How to Grow and Care for Spider Plants

An Adaptable Houseplant.

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are among the most popular and adaptable houseplants. They are easy to grow and propagate, tolerant of neglect, and able to thrive in nearly any type of condition. They also have air-purifying qualities, making them a healthy addition to your home. In this blog post, I will share some tips on how to grow and care for spider plants, as well as how to propagate them from their offshoots or "pups".

Light.

Spider plants can be placed in low to indirect bright light. The more light the plant receives, the bolder the stripes will be on its leaves. However, avoid too much direct light as it can scorch the leaves.

Water.

Water your spider plant when 50-75% of the soil volume is dry. Dry crispy tips often point to underwatering while dark brown tips point to overwatering. Water thoroughly and discard of any excess water in the saucer.

Humidity.

Spider plants will do well in normal household humidity but will thrive with a bit more humidity. Brown leaf tips may indicate the air is too dry, so mist your spider plant regularly using a mister.

Temperature.

Spider plants prefer temperatures between 60–80° F. They can tolerate colder temperatures but may suffer from frost damage if exposed to freezing temperatures.

Fertilizer.

Feed your spider plant once every month during the spring and summer with an all-purpose fertilizer for indoor plants. Do not overfertilize as it can cause salt buildup in the soil and damage the roots.

Pruning.

Mature spider plants will produce "spiderettes" or "pups" which are new plant offshoots from the mother plant that you can trim off and nurture to produce an entirely new plant. You can also prune any dead or damaged leaves using clean, sharp plant snips.

Propagation.

To propagate your spider plant from its pups, cut off the small plant from the mother, and place the bottom end in a glass of water. You should see roots develop in 2–4 weeks. After roots develop, plant the pup in soil and water regularly.

Alternatively, you can also propagate your spider plant by dividing its root ball into smaller sections and potting them separately.

Pests and Diseases.

Spider plants are generally healthy, but a few common plant pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, can impact them. Depreciated foliage is a common sign of an infestation. A natural and effective way to combat some infestations is simply to rinse the plant with water.

Spider plants are also susceptible to root rot if overwatered or planted in poorly drained soil. Make sure to use a well-draining potting mix and avoid soggy conditions.

Conclusion.

Spider plants are wonderful houseplants that can brighten up any space with their graceful arching leaves and charming pups. They are easy to grow and care for, and they offer many benefits for your health and well-being. If you are looking for a low-maintenance and versatile plant, you can't go wrong with a spider plant!

I hope you enjoyed this blog post and learned something new about spider plants.

Source: 

(1) How to Grow and Care for Spider plant - The Spruce. https://www.thespruce.com/spider-plants-chlorophytum-definition-1902773.

(2) Spider Plant 101: How to Care for Spider Plants | Bloomscape. https://bloomscape.com/plant-care-guide/spider-plant/.

(3) Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum – Wisconsin Horticulture. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/spider-plant-chlorophytum-comosum/.

(4) Spider Plant | Home & Garden Information Center. https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/spider-plant/.

(5) Chlorophytum comosum - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytum_comosum.

Image Attribution: Mokkie, Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) 1, CC BY-SA 3.0

Watch this Video to Learn more about the Spider Plant

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