A graceful indoor plant that makes a statement anywhere. It’s one of the easiest plants to take care of. Learn how to care for your Spider plant with our guide.
Despite its creepy-crawly name, the Spider plant is considered one of the easiest houseplants to grow and most adaptable. It’s a tough indoor plant that can tolerate lots of abuse, which makes them an excellent choice for first-time plant owners and people cursed with a black thumb. Also, they are safe for cats and dogs. The Spider plant is also known as one of the best air purifying plants, definitely a healthy decor to your home as well. They look especially lovely in a hanging basket in your bathroom, bedroom, home office, or even by just the window.
Fun Fact: The Spider plant got its unique name from the little “pups” that that looks like a spider’s body. It may also produce tiny white flowers off its long stems.
Spider plants never go out of style, that’s why it’s a vintage favorite in the houseplant world since Victorian-era. It produces a rosette of long, thin, arched leaves that is either solid green or variegated with white. They are great decor if you want to add greenery and texture to your home, especially for small homes because it’s easy to move around and maintain. Some plant parents would say that the secret to caring for Spider plants is a little sun and not too much water, which is true. However, they are stunning in perfect conditions.
When buying a Spider plant, choose bushy, full plants with vibrant, green variegated leaves. When you bring your new Spider plant home from the nursery, you need to remove it from the plastic container and re-pot it in a planter, about 2″ larger in diameter, with several drainage holes in the bottom to avoid root rot. We advise that you use well-drained, general-purpose potting soil. You can also use orchid bark or peat moss at the bottom of the planter before adding soil to ensure maximum drainage.
Here’s everything you need to know on how to care for your Spider plant.
| Botanical Name | Chlorophytum comosum |
| Common Name | Airplane Plant, Hen and Chickens, Ribbon Plant, Spider Ivy, and St. Bernard’s Lily. |
| Plant Size | The Spider plant is a fast-growing plant. It can grow the maximum height and spread of around 30cm or 12in. |
| Types of Spider Plants | Bonnie Hawaiian Spider Plant Variegated Spider Plant Variegatum Zebra |
| Sunlight | Spider plants prefer bright, indirect sunlight. However, they can also thrive in areas with a mix of fluorescent and natural light. |
| Water | Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Allow the top inch of the soil to dry before watering. Usually, once a week is enough. |
| Humidity | Spider plants prefer an environment with a bit more humidity but will also do well in a low humidity environment. |
| Temperature | It prefers room temperature, between 60–80°F during the day and above 55°F during the night. |
| Toxicity | The ASPCA lists Spider plants as non-toxic for both cats and dogs. |
| Food | Any all-purpose, complete, water-soluble, or granular time-release fertilizer that’s suitable for indoor plants. Feed your Spider plant twice a month in the spring and summer. Avoid over-fertilization since it can lead to brown leaf tips. Make sure the soil is damp before applying fertilizer. |
| Pests and Problems | The Spider plant is prone to common pests, such as aphids, scales, spider mites, and whiteflies. Also, too much or too little water and root rot. |
| Omysa Plant Care Tip | A sign that your Spider plant is thirsty if the vibrant green stripes are starting to fade. Give it a good soak, and it will slowly come back to life! |
CREDIT: AMAZON UK
Spider Plant Care Tips
Caring for your Spider plant is easy. Similar to Pothos, it can tolerate a wide range of conditions, but if you want it to live for a very long time, follow our guide on how to care for your Spider plant, from sunlight requirement to common problems and its solutions.
Sunlight
First, on our list on how to care for your Spider plant is to provide it with bright, moderate, indirect sunlight. However, it can thrive under different types of light conditions. Avoid placing it under direct sunlight as it will burn the leaves.
Common Problem: If the leaves of your Spider plant are wilting, this could mean that it’s getting too much sun.
Solution: Place your Spider plant near a sunny window or a semi-shady spot in a steamy bathroom. It will also tolerate lower light conditions but avoid direct sunlight.
Water
Next on our list on how to care for your Spider plant is to water it when the top inch of the soil is dry. Usually, once a week is enough. Plus, it depends on the type of light your Spider plant is receiving. It’s important to keep the soil moist, but avoid overwatering it since it can lead to root rot.
Common Problem: If the leaves of your Spider plant are turning black or dark brown, it could be from too much water. However, if the color of the leaves is starting to fade, it means that the soil is completely dry, and there isn’t enough moisture.
Solution: One of the most common mistakes of beginners or new plant parents is giving the plant too much water. Your Spider plant should only be watered once a week. Keep the soil moist but not soggy.
Your Spider plant can be sensitive to salts in tap water, so it’s best to use distilled water or a water filtration system. However, if this is not possible, leave the water in an open container overnight.
Humidity & Temperature
Adding to our list on how to care for your Spider plant is to put it in a room with a bit more humidity. However, it can also thrive in average home humidity or a low humidity environment. In case you want to increase the humidity, we suggest that you mist it often, place it near a humidifier, or use a pebble tray.
Your Jade plant prefers room temperature, between 60–80°F during the day and above 55°F during the night.
Toxicity
The ASPCA lists Spider plants as non-toxic for both cats and dogs. However, keep your cat away from the plant because cats are more likely to eat the plant, which can lead to diarrhea, upset stomach, and vomiting.
Food
Another on our list on how to care for your Spider plant is to feed it with any all-purpose, complete, water-soluble, or granular time-release fertilizer suitable for indoor plants. Feed your Spider plant twice a month in the spring and summer. Do not feed in the autumn or winter because this is when plant growth naturally slows. Avoid over-fertilization since it can lead to brown leaf tips. Make sure the soil is damp before applying fertilizer.
It’s important to follow the prescribed amount of fertilizer and schedule to avoid fertilizer burn or plant burn.
Pests & Other Problems
The Spider plant is prone to common pests, such as aphids, scales, spider mites, and whiteflies. Eliminate these pests by cleaning your plant regularly with neem oil and water. Also, your Spider plant can die from root rot caused by soil that doesn’t drain properly or from too much watering.
That’s a wrap on how to care for your Spider plant. If you’re a beginner or new plant parent, we highly recommend the Spider plant because it’s low maintenance, and it can survive all types of neglect. It’s also a great gift for your family and friends.
Grow your plant knowledge. Check out our Plant Care blog to learn more about different houseplants and tips on how to keep your plants alive and healthy.
