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15 Different types of spider plants: All you need to know

Spider plants are a popular choice for indoor plant enthusiasts due to their easy care and attractive appearance. There are several different types of spider plants, each with their own unique characteristics and growing requirements. There is a reason that spider plants are one of the most popular houseplant varieties; they are one of the easiest indoor plants to take care of.

Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or just starting out, there’s a spider plant out there for you. With so many different types of spider plants available its easy to find the perfect spider plant to fit your style and space.

So, let’s learn about the different types of spider plants and how to care for them to keep your leafy friend thriving! Our guide includes some common varieties you might be familiar with and introduces you to some new ones.

There’s a picture gallery at the end of the page that will help you learn how to tell the difference between all the different Chlorophytum varieties that are commonly kept as houseplants.

If you are a new plant parent then check out our simple guide to taking care of your spider plant. Well-drained soil, bright light, and a little feed during the growing season (spring and summer months) is all it takes. Make sure you have at least one of these beautiful plants to brighten up your living room.

Generally when we talk about varieties of spider plants the botanical name will be one from the Chlorophytum species. There are however, different species known as spider plants, such as Cleome, called the spider flower, and Lycoris, known as the spider lily. Other names for Chlorophytum include airplane plant, spider ivy, ribbon plant and the less-than-appealing name toilet plant.

how to care for spider plants guide, provide moisture and humidity, provide bright indirect light, fertilize in spring and summer, remove old leaves, provide a break in winter. Advice generally suitable for most types of spider plants.

Spider plants are on of the safest plants have in your home or garden. That’s because they come with super-powers. Research published in 20211 demonstrated the power of chlorophytum comosum as an air purifier. It was able to remove of particulate matter, carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde and carbon dioxide. One plant is sufficient for a room of 10 m2 /100 ft2. Chlorophytum borivilanum and others are used in Ayurvedic medicine and all Chlorophytum spp. are safe for kids and pets.

Growing spider plants

Unless otherwise specified, all the spider plants described below like bright indirect light if indoors. If outdoors they like dappled light or partial shade. Direct sun, especially in the afternoon, can cause brown tips on the leaves. The opposite problem, not enough light, can result in leaves that lack the distinct variegation and color that spider plants are known for. If you are using fluoridated tap water for your indoor plant you might want to filter it first. This is because fluorides can cause leaf discoloration in spider plants.

As Chlorophytum are tropical plants they like similar conditions to their natural environment. Moist soil, humid air, and an average temperature of around 12-21 oC or 55-70 oF will keep them happy. Indoors they shouldn’t attract many pests. If they do it will likely by spider mites but are also susceptible to scale and aphids. Horticultural oil or insecticidal soap can take care of all of these pests.

Most spider plants produce tiny white flowers with 6 petals in a star pattern. The flowers cluster on long stems (racemes) the length of which varies across the different varieties. They aren’t grown for their flowers though, they are grown for their attractive foliage.

Types of spider plants:

Shamrock spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum

Chlorophytum comosum solid green spider plant (shamrock spider plant) overhead view showing mother plant and plantlets.

This variety can seem a little underwhelming when compared to its showier cousins. This is one of the few solid green spider plants, with dark green leaves, hence its common name Shamrock spider plant. The only other color is the small white flowers it produces. It can grow to a height and width of 2 ft or 60 cm but will generally be smaller if grown indoors. Outdoors it makes a great a border or ground cover in USDA zones 9-11 and will tolerate periods of dryness once established. In USDA zone 8 it can survive if in a protected location and has a supportive microclimate.

Variegated spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegata’

Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' or Variegated spider plant in a white pot. Leaves have dark green center and white or cream margins.

This variety has leaves with a green stripe down the center and white or cream margins. The reverse pattern is seen in C.comosum ‘Vittata which is sometimes called Reverse Variegatum for just this reason. It can grow to a height and width of 2 ft or 60 cm but will generally be smaller if grown indoors. Outdoors the variegated spider plant is a common border or ground cover in USDA zones 9-11 and will tolerate periods of dryness once established. In USDA zone 8 it can survive if in a protected location and has a supportive microclimate.

Reverse variegated spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittata’

Chlorophytum comosum Vittatum is a variegated spider lily with long dark green leaves that have white variegation in the center.

