Chlorophytum comosum
The Spider Plant, Chlorophytum comosum, is a species of Chlorophytum native to South Africa.
| Chlorophytum comosum | |
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| Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' | |
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| Species: | C. comosum
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| Chlorophytum comosum (Thunberg) Jacques [1]
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Spider plants have long narrow leaves that are 20–40 cm (8–15 in) long and 5–20 mm (0.2–0.8 in) broad. They grow from a central rosette. It also produces branched stolons with small white flowers and baby plantlets.
It is a very popular houseplant. The most widely grown is the variegated cultivar 'Variegatum'. It has one or two broad yellowish-white bands running along the length of each leaf. Natural, entirely green plants are also grown.
The Spider Plant is very easy to spread. They can be propagated by splitting its main rosette. It is even easier to remove plantlets from the stolons and plant them separately or put them in a glass of water. They will grow roots readily in water but establish faster in soil while still attached to the parent plant. Pinning the plantlet to the soil with a bent paper clip can be helpful. Make sure the soil is damp and well drained. The plantlet can then be removed from the parent plant in 7-10 days.
It is a very popular plant with beginners, as it is easy to grow and propagate.
Spider plants have also been shown to reduce indoor air pollution.[2]
At the spot where a leaf would normally develop a node, these plants will produce adventitious roots down into the soil, and new above ground shoots.
Chlorophytum Comosum Media
Spider Plant
Fleshy roots of pot-grown plant
Chlorophytum comosum
'Variegatum' in a hanging basket showing the plantlets
Plantlets and budding flowers
References
- ↑ "Chlorophytum comosum information from NPGS/GRIN". www.ars-grin.gov. Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ↑ B.C. Wolverton, Rebecca C. McDonald, and E.A. Watkins, Jr. "Foliage plants for removing indoor air pollutants from energy-efficient homes" (PDF). Retrieved 2007-05-03.
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