Light is an essential factor that determines the growth and development of the spider plant. Due to the easy-care routine and elegant look, it is one of the top picks of first-time plant owners. However, you need to be careful with the light requirement of the spider plant. If you don’t get it right, your plant is likely to suffer.
Spider plant needs bright indirect sunlight to thrive. While too much sun can scorch spider plant leaves, low lighting conditions can lead to stunted growth. The spider plant thrives in medium to bright lighting conditions. They might survive in low lighting conditions, but the growth will be slower than usual.
Most experienced hobbyists will suggest that you can grow spider plants in almost any lighting conditions. However, there is some trade-off if you grow them under improper lighting conditions.
In this article, we shall learn all about the lighting requirement of a spider plant and what growth you should expect from them under different lighting conditions.
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Importance of lighting for spider plant
Proper lighting conditions are crucial for the healthy growth of spider plants. Light is crucial for producing food in plants.
Most house plants, including spider plants were supposed to be grown outside, where they have an ample supply of nutrients and light.
Even if we bring the plant indoors, the essential requirement of the plant will not change. Most houseplants, including the spider plant will need.
We often misunderstand that the fertilizer we add to the plant is food for them. But that is far from reality. To understand this in detail, let’s dive into the basics.
Plants produce their own food by a process called photosynthesis. They use water and carbon dioxide to make sugar and oxygen. The sugar produced is used as a source of energy for the plant, and oxygen is released into the environment.
By this, we can conclude that fertilizer is not the actual food for the plant. Those are only supplements needed by the plant for healthy and bushy growth.
Thus, lighting is one of the crucial elements that plant need for healthy growth.
How much light does a spider plant need indoors?
Spider plant needs bright indirect sunlight to thrive. Make sure your spider plant gets 8-10 hours of sunlight daily.
The spider plant originates from the tropical forest of South Africa, where it grew under the canopy of trees.
Thus, the plant used to receive medium to bright indirect lighting and partial shade from trees’ canopy in the natural condition.
So, if we want the spider plant to thrive in our space, we need to provide them a similar environment.
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Does spider plant need sunlight?
Yes, like any other plant, the spider plant also needs sunlight to grow. However, please don’t keep them under intense direct light as that can scorch the plant’s leaves.
Without sunlight, it can be challenging to get good growth in your spider plant. Although artificial lighting works equally well, it cannot replace natural lighting altogether.
Best spot for spider plant
Spider plants can be kept in the bathroom, living room, bedroom, and even in patios. The key to spider plant’s healthy growth is indirect lighting, medium to high humidity, and stable temperature.
Thus, any spot that receives filtered sunlight would be ideal for them. Even if the plant doesn’t receive direct sun, the reflected light from the floor will work if the spot is bright enough.
Try to place the spider plant at least 5-6 feet away from the southern window. That way, the plant won’t receive harsh sunlight. Thus, it will be an ideal condition for healthy growth.
Spider plants can tolerate light sunlight. So, a spot near the eastern or western window where it receive little direct light for few hours shall do equally well. However, make sure you avoid the intense sun to prevent any possible damage to the leaves.
If you live in the northern hemisphere, then a spot near the south-facing window shall provide proper lighting to your spider plant
Whereas if you live in the southern hemisphere, the east or west-facing window shall do exceptionally well.
Is my spider plant getting too much sun?
Spider plants do prefer bright light, but too much sun can be harmful to them. If your spider plant is getting too much light, then it will show some signs. These include:
- Yellow leaves
- Brown tips
- Leaf burn
- Crisp leaves
- Curling of leaves
- Droopy leaves
- Dry and flaky soil
If you notice any of these signs, then it could be a problem in your lighting conditions.
Some people think that these signs indicate a lack of watering in spider plants, and they start watering their spider plants more and more.
But that doesn’t solve the problem at all. In fact, it can lead to more problems in your plant.
It is recommended to understand the need of your spider plant and provide them with appropriate living conditions.
Also, trim down the yellow and brown leaves as they cannot turn green again. However, trimming those parts can boost the growth hormone of your spider plant resulting in quicker recovery.
Signs of spider plant not getting enough light
The spider plant can survive in low lighting conditions, but it will not grow as usual.
Sometimes poor lighting conditions can be the cause of wilting in spider plants. Thus, it is crucial to fix the lighting issue and move the plant to a spot where it receives enough bright light.
If your spider plant is not getting enough light, it will show certain signs. These include:
- Stunted growth
- Weaker foliage
- Yellowing of leaves
- Soggy soil
- Unhealthy growth
- Root rot
If your spider plant doesn’t get enough sunlight, it won’t be able to produce enough food. Thus, it will start storing energy instead of focusing on growth.
What if you don’t have any windows
Growing spider plant with poor lighting conditions is a challenge in itself. On top of that moving them to a spot with no natural lighting can make things worse. You are likely to experience stunted growth and lots of other problems.
For a quick fix, I would recommend moving the plant to a brightly lit spot once a week or so. You can also supplement the natural lighting with indoor grow lighting for proper growth.
When you go out to choose grow light for your plants, there are many options available out there, but I personally love these amazing SANSI 15W LED Grow Light Bulb, which I got from amazon.
[amazon box=”B01NCVWFUE”]
These are standard E-26 base bulbs that can be fitted in any standard household lamp and holder. So, we can use any table lamp or standing lamp with these bulbs, and that shall work fine for your spider plants.
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How many hours of sunlight does a spider plant need?
Spider plants prefer 8-10 hours of sunlight daily. The more, the merrier is for your spider plant. The spider plant is sturdy and versatile, so it can adjust to lower lighting conditions as per your space.
During the winter months, your spider plant is likely to become dormant, and you will not see any new growth.
Instead, you may experience some yellowing of leaves and old leaves falling over. You shouldn’t be too worried as your plant will bounce back as soon as spring comes.
You can move them to a warm and bright spot during the winter just to provide some extra care.
Final Thoughts
What is the lighting requirement of the spider plant?
spider plant prefers bright indirect sunlight, but they can survive in a wide range of environment. Even if all the conditions are not right, your spider plant can do well if appropriate lighting and water are provided.
It is crucial to keep the spider plant away from two situations:
- Bright, intense sunlight: It can lead to scorched leaves.
- Shady spot: It can lead to stunted growth.
Keeping that in mind, you can keep your spider plant in any well-lit spot, and your plant shall thrive and reward you with healthy and bushy growth.
Sources: How much light do houseplants need, Spider Plant Production Guide, Spiderplant guide, Vitality of plants to live in the indoor environment.
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