Spider Plant Varieties: How To Choose The Best Houseplant

If you've ever dabbled in collecting indoor houseplants, then you've inevitably picked up a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). There are so many reasons why they make the perfect indoor houseplant, one of which is that they're known for being able to thrive on neglect and less-than-ideal living conditions. They tolerate low light, infrequent watering, and even fluctuating temperatures, making them incredibly adaptable. 

But did you know there are multiple cultivars of spider plants? It's true! C. comosum seems to have a new cultivar springing up regularly, and we're excited to see all the variations this iconic houseplant can have. While the classic green and white striped variety is certainly a beauty, the world of spider plants now goes far beyond that. From tightly curled leaves to bold splashes of stark white, there's a spider plant to match every aesthetic. That's why we've rounded up 11 of our favorite offshoots to help you find the right spider plant for your style or living situation. Whether you're looking for a compact plant for a small apartment or a dramatic statement piece, you're bound to find a new plant that makes you stretch your plant budget just a little more this month. (Believe us, we understand!)

While spider plants are often considered nearly indestructible, they do have a breaking point where even they end up getting chucked in the trash. So, before you whip out the credit card to get a shiny, new one, let's talk about care requirements. Here's a quick rundown of what most spider plants will need to flourish in your home or garden. 

First, let's talk about lighting. Spider plants prefer medium to bright, indirect light. While some can tolerate more low-light conditions, you may notice their variegation begins to revert back to green because the plant needs to reclaim that space for chlorophyll to photosynthesize. On the other hand, too bright of light can cause a spider plant's leaves to turn brown, so try to put them somewhere that has filtered light, like a window that has semi-transparent curtains. 

Next up is watering; this is where plant parents usually get it wrong. The original plant, C. comosum, is native to the coastal regions of West and South Africa, so they're not as moisture-loving as houseplants that are native to tropical rainforests. Let your plant's first two inches of soil dry out before giving them a drink and cut back even further during the winter. Try using a plant dish under a pot with drainage holes so that the roots can take up water as they need. Also, avoid tap water since the chlorine can cause leaf tips to burn. Instead, shoot for distilled or rainwater. Keep your spider plant slightly potbound to encourage spiderettes — the baby plants on the leaf tips — to grow. Fertilize with a well-balanced, diluted fertilizer every three to four months and cut back when the plant is dormant during the winter. Lastly, keep temperatures higher than 45 degrees Fahrenheit and ensure the plant is far away from any drafts.

Now for the fun part: Let's talk cultivars! First up is the 'Bonnie,' a curly cutie that's perfect for someone who wants a plant with a little personality. It's unusual from other cultivars in that it's the only one that has curly leaves — most C. comosum stay straight and arch downward, sort of like willow trees. This rare curling makes it a more eye-catching pick, which is perfect for those who love to add bold or unusual elements to their decor.

However, one thing you should probably keep in mind is that its unique appearance makes it highly collectible, so you may experience a bit of sticker shock as compared to the other cultivars. Still, its pricing will be way more reasonable than a rare alocasia, and its ability to produce dozens of babies means you'll be able to spread that cost out across multiple plants sooner than you think.

Looking for a smaller, more colorful spider plant? Check out the 'Mandaianum' cultivar. This one stays fairly compact with leaves that max out around six inches long. Compare this to its cultivar cousins, which can top out as much as 30 inches. The compactness of its growth habits makes it great for someone looking to decorate a windowsill or add some green to a small nook or bookshelf. There's also an added perk to its short leaves – 'Mandaianum' swaps out the standard white stripe variegation for a shock of bright yellow, which looks super cool against the green. It brings a unique touch for someone tired of the typical spider plant look.

Care is pretty much the same as other spider plants, but it might need a bit more light than the others to keep those yellow stripes bright. However, don't pop it somewhere that direct sun will hit it; it still needs filtered light to prevent scorched leaves. 

