Chlorophytum Ocean Care Guide
Congratulations — you are now the proud owner of a Chlorophytum Ocean plant
With its arching green-and-white leaves and easy-going nature, Chlorophytum Ocean is a lovely way to bring fresh colour and movement to your home. Also known as a variegated spider plant, it is wonderfully forgiving and can produce little plantlets, or “spiderettes”, as it matures.
When your plant arrives
Remove the packaging carefully and give your plant time to settle into its new home. Place it somewhere bright but away from radiators, cold draughts and sudden changes in temperature. A little leaf movement or mild stress after travelling is normal, and your plant should soon perk up with a steady routine.
Light
Choose a bright spot with plenty of indirect light to keep the white variegation looking fresh. Chlorophytum Ocean can tolerate a slightly less bright position, but its leaves may become greener and growth less vigorous. Protect it from strong midday sunshine through glass, which can scorch the leaves.
Watering
Allow the top few centimetres of compost to dry before watering again. Your plant will usually need more water in spring and summer and less during the darker, cooler months.
- Water thoroughly until excess water drains from the bottom of the pot.
- Allow the pot to drain fully, then empty any water left in the cover pot or saucer.
- Avoid leaving the compost constantly wet, as this can cause root problems.
Spider plants can be sensitive to a build-up of salts in the compost, which may show as brown leaf tips. If possible, use rainwater or filtered water, and occasionally water thoroughly to help flush the compost.
Temperature and humidity
Average household temperatures suit Chlorophytum Ocean well. Keep it away from cold draughts and direct heat from radiators. Normal household humidity is usually enough, although it will appreciate being away from very dry air. If the leaf tips become brown, check the watering routine, water quality and position before increasing humidity.
Feeding
Feed with a balanced liquid houseplant fertiliser during spring and summer, following the instructions on the bottle. Feeding once every four to six weeks is usually plenty. Pause feeding in autumn and winter while growth naturally slows.
Pruning and plantlets
Trim away brown or damaged leaf tips with clean scissors, following the natural shape of the leaf. Remove fully yellow leaves at the base. If your plant produces long stems with little plantlets, you can leave them to trail gracefully or use them to grow new spider plants.
To propagate a plantlet, wait until it has a few small roots, then place it in a small pot of free-draining houseplant compost. Keep the compost lightly moist while it establishes, without allowing it to become waterlogged.
Repotting
Repot in spring when the roots have filled the pot, the plant is drying out unusually quickly, or growth has slowed. Choose a pot only slightly larger than the current one, with drainage holes, and use a free-draining houseplant compost. Spider plants can be happy when slightly snug, so there is no need to move them into a much larger pot.
A little help if things go wrong
Brown leaf tips: check whether the compost is too dry, the air is very dry, or your tap water is leaving a build-up of salts. Trim the tips neatly and adjust the routine gradually.
Yellow leaves: this is often linked to overwatering or poor drainage. Let the top of the compost dry before watering again and make sure excess water can escape.
Faded variegation: move your plant to a brighter position with indirect light. Avoid strong midday sun, which can scorch the leaves.
Drooping leaves: check the compost and the temperature around your plant. Both underwatering and cold draughts can cause temporary drooping.
Enjoy your leafy companion
Give your Chlorophytum Ocean a bright position, a little space to arch and a consistent watering routine, and it will reward you with fresh, cheerful growth and plenty of personality.