The spider plant is one of the most popular and uncomplicated green plants. As a retro plant, the decorative leaf plant is currently experiencing a comeback. In addition to its robustness, the air-purifying effect is one reason for its popularity. Spider plants are able to filter a variety of pollutants from the air and thus improve the indoor air significantly. Therefore, a place in the office, in public buildings, restaurants or even in living rooms is recommended. Withlong, narrow leaves and clump-like growth, the indoor plant grows harmoniously without pruning and is extremely decorative. Older specimens form long tendrils with white flowers. This in turn creates the ‘Kindel’ (young plants that are suitable for propagation). The spider plant is ideally suited for hanging baskets, flower stands, shelves or vertical greenery.

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Worth knowing about the green lily

Botanical name: Chlorophytum comosum
Other names: green lily, spider plant, grass lily, civil servant grass, flying Dutchman, nimble Heinrich, civil servant lily, bridal train
Use: houseplant, interior greening, room climate plant, conservatory plant, traffic light plant, hanging basket, balcony plant in summer
Origin: South Africa
Leaf:

long, thin, cream with a green border, green, green-yellow;

partly with a wavy edge
Flower: white, inconspicuous, plays a subordinate role
Special features: The uncomplicated species is robust and very helpful. Spider plants are one of the most important air-purifying plants of all. They can be used universally to minimize a wide variety of pollutants. The propagation of the hanging plants is very easy and fast. As a non-toxic houseplant, Chlorophytum are ideal beginner plants and suitable for children.

In which location does the spider plant feel comfortable?

The spider plant prefers a semi-shady to light location without direct sun. The more the leaves are patterned, the more light they need. If the location is darker, the foliage will turn green and the variegation will be less. Green-leaved forms also tolerate shady corners in the room. Chlorophytum are particularly decorative when they stand on flower stools, shelves or in hanging baskets. As a hanging room decoration, the green plant is decorative and useful at the same time.

Our gardening tip: From May to August, the robust houseplant can be in a shady spot in the garden or on the balcony. The ornamental leaf plant can also be used for planting extensively in beds.

How do I properly care for my spider plant?

Chlorophytum are robust and absolutely easy to care for. Needs -based watering and fertilizing is important when caring for green lilies. Waterlogging should be avoided, always let the top layer dry a little before watering again. Every 2 to 3 years we recommend repotting in a larger planter and fresh soil. Spring is the right time for this. Be sure to start the new planter with a drainage layeris provided on the ground. Use good quality green plant soil for transplanting. Brown foliage is to some extent a natural process. Regularly remove the dry leaves. After dry phases or if the room air is very dry, the tips of the leaves may turn brown.

Gardener’s tip: Spider plants are very robust plants that forgive mistakes in care without dying directly. After a long drought, a soak and repotting can help.

How do I water my spider plant correctly?

Spider plants tolerate dry phases, but never standing water! How often you have to water depends mainly on the temperature, the size of the plant, the radiation and the substrate. The basic rule is that Chlorohytum should only be watered moderately and the top layer of soil should dry slightly before the next watering. Avoid waterlogging and pour off excess water from the planter or flowerpot saucer 15 minutes after watering. You can also do small copiesdive weekly. Here you place the houseplant in a bucket filled with water and immerse the plant until no more air bubbles rise. The advantage of the immersion method is that the root ball is completely soaked. To increase the humidity, you can regularly spray the indoor plants with lime-free water.

How do I fertilize my spider plant?

Spider plants are vigorous plants that develop magnificently when there is a sufficient supply of nutrients . Regular fertilizing is required for the growth and formation of new shoots and flowers. A special green plant fertilizer that contains important growth and vital substances and thus helps the plant to look healthy and fresh is ideal. From April to October, liquid fertilizer is added to the irrigation water every 2 weeks. Fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks in wintersufficient. Fertilizer sticks are practical to use. These supply the spider plant with the necessary nutrients for 3 months. If there is no fertilizer, the leaf color is pale and growth is minimized.

