spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) can also be called airplane plants. Spider plants produce clumps of grass-like leaves and get their common name from the tiny plants that form on their hanging stems. They are one of the most adaptable and easy-to-grow houseplants, so they are perfect for those who don’t have a green thumb!

[Edit]step

[Edit]provide the best

1. Choose a well-draining soil or potting medium. If your spider plant is outdoors, plant it in well-draining soil, such as sandy soil. If your spider plant is indoors in a pot, choose a potting medium such as vermiculite or coco coir. Don’t worry too much about the soil, as spider plants are very adaptable.^[1]
   
2. Provide bright, indirect light. Spider plants don’t require a lot of natural light, so they do well in bathrooms and bedrooms. They also thrive in window sills, although they should be installed away from south-facing windows during the spring and summer months, but please note that they will also do well in a north-facing window. Outdoor plants should have moderate to deep shade during the day, as too much direct sunlight can scorch a spider plant, so indirect is preferable.^[2]
   
3. Maintain moderate and constant temperature and humidity. If you live in an area where temperatures fluctuate wildly or reach extremes, your spider plants will do better indoors. They prefer temperatures in between and cannot thrive in outdoor areas with cold or low temperatures. Spider plants thrive in moist climates, so put a humidifier in the same room as your spider plant.^[3]
   

[Edit]providing basic care

1. Water your spider plant with distilled or purified water. Spider plants are especially sensitive to fluoride in tap water. Tap water also leaves behind other minerals that can build up and destroy your plant, so it’s important to use distilled or purified water. Water should be kept at room temperature, as cold or hot water can shock your plants and weaken them.^[4]
   
2. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Gently insert your finger into the soil to see if it is dry. If the topsoil or topsoil is dry, it’s time to water your spider plant. Moderate or once per week watering during the first year should be sufficient to keep the soil consistently moist, but not overly wet. After the first year, you can water the plant sporadically. If your spider plant is potted, immediately empty the excess water from the drainage tray.^[5]
   
3. Fertilize spider plants 1 to 2 times per month during the spring and summer. During the growing season, use a general liquid fertilizer to feed your spider plants. Liquid fertilizers will provide better results than granular fertilizers. Follow the directions on the fertilizer to find out how much solution to apply to the soil at the base of the plant. Avoid fertilizing spider plants during the winter if they are growing out of their pots.^[6]
   
4. Transplant your spider plant when it outgrows its container. If your spider plant’s roots start growing through the drainage holes, you’ll need to repot it into a larger container in spring. Be sure to provide fresh potting medium and choose a container with drainage holes to avoid waterlogging the plant.^[7]
   
5. Propagate larger plants. Divide spider plants that are too large by pulling or cutting the root ball into several sections, each with a few leaves, and repotting the sections with new potting medium. Alternatively, you can break off the plants and root them in a cup of water.^[8]
   
   • When propagating small plants, it can be helpful to place a cotton ball or wad of napkins in the cup of water to keep the roots from drowning.

[Edit]deal with common problems

1. Trim dead leaf ends or leaves with scissors. If you see brown or dead leaves or leaf tips, you should remove them. Cut off the tip or leaf using scissors so the plant’s energy can be directed toward growing healthy leaves. Be sure to use distilled or purified water on your spider plants, as brown leaves can indicate a mineral build-up in the soil or potting medium.^[9]
   
2. Treat spider mites with natural insecticides. Symptoms of spider mite include sluggish, brown leaves and scaly material on the undersides of leaves. To get rid of spider mites, spray the plant with a natural insecticide like neem oil. You can find neem oil at your local garden store.^[10]
   
3. Heal washed leaves by reducing sun exposure. Discolored or bleached leaves and stems indicate too much sunlight. If your spider plant is outside, plant it in a shady spot or place a tall plant near it to provide shade. If your spider plant is indoors, move it away from windows so that it receives indirect rather than direct sunlight.^[11]
   

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Advice

• Spider plants are excellent at cleaning the air of small air pollutant particles. They were also grown in space capsules to clean the air.

[Edit]Warning

• Spider plants are toxic to cats, although other animals are not affected. However, it would be wise to prevent all pets, including birds, from eating them.

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Divide Spider Plant
• Caring for Indoor Plants
• Caring for Garden Spiders

[Edit]Reference

[Edit]quick summary