Spider Plants: Air-Purifying Indoor Plants

Spider Plants, known scientifically as Chlorophytum comosum, are popular houseplants appreciated for their air-purifying qualities. They are characterized by their long, narrow leaves and small white flowers.

Spider Plants FAQ

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Are spider plants easy to grow?

Become an RHS Member today and save 25% on your first year This well-known houseplant, with narrow variegated leaves, produces an abundance of spider-like baby plants that cascade downwards. It’s one of the easiest houseplants to grow and there’s now a range of cultivars to choose from, offering different leaf shapes and colour variations.

Is a spider plant a good house plant?

A spider plant ( Chlorophytum comosum) is a good house plant for a beginner as it's low maintenance and easy to grow. Native to South Africa, it has evergreen leaves that look good year round. Most are variegated with a white stripe down the centre of the narrow leaves like ‘Vittatum’, while others have completely green leaves.

Are spider plants evergreen?

Native to South Africa, it has evergreen leaves that look good year round. Most are variegated with a white stripe down the centre of the narrow leaves like ‘Vittatum’, while others have completely green leaves. Spider plants are fast growing but compact, rarely reaching more than 50cm in height.

How does a spider plant get its name?

It gets its common name from the spider-like plantlets it produces, which hang down from the mother plant like spiders on a web. In spring and summer, plants produce small, white flowers, which eventually develop into plantlets. Indoors spider plants prefer bright, but indirect light, but will will grow in darker conditions.

What are common spider plants?

Common spider plants ( Chlorophytum comosum) are decorative houseplants that look great in hanging baskets. Find out all there is to know about spider plants and discover some of the most beautiful varieties of this popular houseplant. Chlorophytum comosum is the most common spider plant species to be kept as a houseplant.

How big does a spider plant grow?

The inflorescences grow up to 1m long, and produce the previously mentioned spiderettes that weigh the stem down in a strong arch. This ensures that the spider plant babies can reach the ground and take root. If you want lots of these spiderettes, be sure to care for your spider plant correctly.

How do spider plants grow?

If the flowers are fertilized, a small fruit forms. Once the flowers fall off, tiny plantlets form in their place, which ultimately grow their own roots and can be snipped off to create new potted plants. Spider plants are moderately fast-growing plants that can be planted at any time as long as they are not exposed to frost.

Are spider plants easy to care for?

Part of the Asparagaceae family, spider plants and are easy to care for, tolerant of neglect, and able to thrive under nearl any conditions. Spider plants are named so for their spider-like offsets, called spiderettes, which also makes them easy to propagate —meaning you will be able to grow your plant collection quickly and affordably.