For daily wit & wisdom, get the Almanac newsletter.

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

More Like This

Comments

<span>Maddie</span> Tue, 10/18/2016 - 16:58
I'M REALLY WORRIED ABOUT MY SPIDER PLANTS. THEY WHERE DOING REALLY GOOD. BUT NOW THAT ITS FALL IN INDIANAPOLIS,INDIANA IM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THEM. THEY WHERE DARK GREEN EVEN MY BABIES WHERE BUT NOW ALL THE BABYS ARE TURNING A PALE GREEN. I HAVE THEM IN FRONT OF MY PICTURE WINDOW I WATER THEM TWO TO THREE TIMES A WEEK WHEN THE DIRT FEELS LIKE ITS STARTING TO GET DRY. I FEED THEM EVER THREE MONTHS WITH MIRACLE GRI SHAKE AND FEED ALL PURPOSE FLOWER FOOD LIKE IT TELLS ME TO. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS OR TELL ME WHAT IM DOING WTONG OR WHAT I NEED TO DO TO GET THEM BACK TO LOOKING HEALTHY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HELP.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 10/20/2016 - 16:08

It sounds like the main problem is that you are overwatering them. Two to three times a week is too much water. The best method for watering any house plant is to give them a good soaking, then let them dry out (not just the top of the soil but down deep). As soon as they have dried out, give them another good soaking....and so on.

 <span>Steph</span> Fri, 10/14/2016 - 15:01
Can I water the plant from the bottom tray would it absorb water? Seems, to have leaves die off, but new growth is coming in.
<span>Steven Hartley</span> Thu, 09/22/2016 - 09:14
had beautiful spider all spring and summer long - then after summer fertilizing and watering - now my spider plant has turned black in the lower sections of the leaves - and looks like rot - ws it over watering, direct sun light, or fertiliing that did this? and will it come back?
<span>Steven Hartley</span> Thu, 09/22/2016 - 10:01
The plant is in the same window it has alway been in - but I think with the sun lowering in the south as winter approaches - it may be getting direct sunlight for the first time - I have moved it to another window. Still need to know if anyone knows what is the actual cause for this so I can avoid it in the future.... Too strong of fertilizer? Overwatering? Underwatering? Direct Sunlight? Something else?
<span>Robin</span> Wed, 08/24/2016 - 17:14
What is the best type of pot to transplant "babies". I tried a clay pot, but the plant died fast. Is it the pot or they way I started it? I'm getting more babies from my sister and I don't want to kill them!
<span>Steven Hartley</span> Thu, 09/22/2016 - 09:29
Did you toss the babies into wet soil and say good luck? or did you place them in a small saucer of water for a few weeks? I have found babies always do better if you take the time to root them first.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 08/24/2016 - 17:36

The best pot is one that has drainage holes and fresh, pasteurized potting soil. In terms of material, we're not so picky. Terra cotta is a popular choice because it's a more porous material.

 <span>Melissa</span> Mon, 08/08/2016 - 14:46
I recently transplanted my spider plant into a bigger pot. It was thriving before but now it seems to be slowly dieing. Idk what I did wrong. The pot I put it in is about 4 times the size of the old pot. Did I transfer my plant into a pot that's to big? I got my spider plant from a friend who gave me a little piece of his plant n I've only had it for a few months. It was doing great but since I've switched pots, it's not doing very well. Did I use to big of a pot or do these plants take a little time from the shock of the transplant to start thriving again? Im a first time transplanter n worried I did it wrong, please help!
<span>Steven Hartley</span> Thu, 09/22/2016 - 09:23
was your potting soil the chipped bark and mulch variety - or fill dirt mixed in? When I transplant i do so by the dark of the moon - it helps roots for some reason - I then lay down a couple of paper towels in the bottom of the pot, then a layer of pea gravel - then a layer of sand - this allows for proper drainage away from the roots and avoids root rot - even with over watering. I then mix my potting soil with fill dirt - this provides vitamins as the mulch degrades and support for the roots. I use huge pots and never have an issue with plants not liking it - after all the Earth is the largest pot of them all - and they grow in the wild. I then place a large drainage pan under the pot to allow the water to flow through and drain away all of the excess. - good luck