What is a spider plant?
Spider plants are evergreen perennials that grow in clumps. Commonly grown in containers, they are especially attractive in hanging baskets and are among the most popular foliage plants grown indoors. Members of the lily family, they have slender, gracefully arching leaves that often dip down to the ground.
Do spider plants grow their own roots?
Once the flowers fall off, tiny plantlets form in their place, which ultimately grow their own roots. Spider plants can typically be planted at any time as long as they are not exposed to frost. They have a moderate growth rate.
What kind of soil do spider plants like?
They prefer a fairly neutral soil pH but can tolerate slightly acidic to slightly alkaline soil. A high level of salts in the soil can cause the leaf tips to turn brown. Spider plants like lightly moist but not soggy soil.
Are spider plants good houseplants?
Sonya has written for Martha Stewart Living's site, won South Jersey Magazine’s One to Watch Award, and is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board. Despite their creepy-crawly name, spider plants ( Chlorophytum comosum) are among the most popular houseplants to grow.
Do spider plants need succulent soil?
Spider plants do best in potting mix that holds moisture yet also drains well. They prefer a soil mix with a slightly acidic pH, in the range of 6.0-7.0. A soil mix containing 1 part peat moss/coco coir, 1 part perlite, and 4 parts pine bark fines is an excellent mix for Spider plants.
What kind of soil is best for spider plants?
Spider plants don't tolerate wet soil for very long. Use a general-purpose potting soil or soilless medium for spider plant repotting. Fill the bottom of the pot with soil, then place the plant's roots in the soil. Keep adding soil and tucking it around the roots until all the roots are covered.
What is a spider plant considered?
Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, is one of the most common houseplants. Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, is one of the most common and well-known of all houseplants. It is especially popular with beginners, being easy to grow and propagate, tolerant of neglect, and able to thrive in nearly any type of condition.
How often should I water spider plant?
about once a weekSpider plants are thirsty plants and are really forgiving when you accidentally overwater it. Normally, you should water your spider plants about once a week. Before watering, check the soil of the plants to see if it's dry. If it's still moist, you should wait another day and repeat this until the soil is dry.
Should I cut the babies off my spider plant?
Pruning spider plants keeps them at a more desirable and manageable size and rejuvenates their overall health and vigor. In addition, the more babies it produces, the more the plant needs fertilizer and water as this uses up much of its energy. Therefore, the spiderettes should be removed as well.
Is Miracle Grow good for spider plants?
Plant spider plants in Miracle-Gro® Indoor Potting Mix. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. After a month, begin feeding regularly with Miracle-Gro® Indoor Plant Food.
Should I cut the brown tips off my spider plant?
Should I Cut the Brown Tips Off My Spider Plants? No, you do not have to cut off the brown tips, but you could if you want to. Brown tips on their own do not harm or damage the plant. They are just dead tissue on the plant that dries off and in some cases becomes papery to the touch and drops off on contact.
How do you take care of a spider plant?
Spider plants like even moisture; they don't like to be too dry or too wet. Keep plants in bright to moderate indirect sunlight. Spider plants do not appreciate direct, hot sunlight, which can burn their leaves, causing brown tips and spots. Spider plants grow fairly quickly and can easily become pot bound.
Do spider plants get flowers?
Spider plants do occasionally develop small white flowers at the ends of their long arching stems. Many times these flowers are so short lived and inconspicuous that they go completely unnoticed. Flowers on spider plants can grow in a cluster or can be single, depending on the variety of spider plant.
Where should I put a spider plant in my house?
Spider plant needs are simple: Place the plant in bright to moderate light in a room that's a comfortable temperature for everyone. Keep the soil slightly moist. Once-a-week watering is sufficient in spring and summer; in winter, allow the soil to dry a bit more between waterings.
Do spider plants need to hang?
Do Spider Plants need to hang? No, they don't. If they have a lot of spiderettes attached, hanging gives them more room to do their thing. They look better this way because it really shows the sprays of babies off.
Why do spider plants grow babies?
Spider plants do not produce their plantlets (also known as spiderettes or babies) due to too much fertilizer which promotes foliage growth at the expense of the flowers and because they require a period of 12 hours of uninterrupted darkness at night for three consecutive weeks.
