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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>Michelle</span> Tue, 08/21/2018 - 12:20
I have had my solid green Spider Plant since I am 20 when I moved from my parents house. I am 50 now and still have this plant. I have always clipped off the "pups" and re-rooted them in water. I have some growing in just water and the original plant in a large glass bowl with soil. when the one with soil dries i just fill with water. It is huge and gorgeous! Today (8-21-18) I cut some more "pups" and was just going to add to another fresh bowl to create another plant. I am thinking after reading the "how to care" section that I will use soil and see if they grow even better. I can't let anything happen to this plant as I received it from my Mom all those years ago from clippings from her plant. (I lost my mom in April 2017). Wish me luck!
<span>Carrie</span> Thu, 04/18/2019 - 09:15
I have some English Ivy that my mother gave me for my wedding bouquet, and I have maintained it all these years (1987). My daughter will be married next May and I plan on using some of it in hers as well. A great tradition for anybody looking for "something borrowed" or "something old".
<span>Janey</span> Mon, 04/15/2019 - 03:00
What a lovely story!!! It sounds as though you are a wonderful "Mother" to your plant, and I heartily wish you the very best of luck!!! You have made me smile.
<span>Bill</span> Tue, 10/16/2018 - 05:26
Good luck Michelle!
<span>Donnis Mack</span> Fri, 05/10/2019 - 10:27
I've found plants do better in good soil. It's their natural medium for growing. This is particularly true of spider plants. Plant in soil and feed Osmocote Slow Release Granules. In a few months you'll be amazed.
<span>Sallie</span> Wed, 07/11/2018 - 11:51
What are and what causes the brown discs/spots?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 07/25/2018 - 10:59

Take your finger and scrape at the brown spot. If it doesn't come off, it's probably due to one of the following: too much water, too much fertilizer, or too much sun. 

If it does come off, then you are likely dealing with scale, an insect pest. You should scrape off all of the ones you can see, then create a solution of 1 part rubbing alcohol and 1 part water. Use a cotton swab to wipe down the areas where the pests were. Check the plant several times a week to see if more scale appear and repeat the treatment process.

 <span>Cynthia Bowman</span> Tue, 05/28/2019 - 13:23
There are Brown Spots on tips of my spider plant .Can i cut them off or use my fingers to rip off?
<span>Debbie Webber</span> Mon, 06/25/2018 - 11:01
Hi, I've been growing my spider plant for years and have repotted a few times. It has been doing well until the other day when I went to water it. There was water sitting on top of the soil from its last watering a week or so ago and the leaves were drooping. I've never had this type of problem with my plants so I put more soil on top, which it probably needed anyway, and did not put any more water in it. It's been almost a week and I felt the soil, which is still wet. Is it just being dormant for awhile?
<span>Carman</span> Mon, 07/23/2018 - 14:52
Sounds like it may need to be repotted into some dry soil. You overwatered. But when you replant make sure you break up the root ball a little bit.