Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are also known as lilies of paris or lilies of Siam in Indonesia. The paris lily has a cluster of curved, grass-like leaves. Its name comes from the plant buds that form on its hanging stems. This plant is one of the most adaptable and easy-to-grow houseplants, so it's perfect for anyone, even those with no gardening talent!
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Part 1 of 3: Setting Up the Best Location
Step 1. Choose a soil or planting medium with good drainage
If you are growing it outdoors, plant it in an area with well-draining soil, such as sandy soil. Choose vermaculite or coco coir growing media if you are growing them indoors. Don't worry too much about the soil, because paris lilies are very adaptable.
Step 2. Give it a shade or keep it out of direct sunlight
Paris lilies don't need a lot of sun, so these plants can also grow well in bathrooms and bedrooms. This plant also thrives on window sills, although you should place it about 30 cm from a south-facing window during the dry season. Parisian lilies outdoors should get adequate shade during the day, as direct sunlight can burn these plants.
Step 3. Keep the humidity and room temperature moderate and consistent
If you live in an area where room temperatures fluctuate to extremes, it's best to grow paris lilies indoors. The room temperature should be between 10-20 degrees Celsius. This plant can not survive in areas with extreme temperatures, either too cold or too hot. On the other hand, these plants thrive in humid climates, so place a humidifier near your paris lily plant.
Part 2 of 3: Performing Basic Maintenance
Step 1. Water your paris lily plant with distilled or purified water
Parisian lilies are very sensitive to fluoride in tap water. Tap water also contains other minerals that can build up and damage your plants, so you should use distilled or purified water. Use water at room temperature, because water that is too hot or cold can make your plants wilt.
Step 2. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy
Check soil moisture with your finger. If the top 2 cm of the soil feels dry, it means it's time to water your plant. Watering moderately or once a week for the first year will keep the soil moist, but not too wet. After the first year, you can water it only occasionally. If you are growing it in a pot, drain the excess water in the holding tray immediately after watering it.
Step 3. Fertilize once or twice a month during the dry season
During the growing season, use a liquid fertilizer to provide nutrients to your paris lily plant. Liquid fertilizer will give better results than tablet fertilizer. Follow the fertilizer instructions to find out how much fertilizer to apply at the base of the plant. Avoid applying fertilizer during the rainy season or if the plant has grown out of the pot.
Step 4. Move your paris lily if it has grown out of its pot
You will also need to move it to a larger pot if the paris lily roots start to come out of the pot's drainage holes. Make sure the planting medium you use is new, and choose a pot with drainage holes so that the plant is not submerged in water.
Step 5. Breed large plants
Divide paris lilies that are too large by picking or cutting the roots into sections, each with a few leaves, and then replanting with new planting medium. Or you can pick saplings and then put them in a bowl of water to get the roots out.
When spreading the seedlings, place a cotton swab or cloth in a bowl of water to help keep the roots from sinking
Part 3 of 3: Troubleshooting Common Problems
Step 1. Trim the dry leaves with scissors
Remove any dry or brown areas at the tips of the leaves, if you find them. Cut off the tips or the entire leaf with scissors so that the plant's energy can be used to grow healthy foliage. Make sure that you use distilled or purified water for watering your paris lilies, as brown leaf tips could be a sign of mineral buildup in the soil or growing medium.
Step 2. Treat spider mites with natural insecticides
Dull and gray leaves, and a cobweb-like object behind the leaves may be signs of spider mites. To get rid of spider mites on plants, use a natural insecticide such as neem oil. You can buy them at garden supply stores.
Step 3. Treat plant blanching by reducing sun exposure
Stems and leaves that are faded or pale in color indicate overexposure to sunlight. If your plant is outdoors, move it to a more shady area or place taller plants nearby for shade. If your plant is indoors, keep it away from windows so that sunlight doesn't hit it directly.