Love decorating your home with things that defy expectations? Then go for the 'Reverse' cultivar. While most spider plants have the standard outer white stripes and green center, the Reverse's leaf design flips this with outer green stripes and a white center, hence its name. Its simple reversal of variegation is a subtle change that others might not notice right away, so expect a few double-takes from your guests. If you're someone who loves a twist on a traditional look, Reverse is the perfect spider plant pick for your home.

Care for the 'Reverse' is identical to other spider plant varieties: easy and low-maintenance. It thrives in bright, indirect light and tolerates occasional neglect when it comes to watering. Like other spider plants, the 'Reverse' is also a prolific producer of spiderettes, so you'll soon have plenty of baby plants to share with friends or expand your own collection.

If you're someone who gets bored with the same old decor every day, then you're going to love the 'Hawaiian' cultivar of spider plant. Its leaves begin similarly to the 'Mandaianum' with green borders and a bright yellow center, but the 'Hawaiian' cultivar has a unique color-changing ability not seen with other options. As the plant matures, variegation on its older leaves begins to fade and becomes subtler, looking more green than yellow. Some might think this is a negative, but we see it as proof that you're doing a good job keeping it happy, so keep it up. However, the bright variegation pops up again on new leaves, so you'll constantly have a plant that lives in a state of dynamic coloring, making it perfect for someone who needs a plant that changes just as much as them. 

Like other types of spider plants, the Hawaiian cultivars maintain their go-with-the-flow nature and can handle a few missed waterings here and there. If you want to maintain its vibrancy as long as possible, then keep it in indirect, medium-light conditions. With less light, it will turn darker and less varied. 

The 'Milky Way' cultivar is the perfect plant for those who lean toward decorating with a minimalist, neutral aesthetic but still want a pop of color. Unlike the standard spider plant leaf look, 'Milky Way' spider plants have a much wider central stripe of creamy white and thin, green edging. This broad center stripe creates an overall brighter-looking plant than its cousins, turning this plant into a visually appealing focal point in minimalist design spaces. It's especially striking in rooms with a white, neutral palette, helping it blend in with the tranquil decor. 

While it looks quite different, the 'Milky Way' is just as easy to care for as other spider plants. It thrives in bright, indirect light but may scorch a little more than other darker varieties due to its abundance of white variegation. It also tolerates the occasional missed watering; just let the soil dry out a bit between waterings.

If you're the kind of plant parent who's always refreshing the "New Arrivals" page and hunting down those limited-release plant drops, the Chlorophytum comosum 'Ocean' is meant for you. It's one of the newer cultivars, being released in 2004. It has coloring similar to the 'Reverse' cultivar, but its compact size — getting only 1 foot wide – makes it ideal for small spaces or for squeezing just one more plant into an already overstuffed IKEA cabinet. Basically, if you're someone who treats rare houseplant collecting like Pokemon, the 'Ocean' is a must-have cultivar.

Because it's a cultivar created in the 21st century, the 'Ocean' is still a bit of a rarity, so you might need to pay a premium. That said, caring for an 'Ocean' is the same as with other spider plants, so you don't have to be an expert to keep it happy. Bright, indirect light and allowing the soil to dry between waterings are key.

Got a sunny spot begging for a plant that'll steal the show? The Chlorophytum comosum 'Picturatum' is your answer. It has an unusual coloration from other spider plants, with a creamy yellow center stripe that almost glows. This yellow instead of white variegation gives it more light tolerance than others, making it perfect for south- or west-facing windows where access to light is longer. Just make sure to add a light shade or curtain so that it's not in direct light where its leaves can scorch.

If you're not able to give it lots of sun, 'Picturatum' can tolerate some lower light, but the variegation may not be as vibrant. Otherwise, care is the same as for most spider plants: Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings, and don't overdo it with the fertilizer routine.

