Spider plant care: light, water, and pet safety

Chlorophytum comosum

Care table

LightMedium light to bright indirect light. Medium to bright indirect. Pale or limp in low light.
WaterWater when the top inch dries. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
HumidityAverage room air is fine
RepottingSpring to early summer, when roots circle the pot or grow out the drainage hole. Go up 1 to 2 inches in pot width.

Winter care

Growth slows. Let the soil dry a little further between waterings, stop fertilizer until spring, and keep it away from cold drafts and heat vents.

Pet safety

Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA). ASPCA entry: Spider Plant Cats like to chew it. Safe per ASPCA, but it can cause mild vomiting.

Pet safety comes from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list. The list is not exhaustive, and a plant marked non-toxic can still upset a pet stomach. If a pet eats a plant and you are worried, call your vet or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 (a fee may apply). ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants list.

Common problems

  • Brown, crispy leaf tips: Dry air, uneven watering, or salt buildup from fertilizer. Flush the pot with plain water a few times a year.
  • Yellow lower leaves, soggy soil: Watering before the soil dried, or a pot with no drainage.

Illinois Extension, Spider plant

How to check the soil

Finger test: push a finger into the soil up to the first knuckle, about an inch. Dry and crumbly means that layer is dry. Cool or damp means wait. For deeper checks use a wooden skewer: it comes out clean when the soil is dry.

All houseplants and the Light and Water tool

Guides

Sources