Chlorophytum comosum

RHS Plant Profile

spider plant

Other common names

ribbon plant, spider ivy

Synonyms

Chlorophytum sternbergianum
Chlorophytum comosum green

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A clump-forming evergreen perennial with mid green linear-lance shaped leaves. Racemes of tiny white flowers are borne on long stems, with plantlets forming along the branching flower stems

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 5–10 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam Sand

Moisture: Well–drained or Moist but well–drained
pH: Alkaline or Acid or Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: West–facing or South–facing or North–facing or East–facing
Exposure: Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20): H2

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland: No
Foliage: Evergreen
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Chlorophytum are evergreen, rhizomatous perennials with linear or lance-shaped leaves and slender arching stems bearing loose racemes or panicles of small, starry white flowers, in some species also bearing plantlets
Name Status: Correct
Plant Range: S Africa

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a houseplant, under glass or in frost-free environment, ideally above 10˚C. A very tough houseplant, tolerant of a wide range of conditions. Keep the plant looking healthy and fresh by re-potting and dividing every 2-3 years or replacing with a young plantlet. See houseplant cultivation and Chlorophytum for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division or root plantlets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Trim back flowering spikes once they have finished and if new plantlets are not needed

Pests

Maybe susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free