Plant Facts

Chlorophytum comosum

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  • Name - Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant. The word chlorophytum is from the Greek chloros meaning green and phuton for plant. It is pronounced KLORO-fiy-tum.
  • Description - This rewarding houseplant is graceful, easy and quick to grow (ideal for a beginner), and should last for many years. Spider plants have long, narrow, curving bright green leaves with either a cream centre or cream edges. The plant will grow up to 46 cm in height and width. It produces delicate rosettes of white flowers on long stems and these become independent plants with aerial roots that can be potted on.
  • Origin - Originally from the subtropical areas of South Africa. It was introduced as a houseplant in the mid-nineteenth century.
  • Family - Liliaceae
  • Varieties - The green-leaved species are tolerant of a wide range of conditions, except cold and bright sunlight, which bleaches the leaves. Its variegated cultivars are more popular: 'Variegatum' has creamy white leaf margins; 'Vittatum' has a white band down the centre; while 'Bonnie' has twisted leaves. The arching leaves and stems are best displayed by growing plants in a hanging basket.
  • Care Tips - A bright or semi-shady, well ventilated position, away from direct sunlight in normal room temperature. Tolerates dry air, although this tends to make the leaf tips go brown. Pull off dead leaves. Water 2-3 times a week in summer, allowing the soil almost to dry out between watering, and once a week in winter. Add liquid food to the water every 2 weeks in summer. Misting should keep the leaves clean as they are too brittle to wipe. Repot every spring.
  • Propagation - Roots and stems can be divided, the old soil carefully removed and smaller plants repotted. As the plantlets produce roots, these can be potted on in a small pot beside the parent. When established with new leaves of their own, these plantlets can be cut away from the parent. Alternatively, plantlets can be rooted in water and then potted at any time during the year.
  • Trivia - Research has shown that in a small room a single specimen removes 98 per cent of the carbon monoxide in the air.

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  • Chlorophytum comosum