Just like it sounds, the leaves on this plant have the reverse pattern to the variegated spider plant variety. White stripes are in the center of the leaf and dark green along the margins. Indoors it will grow to a height and width of 12 in or 30 cm but can reach double this if grown outside in ideal conditions. It makes an attractive border or ground cover in outdoor gardens located in USDA zones 9-11. In USDA zone 8 it can survive if in a protected location and has a supportive microclimate. Once established outdoors the reverse variegated spider plant will tolerate periods of dryness.

Curly spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum ‘Bonnie’

Chlorophytum comosum 'Bonnie' Spider plant has curled variegated leaves that are dark green with a white or cream stripe down the center.

The unique appearance of this plant makes it perfect for a hanging basket. Bonnie’s curly leaves cascade over the edge in loops which is why it is also known as the ribbon plant. Variegated Bonnie spider plant is a great choice for small spaces as it only grows to 8 in or 20 cm wide. It is also one of the few Chlorophytum that produce a colored flower, showing off the lovely yellow star-shaped flowers over the summer months. Outdoors Bonnie is only suitable in USDA zones 10 and 11 and indoors it grows best in temperature range of 16-24 oC or 60-75 oF.

Ocean spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum ‘Ocean’

Chlorophytum comosum 'Ocean' spider plant has wide short strappy leaves that are dark green with a thin white margin.

Ocean spider plant has similar markings to Variegata but the leaves of this plant are shorter and wider and the margins tend to be cream rather than white. Having shorter leaves means that like Bonnie, it is one of the smaller varieties, reaching 12 in or 30 cm in height and width. It also likes the same warmer temperatures as Bonnie.

Ocean needs more humidity than other spider plant varieties. If you see brown crispy tips develop on the leaves they are a sign that the growing environment needs more moisture in the air. You can sit the plant over a tray of water with pebbles in it, just make sure the bottom of the pot isn’t in contact with the water. Another way to increase humidity is using a spray bottle to mist leaves.

Atlantic spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum ‘Atlantic’

Chlorophytum comosum Atlantic spider plant has dark green margins with cream variegation in the center of the leaf.

Atlantic spider plant has a similar appearance to Vittata but with shorter narrow leaves. Just like the other shorties, Ocean and Bonnie, it grows to around 20 cm or 8 in wide and high. All three of them though have gorgeous hanging plantlets. This variety is happier on the dry side in winter months so be careful if you tend to over-water.

Lemon spider plant – Chlorophytum comosum ‘Lemon’

Chlorophytum comosum Lemon spider plant showing lemon stripe down the center of the dark green strappy leaves and plantlets.

Lemon spider plant’s shiny green leaves are a pale lemon in the center. It’s one of the larger varieties growing to 20 in or 50 cm wide and high. It can grow outdoors in USDA zones 10 and 11. If you are looking for an all green spider plant and having trouble finding one the Lemon spider plant makes a good alternative. It also looks great planted or position next to Fire Flash spider plant.

Hawaiian spider plant – Chlorophytum viridescens ‘Hawaiian’

Chlorophytum viridescens 'Hawaiian' has long strappy green leaves with golden yellow stripes or variegation down the center.

You can see why Hawaiian spider plant is sometimes called Golden Glow. Instead of cream or white variegations this one has golden yellow centres with a bright green margin. The long narrow leaves form in a rosette pattern at the base.

The plant produces long, thin stems that bear small white flowers, which develop into small plantlets or “spiderettes” that can be propagated and grown into new plants.

Zebra spider plant – Chlorophytum laxum

Short leaves of chlorophytum laxum commonly known as Bichetii grass or Zebra grass are narrow with green center and white margins.

Thin white edges on the margins of the leaves and a dark green center give the zebra spider plant its name. The short narrow leaves give it another common name, zebra grass. It is also called Bichetii grass, Siam Lily and St Bernard’s Lily. It’s usually grown outdoors, especially in its native West Africa or in USDA zones 10 and 11. It can handle full sunlight for brief periods in the morning but prefers light shade. For brief periods (4-6 weeks) it can survive as an aquatic plant and loves to grow in terrariums.

