Help! Spider Plant

[My sister's princess]

I asked my step mother for a plant as she has a house full of wonderful plants. I went over expecting to pick up a baby..... and got a monster! I don't really know how to care for it, and I am really scared of killing it, as it isn't just a little clipping. I have it sitting in the window, and have only watered it once (today) since getting it (Monday). Any suggestions and help would be great appreciated!

 

[My sister's princess]

anyone? I really don't wana kill this thing

 

[Michelle67]

Spider plants are pretty forgiving, the two of you should get along just fine . They don't really like direct sunlight, though, so move it back out of the window. Near the window is fine, but not right in it. Keep it where it will get plenty of light, but not direct light shining on it all day. You should water it about once a week or when the soil feels dry to the touch. I had great luck keeping one in a bathroom for years as a hanging plant. I hung it just inside the window, but since bathroom windows tend to be opaque it didn't get too much light, and it seemed to enjoy the humidity in there.

If you have cats you might want to consider hanging it, because cat's like spider plants (chomp chomp).

 

[My sister's princess]

Thank you!!
This is where it gets interesting... I live in a dorm! I can't hang the thing, so I figured that on my dresser near the window was better than behind something?

 

[MontanaZoo]

They're really really hard to kill. When I've killed everything else, the spider plant is still going. Just don't over water it, water it in a sink thoroughly once a week or so and that's it.

 

[Michelle67]

Thank you!!
This is where it gets interesting... I live in a dorm! I can't hang the thing, so I figured that on my dresser near the window was better than behind something?

Yeah, it should be fine on the dresser near the window. I was thinking you had it right on the sill.

I'm assuming since you said your step mother has lots of plants, that she planted it in a planter that has drainage, right? Spiders will tolerate a lot; you can overwater them from time to time or underwater them...they are really hardy. But sitting in over-moist soil, which will happen if the pot can't drain, will rot the roots and kill it. Other than that, I think you really can just relax. They're tough. A good choice for a new plant person.

 

[My sister's princess]

It does have drainage, so if that is the biggest worry, this thing just might survive! Thanks for the advice!

 

[Robmom]

That's the one kind of plant that I can't kill. I have mine at work, with no sunlight, just light from the florescent lighting. Sometimes I forget to water it, and I come in and it looks dead, but once I put water in, it comes back to life. I might have to clip off the dead leaves, but otherwise it is perfectly healthy. In fact, when I first got it, a coworker left the job and called me and asked for me to take care of the plants. It was in terrible shape, but just some water brought it back to life. So don't worry at all about this plant.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

That's the one kind of plant that I can't kill.

Sometimes I forget to water it, and I come in and it looks dead, but once I put water in, it comes back to life. I might have to clip off the dead leaves, but otherwise it is perfectly healthy.

That's what I was going to say. I love them because of that, even if they do look so "70's".

 

[Chicago526]

My mom liked spider plants because she couldn't kill them! They like light so keep it near a window, and just try to remember to water it now and again.

One warning, spider plants are poisonous so be cautious if you have pets or young kids that like to chew/eat things.