How do I prune my Spider Plant?

Spider plants do not require pruning to become bushier. The easy-care plants develop 20 to 40 cm long leaves that spring from the heart like a tuft. Old leaves will turn brown and dry over time. Make sure these sheets are carefully removed by hand. Spider plants develop flowering stems over time, which can be left on the houseplant or easily cut off with scissors.Pro tip: Brown tips on spider plants are a sign of dryness, indoor air that is too dry, or the wrong location. Improve the conditions and make sure the indoor air plant is free standing. Brown tips are an optical problem due to care errors. You can carefully shorten the tips of the leaves. Avoid cutting too deep with the scissors to avoid damaging the leaf tissue.

How do I repot my spider plant?

Spider plants have fleshy roots that are very good at storing water. The pot is quickly too small and you should repot the plants. Repotting in spring is ideal as soon as there is more light. Make sure that you use good quality green plant and palm soil for transplanting. This is structurally stable and contains the nutrients necessary for the species. A pH value of 6.5 is optimal. Choose a pot that is 5 to 7 cm larger than the previous one. For drainage, put a layer of expanded clayon the bottom of the pot and place the root ball in the new container at ground level. Fill the space between the edge of the pot and the root ball with fresh soil. It is important that the houseplant is kept evenly moist after repotting and that the potting soil never dries out completely.

Repotting plants — our tips

Find out in the blog post why and how you should repot your plants.

repot plants

Which pests and diseases can spider plants get?

In the optimal location, the robust green plant is an easy-care houseplant that is rarely attacked by diseases and pests. Little light and dry heating air are often the cause of weakened plants. The following problems can occur:

Mealybugs or mealybugs

Affected plants are covered with a white, woolly substance. Among them are the sucking insects. In the case of an initial infestation , remove everything with a cotton swab or tweezers. There is also the possibility of stopping the infestation with beneficial insects.

aphids

The infestation with aphids occurs mainly on young shoots. Lice on spider plants are primarily an optical problem. Rinse the whole plant with a strong jet of water and strengthen the green plant with organic plant treatment. In a natural way, the plant’s own immune system is strengthened and the spread of pests is reduced. You can also cut off badly affected shoots and dispose of them with household waste.

Houseplant pests — our tips

Find out in the blog post which types of malware exist and how you can prevent and treat them.

FAQ — Frequently asked questions about Chlorophytum

How can spider plants be propagated?

The easiest way is to propagate through the Kindel. These offshoots form on the long tendrils. Simply separate the young plants. Either you put the Kindel in a glass with water for root formation or you pot them in soil. In both variants, root formation takes place within a few weeks. Sowing is another possible method of propagation.

Are there different types of green lilies?

Special varieties of green lilies have emerged through selection. The varieties ‘Bonnie’ with wavy leaves, ‘Ocean’ with pointed, upright leaves and ‘Variegata’ as a white-green variant with slightly overhanging foliage are particularly popular.

What does the botanical name Chlorophytum mean?

The name Chlorophytum is composed of the Greek words «chloros» for green and «phyton» for plant.

Are spider plants hardy?

The asparagus plant is not hardy, but can be outdoors from mid-May to September. The green plants can also be used for summer balcony planting.

How big can a spider plant get?

With ideal conditions and regular transplanting, indoor air plants can grow up to 60 cm high and wide.

Does the spider plant need a hibernation?

It is not necessary to put the green plant in a cool place in winter. Nevertheless, with large specimens that were outdoors in summer, it is possible to place these solitaires in a bright stairwell at temperatures of around 10 °C. The cooler the room in winter, the less water is needed.

When will spider plants bloom?

In optimal conditions, the houseplant blooms between June and August. The flowers are white and star-shaped and after they fade, a capsule fruit with seeds develops.

Is spider plant poisonous?

The leaves are not poisonous. Cats often nibble on spider plants as a substitute for cat grass. Keep flowering plants away from small children or pets as the seeds are slightly poisonous.

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