How to Grow and How to Care For Spider Plants in 2022

Long leaves that dangle down, with green and white stripes across them—why, it’s the spider plant! This fascinating species of indoor and outdoor plant is a favorite among gardeners for its easy maintenance and fast growth, not to mention its unique appearance.

Are you interested in growing these interesting houseplants and learning how to care for spider plants? Then keep on reading for a definitive look into all the aspects of spider plants, from their origin to the best products to care for them with!

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What Are Spider Plants?

For any arachnophobes, the idea of a spider plant might be disconcerting. However, these lovely, verdant plants are not to be feared—the name simply refers to the many leaves that dangle from the plant, much like an octopus’s limbs.

Let’s take a closer look at the spider plant’s origins and uses first, in order to get acquainted with this unique-looking species.

Native Location And Name

Spider plants are originally from the tropical areas of South and West Africa. But they are also found growing naturally in other parts of the world where the temperature and conditions are right, such as the reaches of Western Australia.

After being found in Africa around the end of the 18th Century, spider plants were brought to Europe, and then subsequently into North America for propagation, where they continued to thrive in various households. They were especially valued for their unique, dangly appearance and hardy nature.

The common name of the spider plant refers to the long fronds that can resemble legs, but the plant is actually a member of the lily family, and is also known as Chlorophytum Comosum.

What Do You Use Spider Plants For?

When it comes to usefulness, you might be wondering where spider plants are placed on the scale. In general, the spider plant is primarily a decorative or ornamental one, but in the correct outdoor conditions, you can use it as a great ground cover or wall growth.

Actually, keeping spider plants indoors can help to ensure clean airflow throughout the house as well. This is because they can absorb certain common chemicals such as benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and xylene very effectively, giving your indoor spaces a natural air filter.

How Difficult Is It To Care For Spider Plants?

Overall, spider plants are an easy-to-grow perennial which doesn’t require too much in terms of maintenance, which makes them a popular choice for adding greenery to your home or garden.

Spider plants are good for all levels of gardening expertise, from beginners to experts. They are among some of the most forgiving species of plant, and can tolerate plenty of mistakes along the way as you learn to care for them.

For example, even if you forget to water it, your spider plant will likely not wither and die immediately. Instead, these plants actually like to have time to dry their soil out between additions of water, essentially ‘resetting’ their root systems’ hunger for nutrients and liquids.

Since the Victorian era when they were originally made popular as houseplants, spider plants have hung from ceilings or sat on windowsills everywhere, and are beloved for their low maintenance and ease of care. So, whether or not you have a green thumb, spider plants can be a great choice for you!

What Do Spider Plants Look Like?

Spider plants have very distinctive appearances with long, arching leaves that are colored in green, white, and yellow. They form in clumps and have many small plantlets trailing from the long stems, tapering to a central point at the ends.

You might notice that the leaves also do not lie flat—instead, they are folded slightly in the middle, or channeled. This foliage will continuously remain colorful and lively, given the correct care routine, making spider plants a great option for verdancy in spring, summer, fall, and winter, unlike some other species.

During its flowering season, you will find the plant producing long, wiry stems that will hold the blossoms when they mature. These stems don’t have the typical broad, grooved leaves though, and instead might have a few little spade-shaped ones amidst the buds.

The spider plant’s flowers themselves are also lovely, in a soft white hue that seems quite luminescent at night. These also have small yellow stamens and a light aroma, appearing like small, six-pointed stars. The flowers will generally only appear in the spring and summer, so they are a somewhat rarer aesthetic aspect of the plant itself.

And after flowering is completed, the spent buds will transform into more plantlets that you can then separate and propagate. Alternatively, if the plant is outside and its flowers are pollinated, they will produce a small, leathery ‘fruit’ with black seeds inside, perfect for drying and re-planting.

How Many Varieties Of Spider Plants Are There?

The spider plant has several popular variegated forms, all of which are very popular with both indoor and outdoor gardeners. And while all these varieties hold the basic form of a multi-foliage plant with blade-shaped leaves, there are a few color differences to be found.

There are actually many types of spider plant hybrids, but the most popular six varieties include the following types.

Variegated Spider Plant — Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Vittatum’

The most common variety, we will be primarily referring to the Vittatum throughout the rest of this article when it comes to “spider plants”. This is the most popular type of spider plant in houses and gardens, with green and cream striped leaves, clumps of long fronds, and low maintenance needs.

