure to check your plant regularly and only water it when the soil is dry.
Are spider plants toxic to cats?
According to the ASPCA, spider plants are completely non-toxic to cats and dogs. This is good news if you have both a cat and this plant in your home.
Do spider plants attract spiders?
Despite its common name, the spider plant is not known to attract or deter spiders. As its leaves and long stems resemble spider legs, it is named after them.
Do spider plants clean the air?
Yes, as some studies show, these plants help clean the air. They are especially effective at removing carbon monoxide and formaldehyde from the air.
Do spider plants need drainage?
Yes. These plants need to be planted in well-drained soil. They cannot tolerate standing moisture, and should never be placed in a dish or saucer. If you are using the plant in your kitchen, consider using an unglazed ceramic pot to allow for proper drainage.
Where to buy a spider plant?
You can find spider plants at a variety of places like garden stores and local nurseries, but I would recommend buying them online. They are available on Amazon and other websites that sell houseplants.
Author
Susan is a plant lover with over 10 years of experience caring for houseplants. She enjoys watching her plants thrive and sharing her knowledge with others. As the writer for this website, Susan offers simple, practical tips to help readers grow happy and healthy plants.
