Plant · GBIF taxon 2774846
Spider plant
Chlorophytum comosumAlso known as Spider Ivy, Airplane Plant, Ribbon Plant, Hen and Chicks
Spider plants produce long, arching leaves that form dense, fountain-like tufts in subtropical forest understories and indoor planters alike. Parent plants send out slender runners carrying delicate white starry flowers alongside small plantlets that root quickly upon touching moist soil. These resilient perennials rely on fleshy tuberous roots to store water through dry spells, making them exceptionally tough survivors.
EvergreenPerennialHouseplant
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Photosynthetic (sunlight, water, and soil nutrients)
Predators
- Slugs
- Snails
- Mealybugs
ThreatsOverwatering, root rot, and invasive spread in delicate frost-free ecosystems
HabitatsTropical and subtropical forest understories, riverbanks, and cultivated indoor gardens
Life span10–20+ years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderAsparagales
- FamilyAsparagaceae
- GenusChlorophytum
- SpeciesChlorophytum comosum
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Watering: Allow topsoil to dry slightly between waterings, as fleshy tubers store moisture efficiently.
- Lighting: Provide bright indirect light to maintain vibrant leaf variegation without scorching leaf tips.
- Propagation: Snip dangling plantlets once small roots form and place them in moist potting soil.
Frequent Companion Mokkie / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Alessia Guggisberg, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Family Member (c) Miha Jurić, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Family Member (c) Andreas Rockstein, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
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