Spider Plant Care Tips from a Horticulturist

Growing spider plants indoors is simple, even for beginners. Known for their striking striped leaves and air-hanging offsets, these low-maintenance houseplants are a favorite among plant enthusiasts. A horticulturist provides expert advice on repotting, troubleshooting common issues, and ensuring your spider plant thrives.

What Is a Spider Plant?

Globally referred to as the “airplane plant,” “ribbon plant,” or “spider ivy,” the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a tropical evergreen perennial native to Africa. It thrives in regions ranging from South Africa to Cameroon and Ethiopia.

Belonging to the asparagus family, the spider plant shares its lineage with well-known landscape plants like agave, hosta, sansevieria, yucca, and monkey grass (Liriope). Its name derives from the spider-like appearance of its long, arching stems and foliage.

Types of Spider Plants

Among the numerous spider plant varieties, two stand out as the most favored options for gardening enthusiasts.

Variegatum: Often called airplane plants or reverse spider plants, the variegatum variety features green leaves bordered by white edges and produces delicate white star-shaped flowers. Their stems, which can reach up to two feet, make them ideal for indoor pots or hanging baskets.

Vittatum: The vittatum spider plant variety features a striking contrast to the variegatum, with cream-colored centers and green-edged leaves. Its white stems and slower growth rate make it a unique choice, though it requires similar care to its variegated counterpart.

How to Plant Spider Plants

While spider plants can tolerate hot, dry climates, they thrive best in temperatures consistently above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Repotting is typically needed every two years. Here’s a step-by-step guide to transferring your newly purchased spider plant into a new pot.

Step 1: Choose a New Pot

If your spider plant isn’t already in a decorative pot, it’s probably in a temporary plastic one, which is both unsightly and unsuitable. Plastic restricts airflow and can lead to root rot. Opt for a porous material like terracotta with a drainage hole, as spider plants cannot tolerate standing water.

Step 2: Ensure Proper Drainage and Transplant

For optimal drainage, place an inch of orchid bark or peat moss at the pot’s base. Carefully repot the plant without disturbing the roots, add fresh potting soil as needed, and water thoroughly.

Step 3: Hang or Position on a Stand

While hanging spider plants isn’t essential, it highlights their cascading foliage and provides additional space. They also look stunning on plant stands or shelves, allowing their leaves to flow downward. If placed on a surface, ensure their leaves aren’t crushed.

How to Care for Indoor Spider Plants

After repotting, spider plants are low-maintenance. Horticulturist Bliss Bendall recommends rotating the pot regularly to ensure even sunlight exposure. Avoid placing the plant near heaters or air-conditioning units, as temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are optimal.

"Mist the plant with distilled water that has rested for 24 hours," advises Bendall. "If the plant is exposed to intense sunlight, mist it at sunrise or a few hours before sunset to prevent burning, chilling, or excess moisture that could lead to rot."

Sunlight Requirements

Unlike low-light plants, "Spider plants thrive in bright-to-moderate indirect sunlight. However, they can adapt to varying light conditions if watered appropriately for their environment," explains Bendall.

Water Requirements

Each spider plant has unique watering needs. Bendall recommends waiting until the top 2 inches of soil are dry but not completely parched. Avoid watering during peak sunlight to prevent burning the plant.

"For the first month, check the soil’s dryness weekly to understand how quickly water evaporates in your home or office," advises Bendall. In summer, increased daylight speeds up evaporation, requiring more frequent watering.

"After watering the plant, let excess water drain for one to two minutes. Over time, you’ll recognize the weight change and know when it’s time to water again," says Bendall.

Temperature and Humidity

Native to tropical regions in West and South Africa, spider plants thrive in humid environments and require temperatures above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. While drought-tolerant, they need adequate watering during dry spells. In winter, they must be grown indoors to avoid wilting or dying from cold exposure.

How to Prune Spider Plants

To trim unwanted foliage, use sharp pruners or scissors to cut at the base where it connects to the main stem, preventing damage. Regularly remove any discolored or dead leaves as they appear.

If a baby plant, or spiderette, appears, prune it to stimulate further growth. You can also propagate the pup. (Details on propagation are provided later.)

Common Spider Plant Problems

Spider plants rarely face issues when kept in their ideal temperature, light, and moisture conditions. However, if problems arise, here’s how to address them.

Yellow Leaves

Yellow or lime-green leaves often indicate overwatering. "Move the plant to a shadier spot and ensure the topsoil is dry before watering again," suggests Bendall. Afterward, remove all yellowed leaves.

Brown Leaves

Brown leaves often result from overwatering with tap water, which contains high salt levels harmful to tropical plants like spider plants. Allow the soil to dry and switch to distilled water if possible.

If only the leaf tips are brown, your spider plant is likely healthy. Trim the tips using sharp, sterile pruning shears or a florist knife. "Cut at an angle to mimic the leaf’s natural shape," advises Bendall. "The cut will heal seamlessly."

Avoid pruning spider plants in winter, as they enter dormancy and rely on chlorophyll for survival. "Winter trimming can be risky," Bendall explains. "Opt for pruning during the active growth months of spring and summer."

Wilted Leaves

If the leaves are completely wilting, your spider plant might be beyond recovery. Bendall recommends waiting 10 days to observe any changes. If there’s no improvement, the plant is likely unsalvageable.

Bug Infestation

Despite their name, spider plants don’t attract spiders but can fall victim to pests like scales, aphids, mites, mealybugs, and whiteflies. Applying horticultural neem oil as per the label instructions usually eliminates these infestations.

Propagating Spider Plant Babies

Spider plants are known for producing small offsets, or pups. "These pups are like newborns," says Bendall, who advises leaving them unless you want to grow a new plant. While propagation can be done through seeds or division, using offsets is simpler, cleaner, and more enjoyable.

"While the pup remains attached to the mother plant, place it in its own pot with lightweight, well-draining soil," she explains. "Wait to separate them until the pup shows new growth, indicating it’s established. Then, carefully cut them apart."

Alternatively, Bendall suggests planting multiple pups in the same pot as the mother plant. "This method helps mature plants appear fuller and denser," she adds.

Troubleshooting a Spider Plant With No Babies

Several factors may prevent your spider plant from producing offsets:

• Artificial lighting. Spider plants rely on natural day length. Artificial lighting that doesn’t mimic shorter winter days can inhibit flower and offset development.
• It's not pot-bound. If the plant has ample root space, such as after repotting, it may not feel the need to produce offsets.
• It's too young. Spider plants only produce offsets once their root system is fully developed, which can take several years.
• It's under stress. Extreme temperatures, improper watering, or incorrect light levels can discourage reproduction. Providing ideal conditions can help the plant recover.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Can you grow a spider plant outside?

  Although primarily a houseplant, spider plants can thrive outdoors in USDA Zones 9 to 11 as perennials. In Zone 8, they may die back in winter but regrow in spring. If placed outside during summer, shield them from intense sunlight and bring them indoors if temperatures drop below 55°F or rise above 80°F.

• Do spider plants help clean the air?

  Research, including NASA's 1989 study, suggests spider plants can remove air toxins, though their effectiveness is debated. Recent studies indicate they reduce carbon dioxide levels by only 0.1 percent. However, adding houseplants like spider plants can still marginally improve air quality by absorbing pollutants during respiration.

• Are spider plants good for anxiety?

  Houseplants, including spider plants, are known to promote relaxation. Studies show that simply viewing plants can reduce stress levels, making spider plants—easy to care for and visually appealing—a great choice for easing anxiety.