How To Care For Spider Plants In Outdoor Hanging Baskets

Chlorophytum comosum, or spider plants, are a common household plant that are great for beginning gardeners. While often used indoors, this green addition to your family is also a great option for adorning your outdoor space in hanging baskets. With its waterfall leaves, hanging spider plants are a beautiful sight. Before you start this project, however, it's important to know how to care for spider plants, as their care and maintenance needs can differ when used in outdoor hanging baskets versus indoors.

Spider plants come in multiple varieties, from those with curling leaves to those with differing variegations. And with ribboning leaves that cascade down, they make the perfect choice for a hanging basket. But in finding all the best practices for how to care for it, you may find yourself in over your head, or worse, with a dead plant. But don't worry, your green thumb can truly shine if you use the right-sized pot, hang it at the optimal height, and practice proper care and maintenance.

When it comes to caring for your hanging spider plant, it is important to know that the type of pot you use and its hanging height play a vital role. Your container choice makes the difference when it comes to your spider plant. During your supply hunt, you'll learn there are loads of planters that will work for spider plants, but what's key is the size of the container. Unless you plan on putting multiple ones in a large pot, you'll notice that a small spider plant may not survive in a larger container, as it can lead to root rot. Instead, stick to finding the right size container for your plants that gives them enough space but doesn't leave them root bound.

Hanging baskets are a popular choice for plant lovers, but not every place will work for your spider plant, as hanging height plays a factor in its care and longevity. While cascading leaves look beautiful from higher up, it can cause you extra work when you have to grab a step stool just to reach it. Eventually, this may lead to watering laziness, too much sunlight, and wilting or death. With that said, you also don't want the basket to be too low where it doesn't have access to light. The best height to keep your spider plant thriving is to place it in an area with indirect sunlight that you can easily reach.

As a beginner-friendly plant, the overall care for spider plants is very minimal, but there are a few things to remember about these beauties. While these plants do excellent with bright indirect sunlight, they can't withstand all temperatures and environments. While outdoors, it is best to keep them on covered porches or awnings. If you plan to keep your plants outside, bring them indoors on days lower than 55 degrees Fahrenheit or higher than 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even though you only need to water this plant once a week, you may be tempted to keep it in its hanging basket. Whether or not you try the rice watering trick with your spider plant, you'll learn quickly that hanging baskets can cause excess water to drain onto the ground. Depending on where you are hanging your basket outside, this could create a slipping hazard. Instead, take the plant down and place it over a sink or container to properly drain. Once it's done draining, you can secure it back in its place. While maintaining this plant, remember to use neutral pH soil, and give it water-soluble fertilizers.