The variegated trailing foliage of the humble spider plant has made it one of the most popular house plants in the world, but there’s more to this common house plant than you might realize.
From edible uses to a useful shade for other plants, spider plants are one of the most useful houseplants you can grow. I got my first spider plant about ten years ago, and have since amassed a collection of twelve varieties, and several clones of each.
Pouring down from a shelf above the shower, they are a gorgeous statement plant, so I’m excited to share some great spider plant growing tips here.
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Genus: | Chlorophytum |
|---|---|
Species: | comosum |
Common Names: | Spider Plant, Spider Ivy, Ribbon Plant |
Location: | Indoor or Outdoor |
Type: | Perennial foliage plant |
Growth: | 1-2ft tall, 1ft wide, 4ft drop |
Sun Requirements: | Part shade, bright shade |
Foliage Color: | Green and white |
Flower Color: | White |
Flowering: | Spring/Summer |
Fruit: | None |
Maintenance Level: | Low |
Poisonous for Pets: | Non-toxic to cats and dogs |
What is a Spider Plant?
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are a member of the Asparagaceae family, one of the largest plant families on earth, including everything from edibles to common weeds.
Asparagaceae were amongst the first plant groups able to reproduce by seed, but typically duplicate from runners and spreading roots; spider plants work in just the same way.
Spider plants are instantly recognizable from their trailing bows of palmate foliage which hang in individual florets along trailing vines. In ideal settings, they will flower annually in late spring.
Spider Plant’s Natural Habitat
Spider plants are native to southern Africa and grow well in almost any tropical setting, with groups known to have naturalized in Australia, and southern Asia.
Despite growing in warm climates they benefit from higher humidity and are most widely spread in coastal regions where they benefit from humidity and slightly higher rainfall than inland tropics.
To replicate this at home, keep them in a bright, warm room, out of direct light, and with higher-than-average humidity. Like most houseplants preferring those conditions, bright bathrooms are ideal.
Can you eat spider plants?
Spider plants are, in fact, edible, and not just to humans. Indoor cats can often be found chewing on dangling spider plants, which helps to ease digestive discomfort (they instinctively eat grassy plants for this purpose), and rabbits get more nutritional benefits from spider plants than from lettuce.
Spider plants have a flavor similar to chicory – a subtle, but distinct bitterness, accompanied by a slightly-too-chewy stringy texture. I wouldn’t advise them as a regular culinary staple but they do add an interesting kick to salads once in a while.
The Best Spider Plant Varieties to Grow in the US
1. Bonnie Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie Variegated’ & ‘Bonnie’)Bonnie has to be the most beautiful spider plant you can grow and takes no extra care, despite its elegant form. The curled foliage twists and turns to create a mass of messy foliage that sprawls gorgeously down staircases, or over showers. What’s more, bonnie spider plants can be bought in both variegated and plain green forms, making it the ideal choice for any home. |  |
2. Zebra Grass (Chlorophytum laxum ‘Zebra’)Zebra grass is perhaps the most popular variety of spider plants in garden centers, with a more tolerant habit for outdoor conditions in cooler parts of the country. Their strongly variegated striped leaves work well in hanging baskets or containers, but look just as good indoors. |  Source: plantingman.com |
3. Ocean Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Ocean’)Ocean spider plants can be found in variegated or plain green forms, but they are at their best when lusciously green, filtering light through an open window. Like most green-form spider plants, they are more tolerant of full sun than the more delicate white variegated types. |  Source: plantingman.com |
4. Bichetii Grass (Chlorophytum laxum)Bichetii grass, or Bichetii spider plant, is a compact spider plant that prefers to grow in clumps as a trailing ground cover, rather than as a hanging plant. With good root restriction, it can be convinced to grow in a trailing form, but looks gorgeous as a bushy tabletop plant in its own right, with subtle variegation, often with a tint of red and pink. |  |
