Spider plants can be brought outdoors for the summer in other climates and returned inside when the weather becomes cold. Managing direct sunlight is a challenge when growing spider plants outdoors.
Native to South Africa, spider plants need a warm, tropical climate to survive outside. They can be grown like a perennial in zones 9-11 and as an annual in cooler climates. Spider plants outside cannot tolerate any frost. If planting them as annuals in cooler climates, be sure to wait until there's no danger of frost.
The Spider plant grows best in indirect light. While it can tolerate some direct sun in the morning, too much full sunlight will burn its leaves. Filtered light is the best option for this green beauty. Your plant should receive only 4 to 6 hours of bright light daily to prevent leaf issues.
Yes, you can move an indoor plant outside, but do it gradually over 1-2 weeks to help the plant adjust to higher light levels and outdoor conditions. Watch for temperature changes, water more frequently, protect from direct sun initially, and check for pests.
Spider plants don't need a ton of natural light, so they do well in bathrooms and bedrooms. They also thrive in windowsills, though they shouldbe set about 12 inches (30 cm) away from south-facing windows during the spring and summer months.
How often should I water my spider plant? A light drink every week or so is all your spider plant needs, watering less frequently in autumn and winter. You're just looking to dampen the compost. A good way to check if it needs watering is to dip your finger into the soil, up to the second knuckle.
Where to grow a spider plant. Grow these easy plants in a bright spot out of direct sun as this can scorch their leaves. They can cope with a bit of cold, but don't leave them anywhere where the temperature will drop below 8 degrees in the winter. The best room for a spider plant will depend on the light.
Most plants grow best in temperatures ranging from 59°–86°F. When temperatures above 90°F are sustained for long periods, plant growth is slowed, and some plants begin to show signs of stress.
Most houseplants like to be by windows. Some thrive in sunny conditions, whilst others need more shade than direct sunlight. Most houseplants are happy with a window that is either west, or east facing.
Some types of palms withstand snow and below-zero temperatures. Winter protection - If your indoor palms move outside for summer, bring them back indoors for winter, once nighttime temperatures fall near 50 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit. In spring, wait until all danger of frost passes before you move palms back outdoors.
65°F to 90°F is ideal for Spider Plants, with moderate fluctuations tolerated. 🌡️ Avoid extremes below 50°F or above 90°F to prevent damage. Consistent temperature and humidity ensure Spider Plant health and flowering.
Should You Cut the Brown Tips Off Spider Plants? You can cut the brown tips off your spider plant to get back the aesthetically pleasing appearance of your green companion. The damaged fronds may not affect your plant's overall health but pruning them will make your spider plant look so much better.
Spider plant generally has few pest problems other than scale insects and mealybugs. Tip burn of the leaves is a common problem that can have many causes. Low humidity, excessively dry soil, salt accumulation and/or chemicals, particularly fluoride or chlorine, in tap water may cause brown leaf tips.
Direct sunlight harms Spider Plants, causing leaf scorching and browning. 🌱 Bright, indirect light is ideal; east or west-facing windows recommended. Monitor and adjust positioning seasonally to prevent sun stress.
A: For propagation purposes, you can cut or leave the babies on the spider plant and root them while still connected to the stolons. If you don't intend to multiply the plant, you should cut the spiderettes during pruning sessions.
When you move them outside, it's important not to move them into too much light. Even the brightest indoor locations are only a fraction of the light intensity compared to any shady spot outside. Houseplants will do best if they "vacation" in a full-shade or part-shade location outdoors.
If a plant is overwatered, it will likely develop yellow or brown limp, droopy leaves as opposed to dry, crispy leaves (which are a sign of too little water). Wilting leaves combined with wet soil usually mean that root rot has set in and the roots can no longer absorb water.
Some plants do best indoors while others prefer outdoors. Not every plant makes a great house plant, so it's important to do the research before digging up the garden and bringing everyone indoors for the winter. Some plants simply thrive outdoors and don't get what they need inside.
During extremely hot weather (daytime temperatures above 90F and nighttime temperatures above 70F), try to water daily or every other day. In a 10x10-foot garden, this would mean giving your plants 8 to 9 gallons of water each day.
Time It Right
While it might be tempting to ship indoor plants outside at the first sign of spring, it's best to wait until nighttime temperatures stay at or above 60°F, and after any threat of frost has passed. If you're planning ahead, use the average last frost date for your area as your guide.
When temperatures are exceptionally high and prolonged, plants can lose water through evaporation much faster than the roots can absorb it. Wilted, drooping leaves, resulting from a combination of excess water loss and high internal temperatures, are often the first signs of heat stress.
Spider plant cultivation
They enjoy reasonably cool temperatures - around 13-18°C (55-65°F). Spider plants can be moved outside to a reasonably sunny patio in summer - but make sure you bring them back indoors before the weather turns very cold and frosty in autumn.
Water thoroughly and discard of any excess water in the saucer. Your Spider Plant will do well in normal household humidity but will thrive with a bit more humidity. Brown leaf tips may indicate the air is too dry, so mist your Spider Plant regularly using a Mister. Your plant prefers temperatures between 60–80° F.
The humidity is too low.
If the air around a spider plant gets too dry, its leaf tips can dry out and turn brown. Spider plants are tropical plants that need 50% to 60% humidity. You may naturally have this much humidity in your home during the summer, but in winter, indoor humidity levels tend to drop.