Bonnie — Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Bonnie’

The Bonnie hybrid of spider plants is very similar to the common Vittatum, but with curlier, narrower leaves. It also doesn’t grow as large as the other varieties, making it a great choice for smaller spaces like apartments. It’s fast-growing and also produces a lovely, butter-yellow flower.

Hawaiian Spider Plant — Chlorophytum Viridescens ‘Hawaiian’

Also known as the Golden Glow spider plant, this type is a slightly different propagation than its relatives. It matures into a much smaller central clump, and thrives in full sun, growing very long, skinny leaves that more than make up for its compact body size in the pot.

Variegatum — Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Variegatum’

You might know this variety as the Reverse Variegated spider plant, because of its opposite leaf coloring to the Vittatum. This type sports long, broad leaves that begin with white edges, ending with a deep green in the center.

Variegated Bonnie Spider Plant — Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Bonnie Variegated’

A hybrid between a couple of spider plant varieties, this plant has very arched and curling leaves of differing sizes, trimmed in a cream or white. It is one of the most attractive and exotic-looking types of spider plants, and is popular as an ornamental centerpiece within a room.

Zebra Plant — Chlorophytum Laxum ‘Zebra’

This variety is excellent for planting outdoors, ideal for a ground-cover border surrounding a pond or decorative rock formation. The name comes from the distinctive bright white and dark green color, split across the leaves, deepening as the season progresses.

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How To Care For Spider Plants: Growing And Maintenance

Luckily for us these plants are some of the simplest to grow and look after—it doesn’t matter if you have a green thumb or not. And because learning how to care for spider plants is such a breeze, we can easily cover all their maintenance and nurturing needs quite succinctly.

Keep reading for everything you need to know about how to care for spider plants and grow them successfully!

Spider Plant USDA Hardiness Zone

Our first consideration is the durability of spider plants in a variety of weathers. This is particularly important for any outdoor planting, as while these plants might be quite tolerant of many conditions, they are still not particularly cold-hardy.

The USDA hardiness zone recommended for spider plants is between 9 and 11, meaning that your plants will thrive primarily in conditions where it does not fall below freezing, and outside of incredibly humid or arid locations.

To check your particular location on the USDA hardiness scale, you can look for your state or zone on their website’s interactive map!

Spider Plant Location

To help your spider plant thrive it’s important to place it in a location that provides enough sun to bolster nutrients and encourage proper photosynthesis. Don’t put your plant in a room without access to sunlight, and try to avoid areas of heavy humidity like bathrooms or windy balconies.

A nice windowsill position is often the best location for a surface spider plant, or you can place this plant in a hanging pot for maximum droopy leaf length!

Spider Plant Sun Exposure

These plants require indirect sunlight to thrive. This is likely the most important consideration of growing spider plants—too much light and the leaves will wash out and the spider plant will become too dry; too little light and the foliage will begin to yellow and wither.

Choose a spot where your spider plant is partially in the sunshine, but where the full blaze of the sun’s heat cannot reach it. Make sure the plant will not experience too many hours of heavy shade though, or else your spider plant will not grow as healthily.

To achieve this, most gardeners prefer a north-facing window if you live in the northern hemisphere, or a south-facing one if you live in the opposite hemisphere. The sunlight is present there, but not too strong.

Spider Plant Soil Requirements

The main requirement that spider plants have in terms of soil is a well-draining compound that does not hold onto excess liquids or easily compacts. Substances like normal garden soil are not ideal for your spider plants because of this.

To this end, gardeners generally have great success with a combination of nutrient-enhanced potting soil and a drainage aid such as pumice or perlite. Avoid any soil types that hold onto moisture, or that become compacted with gravity in a hanging pot, if you choose to place your spider plants in that setup.

Alternatively, if you have access to Leca, or lightweight expanded clay aggregate, this can also be mixed with the potting soil to create a great growing environment for your spider plants.

Temperature And Humidity For Spider Plants

In learning how to care for spider plants, temperature and humidity are some of the key requirements. Your spider plant will not be able to thrive in conditions that are below about 40°F, which makes them quite susceptible to frost or extreme cold.

Additionally, your spider plants will not grow well if you place them directly in the way of drafts, like an open window, patio door, or air conditioning unit. Make sure they have adequate humidity to keep them moist, and if that begins to be an issue (as shown by browning leaf tips) you can mist them regularly with a spray bottle.

