sharp shooters
Spider plants have been around for decades, but a new generation of retro-cool gardeners has put them back in the spotlight, writes ARNO KING
Recently, one of my neighbours came running over to tell me that she had just been to the local garden centre and couldn’t believe they were selling spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum). Some of the larger, more established baskets were going for more than $100, she said. What was the world coming to?
You’ve probably noticed there’s been a shift in plant trends over the past few years. Indoor plants are now all the rage, and many plants that were popular in the 1960s and ’70s are back in vogue. One of the plants that has made a comeback is the spider plant.
what’s to love
The spider plant forms tufts of slightly drooping, green and white striped leaves. Once established, it flowers prolifically, producing white flowers on long, pale yellow stems. After flowering, plantlets form on the stems, pulling the stems downwards. The plantlets flower, too, and a healthy, established plant may hang down many metres. A large, well-grown, established spider plant cascading from a hanging basket is a sight to behold.
This is a great indoor or verandah plant for the novice or time-poor gardener. Bright shade and filtered light produce the best growth and attractive variegation on the leaves. In a dark spot, growth is slower and the leaves less striking. Its succulent roots allow it to accommodate patchy watering, but a regular drink and a liquid feed every two weeks produces a lovely, lush plant.
care, pests & propagation
The dense, fleshy roots soon fill a pot, so keep an eye on your plant and re-pot it into a larger container when the pot appears full. I like using coir peat (a 60:40 mix of chunky and fine) mixed with equal parts perlite, along with an application of controlled-release fertiliser.
If dust builds up on the leaves, wash them in the shower, or wipe them gently
CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Vittatum’ with plantlets, which can be propagated; white
owers form on the stems of spider plants; ‘Variegatum’ makes a striking hanging pot. with a moist cloth. Sparse, elongated growth is usually caused by overwatering or poor light, while black leaf tips occur when watering is irregular.
If soft, brown scale insects appear on the underside of stems and leaves, spray with neem oil. To combat mealy bugs, dab with a cotton bud dipped in methylated spirits. Aphids that appear on soft, new growth can be wiped off with a damp rag.
Spider plants are easy to propagate using the plantlets that form at the end of the flower stems. Select older plantlets that have developed roots, and gently snap from the stem. When potting up, keep the section where the leaves meet the roots sitting just above the potting mix.