Spider Plant Care: Why Yours Might Not Be Thriving

Let me tell you about the plant that was everywhere in the 1970s, fell out of fashion for a while, and is now making a major comeback: the spider plant.

These cheerful, cascading plants with their arching leaves and adorable hanging babies are basically the houseplant equivalent of that friend who's always having kids—super easy to propagate and share!

Not sure which plants are best for your bathroom conditions? Use our Plant Finder tool to discover plants perfect for your humidity and light levels.

I love spider plants because they're genuinely hard to kill, safe for pets, excellent air purifiers, and ridiculously easy to propagate. Plus, there's something deeply satisfying about a mature spider plant covered in cascading baby plantlets.

But here's the thing: while spider plants are forgiving, they're not totally carefree. Those brown leaf tips everyone complains about? There's a reason for them, and I'm going to help you fix that.

This guide will cover everything you need to know about spider plant care, from getting those gorgeous arching leaves to producing tons of babies, plus solving the dreaded brown tip problem.

What Is a Spider Plant?

Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum Common Names: Spider Plant, Airplane Plant, Ribbon Plant, Spider Ivy Origin: Tropical and Southern Africa Growth Habit: Clumping perennial with arching foliage

Spider plants are native to tropical regions of Africa where they grow as ground cover in shaded areas. They're part of the asparagus family (surprising, right?) and have become one of the most popular houseplants worldwide.

What Makes Spider Plants Special:

• Extremely easy to care for (beginner-friendly!)
• Safe for pets (non-toxic!)
• Produces adorable plantlets (babies) on long stems
• Excellent air purifier (NASA Clean Air Study star!)
• Tolerates neglect
• Fast-growing
• Inexpensive and widely available

The Baby Plant Factory:

What makes spider plants truly unique is their prolific production of "babies" (technically called plantlets or spiderettes). Mature plants send out long stems called stolons, which produce small white flowers followed by miniature spider plants at the ends. These dangling babies give the plant its "spider" name and make propagation absurdly easy.

Spider Plant Care: The Complete Guide

Light Requirements

Ideal: Bright, indirect light Tolerated: Medium light to partial shade Avoid: Direct hot sun (scorches leaves), deep shade

Spider plants are quite adaptable with light, but here's what to expect:

In Bright Indirect Light:

• Fast, vigorous growth
• Vibrant variegation (for variegated varieties)
• Produces more babies
• Fuller, bushier appearance
• Optimal health

In Medium Light:

• Moderate growth
• Still looks great
• May produce fewer babies
• Good health

In Low Light:

• Slow growth
• Variegated varieties may lose their stripes and turn more green
• Fewer or no babies
• Leggy growth (longer gaps between leaves)
• Plant survives but doesn't thrive

Direct Sun:

• Scorched, brown, crispy leaves
• Faded color
• Stress to the plant
• Avoid!

Pro Tip: Spider plants do wonderfully in bright bathrooms, kitchens with indirect light, or hanging near east or west-facing windows. They're one of the best plants for hanging baskets!

Watering Your Spider Plant

Spider plants like consistent moisture but hate soggy soil. They have thick, tuberous roots that store water.

When to Water:

• When top 1 inch of soil feels dry
• Approximately every 5-7 days in spring/summer
• Every 7-10 days in fall/winter
• Less frequently if in low light

How to Water:

1. Check soil moisture with your finger first
2. Water thoroughly until water drains from bottom
3. Let excess water drain completely
4. Don't let plant sit in standing water
5. Don't water again until soil partially dries

Important Water Quality Note:

Spider plants are sensitive to fluoride and chlorine in tap water, which causes brown leaf tips. Here's how to deal with it:

Best Water Options:

1. Distilled water (most reliable)
2. Filtered water (removes most fluoride and chlorine)
3. Rainwater (free and plants love it!)
4. Tap water left out 24 hours (chlorine evaporates, but fluoride remains)

If you're stuck with tap water, let it sit in an open container for 24 hours before using to allow chlorine to evaporate. This helps somewhat but doesn't remove fluoride.

Signs of Overwatering:

• Yellow leaves
• Soft, mushy roots
• Root rot (roots turn brown/black)
• Soggy soil that won't dry out
• Leaves falling off

Signs of Underwatering:

• Limp, drooping leaves
• Dry, crispy brown tips
• Curling leaves
• Soil pulling away from pot sides

Pro Tip: Spider plants are pretty forgiving with underwatering. I've forgotten mine for two weeks and it bounced right back. Overwatering is the bigger risk!

Soil and Potting Mix

Spider plants aren't picky about soil but do best in well-draining mixes.

Best Soil Mix:

• 60% standard houseplant potting mix
• 30% perlite or pumice
• 10% compost or worm castings (optional boost)

Store-Bought Alternative: Any standard houseplant potting mix works great! Spider plants are not fussy.

Soil Requirements:

• Well-draining
• Slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0)
• Retains some moisture but not soggy
• Light and airy texture

Container Requirements:

• Must have drainage holes
• Hanging baskets work beautifully
• Plastic or terracotta both fine
• Allow some room for root growth (but not too much)

Pro Tip: Spider plants actually like being slightly pot-bound! Being root-bound encourages baby production. Don't rush to repot into a huge pot.

