Plant care guide

How to care for Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum (Bonnie, Hawaiian, Reverse/Vittatum types)

Care level: EasyNon-toxic to cats & dogs

Spider plants are cheerful, fast-growing plants with arching striped leaves that send out baby plantlets on long stems, like spiders on silk. They are tough, forgiving, and great for beginners, with the Bonnie type adding playful curly leaves.

Also known as: Spider plant, airplane plant, ribbon plant, spider ivy, Chlorophytum comosum, Bonnie curly spider plant, curly spider plant, Hawaiian spider plant, Golden Glow spider plant, reverse spider plant, reverse variegated spider plant

Just arrived? Your first week at home

Unbox it right away and gently untangle the leaves and any plantlet stems.
Check the soil; water if the top inch is dry, otherwise wait a few days.
Place it in bright, indirect light, such as a few feet from an east or west window.
A few brown leaf tips or bent leaves after shipping are normal; trim brown tips with clean scissors.
Keep it away from heat vents and cold drafts.
Wait about two weeks before repotting, even if roots are poking out the bottom.

Every plant is covered by our 30-day plant health guarantee. If your plant arrived damaged or isn't doing well, email a few photos to support@rootandreachbotanicals.com and we'll help you troubleshoot or make it right.

Light

Bright, indirect light keeps the stripes bold and encourages babies, such as near an east window or a few feet back from a west window. It tolerates medium light but grows slower and paler. Strong direct afternoon sun can burn the leaves.

Water

Water when the top inch of soil is dry, often once a week in spring and summer and less in winter. Its thick, fleshy roots store water, so it handles a missed watering well. Brown tips can come from dryness or tap water minerals; mushy roots, yellowing, and soggy soil mean overwatering.

Humidity

Average household humidity is fine. In very dry winter air, a pebble tray can help reduce brown tips. It does not need regular misting.

Temperature

Keep it between 60 and 80 F. It tolerates cooler rooms down to about 50 F but should be kept away from frost and cold drafts.

Soil & repotting

Use a general well-draining potting mix with a bit of perlite. Spider plants grow quickly and their thick roots can fill and even crack a pot, so repot in spring every year or two, moving up one size. A slightly snug pot encourages more baby plantlets.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip feeding in winter. Too much fertilizer causes brown tips.

Troubleshooting common problems

Brown leaf tipsfluoride or salts in tap water, dry soil, or overfeeding; use filtered or rain water and trim the tips.
Pale, washed-out leavestoo much direct sun or too little light; find bright, indirect light.
No baby plantletsplant too young, too little light, or pot too big; give it time, light, and a snug pot.
Yellow, limp leaves with soggy soiloverwatering; let the soil dry more between waterings.
Roots pushing out of the potnormal for a happy plant; repot in spring.

Tips to help it thrive

Root the babies by setting them on a pot of moist soil while still attached to the mother, then snip the stem once they root.
Hanging baskets show off the cascading plantlets and keep the leaves away from curious cats.
The curly Bonnie variety looks especially lush when several plantlets are potted together.

Pet safety

Spider Plant is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. As with any houseplant, it's still best to discourage pets from chewing the leaves, which can cause a mild upset stomach.