Spider Plant
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Bright Indirect Light
The Spider Plant is a favorite among house plants and considered to be one of common and easily grown. In particular propagation is easy from the self rooting plantlets that form readily on the plant.
The Spider Plant grows quickly and will reach 2 to 2-1/2 feet wide very fast.
They are ornamental in nature, simply for their shape and formation of planelets. They are excellent for hanging baskets where they quickly reach a top to bottom length of 3 feet.
To start a new plant simply take one of the plantlets that has formed roots and plant into any potting soil. Any soil will do, as long as it is nutrient rich and allows for good drainage. You don't want to have this plant sitting in it's own water. Overwatering can cause root rot.
They are disease resistant and generally problem free in the home. Brown leaf ends or tips is generally caused by low humidity and/or very dry soil for too long a time.
The plants will form tiny white flowers although it is used for it's foilage and plantlets rather than it's flowering properties. Middway direct sun will scorch their leaves. Best with bright but indirect light. Average house temperatures are fine for this plant, although dipping to 50 at night is OK as well, so an unheated plant room or porch may work in some climates.
You'll find more plantlets generated in the fall when daylight lessens.
Basic cultivars are:
- Mandaianum - dwarf spider plant with leaves that are only 4 to 6 inches long. Leaves are dark green and have a bright yellow stripe.
- Vittatum - probably the most common variegated variety. Pale green leaves which are 4 to 8 inches long having white central stripes.
- Variegatum - white-edged leaves 10 to 16 inches long and up to an inch wide.
