Planting Spider Plants Outside – From Houseplant To Hardy Groundcover
Hello, fellow gardeners! Take a look at your windowsills. Is there a spider plant, with its arching green and white leaves, absolutely overflowing its pot? Are its little “spiderettes” dangling everywhere, practically begging for a new home? It’s a familiar sight for many of us!
We all love spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) as classic, nearly indestructible houseplants. But have you ever wondered if you could take that vibrant life and energy outdoors? You absolutely can! Many gardeners don’t realize these plants can thrive in the garden, creating a lush, tropical-looking groundcover.
I promise this guide will give you the confidence and know-how to succeed. We’ll walk through everything you need to know about planting spider plants outside, from finding the perfect spot and preparing the soil to a foolproof care routine. You’ll learn how to turn those extra plantlets into a beautiful, living carpet in your garden.
Let’s unlock the outdoor potential of this amazing plant together!
What's On the Page
- 1 The Surprising Benefits of Planting Spider Plants Outside
- 2 Before You Start: Is Your Climate Right for Outdoor Spider Plants?
- 3 The Ultimate Planting Spider Plants Outside Guide: A Step-by-Step Process
- 4 Planting Spider Plants Outside Care Guide: Keeping Them Happy
- 5 Common Problems with Planting Spider Plants Outside (And How to Fix Them!)
- 6 Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Spider Plants Outside
- 7 Your Garden Adventure Awaits!
The Surprising Benefits of Planting Spider Plants Outside
Moving your spider plant from a pot to the garden isn’t just about finding a home for its babies. There are some fantastic advantages that will make you wonder why you didn’t try it sooner.
Here are some of the key benefits of planting spider plants outside:
- Lush, Fast-Growing Groundcover: In the right conditions, spider plants spread quickly via their plantlets, filling in bare spots under trees or along shady borders with beautiful, variegated foliage. They create a dense mat that can even help suppress weeds.
- Perfect for Problematic Shady Areas: Do you have a spot where grass won’t grow or other flowers fail to thrive? Spider plants love the dappled light of a shady corner, making them an ideal solution for those tricky parts of the garden.
- Incredibly Low Maintenance: Once established, outdoor spider plants are remarkably self-sufficient. They are drought-tolerant and don’t demand constant attention, making them a perfect choice for both new and busy gardeners.
- Sustainable and Budget-Friendly: This is a cornerstone of eco-friendly planting spider plants outside. Instead of buying new plants to fill a space, you can propagate endless new ones for free from the “spiderettes” your mother plant produces. It’s the ultimate sustainable garden filler!
- More Robust Growth: You might notice that your outdoor spider plants become even more vibrant and produce more offshoots than their indoor cousins. The natural light and airflow can invigorate them, leading to stronger, healthier plants.
Before You Start: Is Your Climate Right for Outdoor Spider Plants?
This is the most important question to answer before you grab your trowel. While spider plants are tough, they are not invincible, especially when it comes to cold weather. Your success depends on understanding your local climate.
Spider plants are native to tropical and southern Africa, so they love warmth and humidity. For them to survive year-round as a perennial, you generally need to live in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. In these zones, winter temperatures typically don’t drop below 20°F (-6°C).
What If I Live in a Colder Zone?
Don’t worry! You can still enjoy planting spider plants outside. You just have to adjust your strategy.
In zones 8 and below, you have two great options:
- Treat Them as Annuals: Plant them outdoors in the spring after the last frost and enjoy their lush growth all summer long. They will fill in spaces beautifully for the season but will not survive a hard freeze. This is a great way to use up all those extra plantlets!
- Give Them a Summer Vacation: Keep your spider plants in pots and move them outside for the summer. You can sink the pots directly into the garden bed to create a seamless look. Before the first frost in the fall, simply bring them back indoors to enjoy as houseplants through the winter.
The key takeaway is to never expose your spider plants to frost. A single frosty night can turn their fleshy leaves to mush and kill the plant. Always keep an eye on the forecast in spring and autumn.
The Ultimate Planting Spider Plants Outside Guide: A Step-by-Step Process
Ready to get your hands dirty? Following these steps will ensure your plants transition smoothly from a sheltered indoor life to the great outdoors. This is our complete how to planting spider plants outside method, designed for success.
Step 1: Choosing the Perfect Location
Location is everything. Spider plants will burn to a crisp in direct, hot afternoon sun. The number one rule is to find a spot that offers bright, indirect light or dappled shade.
Think about the light in your garden. Ideal spots include:
- Under the canopy of a large tree.
- Along the north-facing side of your house.
- In a bed that gets gentle morning sun but is shaded during the harsh afternoon hours.
- As a border for a covered patio or porch.
Watch a potential spot for a full day to see how the light changes. If it gets more than 2-3 hours of direct sun, especially in the afternoon, it’s probably too bright.
Step 2: Preparing the Soil for Success
Good news! Spider plants are not terribly fussy about soil type, but they have one non-negotiable demand: it must be well-draining. They are prone to root rot if their feet stay wet for too long.
If you have heavy clay soil that holds water, you’ll need to amend it. Dig in a generous amount of organic matter like compost, aged pine bark, or leaf mold. This will improve the soil structure and allow excess water to drain away.
For sandy soil that drains too quickly, adding compost will help it retain a bit more moisture. Aim for a soil that feels rich and loamy, and crumbles easily in your hand.
