Spider Plants: The Indestructible Houseplant Even You Can’t Kill
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) have earned a reputation as the ultimate beginner-friendly houseplant. But don’t let their simple looks fool you—they are tough, prolific, and surprisingly forgiving. Whether you’re a seasoned plant parent or a self-proclaimed “plant killer,” spider plants are ready to thrive under nearly any condition.
Why Spider Plants Are Perfect for Beginners
Spider plants are the perfect introduction to houseplant care. They are low-maintenance, adaptable, and capable of bouncing back from neglect. Reddit users have shared countless stories about accidentally killing or overwatering these resilient plants, only to see them bounce back stronger than ever.
As one spider plant enthusiast explains, “Perfect beginner plant. If it wasn’t for my spider plants starting out with me, I could not care for most of my finicky plants now and make alocasia’s thrive. They were my teachers so that I could earn my now green thumb.”
Their forgiving nature makes them an excellent choice for anyone building confidence in plant care.
The Secret? Neglect (Kind of)
Many people are surprised to learn that spider plants actually thrive under a bit of neglect. Overwatering is one of the few ways to harm them, while letting the soil dry between waterings is usually best.
Here are some expert tips shared by avid spider plant growers:
Watering: Only water when the leaves start to fade to a greyish color. Spider plants store water in their thick, tuber-like roots, so they rarely need frequent watering. Treat them like succulents or snake plants.
Lighting: Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid harsh direct sunlight, especially in summer. Spider plants enjoy a bit of morning or late afternoon sun.
Soil & Pots: Terracotta pots are ideal—they help the soil dry faster and prevent root rot. Spider plants also like being slightly root-bound, which encourages growth and baby production.
Fertilizing: Fertilize occasionally, especially during the growing season, to encourage healthy growth and baby spider production.
Brown Tips? Don’t Panic
Brown leaf tips are common, often caused by hard water, over-fertilizing, or environmental stress. Solutions include:
Use distilled or filtered water.
Trim slightly brown tips with scissors—spider plants are forgiving, and they will continue growing beautifully.
Reddit users have even shared that letting water sit for 24 hours before watering can reduce brown tips, or using a water conditioner if your tap water is very hard.
Spider Plant Babies: The Fun Part
Spider plants are prolific growers, producing “babies” or offshoots that can be propagated easily. Here’s how to make the most of them:
Water Propagation: Place a baby in water until it develops roots. This method is fast and forgiving.
Soil Propagation: Once rooted, babies can be planted in soil. Some growers prefer rooting in water first, as direct soil propagation can make babies cranky at first.
Gift or Sell: Spider plant babies are easy to share with friends, family, or even sell locally.
Many Reddit users have reported entire “spider plant armies” in their homes, thanks to the rapid propagation of these plants.
Spider Plants and Pets
Cats are particularly drawn to spider plants, as they can produce a mild intoxicating effect similar to catnip. Keep plants out of reach if your pets love to nibble on greenery.
Final Thoughts
Spider plants are true survivors. They can endure neglect, overwatering, or low light, and still thrive. For anyone struggling with plant care, they provide a gentle learning curve. Even if you’ve “killed” a spider plant before, there’s hope—these hardy houseplants are tough to defeat.
As one Redditor put it: “Neglect. The sorcery is called ‘Neglect.’ They can handle nearly everything but too much water. Ignore them, forget them. Water them like you would a succulent or snake plant. Only water them once the leaves fade and look grey-ish.”
Spider plants aren’t just plants—they’re teachers, companions, and little miracles of resilience. If you’re ready to grow your green thumb, there’s no better place to start than with a spider plant.
