How often to water a spider plant
Chlorophytum comosum
Every 1 to 2 weeks, when the top inch of soil is dry.
Spider plants like evenly moist soil that dries a little on top between waterings. Their thick roots hold some water, so a short dry spell is fine.
Spider plant schedule
Water
- Spring and summer
- About once a week
- Fall and winter
- About every 2 weeks
Feed
- Spring and summer
- Every 2 to 4 weeks, at half strength
- Fall and winter
- None
Check the soil first. Water only when it is as dry as this guide says.
How to tell it is time to water
Touch the top inch of soil. When it is dry, water until it drains from the bottom.
Signs of overwatering
- Yellowing, limp leaves
- A soft or mushy base
- Soil that stays soggy
Signs of underwatering
- Pale, limp leaves
- Brown, dry leaf tips (tap water minerals and too much fertilizer cause this too)
- Soil shrinking from the pot edge
Light and pot
- Light
- Bright to medium indirect light. Strong direct sun can scorch the leaves.
- Pot and soil
- Any pot with a drainage hole and an ordinary potting mix. It flowers and sends out babies more readily when slightly root-bound.
- Pets
- Listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
This schedule is general guidance for a healthy indoor plant. Light, temperature, humidity, pot size and soil all change how fast it dries out, so check the soil before you water and adjust.