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. Placement: Within several feet of a west or south window, or at an east window (Clemson Extension’s guidance for medium-light plants). In winter, move it a few feet back from the window to protect it from drafts (Clemson Extension). Target light: 200–500 fc (Clemson Extension HGIC 1450, medium-light group).

What temperature does a Spider Plant need?

Temperature for Spider Plant: 65–75°F (18–24°C) by day, 50–55°F (10–13°C) at night (Clemson Extension).

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.

Spider plantChlorophytum comosum

Bright indirect
Dry slightly between
Non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA)

Best window: East- or north-facing (ideal); south or west with light filter
Distance from window: Within several feet of a west or south window, or at an east window (Clemson Extension’s guidance for medium-light plants). In winter, move it a few feet back from the window to protect it from drafts (Clemson Extension).
Target light: 200–500 fc (Clemson Extension HGIC 1450, medium-light group)
Room temperature: 65–75°F (18–24°C) by day, 50–55°F (10–13°C) at night (Clemson Extension)

What to avoid

Direct midday sun, which may scorch the leaves (Clemson Extension), and tap water: NC State Extension says chlorine and fluoride can cause leaf tip burn.

Most common placement mistake

Placing it in a deep, dim corner. Spider plants tolerate low light but grow best in the medium range (Missouri Extension).

How to measure light at home

A foot-candle (fc) is a unit of light intensity. You can measure it with a smartphone light meter app (NC State Extension notes some are free) or an inexpensive handheld light meter. Clemson Extension groups indoor plants by the light they prefer and says where each group does well:

Low, 75–200 fc: several feet back from an east window, or at a north window (Clemson’s examples: peace lily, heart-leaf philodendron, cast-iron plant)
Medium, 200–500 fc: within several feet of a west or south window, or at an east window (African violet, Boston fern, dumb cane)
High, 500–1,000 fc: near a west- or south-facing window or glass door (weeping fig, English ivy, schefflera)
Very high, 1,000 fc or more: few homes have enough light outside a sunroom or greenhouse (hibiscus, wax begonia, geranium)

NC State Extension lists 25–74 fc as enough only to maintain low-light plants, and Missouri Extension notes that even low-light plants usually get too little light more than 10 feet from an average window.

Sources: Clemson Extension — Spider plant (HGIC 1513); NC State Extension — Chlorophytum comosum; University of Missouri Extension G6515; Clemson Extension HGIC 1450

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.