Spider Plant
Spider Plant, Airplane Plant, Ribbon Plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Light Level: Medium
Water Level: Medium
When cared for properly, spider plants last a very long time. New plants can be created from the hanging plantlets.
Country of Origin
South Africa
Maintenance Tips
Plants have low fertilizer requirements and benefit more from granular controlled release fertilizers rather than regular applications of liquid fertilizers.
When light levels are too low, the foliage droops severely and very little growth occurs. In high light, bleaching of foliage and tip burn may occur. Variegated varieties produce more runners during the short days of winter. Solid green varieties create more runners during the longer days of summer.
Pests and Problems
Mealybugs, scale and snails.
Leaf spot, root rot, and bacterial leaf spot diseases can be avoided by not overwatering these plants.
Tip burn may be caused by an accumulation of fluoride, boron, or sodium in the growing media. Tip burn may also be caused by high temperatures, especially over 90 degrees.
Drooping occurs when plant is exposed to ethylene, which might be a result of root rot.
For more care information visit our comprehensive Indoor Gardening Guide.