Can You Use Succulent Soil For Spider Plants?
Yes, you can use a succulent soil mix for your spider plant because it is well-drained soil that provides even moisture and prevents your spider plant from getting too wet or too dry.
How To Make Your Own Succulent Soil For Spider Plants
One of the best candidates for potting and repotting spider plants is definitely well-drained succulent soil.
What are spider plants?
There are several varieties of spider plants, including: 1 Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum': This variety has leaf margins of cream or white with a dark green stripe down the middle. Its long stems are green. 2 Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum': This plant’s leaves have a center white stripe surrounded by medium green margins. Its long stems are white. 3 Chlorophytum comosum 'Bonnie': This variety is more compact than the main species plant and has loosely curled leaves with green margins and a cream center stripe. It produces yellow flowers.
Why do spider plants grow in containers?
Spider Plant Care. Spider plants are often grown in containers as hanging plants due to the cascading nature of their foliage and their long stems with plantlets. They also look great when grown atop columns.
What is the most popular houseplant to grow?
Potting. Pests/Diseases. Back to Top. Despite their creepy-crawly name, spider plants ( Chlorophytum comosum) are among the most popular houseplants to grow. These hardy plants will survive less-than-perfect conditions, and they are stunning when you can mimic their native tropical environment.
How to propagate spider plants?
Spider plants are extremely easy to propagate. Simply leave the small plantlets on their stem until they develop roots that are at least an inch or two long. Then, carefully cut them off the stem, keeping the roots intact. Pot them in a container with good drainage, and make sure the soil stays moist (but not soggy) until they become established . Alternatively, mature plants can be dug up and divided. Gently pull apart the root ball into sections, keeping as many roots intact as possible. Then, replant the sections.
What are the pests that can be found on spider plants?
Spider plants are generally healthy, but a few common plant pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, can impact them. 2 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.
Can spider plants grow in shade?
Outdoors, spider plants prefer to grow in light shade. They can tolerate heavy shade, but their growth won't be as robust. Direct sunlight can scorch the leaves. Indoors, a bright window that gets indirect sun is ideal.
Do spider plants need water?
In warm climates, spider plants do well in outdoor planters and as ground cover plants. Regular watering is typically the most time-consuming part of spider plant care. Throughout the growing season (spring to fall) also plan to fertilize on a regular basis.
What does a spider plant look like?
Spider plants produce a rosette of long, thin, arched foliage that is solid green or variegated with white. These easy-to-grow houseplants look especially nice in a hanging basket and were a favorite in Victorian-era households. Here’s how to grow spider plants in your home!
Where did spider plants originate?
Spider plants also go by the names “airplane plant,” “ribbon plant,” and “spider ivy.”. Spider plants are originally from South Africa. Keep spider plants on your desk to reduce indoor pollutants.
How much humidity do spider plants need?
Do not let soil dry out too much. Maintain average room temperature and humidity. Spider plants prefer temperatures between 55 and 80°F (13–27°C), which makes them a great indoor houseplant. Fertilize up to twice a month in the spring and summer, however, avoid overfertilization. See more Houseplant Growing Tips.
How to keep spider plants from turning brown?
Spider plants grow fairly quickly and can easily become pot bound. Plan to repot a spider plant about every other year.
Why do spider plants burn their tips?
Spider plants are prone to tip burn, which can be caused by dry soil, low humidity, or a buildup of salt and chemicals that are found in some public tap water. Keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid watering with fluoridated or chlorinated water and cut off brown tips if they do occur.
How to get pups out of a plant?
Alternatively, set the still-attached pups into pots of soil placed next to the mother plant. Once the pups have rooted themselves to the soil, they can be cut loose from the mother plant.
What is the name of the baby spiders on a plant?
Not only does the shape of the mother plant somewhat resemble a spider, but the plant's babies -- called offsets or spiderettes -- mimic tiny spiders dangling from silken threads.
Can spider plants survive drought?
Spider plants can tolera te drought, high humidity, dry air, heat and will even return after being killed to the ground by frost. One thing it doesn't tolerate well, however, is fluoride. If you see the tips of your plant turning brown, cut them off with some sharp scissors, and then cut back on the tap water.