5. Reverse Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ’Reverse Variegatum’)Reverse spider plants are easily mistaken for zebra plants or the common variegated spider plant. However, their variegations, as you might have guessed, are flipped, meaning they have white leaf edges, rather than the traditional striped centers. |  Source: thetendergardener.com |
6. Variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’)Variegated spider plants are so easy to come by that you’re more likely to see them sold in a grocery store by the till than in a garden center. They are one of the most popular house plants in the world, with fine, translucent green leaves, with shades of white striped through each. In good conditions, they can be manipulated to flower every year with regular feed from early spring onwards. |  |
7. Green Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Green’)Green spider plants are, perhaps surprisingly, not common in the wild, but they are a natural form of Chlorophytum comosum. The strong green foliage is a dramatic change from the better-known variegated varieties and works well in full sun, or homes where shade is hard to find. |  Source: kensphilodendrons.com |
8. Hawaiian Spider Plant (Chlorophytum viridescens ‘Hawaiian’)Hawaiian spider plants grow beautifully in beds and borders but do still trail if grown from hanging baskets. They will quickly spread to create gorgeous, spiked ground cover in warmer southern states, and make a beautiful low-maintenance garden plant as a result. |  Source: blackwatergardencenter.com |
The Best Spider Plant Varieties to Grow in the US
1. Bonnie Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie Variegated’ & ‘Bonnie’)
Bonnie has to be the most beautiful spider plant you can grow and takes no extra care, despite its elegant form. The curled foliage twists and turns to create a mass of messy foliage that sprawls gorgeously down staircases, or over showers.
What’s more, bonnie spider plants can be bought in both variegated and plain green forms, making it the ideal choice for any home.
2. Zebra Grass (Chlorophytum laxum ‘Zebra’)
Source: plantingman.com
Zebra grass is perhaps the most popular variety of spider plants in garden centers, with a more tolerant habit for outdoor conditions in cooler parts of the country.
Their strongly variegated striped leaves work well in hanging baskets or containers, but look just as good indoors.
3. Ocean Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Ocean’)
Source: plantingman.com
Ocean spider plants can be found in variegated or plain green forms, but they are at their best when lusciously green, filtering light through an open window.
Like most green-form spider plants, they are more tolerant of full sun than the more delicate white variegated types.
4. Bichetii Grass (Chlorophytum laxum)
Bichetii grass, or Bichetii spider plant, is a compact spider plant that prefers to grow in clumps as a trailing ground cover, rather than as a hanging plant.
With good root restriction, it can be convinced to grow in a trailing form, but looks gorgeous as a bushy tabletop plant in its own right, with subtle variegation, often with a tint of red and pink.
5. Reverse Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ’Reverse Variegatum’)
Source: thetendergardener.com
Reverse spider plants are easily mistaken for zebra plants or the common variegated spider plant. However, their variegations, as you might have guessed, are flipped, meaning they have white leaf edges, rather than the traditional striped centers.
6. Variegated Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’)
Variegated spider plants are so easy to come by that you’re more likely to see them sold in a grocery store by the till than in a garden center. They are one of the most popular house plants in the world, with fine, translucent green leaves, with shades of white striped through each.
In good conditions, they can be manipulated to flower every year with regular feed from early spring onwards.
7. Green Spider Plant (Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Green’)
Source: kensphilodendrons.com
Green spider plants are, perhaps surprisingly, not common in the wild, but they are a natural form of Chlorophytum comosum. The strong green foliage is a dramatic change from the better-known variegated varieties and works well in full sun, or homes where shade is hard to find.
8. Hawaiian Spider Plant (Chlorophytum viridescens ‘Hawaiian’)
Source: blackwatergardencenter.com
Hawaiian spider plants grow beautifully in beds and borders but do still trail if grown from hanging baskets. They will quickly spread to create gorgeous, spiked ground cover in warmer southern states, and make a beautiful low-maintenance garden plant as a result.
