Chlorophytum - Spider Plant

(Chloro'phytum)

DESCRIPTION: These plants are native to tropical and southern Africa and are grown for their ornamental foliage. They form tufts of long, thin leaves that may vary in color. They produce clusters of small white flowers at the end of long, slender stalks that extend far above the foliage. After the flowers have died, there are little plantlets that will develop new plants when in contact with the soil. C. comosum variety Vittatum has long, slender green leaves with a white stripe running down the center. This plant grows up to a foot high and wide.

POTTING: These plants need to be grown as house or greenhouse plants in regions with cooler weather. The best soil mixture to plant them in is two parts loam and one part leaf mold, with a generous amount of sand added. They prefer filtered light. Water them liberally when in active growth and very sparingly when not.

PROPAGATION: The plantlets may be potted at anytime except the winter.

VARIETIES: C. elatum variegatum; C.elatum vittatum; C. comosum mandaianum; C. bichetii; C. comosum variegatum; C.comosum picturatum.

Go see DICTIONARY OF BOTANICAL NAMES.

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