How to Care for a Spider Plant

Co-authored by Ben Barkan and Sophia Bell

Last Updated: October 9, 2024 Approved

VIDEO

Spider plants or airplane plants (Chlorophytum comosum) form arching clumps of grass-like leaves and get their common names from the baby plantlets that form on their dangling stems. The baby plantlets or spiders grow on the flower stems of the plant, a relatively common trait in the lily plant family. They are one of the most adaptable and easy to grow houseplants, so they're perfect for people who don't necessarily have a green thumb!

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Providing the Best Location

Download Article

1
Provide bright, indirect light. Spider plants need enough bright, indirect light so the plant will produce flowers and plantlets or spiders.
- They thrive on windowsills, though they should be set 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) away from south-facing windows during the spring and summer months.
- They will tolerate lower light levels, in bathrooms, bedrooms and north-facing windows, however, they may not flower or produce spiders in these rooms. It's wise to have two or more plants to switch between higher and lower light areas if you enjoy the appearance of flowers and baby plantlets.
- Outdoor plants should have moderate to deep shade during the day, as too much direct sunlight may scorch a spider plant so indirect is better.^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
2
Choose well-draining soil or potting soil. If your spider plant is outdoors, plant it in an area with well-draining soil, such as soil that contains compost or sand.
- If your spider plant is indoors in a pot, select a high quality potting soil mix that may have peat moss, bark, coco coir, vermiculite and/or perlite. Don't fret too much over the soil, as spider plants are adaptable.^{[2]
  X
  Research source}
Advertisement
If you live in an area where the temperature fluctuates wildly or reaches extremes, your spider plants will do better indoors. They prefer a temperature between 50 °F (10 °C) to 80 °F (27 °C) and can't thrive in outdoor areas with freezing or searing temperatures. Spider plants can tolerate low household humidity but the addition of a humidifier or pebble tray with water in the same room may help plant health.^{[3]
X
Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Administering Basic Care

Download Article

1
Water your spider plant with distilled, bottled or purified water. Spider plants are sensitive to the fluoride in tap water, which can lead to yellow and brown leaf tips.
- Tap water may leave behind mineral residue on the leaves when watered or misted that are unsightly.
- Use water at room temperature for watering, as cold or hot water may shock them.^{[4]
  X
  Research source}
2
Keep the soil moist but not soggy. Gently poke your finger into the soil to see if it is dry. If the top 1 inch (2.5 cm) or so of soil is dry, it's time to water your spider plant.
- Water moderately or once per week during the first year and subsequent years, should be sufficient to keep the soil consistently moist, but not overly wet.
- If you prefer, simply lift the pot periodically to determine its weight. Light weight needs water.
- Empty excess water from the saucer or drainage tray after an hour or so if your spider plant is potted.^{[5]
  X
  Research source}
3
Fertilize spider plants every 4 to 6 weeks when growing conditions are good. During the growing season, use a water soluble or controlled release houseplant fertilizer to feed your spider plants. Follow the directions on the fertilizer to know how much of the solution to apply to the soil at the base of the plant.
- Reduce fertilization for spider plants during the winter or when kept in low light areas.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
If your spider plant's roots begin to grow through the drainage holes, you'll need to repot it into a larger container in the spring. Be sure to provide fresh potting soil and choose a container with drainage holes to keep the plant from becoming waterlogged.^{[7]
X
Research source}
5
Propagate large plants. Divide spider plants that are too large by pulling or cutting the root ball into several sections, each with some leaves, and repotting the sections with fresh potting soil. Alternatively, you can pluck off plantlets and root them in a cup of water.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- When propagating the baby plants, it can help to place a cotton ball or wad of napkin in the cup of water to keep the roots from being immersed.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Dealing with Common Problems

Download Article

If you notice brown or dead leaves or leaf tips, you can remove them. Snip the tip of the leaf off using scissors. Be sure to use distilled or purified water on your spider plants, as brown leaf tips could indicate buildup of fluoride in the potting soil.^{[9]
X
Research source}
Signs of spider mites include dull, graying leaves and webby substances on the undersides of leaves. Spray a natural insecticide, like neem oil or insecticidal soap, on the plant to rid it of insect pests. You can find them at your local garden shop.^{[10]
X
Research source}
Leaves and stems that are faded or bleached indicate too much sun. If your spider plant is outdoors, transplant it to a shadier location or place a tall plant near it to provide shade. If your spider plant is indoors, move it away from windows so that it receives indirect, rather than direct, sunlight.^{[11]
X
Research source}

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How much sun does a spider plant need?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

Spider plants do enjoy bright light, however, they need to be protected from too much direct sunlight. They flourish in partial shade.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 12 Helpful 77
Question

Why are the tips of my spider plant leaves turning brown?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

The most common reason behind brown leaves is overwatering or letting the foliage rest in water. The soil of spider plants should be left to dry slightly between waterings,

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 17 Helpful 79
Question

Is a spider plant indoor or outdoor?

Maggie Moran
Home & Garden Specialist
Maggie Moran is a Professional Gardener in Pennsylvania.

Maggie Moran

Home & Garden Specialist

Expert Answer

They can be grown either inside or outside. It's best to begin a seedling indoors, then they can easily be moved outside.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 19 Helpful 49

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Spider plants are excellent for cleaning the air of tiny air pollutant particles. They were even grown in space capsules for air cleaning.

Thanks
Helpful 22 Not Helpful 5
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are members of the lily family.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

Spider plants are poisonous to cats, though other animals don't seem to be affected. It would be wise, however, to prevent all pets, including birds, from eating them.

Thanks
Helpful 11 Not Helpful 10