Garden Care Guide

Spider Plant Care

Chlorophytum comosum

One of the easiest-care houseplants; it likes places with plenty of light but no direct sun. The soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings; browning at the leaf tips is usually caused by minerals in tap water.

Frost-tender (protect from frost) · 2 °C / 36 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Reduce the frequency; water when the soil is half dry (every 15-20 days).
  • Pruning: Cut only leaves that have dried out completely or brown leaf tips.
  • General care: The plant is in slow growth or dormancy. Wipe dust off the leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: The greatest risk is root rot caused by overwatering.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
February
  • Watering: Continue watering when the soil is half dry (every 15 days).
  • Pruning: Remove dry leaves and leaf tips.
  • General care: It gradually begins to wake up.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
March
  • Watering: Increase watering; water when the top 2-3 cm of soil has dried (every 10-15 days).
  • Fertilizing: Apply a balanced fertilizer or well-rotted organic fertilizer once when it wakes from dormancy.
  • Pruning: Remove leaves that dry out in winter.
  • General care: This is the best time for repotting (if the roots are very crowded) and for propagation by separating offsets.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: You can cut off brown leaf tips for aesthetic purposes.
  • General care: The plant grows rapidly and begins to produce new offsets (plantlets).
  • Pests & diseases: If you see browning at the leaf tips, try letting the irrigation water stand or using purified water.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Pruning: Remove yellowing lower leaves.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Plant protection: Mealybugs or scale insects are rarely seen; check for them.
  • General care: The plant is in its fastest growth period. Protect it from direct sun, which scorches the leaves.
  • Pests & diseases: Do not leave water in the pot saucer to prevent root rot.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing once a month.
  • Plant protection: Do pest control.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: At the start of the month, make the last fertilizer application.
  • General care: Growth begins to slow; prepare the plant for its dormant period.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Stop fertilizing completely this month.
  • Pruning: Remove only dry leaves and brown tips.
  • General care: It is still a very suitable time for producing new plants (propagation) by separating the offsets. Wipe the dust off the leaves for winter.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • General care: The plant gradually enters winter dormancy.
November
  • Watering: Reduce watering; water when the soil is half dry.
  • General care: The plant is in dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: Avoid overwatering against the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.
December
  • Watering: Every 15-20 days, or water when the soil is half dry.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Frost risk: If frost is expected, cover with frost fabric; if in a pot, move to a sheltered place. Damaged below approximately 2 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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