Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) – Description and Uses

Leaf Persistence
Evergreen
Form
Herbaceous Perenial
Texture
Fine
Growth Rate
Fast / Indoors: Moderate

Flowering Period (Tropics)
Sporadically through the year
Fruiting Period
Sporadically through the year
Height
0.40-0.50 m (1.3-1.6 ft) Indoors: 0.40-0.50 m (1.3-1.6 ft)
Diameter
0.40-0.50 m (1.3-1.6 ft)

Leaves Shape
Linear
Foliage Colour
Green
Autumn Foliage Colour
Green

Flowers Shape
Stellate
Flowers Colour
White
Fruit
Capsule

Soil Type: Well-drained, sand, loam, clay
Exposure: Half-shade
Soil pH: 5.5-7.5
Watering: Low
Hardiness: -3.9 °C (25 °F – USDA Hardiness Zone 9b)

In parks, squares, gardens, pots, and planters, both indoors and outdoors

The name of the genus Chlorophytum is a compound Neo-Latin word that comes from Ancient Greek ‘χλωρός‘ (pale green) and ‘φυτόν‘ (plant). Both have an Indo-European root, the first being *ǵʰelh₃-, which means ‘the green of new growth‘ and the second is *bʰuH-, which means ‘to appear, become, rise up‘.

The name of the species comosum has a literally ornamental hue: it is the Neo-Latin version of the Ancient Greek word ‘κόμη‘ which means ‘the hair‘.

And of course it is easy understandable that such a name excellently attributes the Spider Plant’s ‘tuft’ distinctive habit.

Central and South Africa are the cradle of Spider Plant. More precisely, the tropical and subtropical zone of the continent, which includes from west Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria and Cameroon and to the east almost all countries from Ethiopia to South Africa.

It occurs in a variety of environments ranging from sea level up to 1000 m and on sedimentary or volcanic soils, which are derived from granite, dolerite, shale and sandstone. In its natural niches the average annual rainfall is between 500 and 2000 mm.

The Chlorophytum comosum is highly adaptable to environments suitable for its development. It has been fully naturalised in Ecuador, Tunisia, Bangladesh, Myanmar, the Korean Peninsula, and Western and Eastern Australia. Especially in Australia it has even been classified as invasive – weed.

The Spider Plant, thanks to the regeneration capability offered by its runners, could be described as an immortal plant – Highlander. A Highlander who lives for about 25 years, however, under conditions of growing in a pot is recommended to renew it every 3 to 5 years.

Spider Plant is an evergreen, perennial plant with tuberous roots and tuft appearance. At height and diameter it does not exceed 50 cm, but it can be spread on the ground and cover a considerable area. Its foliage is of medium density, and has a fine texture.

As a pot or indoor plant may have an attractive appearance of hanging form. In the garden it makes an excellent ground cover plant.

Spider Plant has a dense root system consisting of thickened elongated white fleshy tubers and fine roots. The tubers have a conical shape at both ends, their length being between 5 and 10 cm (2-4 in) and their diameter between 0.5 and 1 cm (0.2-0.4 in).

The flowers are monoecious (hermaphrodite) and complete their biological cycle within a few hours. They are brought 1 to 6 together on a paniculate inflorescence, the axis of which is initially erect, but in full growth curves, forming an arc of 30 to 75 cm (11-30 in) in length. Where the inflorescence touches the ground leafy plantlets and roots are produced.

Each individual flower has a star-like shape, diameter of 1.8 to 2 cm (0.7-0.8 in) and consists of 3 elongated sepals and 3 petals 0.6 to 1 cm (0.23-0.4 in) long. Stamens are 6, with fine filament of 0.3 to 0.5 cm (0.11-0.2 in) in length, with an anther of 0.3 to 0.35 cm (0.11-0.14 in) long. The style is short and smooth with a tiny and capitate stigma.

The Chlorophytum comosum pollination is carried out by insects (entomophilous species)

The fruit is a three-cell capsule containing 9 to 45 smooth and flat black seeds.

Spider Plant can not withstand the frost. The minimum temperatures, which are also the lowest strength limit, range between -1.1 and -3.9 °C. At temperatures between 0 and -3.9 °C (32-25 °F), its overground part is completely destroyed, but in the spring the plant regrows.

With high temperatures it does not encounter any problems, while the most suitable temperatures for its development are those between 18 and 32 °C (64.4-89.6 °F).

Spider Plant grows in almost all soil types, even in high salinity soils, provided they drain well. Furthermore, fully installed plants show remarkably high drought tolerance.

In terms of pH, it grows over a wide range of values, ranging from 5.5 to 7.5, but thrives on slightly acidic soils with values ranging from 6 to 6.5.

Spider Plant does not face serious problems from pests and diseases. However, it does not fall short of other plants on parasites, because it may be immortal, but it is not invulnerable.

• Hercinothrips femoralis (Banded Greenhouse Thrips)

• Tetranychus urticae (Red Spider Mite)

• Panonychus ulmi (European Red Mite)

• Pratylenchus penetrans (Northern Root Lesion)

• Rotylenchulus reniformis (Reniform Nematode)

• Alternaria alternata (Alternaria Leaf Spot)

• Thielaviopsis basicola – syn. Chalara elegans (Black Root Rot)

• Cercospora sp.

• Fusarium sp.

• Pythium splendens

• Athelia rolfsii (Sclerotium Rot)

• Rhizoctonia solani

• Erwinia carotovora

• Pseudomonas cichorii (Bacterial Blight of Endive)

No part of Spider Plant is toxic to humans or pets.

People with sensitivity may be allergic to the pollen of the male part of the flower.

Spider Plant is one of the most popular ornamental plants with worldwide demand. This results in the creation of dozens of varieties, some of the most important of which are listed below.

It is the most widespread variety of the plant. Its leaves have green margins and a characteristic white strip in the middle. It is extremely drought-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant. It grows better in moderate textured sandyloam or loamysand soils as well as sandy.

It differs from the previous one in that its leaves are green inside and the margins are white. For the rest, it has similar properties and requirements to that one.

It is of less growth than the typical species. It has narrower leaves with a larger width, stronger green in the middle and white margins.

Extremely interesting variety with attractive hues green leaves. It has similar characteristics and requirements to those of the typical species.

In ethnobotany, the plant is used in various traditional medical systems around the world. In Chinese Traditional Medicine, the tubular roots are given for the treatment of bronchitis, burns, and for bone fractures.

Spider Plant is also an excellent choice for interior design of both home and professional spaces. Additionally, over decorative it also has functional value, because because as mentioned above it cleans the indoor air from the dangerous toxic substances formaldehyde, xylene and toluene. For air filtration to be effective, 1 plant per 10 m² (100 ft) is needed.

The References of the gossamer article bearing the African-originated title Chlorophytum comosum – Description and Use are presented by the the great Jamaican singer & musician Burning Spear with its song Slavery Days.