Temperature and Humidity

Ideal Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C) Tolerated Range: 50-85°F (10-29°C) Cold Damage: Below 45°F (7°C)

Spider plants are quite adaptable to normal household temperatures.

Humidity Recommendations:

Minimum: 40% (typical household) Ideal: 50-60% Maximum Benefit: 60-70%

While spider plants tolerate average humidity, higher humidity helps prevent brown tips!

How to Increase Humidity:

1. Mist leaves 2-3 times per week
2. Pebble tray - Place pot on a tray of pebbles with water (water level below pot)
3. Grouping - Group with other plants to create humid microclimate
4. Humidifier - Run nearby for consistent humidity

Signs Your Spider Plant Wants More Humidity:

• Brown, crispy leaf tips (the #1 complaint!)
• Brown edges on leaves
• Curling leaf tips

Increasing humidity is one of the best ways to reduce those annoying brown tips!

Fertilizing Your Spider Plant

Spider plants are moderate feeders and appreciate regular fertilization during growing season.

Fertilizer Schedule:

• Spring/Summer: Every 2-3 weeks
• Fall/Winter: Once a month or skip entirely

Best Fertilizer:

• Balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10 or 20-20-20)
• Dilute to half strength (important!)
• Water-soluble houseplant fertilizer works great

Application Tips:

1. Water plant before fertilizing
2. Apply diluted fertilizer with regular watering
3. Flush soil every 2-3 months (water thoroughly several times) to prevent salt buildup
4. Don't over-fertilize (causes brown tips!)

Signs of Over-Fertilization:

• Brown leaf tips and edges (look familiar?)
• Salt crust on soil surface
• Slow growth
• Leaf burn

Signs of Under-Fertilization:

• Pale, light green leaves
• Slow growth during growing season
• Small new leaves
• Overall weak appearance

Pro Tip: Brown tips can be from over-fertilization just as easily as from water quality. When in doubt, fertilize less!

The Brown Tip Problem: SOLVED

This is the #1 spider plant complaint. Let's fix it once and for all!

Causes of Brown Tips:

1. Fluoride/Chlorine in Water (Most Common)
   • Solution: Use filtered, distilled, or rainwater
2. Low Humidity
   • Solution: Increase humidity with misting, pebble trays, or humidifier
3. Over-Fertilization
   • Solution: Reduce fertilizer frequency, flush soil, use half-strength doses
4. Salt Buildup in Soil
   • Solution: Flush soil monthly, repot every 1-2 years with fresh soil
5. Inconsistent Watering
   • Solution: Maintain regular watering schedule

How to Deal with Brown Tips:

1. Address the root cause using solutions above
2. Trim brown tips with clean, sharp scissors
   • Cut at an angle following the natural leaf shape
   • Leave a tiny bit of brown (don't cut into green, which creates more browning)
3. Be patient - New growth should be green and healthy once issues are addressed

Pro Tip: Combining filtered water + increased humidity + less fertilizer usually solves 90% of brown tip problems!

Spider Plant Babies: How to Get Them and Propagate

One of the best things about spider plants is how easy they are to propagate!

Getting Your Plant to Produce Babies

Requirements:

1. Plant maturity - Needs to be at least 1 year old
2. Proper light - Bright indirect light encourages flowering
3. Slight pot-bound condition - Being slightly root-bound triggers baby production
4. Good health - Stressed plants won't produce plantlets

Why Your Plant Might Not Have Babies:

• Too young (patience!)
• Overpotted (too much root space)
• Insufficient light
• Recently repotted
• It's winter (babies appear mostly spring/summer)

Pro Tip: Don't rush to repot! Slightly pot-bound spider plants produce MORE babies.

Propagating Spider Plant Babies

You have three easy methods:

Method 1: Water Propagation (Easiest for Beginners)

Steps:

1. Choose a healthy spiderette with small root nubs visible
2. Cut or pinch plantlet from stolon (stem)
3. Place in glass of water (root nubs submerged)
4. Put in bright, indirect light
5. Change water every 3-5 days
6. Wait for roots to grow 2 inches long (1-3 weeks)
7. Plant in soil

Pros: Easy to monitor root growth, very high success rate Cons: Extra step of transitioning to soil

Method 2: Direct Soil Propagation While Attached

Steps:

1. Place small pot of moist soil next to mother plant
2. Set spiderette on soil (don't cut from mother plant yet!)
3. Pin down gently with a hairpin or small rock
4. Keep soil moist
5. Wait 2-4 weeks for roots to establish
6. Cut stolon connecting baby to mother plant
7. You have a new plant!

Pros: No transplant shock, higher success rate Cons: Requires space next to mother plant

Method 3: Direct Soil Propagation (Cut First)

Steps:

1. Cut healthy spiderette from mother plant
2. Plant directly in moist potting mix
3. Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy)
4. Place in bright, indirect light
5. Cover with plastic bag to increase humidity (optional)
6. Wait 2-4 weeks for roots to establish

Pros: Quick and simple Cons: Slightly lower success rate than other methods

Pro Tip: You can leave plantlets attached to the mother plant and have a beautiful cascading display! They'll continue growing while attached.

