No, it is not a spider, it’s a spider plant.
- Spider plants are an evergreen, perennial herb and are generally grown for their long arching foliage.
- Spider plants are native to the African tropics and southern Africa.
- Spider plants grow from 30 to 60 cm (12 – 24 inches) tall and are often grown in hanging baskets.
- The scientific name for spider plant is chlorophytum comosum and they belong to the Asparagaceae family.
- The most common spider plant species are variegated and have green leaves with a white stripe in the centre, or dark green leaves with white stripes on the outside.
- Spider plants can be damaged by fluoride or boron.
- Spider plants grow ‘babies’, called ‘plantlets’ along runners that grow from the main bush, giving the plant a spidery look.
- Spider plants grow best in temperatures that are 18°C – 32°C (65°F – 90°F) but can grow at temperatures as low as 2°C (35°).
- Spider plants are great indoor air cleaners, and 15 spider plants would purify the air of an average size house.
- Spider plants grow quickly and produce small white flowers.
Bibliography:
Chlorophytum Comosum, 2013 Wikipedia, <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chlorophytum_comosum>
VanZile, J n.d. Spider Plants (Chlorophytum) , About.com Houseplants, <http://houseplants.about.com/od/foliageplants/p/SpiderPlant.htm>
