Ocean Spider Plant

Ocean Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum 'Ocean') is a compact spider plant about 25 to 30cm high and 40cm wide, with shorter, broader leaves than the classic form. Each leaf has a green centre and a crisp creamy-white margin, giving a neat, bright rosette that suits desks and tabletops. Like all spider plants it is easy to grow and non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Clean white edges. A green centre framed by creamy-white margins keeps the plant looking fresh and bright in any room.
• Compact habit. Shorter, broader leaves hold a tidy shape, so it sits well on a desk, bench or bedside table without sprawling.
• Easy care. Water-storing roots mean it copes with the odd missed watering and average indoor conditions.
• Pet safe. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, a useful thing to know in a home where pets and plants share space.
• Plantlets to share. Mature plants send out stems of small white flowers and baby plants you can pot up.

Where it works best

Desks and tabletops. The compact rosette fits small surfaces where a full-sized spider plant would be too wide.

Grouped pots. The white margins lift a group of plain green foliage plants, indoors or on a sheltered, shaded patio.

Shaded edging. In frost-free gardens it makes a low, bright border along a shaded path or under shrubs.

Growing Ocean Spider Plant in Australia

Light and position. Give it bright light without hot direct sun, which burns the foliage. In dimmer rooms it still grows, only more slowly and with fewer plantlets. Variegated leaves hold their white margins best in good light.

Potting mix. A premium, free-draining potting mix is all it asks. The fleshy roots hold water and soon pack the pot, so repot into the next size up once roots show at the drainage holes.

Water and feed. Let the top few centimetres of mix dry between waterings and water less through winter. A half-strength liquid fertiliser every few weeks from spring to autumn keeps growth steady.

Leaf tips and tidying. Brown leaf tips are mostly caused by fluoride in tap water, dry indoor air or dry soil. Switch to rainwater or filtered water where you can, and trim brown ends with clean scissors.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Ocean Spider Plant in 100mm pots in packs of 10, 200mm pots in packs of 6, and 300mm pots as single plants. Unpack on arrival, water well and place in bright, indirect light. A leaf bent in transit can be trimmed off at the base and the plant soon covers the gap. Our growers do not carry every size right through the year, so a size may show as on backorder now and then. If you order a backorder size we confirm it with you before anything ships.

Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.

Plant care guides and related reading

• Indoor plants that are safe around pets
• More house and indoor plants
• Easy houseplant tips for spider plants
• Indoor plant tips for beginners

Common questions

How is Ocean different from a standard spider plant?

Ocean is smaller, with shorter and broader leaves edged in creamy white. The classic striped forms are longer in the leaf and looser in habit.

Why are the white edges turning brown?

White leaf tissue marks easily. The usual causes are hot direct sun, fluoride in tap water or mix that has dried right out.

Can it live outside?

Yes, in shade and in a frost-free position. Frost damages the leaves, so in cold districts grow it in a pot you can bring under cover.