Common Spider Plant Problems and Solutions

Pale or Faded Leaves

Causes:

• Too much direct sun
• Lack of nutrients

Solution: Move to indirect light, fertilize regularly during growing season.

Yellow Leaves

Causes:

• Overwatering (most common)
• Poor drainage
• Root rot
• Natural aging (lower leaves)

Solution: Check soil moisture, ensure good drainage, reduce watering frequency.

Black Tips (Not Brown)

Causes:

• Root rot from overwatering
• Extreme cold exposure

Solution: Check roots for rot, improve drainage, adjust watering, move away from cold drafts.

Limp, Droopy Leaves

Causes:

• Underwatering
• Root issues
• Temperature stress

Solution: Water thoroughly, check root health, ensure proper temperature.

No Babies/Flowers

Causes:

• Plant too young
• Overpotted
• Insufficient light
• Recently repotted

Solution: Be patient, ensure bright light, don't repot until necessary, let plant become pot-bound.

Pests (Rare but Possible)

Spider plants occasionally get:

• Aphids - Spray with water or insecticidal soap
• Spider mites - Increase humidity, spray with neem oil
• Mealybugs - Remove with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab

Pro Tip: Spider plants are generally pest-resistant! Healthy plants rarely have problems.

Spider Plant Varieties

There are several beautiful spider plant varieties to choose from:

1. 'Vittatum' (Classic)

The most common variety with white or cream stripes down the center of green leaves. This is what most people picture when they think "spider plant."

2. 'Variegatum'

Green leaves with white or cream edges (reverse of Vittatum). Beautiful cascading look.

3. 'Bonnie'

Curly, twisted leaves give it a unique, bouncy appearance. More compact than standard varieties. Great for small spaces!

4. Solid Green

No variegation—just deep green leaves. Slightly more tolerant of low light than variegated varieties. Less common but beautiful!

5. 'Ocean'

White with green edges (heavily variegated). More delicate and slower-growing but stunning!

All varieties have the same basic care requirements!

Spider Plant Care Card (Quick Reference)

Shopping List: Spider Plant Essentials

Set your spider plant up for success with these items:

• Hanging Planter Basket - Perfect for displaying cascading babies
• Distilled Water - Prevents brown tips from fluoride
• Balanced Liquid Fertilizer - For healthy growth
• Moisture Meter - Takes guesswork out of watering
• Small Humidifier - Helps prevent brown tips

As an Amazon Associate, Plant Finder earns from qualifying purchases.

Why Spider Plants Are Perfect for Beginners

Spider plants check almost every box for the ideal beginner houseplant:

1. Very forgiving - Survives occasional neglect
2. Safe for pets - Non-toxic to cats and dogs
3. Fast-growing - You see results quickly
4. Easy to propagate - Free new plants!
5. Inexpensive - Usually $5-15
6. Widely available - Sold almost everywhere
7. Air purifying - Cleans your air
8. Beautiful - Cascading habit looks great
9. Low maintenance - Doesn't need constant attention

The only real "quirk" is the brown tip issue, which is totally manageable once you understand the cause!

Fun Spider Plant Facts

• NASA Approved: Spider plants were included in NASA's Clean Air Study and found to remove formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene from indoor air.
• Not Actually a Spider: Despite the name, spider plants aren't related to spiders at all! The name comes from the baby plantlets that dangle like spiders on webs.
• 1970s Darling: Spider plants were THE trendy houseplant of the 1970s, appearing in almost every macramé hanger in existence!
• Cat Magnet: Many cats are inexplicably drawn to spider plants. While the plant is safe, kitty nibbling can make your plant look pretty rough!
• Prolific Babies: A mature spider plant can produce dozens of babies per year. You'll have plenty to share with friends!

Ready to find more plants for your home? Explore our Plant Finder for personalized recommendations.

Related Guides

Explore more helpful plant resources:

• Low Light Houseplants Guide - Spider plants adapt well to various light conditions
• Best Bathroom Plants - Perfect for humid bathroom environments
• Pet-Safe Houseplants - Spider plants are completely non-toxic to pets!

Final Thoughts

Spider plants are the friendly, easygoing houseplants everyone should have at least one of. They're forgiving, fast-growing, safe for pets, and those cascading babies are just plain delightful.

Yes, brown tips are annoying, but they're also totally fixable with filtered water and a bit more humidity. And honestly? Even spider plants with a few brown tips still look beautiful trailing from a hanging basket.

My favorite thing about spider plants is how generous they are. One plant quickly becomes five, which becomes twenty as you propagate babies and share them with friends. There's something special about passing along plant babies—it's how spider plants became so ubiquitous in homes worldwide!

Whether you're a total beginner looking for a confidence-building first plant, or an experienced plant parent wanting something low-maintenance, spider plants deliver. Easy, cheerful, and endlessly giving—what more could you want?

Now go forth and let your spider plant make babies! 🕷️🌿