Spider Plant

If Seeds & Saplings had an official mascot, it would probably be the Spider Plant. We are known for these on the stall, and we propagate and hand-raise every single one of them ourselves.

The Spider Plant is an absolute classic for a reason. It is the ultimate confidence-builder for new plant parents. With its brightly variegated, arching green and white ribbons, it looks incredibly retro and adds instant life to any room. It looks especially brilliant tumbling out of a hanging basket or placed on a high shelf.

As it matures, it will start to produce long, trailing stems tipped with tiny white flowers and its very own baby Spider Plants. You can leave them hanging there for a wild jungle look, or snip them off and propagate them yourself, or bring them into us at The Barras to become a member of the Spiderette Adoption Society.

How to keep it happy:

• Light: Very adaptable. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight but will happily tolerate semi-shade. Just keep it out of the harsh, direct afternoon sun, which can scorch its delicate leaves.

• Water: It likes to be kept slightly moist but never waterlogged. Wait until the top inch of soil feels dry before giving it a good drink. Do not let it dry out completely to dust, but definitely do not let it sit in a soggy pot.

• Humidity & Feeding: It thrives in a humid environment, so give it a regular misting if your flat is dry. During the summer growing months, give it a dose of standard houseplant food once or twice a month.

Troubleshooting:

• Crispy brown tips? The absolute classic Spider Plant grievance. It usually means the air is too dry or it is throwing a tiny strop over cold tap water. Water it with tap water left out overnight (or filtered if you live in a hard water area). Also ensure it isn't sitting in a puddle, make sure it drains after watering.

• Pale or washed-out leaves? It is likely begging for a bit more sunlight. Nudge it closer to a window.

Pet Safety: 100% Pet Safe. The Spider Plant is completely non-toxic to pets. However, cats are famously obsessed with chewing on the long, grassy leaves, so you might want to hang it up high to save it from a rogue feline haircut!