Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are fun because they don’t just sit there being green – they’re always doing something to draw your attention and invite you to interact with them. The “mother” plant is a thick cluster of slender leaves, which looks nice on its own, but then a bunch of baby spider plants appear on the ends of slender, arching stems. We take advantage of this by suspending spider plants in hangers and letting the plantlets (or “spiderettes”) dangle in mid-air. The plantlets are fun to watch develop, and if they produce roots, you can clip them from the mother plant and start new ones. The long arching stems sometimes produce white, star-shaped blooms too, which eventually produce seeds – you can plant them if you’re feeling really ambitious. The mother plant can also be divided, so that’s three different ways you can grow new spider plants: with plantlets, by seed, or by division.
Spider plants are very easy to care for too – perfect for the beginning plant collector. They tolerate a wide range of indoor environments (including artificial light in an office), but for maximum health and plantlet production, it’s best to provide your spider plant with bright, indirect light and consistent watering. And if you’re going for that retro vibe, you might consider getting your spider plant a handmade macramé hanger – especially one with those huge wooden beads.