Potting Spider Plants

One of the pickiest aspects of spider plants tends to be the pot in which they are placed. You need to put your spider plant into a container that has good drainage abilities for the soil to be able to release excess water, which might collect and could drown the root system.

The best pot for spider plants has a hole in the bottom for seeping water, but not one large enough to drop soil and roots through. Terracotta pots are ideal for this—the clay can moderate soil temperature, and it’s also porous enough to give oxygen access to your plant, as well as allowing for drainage.

Fertilizing Spider Plants

Spider plants are some of the fastest-growing houseplants when indoors year-round, and are able to mature to full size within a couple of years. However, even with their accelerated growth rate, you don’t have to worry about fertilizing, or ‘feeding’, spider plants too often.

Fertilizing your spider plant will encourage its flowers to appear, so if you want to enjoy blossoms during the summer, you should fertilize it once at the beginning of spring—typically in April or May, depending on your location.

Follow this feeding with another fertilizer treatment at the beginning of summer, and that should be all you need! You should hold off providing any extra nutrients during the fall to help the plant prepare for its natural floral dormancy period over winter.

Keep in mind that a spider plant that has been fertilized too much will actually not create as many plantlets from spent buds, instead producing more offshoots. Additionally, if you over-fertilize your spider plant, the leaf tips will likely begin to turn brown and crunchy as a result of nutrient poisoning.

Watering Spider Plants

Like other fast-growing species, spider plants are notoriously thirsty. This is another reason you want to ensure good drainage in their pots and loose soil compaction. Watering your spider plant should be done regularly, but even if you forget, they are a forgiving type that can handle somewhat dry conditions.

Water spider plants around once per week, always checking the soil first to see how dry it is. If the soil still feels somewhat damp, it’s wise to wait another day or two for watering. Your plant will be fine with occasional dryness, but consistently overwatering can be detrimental to its health.

Are You Overwatering Your Spider Plant?

Signs of an overwatered spider plant are typically obvious. And while doing so once likely won’t kill the plant entirely, it shouldn’t be a habit. Overwatered spider plant leaves will turn brown quite quickly after the incident, and will start to die if you don’t let the plant dry out again.

If you notice this, stop watering and monitor the soil’s dampness for a few days. Once it dries out completely, you should see the spider plant beginning to perk up again.

Are You Underwatering Your Spider Plant?

Though a generally hardy plant, make sure you don’t leave spider plants without water for days on end. If this happens, you will notice the leaves fading to lighter colors, or even beginning to fold up inside themselves along the length of the blade.

Should this occur, make sure to water your spider plant immediately—but don’t overcompensate with a deluge! Water it carefully every two or three days until the leaves straighten out and the colors return.

Spider Plant Toxicity

Unlike some other plant species that can be found around the house, spider plants are not toxic to your children and pets alike, so you don’t have to worry about that!

Though part of the lily family, these hybrids are far enough removed that dogs and cats can both coexist with spider plants safely, according to the ASPCA’s animal poison control.

However, most pets seem to enjoy the act of chewing on your spider plant’s leaves as they dangle enticingly, so keep an eye on them regardless—too much munching on a spider plant can cause upset digestive systems for your furry friends.

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How To Care For Spider Plants: Pruning And Propagation

A common question asked about many houseplants revolves around pruning—do you need to remove some portions from your plant to encourage better health and more vigorous growth?

When it comes to spider plants, you don’t have to worry too much about pruning them. Because they grow so fast on their own, the most you should need to do is trim off any brown tips that appear to keep the rest of the leaves healthy.

Propagating Spider Plants

One of the easiest plants to reproduce, the spider plant grows little plantlets on their stems that you can remove and propagate when they are matured sufficiently.

Look for offshoots as they emerge from your spider plant’s main stems. These plantlets will appear like mini spider plants extending from the foliage, and once they have developed roots at least one inch long, you can carefully remove them from the stem.

Be careful to keep the roots fully intact on your plantlet, and then place them in pots with good drainage and the same soil mixture as the parent plant. Until they become established plants, you need to water them carefully, keeping the dirt slightly moist at all times.

They should only take a few weeks to mature from plantlets into small spider plants that can grow easily on their own!

Alternatively, if your main spider plant has grown too big and bushy, it’s possible to re-propagate it into multiple, smaller plants by separation. Carefully unearth the mature plant and divide it, starting at the root ball and gently pulling the extensions apart, separating them into clumps for repotting.