Step 3: The Crucial “Hardening Off” Process
You cannot skip this step! A spider plant that has lived its whole life indoors will go into shock if you suddenly move it into the outdoor environment with its fluctuating temperatures, wind, and brighter light. Hardening off is the process of gradually acclimating it to its new home.
Here is a simple 7-10 day schedule that works every time:
- Days 1-2: Place the plant in a fully shaded, protected spot outside for just 1-2 hours. Bring it back inside.
- Days 3-4: Increase its time outside to 3-4 hours, still in full shade.
- Days 5-6: Move it to the spot you’ve chosen for planting (with dappled light) for 4-5 hours.
- Days 7-8: Leave it in its final spot for most of the day, but bring it in at night.
- Days 9-10: Your plant can now stay outside for a full 24 hours, provided temperatures are mild. It’s ready for planting!
This slow introduction is one of the most important planting spider plants outside tips for preventing transplant shock.
Step 4: Planting Your Spider Plant
After all your careful preparation, the final step is simple.
- Dig the Hole: Dig a hole that is about twice as wide as the plant’s root ball and just as deep.
- Remove from Pot: Gently squeeze the pot to loosen the plant and slide it out. If the roots are tightly coiled (root-bound), gently tease the bottom roots apart with your fingers to encourage them to grow outward.
- Position the Plant: Place the plant in the center of the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the surrounding soil. Planting too deep can lead to rot.
- Backfill and Water: Fill the hole with the amended soil, gently pressing down to remove air pockets. Water the plant thoroughly to help the soil settle around the roots.
Planting Spider Plants Outside Care Guide: Keeping Them Happy
You’ve done it! Your spider plant is in the ground. Now what? Fortunately, this planting spider plants outside care guide is refreshingly simple. Adhering to these best practices will ensure a thriving display.
Watering Wisdom
Outdoor plants are exposed to more wind and sun, so they will need more water than their indoor counterparts. For the first few weeks after planting, keep the soil consistently moist (but not soggy) to help the roots get established.
Once established, spider plants are quite drought-tolerant. A good rule of thumb is to water deeply when the top 1-2 inches of soil feel dry to the touch. A long, thorough soak is much better than frequent, light sprinklings.
Feeding Your Outdoor Friends
One of the most common mistakes is over-fertilizing. Spider plants are light feeders. In most cases, the compost you amended the soil with will provide enough nutrients for the entire season.
If you feel your plants need a boost, you can feed them with a balanced, all-purpose liquid fertilizer diluted to half-strength once or twice during the peak growing season (spring and summer). Too much fertilizer can cause those dreaded brown leaf tips.
Sustainable Propagation with Spiderettes
This is where the magic of sustainable planting spider plants outside comes alive. As your mother plant sends out runners with baby spiderettes, you can use them to expand your groundcover for free!
Once a spiderette has developed small, nubby roots at its base, you can simply press it firmly onto the surface of the soil nearby. You can use a small rock or a piece of a garden pin to hold it in place. It will quickly take root and become a new plant, helping to create that dense, lush look.
Common Problems with Planting Spider Plants Outside (And How to Fix Them!)
Even the toughest plants can run into issues. Here are some common problems with planting spider plants outside and their simple solutions.
Problem: Sun-Scorched, Bleached, or Brown Leaves
Cause: Too much direct sunlight. The leaves are getting sunburned.
Solution: This is a clear sign the location is too bright. If the plant is in a pot, move it to a shadier spot. If it’s in the ground, try to provide shade with a taller plant or even a temporary shade cloth until it recovers. Trim off the badly damaged leaves.
Problem: Limp, Yellowing Leaves and a Mushy Base
Cause: This is the classic sign of overwatering or poorly draining soil, leading to root rot.
Solution: Immediately stop watering. Check your soil. If it’s compacted and soggy, you may need to carefully dig the plant up, amend the soil with more compost and perlite for better drainage, and replant. Going forward, allow the soil to dry out more between waterings.
Problem: Pests Like Slugs, Snails, or Aphids
Cause: Welcome to the garden! Pests are a part of the ecosystem.
Solution: The good news is spider plants are not a primary target for most pests. For slugs and snails, you can use eco-friendly deterrents like crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth around the plants. Aphids can usually be knocked off with a strong spray of water from the hose.
Frequently Asked Questions About Planting Spider Plants Outside
Can spider plants survive winter outside?
They can only survive winter in the ground in USDA Hardiness Zones 9-11. In colder climates, they must be treated as annuals or brought indoors in pots before the first frost.
Can I plant spider plant babies (spiderettes) directly in the ground?
Yes, absolutely! This is one of the best planting spider plants outside tips. As long as the plantlet has started to form small root nubs at its base, you can plant it directly into prepared soil. Keep it well-watered for the first couple of weeks until it establishes its own root system.
How far apart should I plant spider plants for groundcover?
For a dense groundcover effect, space individual plants about 12 to 18 inches apart. They will fill in the gaps with their arching leaves and by rooting their own plantlets within a season or two.
Your Garden Adventure Awaits!
There you have it—everything you need to know to confidently move your spider plants into the garden. It’s a journey that transforms a common houseplant into an extraordinary garden feature.
Remember the keys to success: choose a shady location, ensure your soil drains well, and never, ever skip the hardening-off process. By following this guide, you’re not just planting; you’re creating a sustainable, beautiful, and low-maintenance space.
So go ahead, take a look at that overgrown spider plant on your shelf. It’s not a problem; it’s an opportunity. Go forth and grow, my friend!
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