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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

<span>Kay Brenner</span> Wed, 08/28/2019 - 21:27
I am not able to get a photo transferred over. I’m not sure what to do. Any suggestions? Thanks, Kay
<span>Jesper Sandberg</span> Thu, 08/15/2019 - 08:26
I wonder if anyone has ever tried this or would care to try and predict the outcome...?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 08/20/2019 - 15:02

Spider plants can be grown with their roots in water—in fact, spider plant pups root quite well if started in water. However, if the plants are fully submerged, they usually end up rotting after a while. You're better off getting a true aquatic plant for your aquarium!

 <span>Tina</span> Thu, 06/27/2019 - 13:01
I got a super small spider plant in December and 7 months later it looks 4x bigger! I repotted it once because it looked and felt droopy and roots were peeking out drainage holes. 3 months later, the plant is MASSIVE and more roots are starting to poke out again! I think the pot is quite big and I’ve read the plant doesn’t need that much repotting... is this normal or do I have to repot again? Thank you!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/01/2019 - 14:56

That is normal. Spider plants are content being pot bound—in fact, it may encourage them to flower and produce pups! If you want, you could remove it from its pot, trim off the roots that are starting to poke out and place it back in the same pot with some fresh soil. Or, simply leave it be.

 <span>Stephanie Fischer</span> Mon, 04/29/2019 - 17:11
My original spider plant has to be a great, x 10 or more grandma by now. Unfortunately I had to leave it behind when I moved but took some pieces to replant. During the last couple years, it grew, had a few pups then was somehow traumatized & went down to almost nothing. Very attached & determined, I kept the faith & it eventually became as pretty as ever. Now, however the leaves bend & crease & there have not been any pups since. I have taken good care of this (my favorite) plant for 30yrs or more & have gifted many pups. What's wrong?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Fri, 05/31/2019 - 12:40

As the other commenter said, you could try repotting in fresh soil, or you could try giving the plant a weak fertilizer. Spider plants can be sensitive to too much salt (nutrients) in their water, so use a diluted solution.

 <span>Donnis Mack</span> Fri, 05/10/2019 - 10:18
Report in good fast draining soil.
<span>Polly</span> Fri, 04/19/2019 - 14:16
My spider plant is quite healthy, started from 6 pups from a neighbors plant about 7-8 months ago. I don't rotate it (since space is an issue) so all of the leaves are growing towards the light. Is this a bad thing or a non issue? Have never had a spider plant before so just wondering. Also, will this affect the plant from growing pups or flowers?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 04/23/2019 - 12:32

It's only an issue if you don't like the look of a lopsided or leaning plant. Just be sure not to let it lean so far to one side that it tips its pot over! Leaning won't affect flowering or pups, as long as the plant is getting enough light.