How To Care For Spider Plants: Pests And Diseases

Among other types of common houseplants, spider plants are actually quite resistant to both pests and diseases. However, that does not exclude them from the occasional encounter with creepy crawlies or fungal infections.

If you notice the leaves on your spider plant looking droopier than usual, discolored, or in any way depreciated, this could be a symptom of an infestation. Some of the most common pests that attack spider plants include the following, so keep an eye out for them:

• Aphids.
• Fungus Gnats.
• Scales.
• Spider Mites.
• Whiteflies.

Should your spider plant be dealing with a fungal disease or pest attack, a good way to help it ward off the damage is by using a natural combination pesticide and fungicide such as a neem oil spray, or applying an insecticidal soap to the base and affected stems and leaves.

Spider Plants: General Specifications

Now that we have discussed the details of what spider plants are and how to care for spider plants, the following chart should be a good reference for the plant’s specifications, if you need to check something in a hurry!

Plant Name:	“Spider Plant”	Foliage Seasons:	Year-round— spring, summer, fall, and winter
Botanical Name:	Chlorophytum Comosum	Bloom Seasons:	Spring and summer
Other Common Names:	Airplane plant, Anthericum, ribbon plant, spider ivy, St. Bernard’s lily	Flower Color:	White blooms
Plant Type:	Herbaceous and perennial	Sun Exposure:	Partial shade
Typical Plant Size:	2.5 to 3 feet high, 2 to 2.5 feet wide	Soil pH:	Neutral, 6.0 to 6.5
Native Origin:	Africa and Australia	Soil Type:	Potting soil mixed with chalk, clay, loam, or sand
USDA Hardiness Zone:	9 to 11	Watering Needs:	Moist, but well-drained

Best Spider Plants To Purchase

So, you have been won over by the idea of having a spider plant or two around the house or planted in your garden. That’s wonderful news! But where should you begin to look for them?

Luckily, there are a few options for having your new spider plant shipped straight to your door, including the following spider plants that are best for online purchase.

OUR FAVORITES

1. Reverse Variegated Spider Plant — Best Overall

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Style: Live plant

Application: Ready to plant

Size: One 4-inch pot

Sun Exposure: Full sun

This Reverse Variegated spider plant boasts leaves edged in bright cream and a deep green center. Enhancing any room it is placed in, your spider plant will help cleanse the household hair of common pollutants like carbon monoxide and formaldehyde.

Additionally, this variety is tolerant of artificial lighting, but does prefer indirect and bright sunlight for the best growing conditions. Propagation is easy, making this plant a great option to repeatedly produce and replant all over your house and garden!

Pros

• Effective for removing a variety of toxins and chemicals from the air
• Grows very fast
• Ready to plant
• Ideal for repotting into existing garden setups

Cons

• Small size for the price
• Customers have had problems with further propagation

2. Ocean Spider Plant — Runner Up

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Style: Live plant

Application: Ready to plant

Size: One 4-inch pot

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Among some of the best and fastest-growing indoor plant options, the Ocean spider plant is perfect for home or office locations. With highly tolerant root systems that can withstand a lack of water and only minor fertilizing, you don’t have to worry about maintenance with this plant!

And with the ease of propagation that accompanies the spider plant species as a whole, plantlets being produced for replanting are all but guaranteed.

Pros

• Easy to replant and grow
• Great gift option
• Purifies the air of common household or office fumes
• Hand-grown by certified gardening experts

Cons

• Some customers’ deliveries arrived with leaking soil
• Delays in shipping can affect plant health and overall root system

3. American Plant Exchange Spider Plant — Best For Indoor And Outdoor Planting

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Style: Live plant

Application: Ready to plant

Size: One 6-inch pot

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Arriving in a pot that is the perfect size for placement on your shelf, mantle, or windowsill, or for repotting into a hanging setup, this spider plant is a great option for anyone who wants a low-maintenance and lovely houseplant.

Look for plenty of plantlets and offshoots to repot or give as gifts, as this plant is one of the best in terms of propagation! Spider plants are highly tolerant of various conditions and adaptable, making them a breeze to take care of for any level of gardening knowledge.

Pros

• Easy-to-care for and propagate
• Air purifying for a variety of indoor spaces
• Shipping makes repotting and replanting easy

Cons

• Occasional leaf breakage during shipping
• Some customers have issues with plant health after unboxing

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Best Products For Caring For Spider Plants

As we have discussed, while spider plants tend to be very accommodating and adaptable plants, they do have some specific requirements when it comes to nutrition and care needs.

