How to Grow and Care for the Spider Plant in Containers
Intro: The spider plant is a popular houseplant, and is most often grown as the variegated cultivar that has two white stripes on each leaf. The spider plant a great plant for beginning container gardeners because it is easy to grow and propagate. The spider plant is tolerant of many conditions and will even survive when neglected. The grasslike spider plant look best in balcony gardens when displayed in hanging plant containers with their plantlets draping down.
Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’
Plant Type: Evergreen perennial
Light: Bright indirect sun
Water: Keep the spider plant's potting soil constantly and evenly moist during the summer when the spider plant is actively growing. In the winter, water this plant sparingly and allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Fertilizer: If you fertilize your spider plant, use half of the recommended amount. If you fertilize (which is not necessary with this prolific grower), only do so every three or four months with houseplant fertilizer.
Temperature: The spider plant does best when grown in cooler garden temperatures, but it will do fine in warmer temperatures. Ideal temperature is between 55 and 65 degrees, but this range is not necessary for this plant to thrive; just do not keep it outside during freezing temperatures.
Pests and Diseases: The spider plant is not susceptible to disease or garden pests, although pests and disease may occur.
Propagation: The best way to propagate the spider plant is to allow a plantlet to root in potting soil while it is still attached to the mother plant. It should root in about a week or 10 days, then you can cut it from the mother plant. If you can’t keep spider plant plantlets attached to the mother plant, choose a plantlet that has healthy roots (don’t choose based on foliage), and plant it in potting soil, but it will root slower – in about a month.
Misc. Info: Overfertilizing or fluoride in your tap water can cause tip burn (when leaf tips turn brown) on the spider plant. To solve this problem, use distilled water or leave water out for at least 24 hours to allow any tap water chemicals to dissipate. The spider plant is one plant that can remove air pollutants when kept in indoor gardens. It can get bleached leaves from too much light or too-high temperatures.
