Chlorophytum, very ornamental foliage

Chlorophytum is native to South Africa and is found appealing for the beauty of its foliage.

Key Chlorophytum facts

Name – Chlorophytum or spider plant
Family – Liliaceae (lily family)
Type – indoor plant

Height – 10 to 12 inches (25 to 30 cm) indoors
Exposure – Very well-lit
Soil – soil mix

Foliage – evergreen

Care, repotting, watering and exposure, are items to focus your attention to make your chlorophytum even nicer.

Planting and re-potting chlorophytum

Upon purchasing, if the pot is too small, feel free to repot your chlorophytum so that it may have space and grow well.

After that, every 2 or 3 years and preferably in spring, repot your chlorophytum in a pot of a very slightly larger size.

• Chlorophytum roots hate having too much water.
  First of all, double-check that the pot has a hole in the bottom.
  After that, increase drainage with a layer of gravel or clay pebbles along the bottom of the pot, to make water flow through more easily.
• Good soil mix is needed.
  Chlorophytum, when it lives indoors, needs soil mix because that is the only source for the nutrients it needs.

Pruning and caring for chlorophytum

Eliminate dead and wilted leaves as you notice them, only snipping off the portion that has already died off and leaving the healthy part intact.

Where to place the chlorophytum

The best place to set up your chlorophytum is near a window that lets a lot of light through, but isn’t in direct sunlight.

The elevated needs in terms of moisture make this plant likely to thrive in a well-lit bathroom.

• It is vulnerable to excess sun that might dry the plant up.

The more light a chlorophytum receives, the nicer its foliage.

Absolutely avoid setting it near heat sources such as radiators, because moisture is what this tropical plant needs most.

• Ideal temperatures are around 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C).

Watering chlorophytum

Regular but moderate watering is called for.
All year long and especially during summer, spray water on the leaves to recreate the moisture levels of its natural habitat.

In spring and summer

Keep the soil mix moist and check that water drains properly.

Add green plant liquid fertilizer every 8 to 15 days during the growing phase.

• Spray the leaves on a regular basis with calcium-free water.

In fall and winter

Reduce watering and wait for the soil to be dry before watering again. The cooler the surrounding temperature gets, the less you need to water.

• Stop adding fertilizer.

Common diseases that infect chlorophytum

Most diseases targeting the plant are common indoor plant diseases, red spider mites and scale insects.

If the leaves start losing their shine, it is a good idea to give it more light.

Tips of leaves drying and yellowing are often a sign of lacking fertilizer and/or moisture. So mist the leafage with soft water and add fertilizer regularly.

Learn more about chlorophytum

A fabulous indoor plant, Chlorophytum often comes in one of two varieties: C. elatum and C. comosum. Both adapt well to indoor house temperatures all year round, and can even cope with cooler air in winter, from 50 to 60°F (10 to 15°C).