Spider Ivy Chlorophytum comosum

Spider plant is an evergreen herbaceous perennial that is commonly grown as a houseplant for its adaptability to many conditions.  It does particularly well in hanging baskets where the leaves and stems can cascade down the side. It has attractive striped green and white leaves and small white flowers. Spider plant prefers bright, indirect light and propagates easily by plantlets or division. 

Spider plants grow best in medium light levels and can tolerate deep shade, but they are intolerant of direct sunlight. They grow best in moist soil and medium air humidity, though they are tolerant to drought and dry soil. Keep temperatures above 45F. Give the plant a moderate amount of water during the growing season, reducing watering during the winter, and do not over-fertilize as this decreases plantlet formation. Avoid watering with tap water as the chlorine and fluorides can cause leaf tip burn. Mist leaves occasionally in the summer. Stolons and plantlets are light-dependent and develop when the mother plant receives short days and long, uninterrupted nights– less than 12 hours of light a day– for at least three weeks.  Relatively pest-free.

Quick ID Hints:

• Green linear leaves often striped white
• Long stolons produce plantlets and flowers

VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Edibles, Bulbs, and Houseplants" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.