Plant Care Spider Plant

     

Care of Spider Plant
House Plants Flowers

Caring for an indoor container garden that was in dire need of a makeover, I had to make a decision on what plant would grow well and also look great. It was a big indoor atrium with large Ficus trees and towering Norfolk Island Pines and there were some low containers that needed plants that would fill out but not up. Wanting to add some contrast to the all-green foliage in the atrium and minimize the stark container lines, variegated Spider Plants fit the role perfectly!

Spider Plant Care | House Plants Flowers

That interior landscape account was, at the time, being used to film some of the indoor scenes in the Showtime series, Homeland. If you ever watch the show, keep an eye out and you may catch a glimpse of those Spider Plants, Ficus and Norfolk Island Pines!

One of the first times that I had to care for Spider Plants was in the 1980's. Just starting in the indoor plant care industry, one of my daily routes began at Il Pescatore Restaurant in Jack London Square, Oakland, California.

The most memorable thing about this account, other than the beautiful harbor view, was the many Spider Plants they had hanging over the bar counter. Since restaurants always have to be cared for early, as they generally open around 11 AM to start serving lunch, you could find me, once a week, standing on a bar in the early morning, watering lots of Spider Plants.

That was quite some time ago, and although Spider Plants are still very popular as houseplants, they are not seen as often as they used to be in commercial indoor plant design. Enough of the stories now, on with the plant care!

Although not used as frequently in the interior landscape industry as it used to be, the Spider Plant, or Chlorophytum comosum, is still a very popular house plant. This is mainly because it is one of the more tolerant and easy to grow indoor plants.

In my humble opinion, one of the best things about Spider Plants is the grass-like appearance that you don't see in many other indoor house plants. It is quite an attractive houseplant, available with all-green foliage or variegated foliage.

Spider Plant Care Question?

Spider Plant houseplant questions? I would be happy to answer any houseplant questions as I can. Free of charge, no sign-ups required!

Spider Plant house plant questions or problems? You can send a houseplant question but before you do, please finish reading this page and other house plant care information on watering your indoor house plants, how to help keep your houseplant's root system healthy, lighting for your houseplants, and basic houseplant care. These are most important for your house plant's health and this is some of the information I will refer you to if you send an email.

Working in the interior landscape industry, I get a lot of questions from customers about their personal houseplants. It is nice helping them keep their indoor house plants growing and healthy. That is why I started this website, to help others learn how to care for their indoor plants and flowers. So please read on!

Plants Flowers & Pets

Over the years, I have had many animals and plants in the same house and have not had too many problems. I always make my best effort to keep houseplants out of the reach of pets. That can be difficult, especially with cats, as they seem to be able to get just about anywhere they please! Being an animal lover, as many people are, I thought it would be helpful to add a link for those with questions about pets and houseplants, as I have received a few emails with questions on the subject. Do not allow pets to eat your indoor houseplants or your outdoor plants. Questions about plants and pet safety?

This is a link to the ASPCA, Animal Poison Control, Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.


Spider Plant Care
How To Water

In bright light, spring through summer, water Spider plants when top of soil has just dried out. In lower light, allow soil to dry down one-half of its depth, before watering. Please check out the information on lighting for your house plants and watering of your indoor house plants. These are most important to the well-being of your indoor house plants.

Spider Plant Care
Other Care Tips

Chlorophytum elatum, or Green Spider Plant, was used in the NASA clean-air study and found to be quite efficient at removing the common chemical, Formaldehyde, from the air. Quite an accomplishment for such a little plant. These test were done with plants in soil, not plants grown in water or hydroponic media. It is believed the microorganisms in the soil contribute to the results.

Spider Plants will adapt to a variety of indoor conditions. It can be grown in shade or partial sun, hot or cool temperatures. Spider plant does not require the high humidity that some house plants prefer.

Average temperatures for Spider Plants should be at a very minimum of 45°F in the winter, too cold for me! Watering should be reduced in fall and winter, allowing your Chlorophytum, or Spider Plant, to dry down three-fourths the depth of the soil before watering.

Lighting for Spider Plants should be bright indirect light and Spider Plants will tolerate some sun. For a nice full plant keep in bright light. Spider Plants can be maintained for awhile in lower light but the plants appearance will suffer.

Spider Plants have a tendency to develop black or dark brown leaf tips, usually on the older, lower foliage. I have found it quite beneficial to make a regular habit of just removing some of the older leaves completely as they start to "tip". This will keep your plant looking better and help promote healthy new growth.


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If you are getting dark tips on new growth, review your watering practices, you may be watering more than the plant requires. Also, Spider Plants are susceptible to soluble salt damage which can occur if you are applying fertilizers too often. This is often seen as dark tipping of leaves.

Bringing home a new houseplant? It is a good idea to quarantine any new plants for a few weeks just to be sure there are not any insects that were not noticed at first. Wash down your new house plant with a mixture of water and mild dish detergent. I like to add a few drops of Eucalyptus essential oil or Orange Essential oil to my houseplant cleaning solution.

Apply to top and lower leaf and stem surfaces of your house plants, being careful not to saturate the soil. You can clean by hand or use a spray bottle to apply your house plant cleaning solution. I use a sponge moistened with my cleaning solution to gently wipe the top and lower leaf surfaces. Cleaning of your houseplants should be a regular part of your houseplant care.

Never apply anything to the foliage of your plant while it is in the sun or when the soil is dry. Water first and move to a shady location. Hope this has been helpful to you as you care for your indoor plants and flowers! More houseplant care information below...

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Houseplant Care Question?

Questions about your indoor house plants or plant care problems? You can send a house plant question, free of charge, no sign ups, registration or log in required!

Before you send a houseplant care question, please be sure to read this information on watering your indoor house plants, how to help keep your your indoor house plants root system healthy and lighting for your indoor house plants and flowers. These are most important for the health of your house plants and this is some of the information I will refer you to if you send an indoor house plant or flower care question.

You can post comments, find answers to plant care questions, or share some of your own plant wisdom on our plant care Facebook Page, Twitter page or visit my plant care blog. You can also find plant pictures, gardening ideas, and more at our plant and flower Pinterest page.

Thanks for visiting and come back soon as houseplant care information, pictures and more are being added all of the time. I hope that your indoor tropical house plants and all of your plants and flowers are happy, green and growing because that is why I started this indoor house plant and flower care website, PlantAndFlowerInfo.com.


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