Spider Plant Benefits That Will Make Your Jaw Drop

The spider plant is an ornamental indoor plant native to tropical and southern Africa. It is an easy to grow indoor plant, which is quite popular because of its air purifying capacity and medicinal properties. It has long, thin and arched leaves that are solid green in color or variegated with white. The spider plant is named so because of its spider-like leaves, which droop down from the mother plant like spiders on a web.

Scientific Name: Chlorophytum Comosum

Common Names: Airplane plant, St. Bernard’s lily, Spider ivy, Ribbon plant and Hen & Chicken

Interesting Spider Plant Benefits: Read further to know more about the several benefits of this low-maintenance houseplant.

Almost Hard To Kill

There are some houseplants that can pretty much grow themselves, the spider plant is one of them. It can thrive well and easily adapt to various climatic conditions even when neglected for days, overwatered or underwatered. The spider plant grows well in both low light and part sunlight but it is suggested to keep this plant in a spot with bright indirect sunlight.

Purifies the Air

The spider plant is considered among the easiest air-purifying plants to grow. It is effective in removing harmful chemicals from the air, such as carbon monoxide, xylene, formaldehyde and toluene. According to NASA reports, the spider plant is among the top 3 types of houseplants that are great at removing formaldehyde, which is a common household chemical and generally found in manufactured wood products, plastic products, pesticides, leather goods, adhesives, clothing and drapes, etc.

Safe for Pets

According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals (ASPCA), the spider plant is listed as non-toxic for pets. But it is still advised to keep pets away from this plant and do not let them eat the leaves as that may pose a potential risk. The spider plant contains chemical compounds that are said to be related to opium, which may give the pet an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea.

Speeds Recovery of Patients

According to several pieces of research, adding the spider plant to hospital rooms speeds up the recovery rate of surgical patients compared to patients in rooms without the plant. The patients require less pain medication, do not suffer from blood pressure or heart rate issues, experience less anxiety or depression and are released from the hospital sooner.

Increases Humidity

The spider plant is a perennial with a high transpiration rate. It absorbs water through its roots and then circulates the moisture through stems and leaves. Once the water reaches the leaves, it evaporates into the air and increases the humidity. The increased humidity decreases the risk of several airborne diseases, such as cold, cough, sore throat and flu-like symptoms. Growing spider plants at home or office helps in keeping these diseases away and helps increase the concentration and productivity.

Apart from the amazing benefits, the spider plant looks very appealing as a houseplant. It can be planted in a hanging basket or any usual pot to add a bit of greenery to the home. The spiderettes that outgrow from the mother plant and dangle down the pot enhances the beauty of the plant and make it look even more attractive.