Fire Flash spider plant – Chlorophytum orchidastrum or Chlorophytum filipendulm subsp amiansis ‘Fire Flash’

Fire Flash spider plant or Mandarin spider plant (Chlorophytum orchidastrum filipendulum amaniense) has orange petioles (stems) accentuated with a contrasting dark green leaf with wavy margins.

This variety of spider plant goes by lots of names including Fire Glory, orange spider plant, tangerine plant, mandarin plant and Sierra Leone lily. Fire Flash spider plant is a valued ornamental plant because of its unusual orange petioles (stalks) and wavy margins on the leaves. The leaves are fragile so be careful when transplanting and don’t place it in a high traffic area. Native to southern Africa it is named after the city of Amani in Tanzania. It can grow up to 45 cm or 18 in in containers or a huge 1.5m / 5 ft outdoors in a tropical setting.

Chlorophytum Holstii / Chlorophytum Hofmannii

This variety of spider plant has broad dark green leaves similar in size and shape to the Fire Flash spider plant and averages six leaves to a rosette. Like many other Chlorophytum it is native to tropical Africa and grows in dense evergreen forests as well as on rocky hillsides. Flowers develop on short stalks as opposed to the long arching racemes on most other spider plants. It is not available commercially and as a result is not well known.

Capense spider plant – Chlorophytum capense

The distinguishing feature of this variety is that it doesn’t form the plantlets or baby spider plants that the C.comosum varieties are known for. Capense spider plant can have either medium green leaves or variegated leaves, in which case the variegation pattern is cream center with dark green margins. Growing and care conditions are the same as for most types of spider plant – moist well-drained soil and bright indirect light or partial shade. It can handle lower temperatures than most varieties but not frost. Propagation is via seed or division.

Starlight spider plant – Chlorophytum saundersiae

This is one of the few Chlorophytum that can handle some direct sunlight and tends to be grown outdoors rather than indoors. It is named after botanist Katherine Saunders (1824-1901). Starlight has long thin strappy dark green leaves with tall vertical racemes of tiny white flowers in summer months. Unlike other spider plants it does not form rhizomes or tubers. It originated on the east coast of Africa in coastal regions and is native to the area’s coastal grasslands. This means that it tolerates sandy soil well, particularly if it is enriched in compost. It will also tolerate frosts and wet soils, and is suitable for USDA zones 8-11. Propagation is easiest via seed.

Watergrass – Chlorophytum saundersiae ‘Watergrass’

Watergrass is another hardy spider plant variety. It’s appearance is similar to Starlight (see above) but with purple flowers. It looks great massed in a border planting either on its own or mixed with Watergrass.

Safed Musli – Chlorophytum borivilianum ‘Santapau’ ‘Fernandes’

This variety is native to wet forests in India, particularly around the Borivili National Park after which it is named. It is grown commercially for use in Ayurvedic medicine where it has the nickname “Ayurvedic Viagra”. The tuberous rhizomes of the plant are particularly highly valued. This is one of the larger varieties and has long and narrow solid green leaves arranged in a rosette pattern. It will grow up to 5 ft / 1.5 m and thrives in high humidity.

How to tell the difference between different types of spider plants

How to grow new baby spider plants

Propagating spider plants is easy by either division or seed. Division can involve dividing the rhizome in some plants, or in others requires separating the pups from the parent plant. A higher success rate comes from layering – placing the pup on a small pot of soil with a paperclip bent into a U shape anchoring it to the soil. In a short time roots will form, at which point the stem connecting the pup to the mother plant can be cut and you have a new spider plant.

You can also try striking roots by sitting a pup in water. Basically, all you need to do is suspend the pup over a jar of water with the base in contact with the water. Roots may have already started to grow while it was attached to the mother plant or will start very quickly. Once the roots grow to at least 1/2 in or 13 mm the pup is ready to plant. If you are planting seeds they should be 1/2 inch or 13 mm deep and kept in a warm humid place until they germinate.


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References

(1) Bandehali, S.; Miri, T.; Onyeaka, H.; Kumar, P. Current State of Indoor Air Phytoremediation Using Potted Plants and Green Walls. Atmosphere 2021, 12, 473. https:// doi.org/10.3390/atmos12040473