How Much Sun Does a Spider Plant Need?

A spider plant is a popular houseplant that thrives in many different kinds of lighting. It is also an excellent air purifier and a natural oxygen booster. It is easy to care for and will improve the air quality in your home.

The question of how much sun does a spider plant need is one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to gardening, and for good reason. Spider plants are incredibly versatile plants that can thrive in both light shade and brightly lit rooms. They can even be grown outside during the summer months in a bright spot.

1. Bright to medium Direct sunlight will scorch the leaves and may cause browning of the leaf tips if left in excess for long periods. Ideally, spider plants need indirect sunlight to grow properly. This means placing the plant in an area that receives little to no direct sunlight for hours at a time.

2. Moderate Direct sunlight The plants will be able to tolerate some direct sun, but midday sun will be too intense for the plant and will burn its leaves. They do best in areas with low direct sunlight, such as an east or west-facing window.

3. Too little or too much water

The amount of water a spider plant needs will vary depending on the type of soil mix it is growing in and the humidity levels in your home. Typically, these plants do not like to be constantly soaking wet and will only need watered when the top two inches of soil become dry.

4. Too much water or too low humidity can result in root rot, a fungus that kills the roots of the plant. The best way to prevent this is by re-potting the spider plant into a porous pot, such as a terracotta planter that has a drainage hole in the bottom of the container.

5. Insects and Mites

Whiteflies, spider mites, scales and aphids are the most common insects that plague these plants. These bugs can quickly ruin a spider plant’s life. The best way to keep these pests at bay is to remove them before they can attack the plant’s root system.

6. Browning of the Leaf Tips

When your spider plant’s leaves start turning brown, this may be a sign that they are not getting enough or too much water. To solve this problem, re-pot your spider plant in a porous pot and rotate it so that all sides of the plant receive an equal amount of water and sunshine.

7. The Soil Will Have A Smell

If you have a spider plant, you’ll notice that its potting soil will smell musk-like when it’s not getting enough or too much water. This is because the soil loses its moisture rapidly in dry conditions.

If your spider plant is not getting enough or too much water, it can be a sign of a nutrient deficiency. If you suspect that your plant’s nutrient level is low, a general rule of thumb is to feed it with a high-quality all-purpose granular or water-soluble fertilizer once a month during the active growth seasons. If you do need to feed your plant, follow the label’s instructions and adjust the dose based on your plants’ growth.