Spider Plant

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of the easiest indoor plants to keep, forming a fountain of arching leaves 30 to 40cm long and about 60cm across. Through the warm months it sends out long, wiry stems carrying small white flowers and baby plantlets that hang around the pot. It forgives missed waterings and is non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Why you'll love it

• Hard to kill. Fleshy roots store water, so it bounces back from a dry spell or a week away better than most houseplants.
• Babies on long stems. Mature plants trail stems of small white flowers followed by plantlets, each one a new plant in waiting.
• Safe around pets. It is non-toxic to cats and dogs, though cats like to chew the leaves, so hang it up if yours is a grazer.
• Indoors or out. It grows as happily in a shaded, frost-free garden bed as it does on a shelf.
• Good value in numbers. Sold in packs, it is an economical way to fill a room, an office or a shaded bed.

Where it works best

Hanging pots and shelves. Height shows off the arching leaves and lets the plantlets cascade freely. A bathroom or kitchen with good light suits it well.

Shade groundcover. In frost-free gardens it carpets the ground under trees and along shaded paths, spreading as plantlets root where they touch soil.

Offices and rentals. It handles air conditioning, irregular care and average light, which makes it a dependable choice for desks and first-time plant owners.

Growing Spider Plant in Australia

Light and position. Bright, indirect light suits it best: near a window but out of hot direct sun, which scorches the leaves. It copes with lower light, growing more slowly and making fewer plantlets. Outdoors, keep it in shade or dappled light and away from frost, which damages the leaves.

Potting mix. Use a free-draining premium potting mix. The thick, fleshy roots store water and fill a pot quickly, so move the plant up a pot size when roots push out of the drainage holes.

Water and feed. Water when the top few centimetres of mix feel dry, and ease back in winter. Feed with a liquid fertiliser at half strength every few weeks through the warm months.

Leaf tips and tidying. Brown tips usually trace back to fluoride in tap water, dry air or mix left dry too long. Rainwater or filtered water helps, and brown ends can be snipped off with clean scissors.

What to expect when it arrives

We sell Spider Plant in 100mm pots in packs of 10, 140mm pots in packs of 10 and 200mm pots in packs of 6. This line is supplied as grown, so your plants may be the plain green form or a cream-striped form. If you want a particular leaf pattern, choose one of our named varieties such as Ocean, Picturatum or Bonnie. Unpack on arrival, water well and settle the plants into bright shade. Our growers do not hold every size all year, so a size can show as on backorder at times. An order for a backorder size is confirmed 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

• Browse more indoor plants
• Pet friendly indoor plants
• Spider plant care: easy houseplant tips
• How to keep your indoor plants alive

Common questions

Will my plants be green or striped?

Either. This line is supplied as grown and may be plain green or cream-striped. The named varieties are the ones to order when the leaf pattern matters.

How do I grow new plants from the babies?

Pin a plantlet onto a small pot of damp mix while it is still attached. Once it has rooted and is growing, cut the stem.

Is it safe for cats and dogs?

Yes, spider plants are non-toxic to cats and dogs. Cats often chew the leaves, which can leave the plant ragged, so keep it out of reach if that bothers you.