How to Grow Spider Plants
Spider plants make gorgeous houseplants for most US homes, but further south they can be used to great effect as hanging garden plants; spilling over pots, and down from hanging baskets to create an instant green canopy.
So, to make sure you’ve got all the tips you need, regardless of where you’ll be growing spider plants, I’ve put together some simple instructions for growing spider plants indoors and outdoors below.
Growing Spider Plant Indoors
The easiest way to control spider plant conditions is by growing them indoors. You can manage their root space, keep them compact, and propagate in controlled conditions without needing to separate them from their parent plant! Plus, they look incredible in any room.
Pot Size
Spider plants grow more dramatically when their roots are slightly restricted. Completely pot-bound plants should be avoided though.
To ease the pressure on spider plant roots, plant any new plants into a pot with a diameter 1” larger than its current pot. Never pot up to anything more than 1” bigger as roots will end up sitting in water.
If your spider plant is struggling to develop lush, trailing foliage, chances are it’s got too much space. Consider, shaking the soil from its roots and potting it into a pot that fits more snuggly.
Light Requirement Indoors
Spider plants might be tropical plants, but they grow best with indirect sunlight as their foliage can burn easily, particularly indoors. Find a bright room, with plenty of light bouncing around that stays above 60°F for most of the year.
One more high-maintenance alternative is to plant a spider plant directly in front of a window, in full sun, but water more regularly, and mist the leaves once a week.
This helps to prevent stress on your plants and can provide a great dappled screen for other more delicate plants. Just be aware that this is going against the wishes of the spider plant, and is an option, rather than a default!
Best Soil for Spider Plants
Spider plants grow in most soil conditions, but should ideally be in fertile compost with good drainage. We typically plant ours into 25% vermiculite, 25% clay grit, and 50% garden compost which works well, and prevents them from drying out at the same time as reducing water-logging.
Watering Spider Plants Indoors
Despite their generally indestructible nature, there is one, very important, thing to keep in mind; water. Spider plants really, really, really, do not like fluoride.
Tap water contains fluoride to support our health, but is generally not advised for plants. The fluoride in tap water can lead to tip burn (brown ends to each leaf) which is irreversible.
If you notice brown tips on your spider plants though, don’t worry, just revert to using rainwater, or filtered water.
Tip: To remove fluoride from tap water you will need a deionizer filter, or filter with activated alumina. Standard carbon filters do not remove fluoride. Boiling can actually increase the potency of fluoride.
Humidity
If you have a supply of fresh rainwater, misting spider plants once a week is a good idea. It helps to prevent moisture loss from spider plants in bright conditions.
Alternatively, spider plants in bathrooms will benefit from steam from showers and baths, which will keep the soil moist for longer, and add steam (where fluoride isn’t present) to coat the leaves without needing to keep water butts.
How to Grow Spider Plant Outdoors
Growing spider plants outdoors is easy, but in cooler parts of the country, they do need to be brought in for winter. Along the Florida coast, spider plants thrive outdoors all year round, but up north, they’ll need to be brought in from October onwards as they struggle in temperatures below 50°F.
Pot Size
Outdoors, spider plants can grow in most pot sizes, provided they have really good drainage. Too much space and moisture prevent spider plants from trailing, so either restrict the roots or give them well-drained compost, packed with grit.
We live up north where it’s pretty chilly from fall through to late spring, so our outdoor spider plants live in plastic pots which are dropped into decorative ceramics. The biggest benefit of that is that they are easier to move in winter.
Light Requirement Outdoors
Outdoor spider plants need protection from extreme weather but can grow in most light conditions outdoors, particularly if your area gets reasonable rainfall or humid coastal winds.
Spider plants can grow outside in full sun or part shade, provided you balance their conditions with water or filtered light in some way.
What Soil to Use
Outdoor spider plants should be in a very well-drained compost. They do need moisture so will need plenty of organic matter, but at least 50% grit or vermiculite to help them cope with heavy rain or hail.
Find out more about vermiculite, its benefits, as well as how to use them here.
