| Someone gave me a spider plant, and I have never hered of it. I have it in a window indoors, is that where I should keep it? |
| plants are botanically known as Chlorophytum comosum, and they make excellent, trouble-free houseplants. They prefer medium to high light, but no direct afternoon sunlight. The variegated spider plants need more light than the plain green ones. Spider plants need to dry out between waterings. They have large, fleshy storage roots that store water, so don't overwater them. It can lead to rot. They are happiest in the same temperatures that make you comfortable. Just don't let the temperature go below 40?F or they will be damaged. Spider plants find our homes too dry in winter and need to be misted frequently indoors to prevent attacks by spider mites. Put the plant in the bathtub and give it a shower occasionally to refresh it. Spider plants can be propagated by dividing the mother plant or planting the plantlets. Set a pot near the mother plant and pin a plantlet to the surface of its soil, water it and then treat it the same as the mother plant. When new leaves form on the plantlet, cut it free. If the mother plant is in a hanging basket, cut off a plantlet, pin it to the soil of the pot that will be its home. Water it well and put the pot in a plastic bag or under a plastic dome to preserve the humidity. Keep the new plant out of direct sun and ventilate it briefly each day to prevent fungus problems. When new leaves form, remove the cover. Enjoy your new plant. |
