Reverse variegated spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum “Variegatum”) have inch-wide, arching leaves that grow up to 16 inches long and have white margins with green centers. The plant grows up to 2 feet tall and 3 feet wide, and produces inconspicuous white flowers and spider-like offsets on drooping stalks in the fall. The leaf color is the reverse pattern of Chlorophytum comosum “Vittatum,” which has green margins with white centers. Reverse variegated spider plants die back in the winter and emerge again in the spring in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zone 8, and grow as evergreen perennials in plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.
Reverse variegated spider plants prefer filtered sunlight or bright indirect light. Midday full sun can scorch the leaves. Indoor plants thrive in well-drained potting mix, and outdoor plants prefer well-drained garden soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. A reverse variegated spider plant can grow in a 6- to 8-inch container or 10-inch hanging basket near a bright window or on the patio. These plants prefer daytime temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit and nighttime temperatures between 50 and 55 degrees F. Before the fleshy roots or tubers crowd out the soil and crack the pot, transplant your spider plant to a larger container.
Water and Fertilizer
Reverse variegated spider plants need water one to four times a week, as soon as the soil feels dry. During the summer active growth period, fertilize every two weeks with a water-soluble house plant fertilizer. Brown leaf tips or white crust on the soil or container indicate excess salt from fertilizer or hard water. To leach out the salt, remove the crust and run water through the soil and drainage hole at twice the capacity of the container. Water with rain water and leach the soil every four to six months to prevent salt buildup, as recommended by the University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Reverse variegated spider plants are a good choice for beginner gardeners because they need little attention and tolerate some variations in temperature and moisture. You can easily propagate reverse variegated spider plants from offsets any time of the year. Remove an offset after it forms roots, and transplant it into moist growing media. The spreading plants make attractive ground covers or edging in the garden, and the graceful reverse variegated leaves add elegant decoration to the home.
Reverse variegated spider plants can develop brown leaf tips if you leave them near a heat duct or radiator, or in dried-out soil. Poorly drained soil or excessive watering can cause root rot, which causes blackened root tips and slimy, darkened roots. Tiny insect pests such as mealybugs, scales and spider mites are visible in clusters or as dark specks on leaf undersides and stems. Infestation symptoms include stunting, leaf curl and plant death. Inspect your plants and remove these insects with insecticidal soap or a forceful stream of water. To prevent it from becoming invasive in a frost-free region, grow the fast-spreading plant in a container.
- Floridata: Chlorophytum Comosum
- Denver Plants: “Spider Plant” or “Airplane Plant”
- Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service: Spider Plant
- University of Minnesota Extension: The Drama and Foundation of Variegation
- Texas A&M Agrilife Extension: Chlorophytum Comosum
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Spider Plant Production
- University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources: Soluble Salts
- Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service: Houseplant Problems
- Purdue University Department of Entomology: Spider Mites on Ornamentals
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