Chlorophytum comosum or spider plants are low-maintenance plants and tend to be very forgiving, which makes them ideal indoor plants. The variegated spider plant may produce a rosette of thin arched foliage that appears solid green or white.
Other well-known monikers for spider plants include spider ivy and Ribbon plant. They are native to parts of tropical and southern Africa, where they receive plenty of sunlight and heat.
When spider plants mature, they will produce babies, or spiderettes, that you can propagate to start new plants. These fast-growing plants are an excellent option for beginners because of their easy care requirements.
But there is a big difference between a surviving plant that’s just getting by and a thriving spider plant that is growing to its full potential. Providing the spider plant with optimal care requirements is imperative instead of meeting barebone requirements.
Many plant owners underestimate the impact that light intensity has on spider plants. Sure, your spider plant will survive low levels of light, but it prefers exposure to bright indirect light.
As long as you can keep the temperature from plummeting or rising too sharply, the plant will also survive a wide range of temperatures.
Avoid placing a spider plant near a south-facing window and opt for an east or west-facing window instead.
In any case, the goal is to provide the spider plant with indirect sun exposure, whether you’re growing it indoors or outdoors. You can also provide spider plants with fluorescent lighting that is commonplace in most workplaces and business environments.
How Much Sun Does a Spider Plant Require? A Quick Test
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For obvious reasons, our eyes cannot directly measure the precise amount of sunlight that a spider plant is receiving. It is not possible to determine if a plant is receiving low, medium, or bright light using your eyes alone.
This is why many plant owners use a quick shadow test to determine how much light the spider plant is receiving.
The shadow test gives you a quick estimate of the light intensity that your plant is exposed to. Its goal is to measure the strength of the shadow that your hand casts.
Here’s how to perform the shadow test.
Find a location where you want to place your spider plants. Now place your palm about one foot above the plant’s location when the sun is at its highest and brightest. You may also use a white piece of paper for better results.
Now, look at the shadow left behind your hand. If you see a clearly defined shadow that perfectly shows the size, shape, and features of your hand, you’re dealing with high light intensities.
A hand shadow that is hard to identify, fuzzy, or hazy is an indication of medium light. And a shadow that is barely recognizable will be an indication of low light intensity.
Although the hand shadow test is easy to use, it is not very accurate and should be used as a rough estimate.
You can use it to get a rough idea of how much light is being provided to the area. For more accuracy, we recommend investing in a lux meter, which you can order from your nearest hardware store or Amazon.
Using a Lux Meter
Now that you’ve brought a lux meter into the mix, you can be more confident that your plant is receiving optimal exposure to light.
It is worth noting that the exact intensity of light that a spider plant needs will vary depending on the situation. In general, spider plants prefer light intensities between 1000 to 10,000 lux, depending on the situation.
Any higher than 10,000 lux and your plant will be at risk of getting scorched. We recommend sticking to light intensity under 10,000 lux.
Here’s how we can classify the amount of sun exposure:
● Direct light: 10,000 lux
● Bright light: 5000 to 10,000 lux
● Low light: Between 520 to 1000 lux
● Medium light: 1000 to 5000 lux
Remember, the plant prefers bright, indirect light if kept indoors or full to partial shade if kept outdoors.
Can I Use Artificial Light to Grow Spider Plants
Not all homes will receive adequate sunlight for spider plants to thrive. This is why you may have to invest in artificial lights.
The only catch is that you have to carefully research the right type of artificial lighting.
Many fancy artificial light solutions lull into a fall sense of security that your plant is receiving optimal light. However, this is far from the truth.
Spider plants will not grow well if you fail to provide them with enough light intensity.
Find a light source that provides full spectrum lighting, such as white light or daylight bulbs between 6000k to 6500k.
Make sure that the light source is kept at a distance of about 1 to 2 feet from the spider plant. In the case of a young spider plant that has more aggressive growth requirements, you should place it at a distance of six to twelve inches from the light source.
Best Place to Keep Your Spider Plants
Although spider plants will grow well in just about any room, you should assess all your options carefully if you want the plant to grow to its full potential.
Look for a place where the spider plant receives sufficient indirect sunlight, has medium to high humidity levels, and has consistent indoor temperatures.
Spider plants are resilient and shouldn’t struggle to grow if the temperature is too hot or cold. Temperature only becomes a problem if it swings from one extreme to another in a short span of time.
As mentioned earlier, you should place your spider plants in an east or west facing window.
But if you must place them in a South facing window, keep them a few feet away from the window.
South-facing windows often receive intense lights that could scorch your spider plants.
Signs that the Spider Plant is Receiving Too Much or Too Little Sun
Your spider plant will warn you when it’s receiving suboptimal light intensity through several signs. In the case of low light, your spider plant will become leggy, meaning that it becomes disproportionately thin and long in a bid to seek a source of light.
Below are signs that your plant is not receiving enough light:
Smaller, less impressive foliage
A spider plant that produces less impressive foliage is an indication that it does not have enough light to produce larger foliage.
Don’t know the difference between small and healthy foliage? Simply compare the new growth to a spider plant that is healthy and see if there is a noticeable difference.
You can do a quick search on Google to see what constitutes as healthy foliage for spider plants. If your spider plant isn’t producing healthy foliage, then consider relocating them to a better-lit area.
Leaning
The spider plant will twist, turn, and gravitate toward the nearest light source in a bid to absorb more light. This may cause the plant to grow lopsided.
