Introducing...
Spider plants
Botanical name: Chlorophytum
This well-known houseplant, with narrow variegated leaves, produces an abundance of spider-like baby plants that cascade downwards. It’s one of the easiest houseplants to grow and there’s now a range of cultivars to choose from, offering different leaf shapes and colour variations.
Looks
Most have thin, narrow, variegated leaves that arch outwards from the centre, creating a fountain of foliage. Long, thin stems hang gracefully downwards, bearing small white flowers, followed by spider-like plantlets.
Likes
Spider plants prefer a bright position indoors, with indirect or dappled light, but will also tolerate low light levels.
Dislikes
Avoid placing in direct sunlight, especially in summer, as this can scorch the leaves.
Did you know?
As propagating spider plants is so easy, they’re a great choice if you want to quickly and inexpensively expand your houseplant collection.
Growing guide
How to grow spider plants
All the information you’ll need to grow & care for spider plants in your home.
Spider plants we recommend
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (v)
variegated spider plant
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum' (v)
spider plant 'Vittatum'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' (v)
variegated spider plant
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum' (v)
spider plant 'Vittatum'
- 0.1–0.5 metres
- 0.1–0.5 metres
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.