Plants
Spider Plant
Chlorophytum comosum · Asparagaceae (Spargelgewächse)
The spider plant is the easygoing long-runner among houseplants: undemanding, fast-growing and, with its arching white-and-green striped leaves, a rewarding eye-catcher for a shelf, hanging basket or windowsill. We pick sturdy, well-rooted specimens with a dense crown of leaves - so the plant easily shrugs off the odd care mistake. Ideal for anyone still new to plants.
- Light
- Bright to semi-shaded, without harsh midday sun. Tolerates low-light spots too, but shows its best striping in bright positions with indirect light.
- Watering
- Water regularly during the growing season and keep the soil slightly moist, more sparingly in winter. Avoid waterlogging; the fleshy roots store water and forgive being forgotten briefly.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Chlorophytum comosum
There are several proven cultivars that differ mainly in leaf marking. The classic Vittatum carries a broad cream-white central stripe, while Variegatum has a white leaf margin. The compact Bonnie surprises with curled, crinkled leaves, whereas Ocean shows wider leaves with a narrow pale edge. All-green forms are a little more robust in shade.
In our florist work we value the spider plant as a low-maintenance gift and decorative plant and as a green base in planted bowls and baskets. Its arching runners with little daughter plants give arrangements lightness and movement without ever looking heavy. It also performs well in hydroculture and in hanging baskets.
You can recognise quality by a dense, firm crown of leaves without brown tips, by healthy white roots and by strong striping. We check our plants for pests and root development before they leave the shop - a well-established spider plant then almost grows by itself and forms its first plantlets after a short time.
Stylistically the spider plant suits almost any setting: from minimalist Scandinavian interiors to the lush urban-jungle shelf to the office. In a plain pot with a simple cover pot it looks modern and calm, while in a hanging basket it reveals its full charm. Combined with other easy foliage plants it quickly creates a lively, relaxed group of plants.
Care
- 01Bright to semi-shaded spot, away from harsh midday sun - too much direct sun bleaches the leaves and causes brown tips.
- 02Water regularly during the growing season and keep the soil slightly moist; water less in winter. Always avoid waterlogging, so use a pot with a drainage hole.
- 03Feed with a little foliage-plant fertiliser roughly every two to four weeks from spring to autumn.
- 04Brown leaf tips usually come from dry air or hard, chalky water - water occasionally with rainwater or stale tap water and simply trim them off.
- 05Daughter plants (plantlets) root very easily in water and can be potted up individually - one plant quickly becomes a whole supply to give away.
- 06Temperatures between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius are ideal; it should not drop below 10 degrees.
Frequently asked
- Is the spider plant toxic to cats and dogs?
- No, according to the ASPCA the spider plant is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs, making it one of the safest houseplants for homes with pets or children. Cats do like to nibble it because they find it appealing, and large amounts can then cause mild stomach upset. It is best placed where it does not constantly serve as a snack.
- Why does my spider plant get brown leaf tips?
- Brown tips are usually harmless and result from dry indoor air, hard tap water or occasional drought. Water more evenly, use soft water where possible and simply trim the brown tips off - the plant keeps growing undeterred.
- How do I propagate the spider plant?
- Very easily via the plantlets: small daughter plants with their own root buds form on the long runners. Cut these off, place them in a glass of water for one to two weeks until roots appear, then pot them up individually in soil. This quickly gives you new plants to give away or share.
- Is the spider plant available all year round?
- Yes, as a classic houseplant the spider plant is available all year round. When buying we look for sturdy, well-rooted specimens with a dense crown of leaves so the plant keeps growing healthily from the start.