Chlorophytum capense 'Variegatum' (v)

RHS Plant Profile

spider plant

Other common names

St Bernard's lily

Synonyms

Chlorophytum elatum 'Variegatum'
Chlorophytum capense var. variegatum

Conservatory Greenhouse Houseplants

A clump-forming evergreen perennial with lance or strap shaped leaves, the leaves are variegated with a thick central strip of creamy white and dark green margins. Racemes of tiny white flowers are held on stem that can be up to 60cm long, with no plantlets on the flower stems, and this is a distinguishing feature of this species

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: Neutral or Alkaline or Acid

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or West–facing or North–facing or South–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, Columnar upright
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: Accepted

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow as a houseplant, under glass or in frost-free environment. 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. See houseplant cultivation and Chlorophytum for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Houseplants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

Trim back flowering spikes once they have finished

Pests

Maybe susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free