Spider Plant

How to grow spider plant

Light

Bright to medium, indirect light keeps the stripes crisp. Direct sun scorches the leaves, and deep shade reduces the number of plantlets.

Watering

Water when the top inch (2.5 cm) of mix is dry. The thick, fleshy roots store water, so the plant tolerates an occasional missed watering.

Soil and feeding

Any free-draining potting mix is suitable. Feed monthly in spring and summer. Too much fertilizer causes brown tips.

Pruning and upkeep

Snip off brown tips with clean scissors, following the shape of the leaf. Repot when roots push the plant up out of its pot.

Propagation

Pin a plantlet onto a small pot of moist mix while it is still attached to the parent. Cut the stem once it has rooted, after two to three weeks. Plantlets also root readily in water.

Common problems

Brown leaf tips

Fluoride or salts in tap water, or too much fertilizer. Use rainwater or filtered water and flush the pot every few months.

Pale, washed-out leaves

Too much direct sun. Move the plant back from the window.

No baby plants

The plant is young, too shaded or in an oversized pot. Spider plants produce more plantlets when slightly root-bound.

Questions about spider plant

Are spider plants safe for cats?

Yes. Spider plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs. A cat that eats a lot of leaves may vomit, so hang the plant out of reach if yours is a chewer.

Why are the tips of my spider plant brown?

The most common cause is fluoride and mineral salts in tap water. Dry soil and excess fertilizer do the same. Trim the tips and switch to filtered or rain water.

Plant details

• Good for beginners
• Grows in containers
• Pet-safe