Proper spider plant care can make growing these popular houseplants enjoyable and rewarding.
Learning a few of their environmental and cultural needs will make you a spider plant whisperer.
If you want to make sure your spider plant care is on point, then this guide will help you grow a healthy, lush plant all year long.
Best Light for Spider Plant Care
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Spider plants are considered medium-light plants.
They thrive best in indirect light, as direct sun can burn the leaves.
Plants can adapt to lower light levels, but there will be little growth and lose leaf variegation.
How to Water a Spider Plant
It’s best to let the top one or two inches of soil dry out between waterings.
This will prevent overwatering.
Spider plants have a tuberous root system, so overwatering can easily cause root rot.
Its leaves are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine damage over time.
Therefore, it’s recommended to use distilled water or rainwater.
If you need a lot, machines are available to make distilled water at home.
When watering, allow water to run through the drain holes so that the entire root ball is moist.
Drain water from saucers so the plant isn’t sitting in water.
| Get to Know Spider Plant | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common Name | Spider Plant | |||
| Botanical Name | Chlorophytum comosum | |||
| Houseplant Type | Tropical | |||
| Overview of Spider Plant Care | |
|---|---|
| Light Requirements | Medium, indirect light, adaptable to low, direct sun may burn leaves |
| Moisture | Medium, evenly moist but don't overwater |
| Watering Frequency | Allow top 1-2 inches to dry out |
| Water Type | Leaves are sensitive to fluoride & chlorine damage over time. Use distilled water or rainwater |
| Humidity | Medium-high, 40% or more |
| Air | Avoid drafts, vents, etc. |
| Temperature | 60-85°F |
| Soil | Well draining indoor mix |
| Fertilizer Needs | Medium, 1-2 times per month in growing season |
| Container | With drain holes, remove excess water from saucers |
| Propagation Method | Division, Offsets |
| Toxic to Dogs/Cats? | Non-Toxic |
Temperature and Humidity
Spider plants thrive in a temperature range of 60- 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
They are tropical plants so they like at least a 40 percent relative humidity.
A hygrometer is a simple tool to measure this.
It will be necessary to use a humidifier to prevent the leaf edges from turning brown if the humidity is low.
Occassional misting generally won’t suffice.
Fertilizing for Proper Spider Plant Care
Fertilize during the growing season (spring through early fall).
If using a liquid fertilizer, one or two times per month at the recommended rate is sufficient.
My favorite option is a slow-release fertilizer added to the soil surface in spring.
It slowly releases throughout the growing season- simple and easy.
Spider plants are sensitive to over-fertilizing.
Refrain from giving them too much fertilizer as this will cause brown leaf tips.
They respond better to light, infrequent fertilizations rather than heavy regular fertilization.
Best Soil and Pots for Spider Plant Care
Spider plants need a well-draining indoor houseplant mix to grow in.
They don’t mind being a bit pot-bound it will actually help them flower to develop babies.
However, if left too long the tuberous root system can make them difficult to remove from the pot.
When repotting, use containers with drain holes.
Spider plants are ideal for hanging baskets.
This gives them room to showcase the arching branches that produce the baby spiders.
A full, vibrant hanging spider plant can be the showpiece of an indoor jungle.
Pruning and Grooming
Remove yellow or discolored leaves by snipping them at the base of the plant.
If you want to keep your spider plant small and compact, trim the branches that produce the baby spider plants as they form.
This will force more of the plant’s energy back into the main plant.
The arched leaves can easily become dusty.
Rinsing under distilled water and gently wiping with a microfiber cloth will keep the leaves clean and maximize photosynthesis.
How to Propagate Baby Spider Plants
When baby spider plants are approximately two to three inches they are ideal for propagating.
They will start to form “nubs” at the bottom- these are roots forming.
The goal is to get these “nubs” to develop to form a new plant that can survive on its own.
Most babies can be cut away from the mother prior to full root development but if you can place a small pot under the baby while it’s attached to the mother, it’s ideal.
The baby can also be propagated in water.
Once two inches of roots have developed, the plant is large enough to sustain itself.
Common Spider Plant Problems and Solutions
Spider plants are generally very easy to grow.
When they have problems it’s usually easily fixed.
Brown leaf edges or tips- possible causes: over-fertilization, fluoride, chlorine in water or low humidity; solution: use distilled water for watering and cleaning, humidify the air, only fertilize one or two times per month during the growing season
Pale growth- possible cause: low light; add a grow light to plant’s environment
No baby plants- possible causes: plant needs to mature, not enought light; solution: add a grow light to environment, allow plant to become slightly pot-bound, may take another growing season
Spider plants are one of the most rewarding houseplants to grow.
With just a little attention to light, water, and humidity they’ll thrive and produce adorable babies you can share or replant.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned plant parent, spider plants are a rewarding addition to any indoor jungle.
Oh! Wasn’t aware of the use of rain water / distilled water for spider plants! I’ll start doing that. I just propogated 2 babies🤗