How to Care for Spider Plants
Spider Plants are cheerful, forgiving and a little bit chaotic in the best way. Once mature, they can produce little baby plantlets that dangle from the mother plant, making them a fun choice for shelves, hanging pots and bright rooms. They are also popular with beginner plant parents because they are much less fussy than many trendy indoor plants. Browse our beginner plants for more easy-care options.
Spider Plants like bright, indirect light. They can tolerate lower light, but growth may slow and variegated varieties may lose some brightness. Avoid harsh direct afternoon sun, which can burn the leaves. If your space is darker, browse our low light plants or read our guide to low light indoor plants.
Water when the top few centimetres of soil feel dry. Spider Plants like moisture but do not want to sit in soggy soil. Overwatering can cause yellowing, mushy roots or a sad floppy plant. If you are unsure whether the soil is dry enough, use a soil moisture meter to check below the surface.
Good drainage is important. Spider Plants can be forgiving, but they still need a pot that allows excess water to escape. If your decorative pot has no drainage, keep the plant in a nursery pot inside it and empty excess water after watering. Read our guide on why indoor plant pots should have drainage holes.
Brown tips are common on Spider Plants. They can be caused by inconsistent watering, dry air, salt or mineral build-up, or fertiliser sensitivity. Trim brown tips if they bother you, but focus on improving the cause. Our guide on brown tips on indoor plant leaves can help you troubleshoot.
Spider Plants are famous for producing baby plantlets, often called spiderettes. These can be left attached for a full, trailing look or propagated into new plants. Once a baby has small roots, you can pot it into fresh mix or place it in water until roots develop further. For more plant propagation fun, browse our plant care tools.
These plants look great in hanging baskets, on shelves or in pots where their arching leaves can spill naturally. If you like this look, browse our hanging and climbing plants for more trailing indoor plant ideas.
Spider Plants are often chosen for pet-conscious homes, but it is still best to keep all plants out of reach of curious pets and children. They are not snacks, no matter how convinced your cat is. Browse our pet friendly plants for more options.
Feed lightly during spring and summer if the plant is actively growing. Avoid overfeeding, as too much fertiliser can contribute to brown tips. For a simple care setup, browse the Essential Plant Care Starter Pack.
Spider Plants are a great choice for beginners, pet-conscious homes and anyone who likes a plant with a bit of personality. Give them bright indirect light, sensible watering and a pot with drainage, and they will usually reward you with fresh growth, baby plantlets and plenty of easygoing green energy. For more simple options, read our beginner houseplants guide.