Spider Plant Care: Light, Water and Placement Tips

Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are forgiving. Give them bright, indirect light, water thoroughly and then let the soil dry a bit, and keep them in a pot that is not much bigger than the roots. That covers most of what they ask for.

The rest is placement. Their arching leaves and dangling baby plants soften hard corners and shelf edges, so where you put one matters as much as how you water it.

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What light does a spider plant need?

Bright, indirect light. Iowa State's extension notes that most houseplants grow and look their best in bright, indirect light, and spider plants are no exception. An east or west window with the plant a little back from the glass works well.

Distance from the window matters more than people expect. The same extension page warns that light levels drop quickly as you move away from the window, so a plant more than a few feet back may be getting very little. If your only option is a dim room, put the plant close to the window and expect slower growth and fewer babies.

Too much sun is also a problem. Wisconsin Horticulture says too little light often causes faded leaves and stunted growth, while too much can cause wilting, burning and a washed-out look. A sheer curtain on a hot south or west window solves it.

How often should you water a spider plant?

There is no fixed schedule. Water when the top inch or two of soil has dried, and soak the plant properly when you do. West Virginia University Extension advises soaking the soil thoroughly, until water runs out of the drainage holes. Then empty the saucer so the roots are not sitting in water.

This is worth getting right, because improper watering is a primary cause of plant death. Water less in winter, when growth slows.

Brown leaf tips are common. They are often blamed on minerals or chlorine in tap water, so try rainwater or water that has sat out overnight. Dry soil and sudden changes in conditions can cause them too, so it's worth checking those first.

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Which pot and soil work best?

Choose a pot with drainage holes and a light, fast-draining potting mix. A little perlite mixed into standard indoor soil helps if your mix feels heavy and stays wet for days.

Spider plants don't mind being snug. When you repot, go up only about 2 inches in pot diameter. An oversized pot holds extra wet soil around the roots, which is how root rot starts. If you like a decorative cachepot, keep the nursery pot inside it and lift it out to water.

Terracotta breathes and dries faster, which helps if you tend to overwater. A matte ceramic pot in a neutral tone suits a more modern room.

Where is the best place to put a spider plant?

Think about both the light and the room. A few spots that work well:

• Hanging in a bright window, where the leaves can arch freely.
• On the top shelf of a bookcase, with the babies spilling over the edge.
• On a plant stand beside a side table or in a corner, where it softens a hard angle.

If it hangs over a walking path, keep the lowest leaves at about 78-80 inches above the floor so nobody brushes against them. Over a side table or in a corner you can hang it lower. As an architect, I'd also hang it somewhere you can reach with a plain step stool. A plant you can't reach is a plant you stop watering. For more on this, see our guide to caring for hanging plants.

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Are spider plants safe around dogs and cats?

Spider plants are generally listed as non-toxic to dogs and cats, which is why they're popular in pet households. Some cats still can't leave the leaves alone, and a chewed plant looks sad even when it's harmless. If your pet eats a lot of it or seems unwell, check with your vet.

Placement helps more than anything. Keep the plant out of jumping range of cat trees and sofa arms, and put floor plants on a heavy stand if you have a big dog with a swinging tail.

How do you get more spider plant babies?

Healthy plants in bright light send out long stems with baby plants (spiderettes) at the ends. Snip one off and set it in a small pot of moist soil, or in a glass of water until roots form. Plants that are a bit root-bound and well lit tend to produce the most.

Propagating is also a cheap way to repeat the same plant in a living room, hallway and bedroom, which gives a home a consistent look. A bigger plant can go on a shelf, with the babies in their own pots on a desk or windowsill.

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Routine upkeep

• Wipe dusty leaves with a damp cloth so they can take in more light.
• Turn the pot a quarter turn now and then so it doesn't lean toward the window.
• Trim dead leaves at the base with clean scissors.
• Line woven baskets with plastic so water doesn't stain the fibers or the floor.

If you're building a plant collection, our plant care tips and spider plant care guide cover more of the basics.

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Frequently asked questions