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Spider Plant Care: How to Grow and Propagate This Easy Houseplant

Chlorophytum comosum aka spider plant, airplane plant, St Bernard lily, spider ivy or ribbon plant in a terracotta pot
Image Credit:
t50/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Chlorophytum comosum
Sun Exposure
Partial Sun
Shade
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Summer
Fall
Flower Color
White
Plant Type
Houseplants
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Looking for a low-maintenance, high-style houseplant? The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is your go-to green buddy. With its ribbon-like leaves and adorable baby “spiderettes” dangling like plant jewelry, this Victorian-era favorite brings a touch of charm to any room, especially when cascading from a hanging basket. 

From watering do’s and don’ts to multiplying your plant family with easy propagation, here’s everything you need to know to keep your spider plant thriving year-round!

During the summer, spider plants may produce tiny white flowers on long stems, as well as baby spider plants (offsets) called pups. The pups look like tiny spiders, hence the plant’s name!

NASA once highlighted spider plants for their reported air-purifying ability, though a large number of plants would be required to reap any benefits in the home. Nonetheless, they are a classic and attractive plant to add to your space, and every little bit helps! Learn more about air-purifying houseplants.

Planting

  • Grow in a soil-based, well-draining potting mix. Spider plants like even moisture; they don’t like to be too dry or too wet.
  • Keep plants in bright to moderate indirect sunlight. Spider plants do not appreciate direct, hot sunlight, which can burn their leaves, causing brown tips and spots.
  • Spider plants grow fairly quickly and can easily become pot-bound. Plan to repot a spider plant about every other year.
  • Spider plants can be grown outdoors as annuals during the summer. They look especially good along the edge of a container or bed, as long as they are kept out of direct sunlight.

Growing

  • During initial growth, water occasionally; once fully developed (within one year), water moderately.
  • In the spring and summer months, keep the soil moist to encourage growth. Do not let the soil dry out too much.
  • Maintain average room temperature and humidity. Spider plants prefer temperatures between 55° and 80°F (13° to 27°C), which makes them a great indoor houseplant.
  • Fertilize twice a month in the spring and summer; however, avoid overfertilization.
  • See more Houseplant Growing Tips.
Spider plant hanging in a window
Photo by Olga Prava/Shutterstock

Harvesting

  • Healthy spider plants may eventually produce pups, offshoots from the adult plant that can be removed and replanted to start new plants. For the best results, allow pups to reach approximately 2 inches in diameter before removing them from the mother plant.

    Alternatively, set the still-attached pups into pots of soil placed next to the mother plant. Once the pups have rooted themselves into the soil, they can be cut loose from the mother plant.

    Learn more about propagating spider plants and other houseplants to share with your friends.

Pests and Problems

  • Spider plants are prone to tip burn, which can be caused by dry soil, low humidity, or a buildup of salt and chemicals found in some public tap water. Keep the soil slightly moist. Avoid watering with fluoridated or chlorinated water, and cut off brown tips if they do occur.
  • To get rid of the brown discs on the leaves, use your fingernail to scrape off the brown residue every few days.
  • Mealybugs and Scale

Types

  • The most common varieties are the variegated forms:
    • ‘Vittatum’ has green foliage with a single off-white stripe down the center of each leaf.
    • ‘Variegatum’ is the inverse of ‘Vittatum’, with an off-white stripe running along the edge of each green leaf.
  • Solid green varieties are also available.

Wit and Wisdom

Houseplant Guides

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 08/07/2017 - 13:35

Hi Tawnya,

Spider plants mature within 1 year, so yours should be a mature plant.

 <span>Cindy Kamm</span> Thu, 07/20/2017 - 11:37
I have my spider plant hanging from the ceiling with a plant light above it but it is over a register where the air conditioning comes out. It has been doing OK but lately with the high temperatures outside, the air conditioner is running more and the babies seem to be turning black. Should I move the plant or what should I do.
<span>Tonya</span> Sun, 07/23/2017 - 22:57
I read somewhere, that Spider Plants should not be placed near a air or heat vent or draft.
<span>Carolyn</span> Sat, 07/08/2017 - 09:00
I've had this plant for a long time But it haven't had babies for a long time. It's a striped in color which is good what can o do to help it have babies?
<span>Kate</span> Mon, 11/13/2017 - 00:09
I was told <> if a spider plant dose not have babys on it, it is called a male spider plant.. But having said that my baby plant got so big it had 3 different thick lengths to it that it looked like a fountain shape. she allso got to heavy and pulled it's self off the ceiling an smashed on the floor. Since we have moved I am not having luck growing one and yes we are on well water.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/10/2017 - 22:00

If your plant is "mature" and is not making babies or offsets that you can plant, consider its growing conditions. Does the plant get lots of light (but not direct light)? Is it living in its optimal temperature (65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit)? Is it moist but not too dry? Does it have good drainage so it doesn't get root rot? Does its drinking water have too many chemicals (fluoride)? Is it tightly planted in its pot because it likes to be root-bound to make babies. Finally, spider plants are heavy feeders. Use a good liquid houseplant food from spring to summer every two weeks to nourish to mama to encourage babies. Hope this helps!

 <span>Kathy</span> Sat, 06/17/2017 - 01:02
When I was young and would go to the store with my Aunt, she couldn't afford to make a purchase, so she would "take cuttings from the plants" in the store. Now, I take a wet paper towel, a rooted cutting, place them in a sealed plastic bag, and take them to the Senior Centers in my town. The Seniors are thrilled to receive them.
<span>Cynthia</span> Thu, 03/30/2017 - 19:05
While I am good at gardening, I'm notoriously inept at houseplants. I have my very first spider plant and want to take good care of it. It looks like it is about to get its first baby. I don't need any more houseplants right now. Is it ok to leave the babies on the mother plants and let them trail down or will this strain the mother plant? Thanks!
<span>Ray</span> Sun, 06/25/2017 - 16:32
Yes you can leave the babies on the mother it will not harm the plant to do so.
<span>Liv</span> Sat, 02/25/2017 - 14:10
I just rescued my grandmas neglected spider plant, and I noticed the roots were somewhat bound above the soil- almost looks like an orchid's air roots. Is it because it's too big for the pot? I plan on re-potting in a larger one but wasn't sure if I needed to take some care with the roots first.