Spider plants, scientifically known as Chlorophytum comosum, are one of the most common and well-known houseplants in the world. Why?
Because they are very easy to grow and maintain and even develop tiny white flower blossoms on their arching stems as they mature. Their olivine clusters of thin, spindly leaves are unique and beloved by many home gardeners. It is called the Spider plant because its small plantlets with roots, developing from flowering panicle, remain hanging and look like spiders.
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So, if you’ve decided to bring this plant into your home or your garden, then we have the best advice on how to take care of it to ensure that it thrives under your care. Read on to know more about Spider plants and the proper care method for them.
But first, let's see what makes different types of Spider plants such beloved indoor plants!
• Spider Plant Benefits
Here are a few Spider plant uses and benefits that make it such a beloved indoor houseplant:
1. Air Purification
Spider plants are renowned for their ability to purify air. They absorb toxins such as formaldehyde, xylene, and other particulate matter, commonly found in homes and offices, improving indoor air quality. This makes them an excellent choice for maintaining a healthier living environment, especially in areas with limited ventilation.
2. Easy Maintenance
Spider plants are super low-maintenance, making them ideal even for busy and new gardeners. They thrive in indirect sunlight and only require watering once the soil dries out. Their resilience to neglect and adaptability to various conditions ensure they stay vibrant with minimal effort.
3. Aesthetic Appeal
With their arching green leaves adorned with white stripes, Spider plants add a touch of elegance to any space. They can be placed in hanging baskets, on shelves, or as part of a decorative arrangement, enhancing the visual appeal of your home or office with their lush, cascading foliage.
4. Non-Toxic to Pets
Unlike many houseplants, Spider plants are non-toxic to pets, making them a safe addition to households with cats, dogs, or other animals. This ensures that pet owners can enjoy the beauty and benefits of houseplants without worrying about the safety of their furry companions.
5. Ease of Propagation
One of the biggest Spider plant benefits for plant lovers and gardeners is that they are very easy to propagate, allowing you to grow new plants from the "babies" or offshoots they produce. Propagating a Spider plant is one of the easiest processes done by simply cutting off its small plantlets and placing them in water or soil. This effortless propagation method ensures you can expand your collection or share plants with friends and family.
• Spider Plant Care Tips
While low maintenance, Spider plant still requires some of its basic needs met in order to thrive. So, here are some basic to follow:
1. Using the Right Soil for Spider Plants
In order for your plant to flourish, you need to use good-quality and well-drained soil. For this, you can use Ugaoo's ready-to-use mixture - Pot-O-Mix. This has all the nutrients the Spider plant will need and will serve it much better than ordinary garden soil.
The Chlorophytum comosum is an ideal plant for hanging baskets and pots. When growing in hanging baskets, use lots of moss and coco peat in potting mixture. The Pot-O-Mix will bring the perfect mixture of these and 9 other essential ingredients!
2. Finding the Right Lighting
When trying to understand the basics of Spider plant care, one of the main things to understand is also the light requirements of this plant.
Inside your house, place your Spider plant in either the east, west or north windowsills during a majority of the year. This ensures that it will get enough sunlight but not too much.
During Winter, move it to a windowsill that is facing south. These little details will make all the difference for the favorite houseplant. Spider plants also grow well in bright or fluorescent lighting, so you can use that if the lighting conditions aren’t favourable in your home. Finally, if you plan to pot it outside then just remember to give it enough shade.
3. How to Water Your Spider Plant
Spider plants are drought tolerant. Moderate watering twice a week is enough. To understand when to water the plant, check if the pot surface is dry to the touch. If yes, then it’s time to water. Also, remember to check on whether the water is being drained properly and not being retained for too long in the pot.4. Spider Plant Fertilizer: Tips & Tricks
As we’ve mentioned, this plant doesn’t need too much care and attention. So, you can fertilize it once in a month during the Spring and Summer months. This will provide the plant with enough nutrients to grow well. If possible, use homemade or natural fertilizer for the best results.5. Temperature Requirements for Your Spider Plant
Spider plants grow well between 40º and 85ºF. Find out the approximate temperature of your home or your home garden and pick a spot that matches this range. Check for overnight variations in temperature as well, just to be sure that this is the perfect place for your spider plant.6. Spider Plant Grooming Tips
Propagate the healthy growth of your spider plants by trimming the dead leaf tips or even whole leaves with a pair of garden shears or scissors. Keep an eye out for browning or yellowing leaves.