Spider plants are very resilient and easy to grow indoors. The conditions they like are simple, they prefer the moist atmosphere of a bathroom or kitchen to a dry area.
If you’re a novice gardener then you can practice at getting better potting skills with these plants and gain new friends. How? After blooming the plant sends out long shoots and ‘spiderettes’ form with roots. It is best to cut these off once they have 5 or more leaves with a root cluster and put in a pot with soil. The plant should take hold and you will have another spider plant to pass on to a friend or neighbour or even to sell at your local garden club.
Spider plants originate from South Africa and prefer warmth and indirect sunshine.
This plant is great for the home as it can help to filter out impurities in the air around the home. Research by The North America Space Agency (NASA) found that the plants could absorb 95 per cent of a toxic substance, Formaldehyde, from a sealed chamber. Spider plants can also absorb other chemicals found in the household making for a healthy environment.
They also produce oxygen and so can help you breathe a little easier too!
Brown leaf tip
A common problem is brown appearing on the ends of leaves. A range of different issues can cause the leaf to turn brown including: underwatering, low humidity, a cold draft, too much sunlight or pests and diseases.
Another issue could be the use of tap water as it contains chlorine and this may damage the plant. A good tip is to leave the water out to sit for around half an hour to allow for any chlorine residue to dissipate.
Why not have some fun and grab some unexpected air purification from a fabulous grower like the spider plant.
