Spider Plant
Cheerful, nearly indestructible, and endlessly generous with offspring, the spider plant is the gateway plant that turns casual owners into devoted gardeners.
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The Plant That Never Stops Giving
Spider plants earned their name from the cascading baby plantlets - called spiderettes - that dangle from long arching runners, mimicking a spider suspended on a web. Native to tropical and southern Africa, they've been a fixture in homes and offices since the Victorian era, and for good reason: they tolerate neglect with remarkable grace.
Few houseplants offer such immediate visual reward with so little effort. The variegated varieties - with creamy white or yellow stripes running down each arching leaf - brighten dim corners, while the all-green species form remains lush and bold. Mature plants in hanging baskets can produce dozens of spiderettes in a single season.
Planting & care
Plant in well-draining potting mix in a container with drainage holes. Spider plants prefer bright indirect light but adapt to moderate or even fluorescent lighting. They do best between 60-80 degrees F and should be kept away from cold drafts and heating vents. Repot every 1-2 years when fleshy roots begin pushing out of the drainage holes.
Water thoroughly, then let the top half of the soil dry out before watering again. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows. Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season (spring through summer). Avoid fluoridated tap water if possible - brown leaf tips are often a sign of fluoride sensitivity; use filtered or rainwater instead.
Brown Tips Are a Message, Not a Crisis
Those crispy brown leaf tips are the spider plant's most common cosmetic complaint, and they're almost never fatal. The usual culprits are fluoride or chlorine in tap water, low humidity, or inconsistent watering. Trim the brown tips with clean scissors at a slight angle to restore a tidy look, then switch to filtered water and mist occasionally - your plant will thank you.
How much sun does Spider Plant need?
Spider Plant grows best in bright indirect light.
How often should you water Spider Plant?
Give it about every 1-2 weeks, allowing soil to dry halfway between waterings.