Most of us have heard of spider plants, and know what one looks like. They are amazing plants with green thin leaves, and runners that have little spider babies. They are known for being really easy to grow and low maintain, as well as being a very common houseplant. It is in fact, one of the most common houseplants out there. Also know as spider ivy or ribbon plant, this easy-to-grow plant will bring beauty to any home. But did you know there are over 200 varieties of spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)? Crazy right, and almost all varieties of spider plants has a similar appearance.
This very versatile plant can grow indoor or outside. Originating as a tropical plant from southern Africa, now it is found all over the world. Known for its air purifying nature, according to NASA, this plant has green leaves with white, green, or yellow stripes down its narrow, thin leaves. They produce small whiteish-green flowers that are 5 star shaped. There are two types that all spider plants fall into. Vittatum, meaning it has leaves with white centers, and Variegatum, consisting of leaves that has white edges.
Lets talk about 12 of the most popular spider plant varieties:
Hawaiian Spider Plant
The Hawaiian Spider Plant, comes from a cross of four different spider plant varieties. It is among the most tolerant houseplants you can get, and is easy to grow. A beautiful plant that makes a statement anywhere placed in the home.
Also known as airplane plant or ribbon plant, the Hawaiian Spider Plant is non-toxic to people, dogs and cats, and can tolerate a wide range of soil conditions, moisture and light. This plant is different from its more common spider relatives, as the leaves of this young plant have very distinctive variegated pattered foliage, with bright white, and light green. As the plant ages, the foliage darkens to deep green shades.
This plant is widely known because of its tremendous air purifying qualities, cleaning harmful benzene, tricholoethylene and formaldehyde toxins from the environment. That makes it a very healthy addition to your home.
The Hawaiian spider plant is also called ‘Golden Glow.” It only grow about one foot tall, but makes up for its lack in height with character. The Hawaiian spider plant has dark green leaves with a champagne tone stripe that runs down the middle of the narrow leaf. As the plant matures, the leaf stripes fade to become a solid green color. The spider babies also have these fading mature stripes, but when removed from the mother plant, the stripes comes back. Until it reaches maturity, then the champagne tone stripes leaves forever.
Mandarin Organge Spider Plant
This spider plant variety is also know as “Fire Flash,” and it is the most colorful spider plant there is. Named because it has bright orange mid-veins producing a striking appearance. Mandarin Orange spider plant has shiny green leaves and colorful orange stem which makes the very attractive plant very eye-catching to observers. This very low maintanance plant grows about 1.5 – 2 feet tall, and is not hard to care for.
Purple Spider Plant
Commonly called “Violet Queen,” this spider plant variety grows 3 -4 feet tall, and 1 -2 feet in width. This eye-catching spider plants blossoms turn purple in the winter time, and has thin seed husks that split open which is amazing to see. The rich violet flowers and attractive long stems gives it the “spider” look we all love.
Relatively low maintenance, the beautiful foliage is fragrant, palmate green. The attractive blossoms are attached to slim seed hulls that split open before spreading out the seed within.
They rise above beautiful foliage of fragrant, palmate green leaves with a spinal column at the base of each leaf. The attractive blossoms are adhered to by slim seed hulls that split open before spreading the seed within. Growing over a reasonably extended period, from early summertime till frost, Spider Flower continues to be appealing in the cold season thanks to its dried out flower heads, which will undoubtedly be seen in fall by birds that prey on the seeds.
Zebra Spider Plant
Often referred to as simply “zebra spider plant,” this cultivar is similar to ‘Reverse Variegated.’ But with a few key differences. It grows up to 20 inches tall and nearly as wide. The leaves are dark green with yellow that turn to white edges as the leaves mature. Like comosum, this cultivar produces spiderlings that will cascade down when the plant is kept in a hanging basket. While very similar to the ‘Reverse Variegatum,’ it’s a lot harder to find for purchase.
Reverse Variegatum’ is also referred to as the variegated spider plant, but it has darker green leaves with the cream appearing as the margins instead of a central stripe.
This popular cultivar has rich forest green leaves with narrow yellow margins. It sometimes also goes by the cultivar names of ‘Reverse’ or ‘Variegatum,’ leading to a lot of confusion.
Despite being a newer cultivar than ‘Vittatum,’ it’s surpassed its kin in many areas as the premier variegated spider plant. However, ‘Reverse Variegatum’ is not as drought-tolerant and will need slightly more attention as a result.
Variegated Spider Plant
Growing up to 20 inches tall, ‘Vittatum’ is the original variegated cultivar and bears a wide, creamy stripe down the middle of each slightly curved medium green leaf. Insignificant white flowers form near the base, cascading down in the same manner as the plant’s spiderlings. While ‘Vittatum’ looks good sitting on a bookshelf or table, it’s most commonly grown in hanging baskets. It’s also more drought-tolerant than a lot of other spider plants.
