Spider Plant Care for Beginners: Light, Water and Brown Tips

Spider plant in a white hanging basket near a bright window with baby plantlets hanging down

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is one of the easiest houseplants to keep happy. It grows fast, forgives missed waterings, and it even makes baby plants for free. Here is a simple beginner guide, including how to stop those brown leaf tips.

Pet note: The ASPCA lists the spider plant as non-toxic to cats and dogs. If you have pets, it is on my pet-safe plant list too.

Quick spider plant care facts

  • Light: bright, indirect light. It tolerates medium light but grows best with more.
  • Water: when the top inch or two of soil is dry. Water well, then let the extra drain out.
  • Temperature: normal room temperatures. Keep it away from cold drafts and frost.
  • Soil: regular, well draining potting mix.
  • Pot: any pot with drainage holes. A hanging basket shows off the baby plants.

Where to put a spider plant

A spot near an east or north facing window works well. Strong afternoon sun can scorch the leaves and fade the stripes. If the white stripes on the leaves look dull, the plant may need a little more light.

How often to water

Check the soil with your finger instead of following a strict schedule. If the top inch or two is dry, water. The thick, fleshy roots store water, so spider plants handle a dry spell better than soggy soil. Soggy soil can cause root rot, so never leave the pot sitting in a full saucer of water. See also: why plant leaves turn yellow.

Spider plant in a terracotta pot with a small watering can on a wooden table

Why do spider plant tips turn brown?

Brown tips are the most common spider plant complaint. Common causes include:

  • Tap water: spider plants can be sensitive to minerals and chemicals in tap water. Try filtered or rainwater, or let tap water sit out overnight.
  • Dry air: very dry rooms, especially in winter, can crisp the tips.
  • Uneven watering: long dry spells followed by heavy watering stress the plant.
  • Too much fertilizer: salts build up in the soil. Feed lightly.

You can trim the brown tips with clean scissors. Cut along the natural shape of the leaf. The brown part will not turn green again, but new growth will be healthy once the cause is fixed.

Baby plants (spiderettes)

A happy spider plant sends out long stems with small plantlets on the ends. To make a new plant, set a plantlet on moist soil in a small pot while it is still attached, or snip it off and put it in water until roots form. Once it has roots, plant it in potting mix.

Repotting

If thick roots are pushing out of the drainage holes or the pot looks crowded, move up to a pot one size larger in spring or summer.

FAQ

Is a spider plant easy for beginners? Yes. It is one of the most forgiving houseplants.

Is a spider plant safe for cats? The ASPCA lists it as non-toxic to cats and dogs. Some cats like to chew the leaves, which can upset their stomach, so you may still want to hang it up high.

Can a spider plant live in low light? It can survive in low to medium light, but it grows slower and the stripes may fade.

How do I make my spider plant bushier? Give it bright indirect light, repot when it is crowded, and pot up the baby plantlets.

More guides

General care information. Conditions at home vary, so adjust to your plant. Disclaimer

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ZZ Plant Care for Beginners: Light, Water, Problems

Image
The ZZ plant ( Zamioculcas zamiifolia ) is a great pick if you forget to water or your home is a bit dim. It has thick, shiny leaves, grows slowly, and handles neglect better than most houseplants. Here is a simple guide, based on university extension advice. Pet note: Clemson Extension lists the ZZ plant as not pet safe. Keep it out of reach of cats, dogs and small children. See our pet-safe plant list for safer choices. Quick ZZ plant care facts Light: bright, indirect light to low light. Avoid full sun. Water: only after the soil has dried out completely. Clemson Extension suggests about once or twice a month. Temperature: normal indoor temperatures. Keep it above 60°F (about 16°C). Soil: a coarse, well-draining mix. Size: usually 2 to 4 feet tall, and it grows slowly. What light does a ZZ plant need? ZZ plants survive in low light, so they suit offices and darker rooms. Bright, indirect light speeds up their very slow growth. Put it anywhere except in full...
Read more

How to Care for a Pothos Plant (Beginner Guide)

Image
If you want one houseplant that forgives mistakes, pick a pothos. It grows in low light, bounces back from dry spells, and looks great in a hanging pot, on a shelf, or climbing a wall. This guide covers everything you need to keep one healthy, in simple steps. Pet safety note: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is listed as toxic to cats and dogs by the ASPCA. If you have pets that chew plants, keep it out of reach or choose a pet-safe plant instead. Quick pothos care facts Light: medium to bright indirect light. Tolerates low light. Water: when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry. Temperature: 65 to 85 F. Keep away from cold drafts below 50 F. Soil: well-draining potting mix. Fertilizer: every 4 to 8 weeks in spring and summer, if you like. Difficulty: very easy. 1. Light: bright but not burning Pothos grows best in bright, indirect light. That means a spot near a window where the sun does not hit the leaves directly for hours. A few feet back from an east or north window works wel...
Read more