Where should I put my Spider Plant?

Kitchen, bathroom, or any room with a bright window — and especially shelves and hanging hooks where the trailing babies can dangle. Best window direction: East- or north-facing (ideal); south or west with light filter. Best distance: 2–6 feet from a bright window. Target light: 200–800 fc (medium to bright indirect).

What temperature does a Spider Plant need?

Spider Plant prefers 60–75°F (16–24°C).

Placement · Spider Plant

Where to Put Your Spider Plant

Kitchen, bathroom, or any room with a bright window — and especially shelves and hanging hooks where the trailing babies can dangle.

Best window

East- or north-facing (ideal); south or west with light filter

Distance from window

2–6 feet from a bright window

Target light

200–800 fc (medium to bright indirect)

Room temperature

60–75°F (16–24°C)

What to avoid

Direct hot afternoon sun (causes brown leaf tips), and fluoridated/chlorinated tap water (use filtered or sit water out overnight)

Most common placement mistake

Placing in a deep dim corner. Spider plants tolerate low light but stop producing the iconic "spiderettes" (baby plants on runners) entirely.

How to measure light at home

A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a free smartphone app like Light Meter or with a $20 digital light meter. As reference points:

50\u2013100 fc: A bright corner away from any window — most low-light tolerant plants only
100\u2013400 fc: A few feet from a north or east window — medium light
400\u20131000 fc: Right next to a bright east window or 3\u20136 feet from a south window — bright indirect
1000+ fc: Directly in a south or west window — full sun, only suitable for succulents and high-light tropicals

Source: NC State Extension

For full Spider Plant care — watering schedule, fertilizing, pests, and propagation — see the Spider Plant care guide. Or check out how big Spider Plant gets.