The best way to remedy this problem is to place the plant closer to its light source and turn it slightly every week or so. This will ensure that the entire plant receives plenty of light.
Inadequate Leaf Color
Droopy, pale green, and yellow leaves are a definitive sign that your spider plants are not receiving adequate sunlight.
Move the spider plant to a spot that receives indirect sunshine and see its color return.
Stunted Growth
Spider plants get their energy from the sun and use it to produce food and small white flowers.
Without enough sunlight, the plant’s growing process becomes significantly slowed due to a lack of energy to help out with the growing process. If your plant isn’t growing well, it probably means that there’s not enough light in its current location.
Signs that Your Spider Plant is Receiving Too Much Sun
There are a few signs that you can use to determine if your spider plant is receiving too much sun.
Brown Tips
A chief indicator of excessive light is the presence of brown leaf tips on spider plants. These spots may be caused by sunburn.
It may also indicate that your spider plant is getting too hot and dry, which can also cause problems for the plant.
Faded Foliage
As the spider plant gets older, it may lose its luster from time to time. However, if your plant looks too faded or pale, then it may be receiving too much sun and should be relocated to a spot that receives less natural sunlight so that it can recover from the damage.
Plant’s Surface is Hot to the Touch
Another way to tell if your plant is receiving too much sun is by touching its surface (this includes its leaves and stem).
If the plant feels too hot or warm to the touch, it may be getting too much light and should be relocated before more damage is done.
Crispy Leaves
A major red flag is when the plant’s leaves crumble under the lightest touch. This means they are getting too much heat and light from the sun.
It’s important to prune these leaves so that the healthier ones can grow at the right pace.
Dry Soil
Sometimes, the soil can be used to tell if your airplane plant is receiving too much direct light. If the soil dries out at a faster rate than is normal for spider plants, it is receiving excess sunlight. Relocate the plant to a window where it may receive less sunlight and help it flourish.
How fast do spider plants grow?
Growing spider plants is easy because of their fast growth rate. As long as you stay on top of spider plant light requirements, they should grow fast and reach full maturity in just a few years. In fact, an indoor spider plant can put on several inches of foliage in just one year.
Can My Spider Plant Live in Low Light?
Spider plants can survive in low light – but if you’re looking for optimal results and want them to produce flowers, then you should provide them with medium to bright light conditions. Keep the plant away from direct sunlight.
Can Spider Plants Thrive Without Any Light at All?
No, the spider plant cannot live without light in the long run. It will produce long stems in a desperate bid to reach a light source and eventually die as a result of its environment.
Expecting the plant to flourish when it is completely deprived of lighting is unrealistic. Did you know that inadequate lighting can cause root rot?
No Flowers, Babies, or Long Stems: Three Bad Signs
Spider plant babies, also known as pups and runners, are spiderettes of the mother plant. They are used to help raise new spider plants through propagation.
However, a spider plant won’t give babies if it’s not receiving enough light. Additionally, spider plants will only produce flowers when they are receiving the best possible care and attention.
Thriving spider plants produce small white flowers, usually when it becomes root-bound.
The process begins with the production of long, wiry stems that can reach a height of up to 2 feet.
At the end of the stems, you will notice the appearance of small, white, star-shaped flowers. However, you may be less likely to see flowers if the plant receives less than ideal sunlight.
Troubleshooting Common Problems with Spider Plants
Now that we’ve covered all you need to know about natural light for spider plants, it’s time to explore a few common problems with spider plants.
Black Leaves
The leaves may turn an unsightly shade of black if they are receiving too much water. Black leaves are also an indication of root rot that may require your immediate attention.
Other reasons for turning black could be the buildup of diseases, pests, and fertilizers.
The best way to revive black leaves is to prune them off and allow the soil to dry out before you can water it again. If possible, consider swapping the soil to a fast draining soil.
Finally, you should place the plant in an area that receives plenty of indirect, natural light. You can also plant to increase its humidity levels.
Curling Leaves
Curling leaves are an indication that your plant is facing an increased amount of stress. This may occur due to improper watering (including under and over-watering), insufficient lighting, and root rot.
Curling is also a sign that the plant is facing a pest invasion or has a disease that needs to be taken care of.
Most spider plants curl up their leaves in response to inadequate lighting.
Droopy Leaves
Droopy leaves are an indication that your Spider plant is not receiving enough water or being exposed to direct sunlight.
The best solution is to immediately water the plant and place it in an east or south-facing window. If the plant is dropping due to overwatering, wait until the soil is dry before you water spider plants.
Root Rot
Root rot commonly occurs when the spider plants are being overwatered. Some of the biggest indicators of root rot include slow growth, yellow leaves, and wilting leaves.
Root rot requires your immediate attention because the explant will die if you don’t take care of it within a week to 10 days.
If you notice root rot, remove the spider plant from its pot and inspect it for damaged roots. Rinse away any dead roots and plant the remaining root system in a new pot to save the plant.
Make sure to cut the foliage so that the roots can absorb enough nutrients and water to grow once again. Transfer the spider plant to a new pot with fresh soil that has good drainage.
Wrapping Up
So there you have it, a detailed look at the lighting requirements for spider plants. Like everything else in life, providing too much of something is just as bad as providing too little of something.
And lighting is no exception. Always inspect your spider plant for signs of suboptimal light conditions.