Watering Spider Plant Outdoors
Outdoor spider plants don’t really need watering for most of the year but should be given deep water once a week if drought or heat waves are expected.
If a severe heat wave is expected, move your spider plants into the shade for a few days to protect them from leaf burn.
How to Propagate Spider Plants
Spider plants are incredibly easy to propagate. Each and every one of their clusters of foliage is essentially a new plant, so if you have one spider plant there’s the potential to turn that into dozens more.
And what’s more, the more often you take new runners from your existing plant, the healthier it becomes.
Propagating Spider Plants from Runners
Spider plants produce runners, like strawberries or asparagus. They can be easily propagated by wrapping moss or paper towels around the base of each leaf cluster or even hanging a small pot filled with compost.
When they root, they can be removed and will grow away happily as a new plant. The most reliable way to propagate spider plants is by cutting the runners off and leaving them in a glass filled with clean rainwater for 1-2 weeks.
Follow the method below for foolproof spider plant propagation:
Tools:
- Clear glass / jar
- Fluoride-free water (rainwater or spring water)
- Expanded coir compost.
- Clean, sharp secateurs (Refer to our review of the best secateurs for 2023).
Method:
- Fill a clear jar with fluoride-free water. The clear jar is just so you can see roots developing, and know when to change the water.
- Cut away a few spider plant clusters from the ends of the hanging stems.
- Place them straight into the water.
- Wait for 1-2 weeks until you notice roots beginning to emerge.
- Change the water if it starts to look cloudy or green.
- When roots appear, move each new plant into its own small pot, filled with an inert substrate. Expanded coir is ideal.
Spider Plant Propagation from Seeds
Spider plants can be grown from seed, but it’s nowhere near as reliable, or quick, as propagating them from division or runners. Propagating spider plants from seed can take around one month for germination and another twelve months for any plant that’s large enough to make a real impact.
If you have greenhouse space, a cold frame, or a propagation room, it’s worth trying though, as it’s a cost-effective way to make new plants on a budget.
To propagate spider plants from seed, simply sow seeds onto the surface of sieved compost, and keep the soil moist, but not saturated. After germination, move the plants somewhere bright, but with indirect light, and wait until they are big enough to handle then move them into individual pots.
How to Propagate Spider Plants from Division
Spider plants spread by seed, runners, and from their roots, sending up new plants from the root plate of the parent plant. This can often make for new plants with little to no effort.
All you need is a pot of fresh compost and grit and a small knife. Find the base of a large plant growing from the soil, then prise it away from the other plant.
In some cases, it's best to prise the soil apart to retain a root ball. In others, the plant for division may only have young roots and will easily pull from the soil with a little encouragement.
Prune away any runners from the new plant to reduce strain, then pot it into fresh compost. Keep it watered and in a bright location (ideally next to its original pot if there’s space). After a few weeks, new runners will start to emerge.
Spider Plant Care Guide
Once you’ve found a good location, and your spider plants are growing happily, there are some simple care tips that will help it to thrive; from pruning and limiting runners, to choosing the right fertilizer.
Fertilizing Snake Plants
Spider plants need a foliage fertilizer, and benefit from nitrogen-heavy feeds. With some added potassium and phosphorus they will usually bloom in spring and summer, which can be a beautiful display when it works.
However, consider the flowers as a bonus, rather than an assumed trait, and many spider plant growers will never see a flower. Flowers respond to light levels, heat patterns, and day length, so depending on where you are, you can get an annual display of dangling flowers, or a non-flowering foliage plant.
We use a standard tomato feed for our outdoor spider plants and a basic houseplant feed for our indoor plants. The indoor liquid feed is 10-8-6 NPK, so focused on nitrogen. The outdoor feed is 4-6-8 NPK.
Pruning and Repotting
As I mentioned earlier, spider plants perform better when their roots are slightly restricted, so only repot them if they are starting to look like they are in need of nutrients (yellowing foliage is a sure sign).
