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An illustration of a green spider plant with long, slender leaves drawn on a green background.

Spider Plant

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Chlorophytum comosum

KNOWN AS: Airplane Plant, St. Bernard's Lily, Spider Ivy, Ribbon Plant

CLIMATE (LOCATION): Southern Africa | Tropical & Subtropical

DESCRIPTION: The Spider Plant is a classic. They are easy to care for and they can produce little mini spider plants that can be used to propagate new plants.

Easy difficulty & pet safe

Spider Plant Plant Care

Lighting

Light Requirement: High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Spider plants thrive in bright, indirect light. Place your spider plant near an east or west-facing window for bright, filtered light, without direct sun that may burn its leaves. If needed, LED grow light can be used to emulate sunlight. To prevent your spider plant from leaning towards the light source, regularly rotate the pot. Rotating the plant ensures balanced growth and prevents one side from receiving excessive light, which can lead to uneven foliage development.

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White Soltech Aspect Gen 2 Hanging over Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant with a Teal background.
White Soltech Aspect Gen 2 Hanging over Fiddle Leaf Fig Plant with a Teal background.
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A Black Soltech Grove positioned on a table with a plant in the background, illustrating the product's use for indoor plants.
A Black Soltech Grove positioned on a table with a plant in the background, illustrating the product's use for indoor plants.
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Watering

Quick Tip: Water until water comes out of drainage holes. Allow soil to completely dry between waterings. This plant prefers distilled water.

Spider plants are easy to take care of indoor plants that are known to clean the air. When you water a plant, it's important to find a balance between not giving it too much or too little water. When you water too much, the roots can rot, and when you water too little, the leaves can wilt and turn yellow. The best way to take care of a plant is to give it a lot of water once the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Pour water evenly over the soil until it runs out of the bottom of the pot. It's important not to let the plant sit in water for too long because that can lead to root rot. Spider plants like soil that is just a little bit damp, so let the top inch of soil dry out before you water it again. Spider plants also do better when they are misted every so often to increase humidity. This is especially important in dry environments or during the winter, when indoor heating can dry out the air.

Temperature

Preferred Temperature: 60º - 75º

Spider plants are hardy houseplants that can handle a wide range of temperatures, but they do best in moderate to warm rooms. Spider plants do best in temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 24 degrees Celsius). They can live in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius), but cold drafts should be kept away from them. Spider plants also like to have a consistent level of humidity, which can be done by misting the plant often or putting a tray of water near it. Overall, spider plants are easy to care for and can grow in a wide range of indoor settings.

Humidity

Preferred Humidity: 40 - 60%; Moderate Humidity

Spider plants are known for being easy to take care of and tough, but keeping the right level of humidity is still important for their health and growth. Spider plants do best in places with 40% to 60% humidity, which makes them a great choice for indoor spaces. If the air in your house is dry, you can use a humidifier to make the air around your plant more moist. You can also group your spider plant with other plants to make a microclimate with more moisture. You can also make the air around your spider plant more humid by misting its leaves often. Make sure to use water at room temperature and not to mist in the evening, as this can help mold grow. Putting a shallow tray of water near your spider plant is another way to make the air around it more humid. As the water dries up, it will make the air around your plant more humid.

Additional Plant Care

Propagation
Spider plants can be grown from plantlets, divisions, or seeds, among other ways. Plantlets, which are small shoots that grow on long stems that grow from the base of the mother plant, are the most common way. When the plantlets have roots, you can take them out and put them in their own pot. Another way to get more plants is to divide the mother plant into smaller pieces and plant each piece on its own. Spider plants can also be grown from seeds, but this is less common because it takes a lot of time and work. The seeds can be taken from the plant's flowers and planted in a pot with soil that drains well. It may take a few months for the seeds to germinate and grow into a plant that can survive on its own.
Toxicity
Spider plants are generally considered to be non-toxic to humans and pets, and are safe to have in households. Accidental ingestion or contact with the plant is unlikely to cause significant harm since they are not known to contain any toxic compounds. It is important to note, however, that individual sensitivities or allergies can vary. Some individuals or animals may still experience mild gastrointestinal discomfort or allergic reactions if they come into contact with the plant. In such cases, it's best to avoid contact with the plant or consult a medical professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Repotting
Spider plants are easy to take care of. They only need to be moved to a new pot about once every two years. To avoid overpotting, when repotting, choose a pot that is just a little bit bigger than the last one. Start by gently taking the plant out of its current pot and separating any roots that are tangled. Check the roots for signs of rot or damage, and if you find any, prune them as needed. Fill the bottom of the new pot with fresh potting soil and put the plant in the middle, making sure it's at the same depth as before. Fill in the space around the roots with more potting soil and gently press it down. After repotting the plant, give it a lot of water and keep it out of direct sunlight for a few days so it can get over the stress of being moved.
Pruning
Spider plants require very little trimming and are generally low maintenance. However, routine trimming can keep them in good shape and encourage stronger growth. Focus on removing any yellowed, damaged, or dead leaves while pruning spider plants. Cut the leaf stalk as close to the root as you can without harming the surrounding foliage using clean, sharp pruning shears. Additionally, you can cut any long, rambunctious stems to promote a fuller, more compact appearance. Spider plants frequently generate "spiderettes" or offshoots that can be left to grow or cut off for further development. If desired, use a clean blade to delicately clip these spiderettes from the parent plant and replant them in different pots to create more spider plants. Check the plant frequently for any indications of pests or illnesses, and instantly remove any diseased stems or leaves. Your indoor spider plant will flourish and continue to enhance your environment with the right pruning and maintenance.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing spider plants occasionally can help them grow healthy roots and bright leaves. The best time to fertilize spider plants is when they are growing, usually from spring to summer. Spider plants do well with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer that has equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. You can water down the fertilizer until it is half as strong and use it once every two to four weeks. Make sure to give the plant a lot of water before you put fertilizer on it to keep the roots from getting burned. Don't fertilize too much, because that can cause salt to build up and hurt the plant. Also, you should flush the soil with plain water every few months to get rid of any salts that have built up.
Soil
Spider plants do best in soil that drains well and has a lot of organic matter. Peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite are mixed together to make the best soil for spider plants. These parts will let enough water drain out, but they will still hold onto enough water to keep the plant moist. Heavy soils that hold too much water and cause root rot should be avoided. Spider plants can also benefit from being fertilized every so often with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to make sure they get all the nutrients they need to grow.

Hanging Heights

Spider Plant Lighting Requirements: High Light (Bright Indirect Light); Low Light Tolerant

Chart showing recommended hanging heights for Soltech Aspect and popular plants for each range.

Aspect Hanging Heights - Spider Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation -

24" to 36"

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VIEW ASPECT GROW GUIDE

Vita Hanging Heights - Spider Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Vita : 24" to 36"

60º Wide Beam Vita : 12" to 24"

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VIEW VITA GROW GUIDE

Highland Hanging Heights - Spider Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation -

36º Narrow Beam Highland : 30" to 42"

60º Wide Beam Highland : 18" to 30"

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VIEW HIGHLAND GROW GUIDE

Grove Hanging Heights - Spider Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 1" to 24"

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VIEW GROVE GROW GUIDE

Lighting guide for plants with Soltech Aura and potted plants on a neutral background

Aura Light Distances - Spider Plant

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Soltech's Recommendation:

  • 8" to 18"

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VIEW AURA GROW GUIDE

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