Scientific Name Chlorophytum comosum (tufted green plant)
Common Name Common Spider Plant, Spider Ivy, Ribbon Plant, Hen & Chickens
Origin Originates in South and West Africa
Description An easygoing explosion of green, the Spider Plant will love you if you give it light and water in abundance; these are especially a good choice if you are prone to giving too much water to your plants- and will also forgive you if you miss a water once in a while. Your Spider Plant will add a splash of bright green with stripes of white variegation to any room, and repay your care by flourishing on your shelves and filling them with greenery- and, if it's really happy, with brand new spider plant babies (spiderettes) and tiny white flowers! Light Thrives in bright, indirect light, but can withstand most levels of light from low light to partial sun (though once a plant is accustomed to high levels of light, try to keep it there). The more light it gets, the more frequently it will need water.
Water Allow the top third of the soil to dry out between waters; spider plants like to be moist but not soggy, and their roots are well adapted for storing water.
Humidity Thrives in high humidity; will appreciate misting or the introduction of a humidity tray. It will survive with lower humidity but the ends of its leaves will brown and curl if it's too dry! Soil Plant in fast draining, but moisture retentive soil. A mix with added bark or perlite would be ideal. Repot every year in spring- these plants have a tendency to become pot-bound quickly and their roots risk damaging the pot!
Food Feed every four waters in the growing season, reduce to every six in autumn and winter. Temperature Should ideally be between 20-32°C- make sure it doesn't drop below 12°C in winter.
Pet-safe Yes, but too much nibbling won't be good for pets, small humans or the plant!
Sprouts Top Tips Your spider plant may produce pups, known as 'spiderettes', within a year, especially once it gets a little potbound; these can be cut off the stem and planted into soil once the root system starts to develop and you'll have a whole new plant!
If you are watering with tap water, don't be surprised to see brown tips on your spider plant's leaves; this is the plant reacting to Fluorides in tap water and, although it may not look perfectly green, it won't do any more harm to your plant.
This month we have been busier than expected, which is obviously amazing. We have worked with some amazing businesses, including a very nice doughnut cafe thats opened on College Green that you need to check out. We have welcomed Jazz to the team, she's already settling in amazingly. And we look forward to the end of the year for that ever so special quarter that is very very important to retailers like us up and down the country.
We have launched our first (hopefully monthly) ‘Letter from the Founder’ blog post. I talk about a string of bad luck, from water gushing from various ceilings in my life to a break-in, and also reflect on the incredible work we have done to win two awards earlier this year. I look ahead to what’s coming up in August, projects we are working on with our clients, and some thoughts about the rest of the year. And I give an insight into my brain, why I am who I am and why I’m so thankful for all the opportunities, passion and excitement that running Sprouts has given me as a founder and as a woman.