When the time comes to pot on spider plants, move them into a pot that’s just 1” bigger than their current container. Spider plants can trail down from their containers well over 6ft, but at this point, the stress on their roots will be huge.
I limit my plants to about a 4ft drop, which encourages bushier growth lower down, and helps to keep a more vibrant coloring in the leaves.
Common Spider Plant Pests and Diseases
I’ve grown spider plants for over ten years now, and even when every other plant in the house has had infestations from spider mites and mealybugs, they have remained completely unaffected.
One thing to look out for though is slugs. If you ever get slugs in the house, or outside for that matter, they LOVE spider plants. To protect spider plants from slugs and snails, spray them with garlic tea (crushed garlic mixed with boiling water, and strained when it cools).
Tip: never buy houseplants from flat-pack furniture shops… you know the one. They are nearly always infested, or have eggs in the soil. Every time we’ve bought houseplants from *that shop* they have introduced a new wave of mealybug.
Most common conditions that affect other house plants will affect spider plants, but the two major problems to look out for are results of care, rather than infection:
- Tip burn
- Root rot
Tip burn
Tip burn has a few possible causes, but is primarily caused by either excess heat or light, or watering with tap water. Spider plants in direct sun, with not enough moisture, will suffer from tip burn, which is literally caused by burns.
This can occur as a result of temperature too, if they are near a radiator, boiler, or air con unit. While misting can help to prevent this, you should only mist your plants in the morning or early evening, when the sun is less likely to heat the water and over-humidify the surface of the leaf.
Fluoride has the same effect, basically drying out the foliage. Avoid tap water where possible.
Root rot
Overwatering is the main cause of root rot, but overwatering is more typically caused by plant location than any mistake of the gardener. Spider plants are often sold as shade plants, but they need bright conditions, even if they’re not in direct light.
If you take that literally and plant them somewhere with dull light, or in shadows, they will drink water much slower, and photosynthesize far less.
This means that water will sit in the soil, and slowly stagnate, causing roots to rot, and fail to take nutrients to the rest of the plant. The result is yellowing leaves or yellow patches with brown stems near the soil.
If this happens, take cuttings from healthy sections of the plant as a backup, and then re-pot the original plant into new, dry soil, removing any damaged roots and top growth as you go to prevent contamination.
Spider Plant Frequently Asked Questions
Are spider plants poisonous?
Far from being poisonous, spider plants are actually edible. You can feed them to rabbits, and cats will often chew on them to ease digestive discomfort as a natural instinct.
They have a bitter flavor, but if you have loads of pruned material, it can be mixed through salads (just be sure to chop them up as they can be pretty stringy!)
Should I cut pups off spider plants?
The pups, runners, or babies of spider plants, should be removed every so often. As they get bigger, they take more and more energy from their parents.
These pups can be repotted as new plants, or discarded. Removing them helps to reinvigorate the parent plant.
How long do spider plants live?
Spider plants can live for well over thirty years. While I’ve never observed a spider plant older than thirty years in the wild, I can say with confidence that my grandparents had a spider plant in their kitchen when I was a child, and it’s still there today, and growing well thirty-two years later.
Are spider plants air-purifying?
Spider plants are air-purifying plants, and have been shown to remove about 95% of toxins from the air after 24 hours in controlled conditions. However, it’s worth stating that ‘controlled conditions’ are air-tight rooms.
In reality, an open window will remove as much, but for urban spaces, spider plants will help to filter traffic fumes and fumes from urban development.
Don't miss our list of the best air purifying plants to grow in your home.
Enjoy that Added Design Spider Plants Bring Indoors and Outdoors
Spider plants are probably the most useful houseplant for interior designers, adding instant greenery on a budget, and quickly improving the light quality in any space by filtering sunlight into a green dappled glow.
Now you know how to care for spider plants, you can grow your own at home and in the garden with ease. So what are you waiting for? Get out there and find your perfect spider plant today.
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