Melinda Myers

Spider Plant

Botanical Name

Chlorophytum comosum

Hardiness

Zones 9 to 11

Height

2 to 3 feet

Width

24 to 30 inches

Flowers

Loose panicle of white flowers

Light

Bright indirect light

Soil

Moist, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Keep soil slightly moist to avoid brown tips (caused by fluoride and chlorine in tap water)
• Fertilize with a dilute houseplant fertilizer during active growth
• Avoid exposure to drafts during the winter
• Divide tuberous roots and repot to avoid expanding growth from cracking the container
• Offshoots can be potted to start new plants
• Do not fertilize newly potted plants for at least 4-6 months

Problems

Root rot in poorly drained potting mixes, brown tips with low humidity or too dry soil, mites, scale, whiteflies, aphids

Varieties

• Variegatum - leaves have white margins, many offshoots
• Vittatum - white strip down center of leaves
• Mandaianum - dwarf spider plant, foliage 4-6 inches in length, dark green with yellow stripe
• Zebra Grass - green leaves with white margin
• Picturatum - leaves have central yellow stripe
• Milky Way - cream leaves edged in green
• Hawaiian Spider - variagation on new leaves that fades with age
• Variegated Bonnie - curly green leaves with cream stripes
• Bonnie - curly green leaves