Chlorophytum comosum indoor care
Chlorophytum comosum, more commonly known as spider plant, is one of the most prevalent indoor plants. It is considered to be one of the easiest plants to grow and hence is the go-to choice for beginners inclined towards gardening.
The plant which has its roots in Africa thrives well in the tropical atmosphere. It has an attractive appearance along with providing additional health benefits to humans.
This very quality of the spider plant has been a huge influence on it becoming a popular indoor plant. Indoor plants, the modern approach towards interior decoration, adds liveliness to the place.
Spider plant not only adds that vibrancy but also purifies the air around. It becomes your own elegant natural air purifier!
If these benefits weren’t enough to have a spider plant at your place, it is also easily manageable. All this plant needs is a simulation of the tropical climate which is an effortlessly achievable task.
Chlorophytum comosum indoor care:
Following are the various factors you need to keep in mind for Chlorophytum comosum indoor care:
Water
Spider plant, being a tropical plant, requires an ample amount of water to thrive well. The simple hack to check the favourable quantity of water to be added is to ensure that approximately the top half of the soil in which the spider plant is growing is wet.
Another important aspect to remember is to keep your pot well-drained. The retention of surplus water can have harmful effects on the plant. Inadequate watering also has ill effects on the plant.
One commonly noticed aftermath of poor watering is the brownish discolouration or dooming of the spider plant. Thus maintaining ideal water quantity is one of the key factors in Chlorophytum comosum indoor care.
Along with the quantity of water, another element to be taken care of is the quality of water. It is safe to use filtered water if the tap water supply predominantly consists of hard water, that is the water enriched with excess minerals.
Excess fluoride and other minerals in water can have undesirable effects on the plant.
Light
Though the spider plant loves sunlight, it cannot withstand direct sunlight for a long period. The ideal position to place the spider plant is in a corner where it can receive good indirect sunlight and is protected from the scorching sun rays.
The wilting away of leaves decreased texture quality of leaves is all an indicator of too much direct light exposure. In such cases, find the ideal spot with the above-mentioned features and let your plant recuperate to life back again.
The doomed colour of the leaves indicates inadequate exposure to light. If your spider plants show dullness in their leaf colour over a certain period, it will be ideal to shift the plant to a better-lit environment.
Humidity
A humid environment is ideal for the growth of spider plants. Since tropical areas have copious amounts of rainfall throughout the year, spider plants require adequate humidity for thriving well.
In the absence of a humid environment, the leaf tips of the spider plant develop brownish discolouration. To fix this, use an air humidifier around the plant at least once a day.
Alternatively, you can spray water around the area where the spider plant is placed, this will ensure a humid environment.
Temperature
Tropical plants require approximately 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit in the day and 30 to 40 degrees at night. Spider plant grows well when provided with a similar temperature range.
If your place falls under the extremely cold temperature range, it would be ideal to use a room temperature regulator for the best growth of your spider plant.
Soil
It is important to have well-draining soil enriched with nutrients for the ideal growth of spider plants. The best composition includes mixing potting soil with a part of pumice and compost into a pot.
Potting soil has lesser adhesion in comparison to garden soil making it less fixative and rigid which is the best soil condition for the spider plant.
Pumice helps in providing aeration which aids in drainage. Compost provides the required nutrients to the spider plants. It is also important to keep the pot well-drained and prevent water retention in the soil. One way to maintain this well-draining environment is to empty the filled saucers below the pots.
Fertilizers
Fertilizers play a crucial role in the growth of spider plants. Providing an adequate quantity of the right fertilizer can enhance the growth of the plant.
The two different types of fertilisers used are organic and inorganic variants. Organic fertilizers are better as they pose a lower risk of causing toxicity due to over-fertilization.
Inorganic fertilisers used for spider plants are available in two major forms: pellet and sprays. Pellet fertilisers are used once in three to four months as pellets slowly release the fertiliser in the soil over an extended period. Spray fertilisers are used once a week.
It is ideal to add half the quantity of the recommended dose in the packaging to the spider plant. Generally, 15-15-15 type of fertiliser is used for household plants but spider plants only require 10-10-10 variety. Adding excess fertilizers can prove more harmful than being beneficial to the plant.
If your spider plant has not been fertilized in a long time, it would be best to marginally increase the frequency of fertilization till the required threshold is met.
Pot size
The spider plant grows best in confined spaces. So do not change the plant into a larger sized pot until the fleshy roots are visible through the soil.
To summarise, the best tips for Chlorophytum comosum indoor care are:
- Keep the plant well hydrated. Do not over pour.
- Your spider plant loves subtle light, make sure to protect it from direct light.
- Maintain a humid environment around the plant.
- Try to maintain a less harsh temperature around the plant.
- Keep the soil well-drained enriched with nutrients.
- Fertilise the soil once a week.
- Maintain just the right pot size to snuggly fit the plant roots.