Got an east-facing window or a spot that's consistently a bit dim? The Chlorophytum comosum 'Shamrock' is one of the best houseplants you can grow in low light. Instead of the standard stripes, the 'Shamrock' cultivar's leaves have a deep green hue that's sometimes subtly flecked with hints of silver or gray. This lack of overall variegation means it can tolerate low light levels well without needing to worry about fading coloring or reverting variegation. If you're looking for a plant to fill spots that are typically lacking in sunlight, 'Shamrock' should be the one to seek.

You might be thinking its lack of variegation makes it boring, but it turns out, this plant is an anomaly. In the typical houseplant world, the "base" plant is green while its offshoots are variegated — think of the Monstera deliciosa and its cultivars, the Thai constellation or Albo variegata. For spider plants, variegation comes standard, making the 'Shamrock' a very cool, unusual plant that collectors love. While it will still do its best in bright, indirect light, it's more tolerant of lower light conditions than some other spider plant varieties, making it a great pick for east-facing rooms.

If you love the classic spider plant look but aren't crazy about having a million spiderettes to deal with, the Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' cultivar might be just what you're looking for. The 'Variegatum' is a relatively shy producer of spiderettes compared to some other varieties. While it will still produce some baby plants, it won't be nearly as prolific, which can be a real plus if you prefer a less "cluttered" look or simply don't want to be constantly repotting baby plants.

This is your classic spider plant — the one most people picture when they think of these easy-going houseplants. It has those iconic long, arching leaves that can get up to two feet long. It's beautiful, adaptable, and instantly recognizable. Also, care is a breeze for this variety, making it an excellent choice for someone getting their first houseplant: bright, indirect light, letting the top few inches of soil dry between waterings, and keeping the fertilizer doses light. If you want the beauty of a classic spider plant without the baby plant explosion, the 'Variegatum' is your guy.

If you're a brand-new plant parent, the Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum' is your best bet for a stress-free start. Spider plants are often considered one of the best houseplants for beginners, but that doesn't mean they're foolproof, especially if it's one of the more brightly variegated types that get picky with their sun requirements. Unlike faster-growing spider plant varieties that can quickly become sprawling and require frequent repotting, the 'Vittatum' is a slow and steady grower, making it much easier to manage, allowing you to focus on learning basic plant care without feeling overwhelmed. It might not have the vibrant variegation or unique growth habits of its cousins, yet the 'Vittatum' sets itself apart from other cultivars thanks to its exceptionally easy care and manageable growth, making it the ideal choice for anyone just beginning their houseplant journey.

The 'Vittatum' features the classic spider plant look: long, slender green leaves with a crisp white stripe down the center. While it prefers bright, indirect light, it can also handle lower light levels. It's also pretty forgiving when it comes to watering; if you forget to water it for a bit, it will most likely bounce back just fine. And, like other spider plants, it will eventually produce little spiderettes, giving you the option to easily propagate new plants as you become a more seasoned plant collector.

If your design philosophy revolves around a serene, neutral palette, the Chlorophytum comosum 'White Lightning' is your cultivar. Unlike other variegated spider plants where green is a dominant color, 'White Lightning' is predominantly white, with only the thinnest green edging, creating a very distinct and bright appearance. This level of near-total white variegation is not commonly found in other spider plant cultivars and makes it an awesome addition to rooms with a minimalist or monochromatic design style.

Like other spider plants, the 'White Lightning' thrives in bright, indirect light. However, because of its extensive white variegation, this plant is extremely sensitive to direct sunlight, which can scorch the delicate white portions of the leaves. A spot near a window where it receives plenty of filtered light is ideal. It's also not well-suited for low light conditions due to the lack of chlorophyll in its leaves. If you notice the variegation starting to revert, move it to a sunnier spot. On the flip side, if you notice scorching, move it to somewhere better protected from the sun. It's a bit of a balancing act to get the lighting just right, which makes it better for more experienced plant collectors than someone just starting out.