Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) Indoor Care, Propagation, Common Problems and Solutions

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Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) flourishes in bright indirect light, average warmth, moderate humidity and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Chlorophytum comosum also called Airplane Plant, Spider Ivy or Ribbon Plant is one of the popular, fast-growing, air-cleaning plants for hanging baskets and one of the easy to grow plants even for beginners.

Spider Plant is extremely adaptable and will grow in hot or cool rooms, in sun or shade and it will withstand dry air. It is one of the hard to kill plants that will withstand some level of neglect.

Mature Spider Ivy produce numerous long stems which bear tiny plantlets that can be used to propagate new Spider Plants. The young and small plantlets root faster than the large and old ones.

Botanical name: Chlorophytum comosum
Family: Asparagaceae
Subfamily: Agavoideae
Common names: Spider Plant, Airplane Plant, Spider Ivy, Ribbon Plant

Origin

Chlorophytum comosum is native to tropical and southern Africa and naturalized in other parts of the world including western Australia.

Size

Airplane Plant bears slender, arching leaves which grow from a central crown and can reach up to 1 ft long which make it ideal for a hanging basket, a pedestal, a table, or a shelf where they can beautifully cascade downwards. On account of its size and growth habits, it is one of the best low-light plants for an office desk.

Air Purifying

According to the NASA Clean Air Study, Chlorophytum comosum is one of the best air-purifying plants which gets rid of benzene, formaldehyde, xylene and toulene from indoor air. On account of its reknowned air cleaning properties, Spider Plant is one of the best plants for a study table that will boost concentration.

Varieties

Several varieties of Ribbon Plants are available with varying variegation form like 'Variegatum' with green leaves trimmed in white and 'Vittatum' with a central white stripe on green leaves.

Toxicity

Spider Plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are non-toxic to both humans and pets as indicated by ASPCA. Ribbon Plants are some of the best pet safe plants for the home.

Where to Buy

Airplane Plant is an excellent addition for your plant collection. You may acquire these plants online from Amazon (Link to Amazon).

Chlorophytum comosum Care Indoors

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) blossoms in bright indirect light, average warmth of 16-24⁰C, humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.

Chlorophytum comosum needs to be kept pot-bound to produce the plantlets that are required for propagation of new plants. Pruning is required to maintain the plant neat and tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestation. Keep reading for more on these growing conditions and how to achieve them.

Watering

Spider Plant thrives in consistently moist soil during the growing season and slightly moist soil in the cold season. Therefore, water the plant liberally during the growing season and allow the top 1-2 inches of soil to dry out between waterings.

Cut down on watering during the cold season to keep the soil slightly as growth is reduced at this time but do not allow the soil to dry out completely.

Use water that is at room temperature to avoid shocking the plants as they are tropical plants. >Airplane Plants are sensitive to chlorine and other chemicals dissolved in the water; use chlorine-free water only.

Avoid soggy soil as it can lead in root-rot and eventual loss of the plant. Make sure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy.

Light Requirements

Spider Plant requires bright, indirect light (filtered light) to maintain the variegation but it can adapt to lower light conditions though it will much slower. Shield it from direct sunlight to avoid scorching of the leaves.

You may also grow Chlorophytum comosum under grow lights where the natural lighting is not adequate. Check out these full spectrum grow lights on Amazon.

Rotate the pot regularly to ensure that the plant receives adequate light on all sides for even growth and also avoid leggy growth. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.

Temperature and Humidity

The best temperature for Spider Plant is an average warmth of 16-24⁰C. Keep it away from drafts to avoid sudden drop in temperature to prevent yellowing and leaf drop.

Average room humidity of 50-55% is ideal for Spider Ivy. It has no need for extra humidity. However, where the air is too dry especially where the temperatures are too high, the plant will develop brown leaf tips and edges.

To raise humidity and prevent brown leaf tips and edges, set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier. Read more on how to increase humidity for houseplants.

Regularly clean the leaves by damp-wiping with a soft cloth to get rid of dust and discourage pest infestations. Do not mist the plant as water on the leaves can encourage fungal infestations.

Fertilizer

Feed Spider Plant with a balanced, liquid fertilizer every 4 weeks during the growing period. Stop feeding during the cold season as growth is minimal and feeding at this time may lead to fertilizer burn.

Take care not to overfeed Spider Ivy as it can hinder the development of the beautiful plantlets that may be needed for propagation of new plants.

Flush out accumulated salts from the soil regularly by running a stream of water through the soil until the water comes out through the drainages holes. Let the water run for a few minutes and repeat several times.

Potting Soil

The best soil for Spider Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining to prevent it from getting soggy while providing the required nutrients. Most all purpose potting mixes are ideal for this plant.

