Spider Plant Care Guide: The Easiest Hanging Houseplant
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is native to tropical and southern Africa and is among the most widely grown and most recommended houseplants for new plant owners. It produces long, arching, grass-like leaves in green or green-and-white striped forms, and after several months of growth it begins sending out long runners, called stolons, from which small plantlets develop. These plantlets, the spiderettes that give the plant its common name, hang from the parent plant on the arching stolons and can be rooted to produce new plants. Spider plant is genuinely difficult to kill, tolerates a wide range of conditions, and is confirmed non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it one of the most practical choices for pet-owning plant growers.
Quick Reference
| Factor | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Light | Bright to medium indirect light |
| Water | Allow top 3 to 4 cm to dry between waterings |
| Humidity | Tolerates 40 percent; 50 percent or above preferred |
| Temperature | 13 to 27 degrees Celsius |
| Soil | Well-draining standard potting mix |
| Fertilizer | Balanced liquid fertilizer monthly, spring through early autumn |
| Pot | Any container with drainage holes; hanging baskets suit the trailing habit |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
Light
Spider plant grows in bright to medium indirect light and tolerates lower light conditions better than most houseplants. In very low light, growth slows considerably and the plant stops producing runners. The variegated forms, with their white-striped leaves, are best in brighter conditions where the stripe contrast is most vivid; in low light, the white areas may fade slightly and new leaves emerge with less stripe definition. Avoid direct afternoon sun, which bleaches the white stripes on variegated forms.
Watering
Allow the top three to four centimeters of potting mix to dry between waterings. Spider plant has semi-succulent, fleshy roots that store water, giving it good drought tolerance. Overwatering is a more significant risk than underwatering: the fleshy roots rot in consistently wet conditions. In winter, extend the interval between waterings.
Spider plants are sensitive to fluoride in tap water, which accumulates in the leaf tips and causes the brown tip damage that is the most common cosmetic complaint in this species. Switching to filtered water or leaving tap water to stand overnight reduces this. If brown tips have developed, trimming with clean scissors corrects the appearance; switching water type prevents further browning.
Propagating from Runners
Spider plant propagates itself. A mature plant in good conditions produces stolons, long arching stems, from which small plantlets develop. Each plantlet is a complete small spider plant that can be rooted into soil while still attached to the parent, or cut off and placed in a glass of water until roots develop, then potted. To root while attached, set the plantlet on the surface of a small pot of moist potting mix placed alongside the parent and allow the roots to establish before cutting the stolon. To root in water, cut the plantlet with a centimeter of stolon attached and place in a shallow jar of water in bright indirect light. Roots appear within two to three weeks.
Flowering and Runners
Spider plants produce flowers and runners most freely when slightly rootbound. A plant in a pot that is comfortably large for its root system often produces fewer runners than a plant whose roots are filling the container. Slightly delaying repotting encourages runner and plantlet production in an otherwise healthy plant.
For the full care fundamentals context including fertilizing and potting mix, the houseplant care fundamentals hub covers the detail. For pet-safe plant recommendations, the houseplant identification and inspiration hub links to the relevant curated guides.