Chlorophytum (Spider Plant): Care, Babies and Varieties

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The spider plant is where many people start their houseplant collection. It forgives missed waterings, grows on a bright sill or further into the room, and generously produces babies that dangle on long runners. Here is how to care for chlorophytum so the leaves stay bright without brown tips, which varieties exist and how to propagate it in a few weeks.

What is a spider plant

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a herbaceous perennial of the asparagus family native to southern Africa. Its narrow arching leaves form a lush rosette, and long flower stems with tiny white star-shaped flowers grow from the centre. Later, miniature rosettes — the babies or “spiderettes” — appear on these stems. Thick fleshy roots store water, so the plant copes easily with drought.

Popular varieties

• Vittatum — green leaves with a broad white central stripe.
• Variegatum — the reverse: cream edges and a green centre.
• Bonnie — the curly spider plant with twisted leaves.
• Ocean — compact, broad leaves with white margins; rarely produces babies.
• Orange spider plant (Chlorophytum amaniense 'Fire Flash') — broad leaves on bright orange stalks; grows as a clump and hardly produces babies.

Light and position

Spider plants do best in bright indirect light. They tolerate shade, but variegated types lose contrast and turn greener. Midday sun leaves pale scorch marks. With its dangling babies, the plant looks great in a hanging basket or on a high shelf — see trailing houseplants. Keep it at 18–25 °C, not below 10–12 °C in winter.

View full-size photoMature spider plant with babies on long runners in a hanging basket

Watering

In summer water when the top 2–3 cm of soil are dry — usually every 5–7 days; in winter every 10–14 days is enough. Thanks to its thick roots it survives short dry spells, but constant overwatering causes rot. Use rested, room-temperature water: chlorine and fluoride cause brown tips. It tolerates dry air but appreciates misting in summer.

Soil and repotting

Use all-purpose houseplant compost with added perlite. The roots grow fast and can even distort a plastic pot, so repot young plants every spring and mature ones every 2–3 years into a pot 3–4 cm wider, with drainage. See how to repot houseplants. Feed every 2–3 weeks from spring to autumn with a general fertiliser.

How to propagate spider plant babies

1. Wait until the baby shows root nubs — small white bumps at its base.
2. Snip it off the stem with clean scissors.
3. Stand it in a glass of water or plant it straight into moist compost.
4. Roots grow within 1–2 weeks and the new plant takes off.

You can also root a baby while still attached by pinning it onto a nearby pot of compost. Orange spider plants and varieties without babies are propagated by division when repotting.

View full-size photoPopular spider plant varieties: Vittatum, Variegatum, Bonnie, Ocean, and Fire Flash

Why the leaf tips turn brown

• Brown tips — chlorinated or hard water, too much fertiliser or very dry air.
• Fading leaves, lost stripes — not enough light.
• Yellow, soft base — overwatering and root rot.
• No babies — a young plant, a cramped pot or too little light; mature plants produce babies in long summer days.

Trim dry tips with scissors. More in houseplant problems and symptoms.

Does it purify air and is it safe for cats

Spider plants are often called air purifiers because they were part of NASA’s well-known 1989 study. Those experiments were run in sealed chambers, though, and a few pots have little effect on air quality in a real home — see do houseplants purify the air.

The spider plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats love chewing it; it does them little harm, but the plant suffers, so place it higher up. More tough plants: hard-to-kill houseplants; browse potted plants.

FAQ

How often should I water a spider plant?

About every 5–7 days in summer and every 10–14 days in winter, once the top layer of soil is dry.

Why is my spider plant not producing babies?

Usually it is still young, short of light or in too large a pot. Some varieties, such as the orange one, rarely produce babies.

View full-size photoPropagating spider plant babies: rooting in water and preparing for potting

Can I keep a spider plant in the bedroom?

Yes, it is non-toxic and easy-going and releases nothing harmful at night.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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