Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

How much light does a Spider Plant need?

Indoors, aim for medium light. The plant tolerates low light and bright, indirect light. It can also tolerate deep shade, but it is intolerant of direct sunlight. Outdoors, it grows in part shade or full shade, with part shade preferred. Deep shade means two hours of direct sun at most. Heavy shade is also on its list of tolerances.

• Light: Medium light; tolerates low light and bright, indirect light¹

How often to water a Spider Plant

Moist soil is where spider plant grows best, though it is tolerant of drought and dry soil. Across the whole range, the water need runs from dry to wet. Overwatering or planting in poorly drained soil can lead to root rot. Good drainage and moisture are both listed for this plant's soil.

• Water: Dry to wet¹

Best soil for a Spider Plant

Soil for this plant should be well drained and moist. The listed pH range is 6 to 8, which the source labels neutral. Moist soil is where the plant grows best, although it tolerates dry soil. Root rot usually results from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or from excessive watering. Planting in poorly drained soil can lead to it as well.

• Soil drainage: Well drained and moist^1,1
• Soil pH: pH 6–8¹

Temperature and humidity

Temperatures should stay above 45 °F (7 °C) for this plant. Outdoors, the listed hardiness range is USDA zones 9a to 11b. That range runs from zone 9a at the cold end to 11b at the warm end. Humidity is recorded as high for spider plant. A separate description says it grows best in moist soil and medium air humidity. That medium humidity figure differs from the high humidity record, so the exact level is not settled.

• Minimum temperature: 44.6 °F (7 °C)¹
• Humidity: High²

Fertilizing a Spider Plant

Fertilizer goes on monthly in the growing season. Feed during periods of active growth with a water-soluble or time-release houseplant fertilizer. Both forms, water-soluble and time-release, are named by the source. Its growth rate is listed as moderate, and its maintenance level as medium.

• Fertilizer: Monthly in the growing season³

Pruning a Spider Plant

The pruning type recorded for this plant is light shaping. Trim back the remaining stub, which may send out new growth. Spider plant grows 1–1.5 ft (0.3–0.46 m) tall and 1–2 ft (0.3–0.61 m) wide. Its habit is listed as spreading and trailing, with an arching, cascading form. Maintenance is rated medium.

• Pruning: Light shaping⁴

Repotting a Spider Plant

You can repot at any time of the year. The recorded timing covers every month, January through December. Whatever the month, the mix you repot into should be well drained and moist. A pH of 6 to 8 is the listed range. Its mature spread is 1–2 ft (0.3–0.61 m). Poorly drained soil can lead to root rot.

• Repotting: (Jan–Dec)³

How to propagate a Spider Plant

Spider plant propagates by division and by offsets. The plantlets can simply be snipped off and potted up. The plant produces numerous plantlets. A well-drained, moist soil with a pH of 6 to 8 is the listed soil for the plant. Temperatures should stay above 45 °F (7 °C). Medium light is the preferred level indoors.

• Propagation: Division and offsets^1,5

Common problems

Root rot is the disease recorded for spider plant. It usually results from a soil mix that does not drain quickly or from excessive watering. Spider plants generally have few pest problems other than scale insects and mealybugs. The recorded pests are whiteflies, spider mites, scales, aphids, mealybugs and scale insects.

• Common pests: whiteflies, spider mites, scales, aphids, mealybugs and scale insects^3,6,6,3,6
• Common diseases: root rot^3,6,6

Questions and answers

Is spider plant toxic to cats and dogs?

The ASPCA lists spider plant as non-toxic to cats and non-toxic to dogs. Pet Poison Helpline also describes Ribbon Plant, Chlorophytum comosum, as non-toxic to companion animals.

How much light does a spider plant need?

Spider plant prefers medium light levels, and it tolerates low light and bright, indirect light. It is intolerant of direct sunlight, though it can tolerate deep shade.

When can I repot a spider plant?

You can repot at any time of the year. The timing record covers January through December. The mix should be well drained and moist, with a pH of 6 to 8.