Repotting

Repot Spider Plant during the growing season only when the plant has become pot-bound. Use a rich, free-draining soil and a pot one size larger than the current one.

Ensure that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot and death of the plant.

The large plants can be split up and potted into individual pots during repotting to prevent overcrowding. Check out these pots with drainage holes on Amazon.

Pruning

Pruning Spider Plant involves frequent removal of any dead foliage to maintain the plant tidy as well as minimize pest and disease infestation. Cutback the stems at the beginning of the growing season to rejuvenate growth.

Propagation

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) propagation is done at the beginning of the growing season from plantlets or from splits.

How to propagate Spider Plant from plantlets in soil

Peg down the Spider Plant plantlets into soil while still attached to the mother plant.

Cut the stem when rooted and pot in moist free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

Use a pot that has drainage holes to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.

The plantlets can also be detached from the mother and planted in moist free-draining soil until rooted and then transplanted into individual pots.

For a full and bushy Ribbon Plant, transfer several plantlets into the same pot.

The mother Airplane Plant can also be made more full by planting several plantlets alongside the mother.

How to propagate Spider Plant from plantlets in water

Spider Plant plantlets can also be rooted in water. Detach the plantlet from the mother Ribbon Plant and place the plantlet in a jar of plain water. Ensure the tiny roots at the base are touching the water.

Position the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and change the water every 5-7 days.

Wait until the roots are about 4 inches long before transferring to soil.

For a full and bushy plant, transfer several plantlets into the same pot.

The mother Spider Ivy can also be made more full by planting several plantlets alongside the mother.

How to propagate Spider Plant from splits

Divide the Spider Plant into several sections while ensuring each section has some roots.

Pot each section in its individual pot in moist, free-draining soil that is rich in organic matter.

Ascertain that the pot has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot.

Place the set up in a warm, well-lit place away from direct sunlight and maintain the soil moist until new growth emerges.

Allow the new Ribbon Plant to be well established before transfering it to its permanent spot.

Chlorophytum comosum Common Problems

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) growing problems are brown leaf tips, leaf drop, yellowing, browning, lack of plantlets, pests and diseases among others. Keep reading for more on these problems and how to fix them.

Pests

Spider Plant is rarely attacked by pests but a weak plant can be attacked by spider mites, aphids, scales and mealy bugs. Ensure the plant is healthy at all times. Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests. Learn how to identify and treat pests in houseplants.

Brown leaf-tips

There are six possible reasons for brown tips in Spider Plant. One possible reason is underfeeding. Feed the plant every 4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer but do not feed it in the cold season.

The second possible reason for brown tips in Ribbon Plant is excessively hot air. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray or use a cool mist humidifier to raise humidity. You may also grow the plant in a well-lit bathroom, kitchen and other humid areas in the home.

The third possible reason for brown tips in Airplane Plant is underwatering or overwatering. Maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season and slightly moist in the cold period but never allow the soil to get soggy or to dry out completely. Learn more on how to water indoor plants the right way.

The fourth possible reason for brown tips in Spider Ivy is overfeeding or accumulation of salts in the soil. Once in a while flush out accumulated salts from the soil by running a steady stream of water through the soil until it comes out through the drainage hole. Repeat several times.

The fifth possible reason for brown tips in Spider Plant is bruising by human or animal traffic. Place the plant away from the line of traffic to avoid bruishing of the leaf tips.

The sixth possible reason for brown tips in Ribbon Plant is bacterial leaf spot disease. Bacterial leaf spot starts as light spots on the leaf tips which turn brown and eventually black. The disease is prevalent in hot and humid conditions. Avoid wetting the foliage when watering.

No plantlets

There are two possible reasons why Spider Plant will not produce plantlets. One possible reason is that the plant is too young. The stem bearing plantlets only form on mature plants. The plants also need to be pot-bound, therefore, avoid frequent repotting.

The second possible reason why Spider Ivy will not produce plantlets is overfeeding. Withhold feeding in order to stress it so that it can put out the plantlets.

Curled leaves, brown spots, yellow edges and leaf drop

Underwatering Spider Plant is the reason for curled leaves with brown spots and edges while some leaves yellow and drop. Water the plant liberally and maintain the soil consistently moist during the growing season.

Brown leaf streaks

Too much water during the cold season is the cause of brown leaf streaks in Spider Plant. Reduce watering and maintain the soil barely moist during the cold season.

Pale limp leaves with yellowing and leaf drop

Exposing Spider Plant to too much heat and too little light are the causes of pale limp leaves with yellowing and leaf drop. Keep the plant away from hot direct sunlight and maintain an average room temperature.

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