Chlorophytum

RHS Plant Profile

spider plant

RHS

Synonyms

Diuranthera

Conservatory Greenhouse Herbaceous Perennial Houseplants

A genus of fast-growing but compact, evergreen perennial houseplants with trailing, strap-like foliage which can be plain green or variegated with white and green stripes. Small, fairly inconspicuous white flowers may be produced in the spring. Mature plants produce long stems with baby plants at the tip, making it very easy to propagate

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, 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

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Neutral

Position

Partial shade

Aspect: East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–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: Bushy, Trailing
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: Trop. & subtrop.

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 chlorophytum or houseplant cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by seed, by division or root plantlets

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Hanging Basket
Houseplants
Low Maintenance
Conservatory and greenhouse

Pruning

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

Pests

May be susceptible to scale insects

Diseases

Generally disease-free