How To Care For A Spider Plant + Encourage It To Grow Pups

The spider plant, also known as the ribbon plant or spider ivy, is best known for its unique appearance and funky growth pattern. As healthy plants mature, their long leaves produce their own little "spiderettes." Once these baby spider plants dangle from the mother plant, they can be removed to be propagated and grown on their own. (More on that below!)

You can also tell a spider plant from its tell-tale thin, grass-like leaves that come in beautiful variegated patterns. The Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’ has leaves with white/yellow centers with green outlines, while the Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Reverse Variegatum’ leaves have green centers with white/yellow outlines. The Chlorophytum Bonnie's leaves come out hilariously curly. When a spider plant is happy, these leaves will grow very quickly.

Native to the coast of West and South Africa, the spider plant is relatively hardy and can withstand a wider range of temperatures than some other popular houseplants. "Spider plants are fantastically adaptable and will tolerate a range of conditions indoors," says Brooke Blocker, the founder of houseplant shop Outside In.

That being said, Karen Hugg, gardener and author of Leaf Your Troubles Behind, says that they wouldn't be at the top of her list of easy-care varieties. "The only reason is that spider plants like to be moist; they don't want to be wet, and they don't want to be dry," she says. So you should know your way around a watering can before bringing one of these coastal plants into your space.

Water

"Generally speaking spider plants should be watered once the top few inches of potting mix has dried out," says Blocker. You can tell whether your plant needs a drink by using a soil moisture meter or simply sticking your fingers in its soil. If it's dry, give the plant a good drink and allow any excess water to escape out of the drainage hole. Be sure to toss any water left in the pot's saucer afterward, since your plant will be unhappy sitting in it.

"These houseplants are sensitive to overwatering (which can cause irreversible damage), so when in doubt, less is best," say Lauren Camilleri and Sophia Kaplan, authors of the upcoming book Bloom: Flowering Plants for Indoors and Balconies.

As for how often you'll need to water, Blocker says it really depends on where your home is, how much light your plant is getting, and the time of year. Brush up on your skills to ensure you're always getting watering day just right with this comprehensive houseplant watering guide.

Sunlight

"A moderate to bright spot with indirect sunlight is best for spider plants," say Camilleri and Kaplan. "Too much harsh sun exposure can cause scorched leaves while too little sunlight can cause the plant’s health to decline. Spider plants thrive in that sweet spot, usually near an east- or west-facing window."

If your plant's leaves are drooping, it might not be getting enough sun. Move it closer to a window or place it under a grow light. If the leaves look light in color—almost like they're getting scorched—it's a sign they've had too much sun and should be moved further away from your light source.

Temperature

Spider plants will be content in a wide range of conditions (though they don't love sudden temperature changes). If your home is comfortable for you, chances are it'll be good for your spider plant too.

Humidity

Since spider plants hail from tropical regions of Africa, they do prefer more humid conditions. "You can spritz your plant to add humidity," says Blocker, while Hugg prefers to set her plants up near a humidifier.

Soil & fertilizer

Spider plants will grow in any well-draining potting soil mix. If you want to make yours really happy, add some extra perlite or coconut coir to provide even more drainage. You don't need to give it too much fertilizer (it grows quickly enough without it!) and 1-2 applications during the spring/ summer growing season should be plenty.

Repotting