Let’s look at some of the best products that you can purchase when learning how to care for spider plants and keep them in top health!

OUR FAVORITES

1. Bonide 022 Ready-To-Use Neem Oil — Best Overall Pesticide

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Style: Multi-purpose spray

Application: Spray nozzle bottle

Size: 32 ounces

Treatment Area: Approximately 5,000 sq. feet

For any gardeners seeking a non-toxic pest control solution that can be safely applied even on organic produce and delicate plants, this neem seed oil is one of the best products available.

Quickly deal with common garden pests like flies, mites, fleas, and even mildew, thanks to the three-in-one formula that works as an insecticide, fungicide, and miticide. You can eliminate all pest life stages with applications, removing them permanently.

Safe for use on indoor plants species like spider plants, you can avoid many of the common pests and diseases that might otherwise plague your spider plant!

Pros

• Safe for use around children and pets
• Easy to deploy with spray nozzle
• Kills all stages of insect development
• Can be used on delicate plants and organic produce alike

Cons

• Some customers have experienced pest migration to other plants after spraying
• Oil can arrive curdled after extensive shipping delays

2. Flying Skull Plant Products Nuke Em Insecticide And Fungicide — Runner Up Pest Removal

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Style: Concentrated liquid

Application: Dilute and spray

Size: 1 quart

Treatment Area: 5,000 to 8,000 sq. feet, depending on dilution level

Combat not only the pests and insects that want to invade your garden or household plants, but also the diseases such as mildew, mold, and leaf rot that threaten your greenery’s health.

This dual-action herbicide and pesticide is OMRI-listed for use in organic settings, and works to kill all stages of pests present in your garden. You can even use this product on the day of harvest for produce or medicinal plants, without affecting the taste!

Sold as a concentrated liquid to provide the most applications and a variable strength depending on the level of infestation, you can use and reuse this product for at least a season. Fit for use on virtually every type of plant, including spider plants, you can rely on good garden health after application.

Pros

• Concentrated for economical applications
• Safe for use around people, children, and pets when instructions are followed
• Does not contain oils or pyrethrins
• Residue-free and does not alter the natural taste of produce

Cons

• Not available for sale in select states, including Indiana and Mississippi
• Plants with poor health may experience further withering after application

3. Monterey LG Neem Oil Ready-To-Use — Good For Outdoor Use

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Style: Multi-purpose spray

Application: Spray nozzle bottle

Size: 32 ounces

Treatment Area: Approximately 5,000 sq. feet

For a treatment that is safe for use around people, kids, and pets, Monterey’s neem oil product is both excellent quality and highly effective. You can easily control black spot, needle rust, powdery mildew, and other fungal infections, as well as aphids, whiteflies, and mites.

With use recommended on spider plants, roses, trees, and assorted outdoor plantings, as well as several houseplants, this product can transform your entire garden.

Pros

• Kills multiple different fungal diseases
• Attacks insect infestations directly
• The easy-spray nozzle makes applications simple and quick

Cons

• Some customers have received broken nozzles in shipments
• Already damaged plants can be further harmed by product application

4. Humboldts Secret Flower Shield Spray — Good For a Variety of Insect Infestations

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Style: Concentrated liquid

Application: Dilute and spray

Size: 8 ounces

Treatment Area: Approximately 4,000 sq. feet, depending on dilution level

Not only does this product remove established bugs and fungal diseases from your garden, but it also works as a preventative application method. With the many types of insects that this formula specifically is compounded to fight against, you can eliminate all the bugs from your garden with one product!

With an economical concentrate form, growers and gardeners all over the country trust this product to protect and preserve their plants.

Pros

• Works on contact
• Kills pest eggs and adults alike
• Preventative and knock-down treatment

Cons

• Non-natural insect repellent that contains chemicals
• A small amount for the price

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Final Thoughts

Spider plants are known for being some of the most unique-looking plants to grace a windowsill or hang from the ceiling, and are found in many houses thanks to their simple care routines.

And with the spider plant’s ability to purify household air of many common pollutants and fumes, this fun and low maintenance little plant is a great option that will add a little flair of the dramatic to any room.

FAQ

Finally, let’s delve into some of the most common questions that people have about these wonderful plants and, in particular, how to care for spider plants.