Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum · Family Asparagaceae
Also known as: chlorophytum, ribbon plant, airplane plant
- Light
- Partial shade to bright indirect
- Watering
- Every 5 days
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pet-safe
- Yes
Care
Where to put it
Hanging pots in the living room, kitchen or balcony.
Light
Indirect light. Tolerates a little morning sun.
Watering
Water when the top dries out. Brown tips mean chlorinated water.
About the plant
It has long, striped leaves that cascade down. It is very hardy and produces stems with dangling plantlets that root easily. Perfect for hanging pots and for beginners.
Origin
Native to tropical and southern Africa, growing on forest floors and in savannahs.
What it likes
- Indirect light or partial shade
- Slightly moist compost
- Room for the dangling plantlets
What it dislikes
- Strong direct sun
- Water high in fluoride or chlorine
- Soggy compost
Did you know?
It was one of the plants assessed in NASA's famous clean air study, carried out in the late 1980s.
Toxicity
| Cats | Non-toxic |
|---|---|
| Dogs | Non-toxic |
The ASPCA lists the spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Even so, cats love chewing the leaves, and eating a lot of any plant can cause a brief upset stomach.
If any is eaten, contact a vet or a poison information service.
Common problems
Brown tips
Symptoms: Dry, brown leaf tips with no other signs on the plant.
Causes: A build-up of salts and fluoride from tap water or feed, and very dry air.
What to do: Trim the dry tips and, now and then, flush the pot with plenty of filtered water or rainwater until it runs out of the drainage hole.
Prevention: Use filtered water or rainwater and go easy on the feed.
Frequently asked questions
Is a spider plant safe for cats?
According to the ASPCA, yes: it is non-toxic to cats and dogs. Still, put it somewhere high if your cat likes to chew leaves.
Native range
- Africa: West Tropical Africa, West-Central Tropical Africa, Northeast Tropical Africa, East Tropical Africa, South Tropical Africa, Southern Africa
Climate: Tropical, Subtropical
