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!
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.
Home Garden Plants Flowers
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...
Plants & Flowers
Flowers and Plants Delivered
Beautiful plants and flowers, delivery where you need them to go. Commission may be earned on sales made through this link.
Best Spring Flowers Home Garden
Wonder what types of flowers to plant in Spring? Here are some ideas for flowering plants for your garden, yard, patio, or deck.
151 Common Flowers Pictures & Care
List of 151 most common flower types in the U.S. with pictures and information on how much sun your flower will need.
Easy House Plants
Sansevieria Plant
Sansevieria plant does not need much care. A great indoor plant for anyone. Will do best in very bright light, even some morning sun. More on Sansevieria care.
Peace Lily Plant
Peace Lily is an easy houseplant to grow but will wilt quickly if let to dry too much. Will produce white spathes if light is adequate. Peace Lily plant has white flowers.
Pothos Plant
Pothos is a popular house plant and will trail over the edge of the pot or climb a trellis or pole. Medium to bright light is best. Easy care house plant.
Aglaonema Plants
Aglaonema house plants are great for the home or office. Can be used as a table plant or floor plant, depending on the size. Easy to grow indoors.
Bromeliad Plant
Bromeliad plants make the list, Guzmania and Aechmea bromeliads in particular. Use bromeliad for a spot where you want to add some lasting color.
Hoya Houseplant
Hoya is a vining type of plant. Great for use as a table or shelf plant or display as a hanging plant. All green or variegated, fragrant flowers.
Plants Flowers Pots
Bonsai Trees Plants
A bonsai tree or plant for indoors or outdoors makes a great gift for any gardener. Treat that special person, or yourself, to a beautiful bonsai. May earn commission. Bonsai Boy of New York.
Citrus Trees Plants
Pomegranate trees, avacado plants, guava, and more. Find fruit and citrus trees for your growing zone. Grow in ground or in containers. May earn commission on sales. Browse trees and plants.
Planter Pots
See something you like for your home? Ads help to keep my house plant care website up and running. May earn commission on sales. Thanks for your support and thanks for visiting!
Home Gardening
How To Grow Cantaloupe & Honeydew Melons
How to grow cantaloupe and honeydew melons. Planting, care, watering, light and more for great tasting melons right from your garden.
How To Grow Blueberries in Your Home Garden
How to grow blueberries. Grow your own blueberries for a delicious harvest from your own backyard garden, year after year.
How To Grow Blackberries in Pots or Beds
How to have a bountiful harvest of delicious blackberries. Planting, care, watering, light, and more for growing blackberries in beds or containers.
How To Grow Strawberries
How to grow strawberries. Choosing, planting, care, watering, light and more for the strawberry plants in your home garden.
Cold Weather Plants
Home & Garden
Cold weather plants. Evergreen, semi-tropical plants, and colorful succulents, take a look at these suggestions to find the right exterior plant for cold weather for your home garden.
Home Gardening
Tomatoes
One of the plants home gardeners often grow is tomatoes. Learn about choosing, planting, care, watering, light and more for the tomatoes in your home garden.
Bromeliad House Plants
Aechmea
Aechmea fasciata bromeliad plant. The Aechmea fasciata and primera are the Aechmea bromeliads most often used as house plant. Pink flower.
Neoregelia
Neoregelia bromeliads are often used for the different colored foliage. Usually shorter than other bromeliads with much less obvious flowers.
Guzmania
Guzmania bromeliad plants. The foliage is much the same but flower color can be nearly white, yellow, orange, red, purple and more.
Social Media Pages
Plants Flowers
Twitter
Tweets by plantcare2
PFI Facebook Page
Home and Garden
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.
Common House Plants Flowers Care Guide
Indoor Plants Pictures Names ⚘ Best Indoor Plants ⚘ Adiantum Fern Care ⚘ Aechmea Bromeliad Plant ⚘ Aglaonema Plant Care ⚘ Aglaonema Maria Plant Care ⚘ Aglaonema Silver Queen Plant Care ⚘ Aglaonema Silver Bay Plant Care ⚘ Anthurium Plants ⚘ Aphelandra Plant ⚘ Arboricola Plant Care ⚘ Aspidistra Plant Care ⚘ Asplenium Nidus Plant Care ⚘ Basic Houseplant Care ⚘ Birds Nest Ferns Plant Care ⚘ Boston Ferns Plant Care ⚘ Botanical Calendars ⚘ Bromeliad Plants ⚘ Build A Greenhouse ⚘ Buy Greenhouse ⚘ Buy House Plants ⚘ Cast Iron Plant ⚘ Chinese Evergreen Plant Care ⚘ Chlorophytum Plant Care ⚘ Codiaeum Houseplant Care ⚘ Corn Plant Care ⚘ Croton Plant Care ⚘ Devil's Ivy Plants & Care ⚘ Dieffenbachia Plant Care ⚘ Dracaena House Plant Care ⚘ Dracaena Janet Craig Plant Care ⚘ Dracaena Marginata Plant Care ⚘ Dracaena Warneckii Plant Care ⚘ Dumb Cane Plant ⚘ English Ivy Hedera ⚘ Ferns Plant Care ⚘ Ficus Trees Plants ⚘ Fittonia Plant Care ⚘ Flower Calendars ⚘ Heart Leaf Philodendron ⚘ Hedera English Ivy ⚘ How to Care for Marble Queen Pothos ⚘ Hoya House Plants ⚘ Lady Palm Plant ⚘ Lucky Bamboo House Plant Care ⚘ Maidenhair Ferns ⚘ Marble Queen Pothos ⚘ Marginata ⚘ Money Tree Plant Care ⚘ Mother In Law Tongue Plant Care ⚘ Nephthytis ⚘ Norfolk Island Pine ⚘ Orchid Flowers ⚘ Palm Plants ⚘ Peace Lily Care ⚘ Philodendron Cordatum ⚘ Philodendron Silver Care ⚘ Plant Calendars ⚘ Poinsettia Plant Flower Care ⚘ Pothos Plant Care ⚘ Rhapis Palm Plant Care ⚘ Sansevieria Plant Care ⚘ Schefflera Plant Care ⚘ Self-Watering Planters ⚘ Care of Silver Bay Plant ⚘ Snake Plant Care ⚘ Spathiphyllum Care ⚘ Spider Plant Care ⚘ Care of Syngonium Plant ⚘ Succulent Plant Care ⚘ Warneckii Plant Care ⚘ Weeping Fig Tree ⚘ Zebra Plant ⚘ ZZ Plant House Plant Care ⚘ Plant Links
Other Plant Flower Links
Best Indoor Plants ⚘ Indoor House Plants Pictures Names ⚘ Water Indoor Plants ⚘ Lighting Indoor Plants ⚘ Bonsai Plants ⚘ Common House Plants ⚘ Indoor Palm Plant Care ⚘ Orchids ⚘ Pets & Plants ⚘ Buy Tropical Orchids Orchid Care ⚘ Plant Flower Gifts ⚘ Buy Plants Flowers ⚘ House Plant Guide ⚘ How To Books ⚘ Flowers Plants Poster Prints ⚘ Orchid Art & Posters ⚘ Gardening Calendars ⚘ Greenhouse Books-Gardening