Plant profile
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Also known as Ribbon plant, Spider ivy, Airplane plant.
Spider plant is an easy arching foliage plant that produces dangling stems covered in baby plants. It grows very well in pots, hanging baskets and bright shaded positions.
- Grows well in
- Tropical, Subtropical, Temperate, Mediterranean
- Lifecycle
- Evergreen clumping perennial
- Light
- Part shade, Shade
- Mature size
- Usually 20–40 cm tall and 30–60 cm wide, with flowering runners and plantlets hanging 60 cm or more beyond the clump.
- Spacing
- About 30–45 cm apart in a shaded garden; in pots, give the arching leaves and runners room to hang freely.
- Growth habit
- Arching clumping perennial with fleshy roots and long runners that carry flowers and easily rooted baby plants.
- Native range
- Western tropical Africa to Cameroon, and Ethiopia to southern Africa
- Natural habitat
- Seasonally dry tropical woodland, forest margins and rocky shaded ground.
When to plant
Tropical
February–October
Subtropical
September–April
Temperate
October–March
Mediterranean
October–March
Repot or divide during warm active growth for the fastest recovery. Outdoor planting is best once frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
Planting
Plant into a pot only a little larger than the root ball, or into shaded, well-drained garden soil in suitable climates. Keep the crown at soil level and water in thoroughly.
Position and light
Bright indirect light or filtered shade is ideal. It tolerates lower light but becomes looser and less vigorous. Strong direct sun can scorch the leaves, especially in hot climates.
Soil
Use a quality free-draining potting mix. Outdoors, it prefers fertile soil that holds some moisture without becoming waterlogged.
Watering
Water when the top few centimetres of mix have dried, then soak thoroughly and drain. Do not leave the pot standing in water. Outdoor plants usually need more consistent moisture during warm weather.
Feeding
Feed lightly every month or two during active growth with a balanced liquid or controlled-release fertiliser at the label rate. Avoid heavy feeding, which can produce soft growth and salt build-up.
Pruning
Remove brown or damaged leaves at the base and trim spent runners if you do not want more plantlets.
Propagation
The easiest method is to detach a plantlet once small roots or root nubs have formed, then pot it into fresh mix. Large clumps can also be divided.
Common problems
Brown leaf tips can come from dry air, irregular watering or dissolved salts and fluoride in water. Also watch for root rot, scale and mealybugs.
Worth knowing
The little hanging plantlets make propagation very easy. Let them develop small root nubs, then detach them and pot them straight into fresh mix.
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