Spider Plant

We have mentioned elsewhere on our site that common names can be confusing as the same specie may have one common name on the east coast and several additional names in various parts of the country.

For instance when you typed in the search term of spider plant which is Chlorophytum comosum is that what you were looking for or did you actually have in mind spiderwort or Tradescantia.

Spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum is also known as airplane plant with the most popular being the green and white variegated form.

Whatever name you call it by you will soon discover that it is quite easy to grow if provided with bright light, not direct sun which will burn the foliage.

As for watering I have always felt inside the container a short distance down into the potting media and if on the dry side I then would provide it with a good through watering.

Over and under watering of house plants actually kills more plants than perhaps any other problem so take time to learn the skill of proper watering as explained above.

A good well balanced liquid fertilizer should be applied especially during the spring and summer months.

The spider plant adapts well to indoor temperatures and generally is very happy when provided with the same conditions that you find pleasant.

My wife and I like to plant spider plants in our seasonal color beds and with good mulching we have even had them winter over in our zone of 6B.

When planting them outside please remember not to place them in direct sun but do provide bright light which will allow them to thrive.

They are not fussy at all during the growing season and provide form and texture that is not available in any other plant family.

What if you were searching for spiderwort which is a member of the Commelinaceae family or the Tradescantia genus, with varieties such as:

• Tradescantia pallida, Purple Heart - hardy in zones 8 to 11.
  
  
• Tradescantia fluminensis, Wandering Jew, Spider Lily, Cradle Lily, Oyster Plant and Flowering Inch Plant. – hardy in zones 8 to 11.
  
  
• Tradescantia ohiensis, Ohio Spiderwort – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia bracteata, Prairie Spiderwort; mixed colors – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Bilberry Ice; purple flowers – hardy into zone 3.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Blue and Gold; golden foliage with purple blue flowers – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Caerulea Plena; double violet-blue flowers – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Concord Grape; silver-blue foliage with rich purple flowers – hardy into zone 3.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Innocence; white flowers – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Little Doll; blue flowers – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Longipes Blue; deep blue to purple flowers – hardy into zone 4.
  
  
• Tradescantia, Longipes Pink; pink flowers – hardy into zone 4.