How To Care For Curly Spider Plant

Most of us know Chlorophytum comosum as the spider plant. The Curly Spider plant or Bonnie is a compact variety with curly, swirly leaves. 

This Curly Spider Plant variety is a modern version of the traditional Spider Plant with a curvy twist. It is much more compact in size and, in our opinion, a little more designer for your collection. Chlorophytum comosum Bonnie has similar variegation to 'Vittatum' but with wonderfully curly leaves and yellow flowers rather than white.

The Curly Spider plant (airplane plant), is a member of the family Asparagaceae and hails from southern Africa. In its native setting, it is a perennial plant, but it is grown as a houseplant in cooler climates.

The spider plant flowers a small white flower that turns into plantlets (baby spider plants) that grow on the tips of the stem. These babies can be easily propagated to create new plants.  

How To Care For Curly Spider Plant

Size & Growth

Bonnie is more compact than most Spider Plants and can grow to be 8″ inches tall with an equal spread.

Like most Spider Plant leaves, Bonnie’s leaves are green and white stripe variegation.

Unlike its cousin, the Curly Spider plant has curly leaves.

Spider plants can live an extremely long time – as in, well upwards of twenty years.

Air Purifying

This plant filters airborne toxins and is part of our clean air plant collection.

Soil

The perfect soil will be well-draining, but also retain moisture. A good high-quality potting soil or soil formulated for African violets will perform well.

Watering 

Prefers moist but well-drained soil. Check the soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2-4” (5-10cm) of soil is dry, or plants are wilted, it is time to water.

Light

Bright, indirect light. Will tolerate some shade; however, this will slow its growth rate and it may lose its stripes. Avoid direct sunlight.

Temperature

Average household temperatures are fine (above 16°C). These are fairly tough plants so should survive temperatures above 8°C in winter if the soil is kept fairly dry.

Humidity

Your Spider Plant will do well in low humidity environments but will thrive with a bit more humidity. Brown leaf tips may indicate the air is too dry, so mist your Spider Plant regularly.

Fertilizing Instructions

Too much fertilizer will limit your plants' ability to produce plantlets. Spider Plants store extra nutrients in their tubers, so heavy fertilization is unnecessary. In caring for spider plants provide a weak liquid fertilizer once a month throughout the growing season. Don't fertilize at all in the wintertime.

Pruning

Always use sharp pruners or scissors when pruning spider plants. Remove all discolored, diseased, or dead foliage as needed. To remove the spiderettes, cut the long stems back to the base from both the mother plant and the baby. For overgrown or pot-bound plants, repotting in addition to pruning may be necessary.

Propagation

You can easily propagate the spider babies by chopping off the baby spider plant and potting straight in the soil, or you can put the spider plantlet in water for a few weeks to grow some roots, and then pot the rooted plantlet in soil.

Curly Spider Plant Pests or Diseases

Like most plants, Chlorophytum is susceptible to root rot if left to stand in water. Waterlogged plants may also become more subject to infestation by pests such as:

  • Spider Mites
  • Whiteflies
  • Aphids
  • Scales

Low humidity and too little water can cause the tips of the leaves to turn brown. Too much fluoride or salt in the water will also cause this problem.

Plants kept in too much sunlight will have scalded leaves.

Is The Curly Spider Plant Considered Poisonous or Toxic?

Spider Plants are actually grown as a food crop in their native South Africa.

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