Curly Spider Plant
The Curly spider plant, also known as Bonnie, is highly sought after for many reasons. One reason people want this houseplant is because the leaves are curly, which gives the plant texture and unique appearance. The foliage is thin, long leaves, bright and green with white strips that runs down the center of each leave. A curly spider plant is very easy to care for, and easy to propagate into big bushy plants with many spider babies.
This plant is great for beginners because it is very tolerant to occasional neglect, too much sun, and overwatering. The curly spider plant in particular does not tolerate a lot of overwatering very well. In fact, one obvious way to see if you are overwatering too much, is if the plant starts to lose its curls. Other varieties will curl when the plant is unhappy, this particular variety loses it’s curls when it is overwatered. If this happened:
- Stop watering immediately.
- Move the plant into bright sunlight, but not direct sunlight.
- Prune the off old leaves.
- Wait for the top 2-inches of the soil to become dry again.
- Neglect your plant for the next couple of weeks.
This variety does crate small star-shaped white little flowers, but if kept inside it will most likely not flower. One of the best things about this plant is it is non-toxic to cats and dogs, or people in general. That being said, if you see your cat biting on them, move the plant. Too much consumption can cause your feline to have throw-up.
Atlantic Spider Plant
Known as ‘Atlantic’ or “ocean,” in the botanical world, the Atlantic spider plant has a captivating splunge with small white flowers and ‘babies’ forming on the runners or the long narrow stem. The flower stems of the long, green-and-white leaves keep producing new offshoots. It’s also easy to make cuttings from the lily. The Atlantic spider plants are very easy to grow and maintain. All you need would be bright light or shade and moist soil. It can grow up to 19 inches tall if this spider plant is well-maintained.
‘Ocean,’ is a new Spider Plant producing shorter, wider variegated leaves, giving it a spiky appearance. Pointed ribbon leaves display green center stripes edged in ivory white. Pendant stems dangle young plantlets or white star flowers over the pot edge. The cascading foliage looks best in a raised container or hanging basket.
Reverse Variegated Spider Plant
Reverse Variegatum’ is also referred to as the variegated spider plant, but it has darker green leaves with the cream appearing as the margins instead of a central stripe.
This popular cultivar has rich forest green leaves with narrow yellow margins. It sometimes also goes by the cultivar names of ‘Reverse’ or ‘Variegatum,’ leading to a lot of confusion.
Despite being a newer cultivar than ‘Vittatum,’ it’s surpassed its kin in many areas as the premier variegated spider plant. However, ‘Reverse Variegatum’ is not as drought-tolerant and will need slightly more attention as a result.
Chlorophytum Spider Plant
This variegated cultivar is often mistaken for a comosum, which can lead to a lot of frustration. It’s often referred to by the common names Bichetti grass, false lily turf, Siam lily, and wheat plant. Despite having foliage very similar to a variegated spider plant, this cultivar won’t produce spiderlings and has tiny, insignificant blooms near the base of the plant.
This plant is often referred to as variegated spider plant or dwarf spider plant by nurseries, so it’s important to verify the botanical name if you wish to get (or avoid getting) this cultivar.
But Bichetti grass has a wonderful use as a groundcover for the very reasons you might wish to avoid getting it instead of a comosum: the lack of spiderlings.
Variegated Bonnie Spider Plant
The Variegated Bonnie Spider Plant is a variegated spider plant that has compact green and white leaves. Compared to the regular bonnie spider plants with curly foliage, the variegated bonnie spider plant produces arched leaves that are green, and with creamy white edges. Due to its attractive aesthetics, this spider plant would be perfect for decoration in the living room. Just with the other variegated spider plants, the variegated bonnie is easy to maintain.
Bonnie Spider Plant
If you’re lucky enough to find this curly cultivar, it’s well worth the price tag. Some call it the curly spider plant. The plant closely resembles a variegated spider plant, with curly leaves that give it a more dense appearance. In addition to the green and white stripe variegated plant, the floral stems are yellow, providing even more appeal.
Due to its more compact design, ‘Bonnie’ is perfect for shelves, desks, bathroom, and other small spaces while still looking good as a hanging plant.
Shamrock Spider Plant
The Shamrock Spider Plant has solid green leaves that can be planted outdoors or grown indoors to improve the air quality. This is also one of the rare kinds of spider plant. This spider plant is known to thrive if grown outdoors, but there are those who have successfully propagated it indoors. This spider plant is good for beginners as they are easy to grow. Plant this in hanging baskets to have a great ornamental plant or put it in a pot and place inside your room. Just make sure that it is on well-drained soil and bright, indirect light and the spider plant will flourish.
