Spider plants: 9 benefits of spider plants for your home or office

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Spider plants are one of the most popular indoor plants, and for a good reason! Not only are they easy to care for, but they also have a plethora of benefits.

Keep reading to learn more about why you should consider adding a spider plant to your home or office.

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What is a Spider plant?

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a popular houseplant that is easy to care for and is known for its ability to purify the air.

These moderately fast-growing plants get their name from the long, thin spider-like leaves. The leaves are green with white stripes and can grow up to two feet in length.

The plant produces small, white flowers that bloom in the springtime. Spider plants are native to Southern Africa and thrive in warm, humid climates.

They can be grown outdoors in the summer but should be brought indoors before the first frost.

Spider plants like evenly moist soil, so try not to let it dry out too much.

The Benefits of Spider Plants

Spider plants are one of the most versatile and easy-to-care-for houseplants around. But they're not just pretty plants which look great in a hanging basket!

As previously mentioned, these hardy little plants offer a surprising number of benefits.

For starters, spider plants are excellent air purifiers. They are known to remove harmful toxic substances like formaldehyde and carbon monoxide from the air, making them ideal for homes with smokers or poor ventilation.

Additionally, spider plants can help to boost your mood and concentration levels.

1: Reduce Indoor Air Pollution

It's no secret that indoor air pollution is a problem. In fact, the EPA ranks indoor air pollution as one of the top five environmental threats to human health.

But did you know that spider plants can help reduce indoor air pollution? Spider plants absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen, which helps to improve air quality.

Spider plants are also excellent at reducing indoor air pollution, especially for those who smoke indoors. Studies have shown that spider plants can remove harmful chemicals found in indoor air, including formaldehyde, benzene, toluene and carbon monoxide.

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a colourless, flammable gas that has a strong smell.

It is often used in manufacturing and as a preservative. Formaldehyde can be found in many household products, such as cleaning products, glues, and pressed-wood products.

Exposure to formaldehyde can cause watery eyes, burning sensations in the eyes and sore throats, upset stomach, and coughing.

In high concentrations, it can cause death. Long-term exposure to formaldehyde has been linked to cancer. The EPA has classified formaldehyde as a human carcinogen.

Benzene

Benzene is a hydrocarbon with the chemical formula C6H6. It is a colourless, flammable liquid with a sweet smell.

Benzene is one of the most important industrial chemicals. It is used as a solvent in manufacturing paints, plastics, rubber, and detergents. Benzene is a starting point for producing other necessary chemicals such as ethylbenzene, cyclohexane, and cumene.

However, benzene is a toxic substance and is a known human carcinogen, and exposure to high levels of benzene can cause leukaemia.

Toluene

Toluene is an industrial solvent used in various applications, from leather goods, painting and coating to printing and adhesives.

It is also common in many household products, including cleaning supplies, glues, and nail polish removers. Long-term exposure can lead to health problems, including liver damage and cancer.

So, ensure you are in a well-ventilated area when using any of the above products.

2: Improve Concentration and Memory

We all know the feeling of being in a stuffy room where it's hard to focus or remember anything.

It turns out that there's science behind that sensation. Carbon dioxide (CO2) levels significantly impact our cognitive abilities, and indoor spaces are often filled with this pollutant.

That's where spider plants come in.

These houseplants absorb CO2 and release oxygen, making them ideal for improving concentration and memory recall.

High concentrations of carbon dioxide can reduce cognitive performance (such as concentration and memory recall), while prolonged exposure to other indoor pollutants can cause long-term health problems – ranging from minor eye or throat irritations to respiratory problems and cancer.

3: Boosts Mood and Energy Levels

Spending time around spider plants can help boost your mood and energy levels if you're feeling low on energy or down in the dumps.

One study found that people who had plants in their homes felt more energetic and happier than those who didn't.

So if you're looking for a pick-me-up, consider spending quality time with a spider plant. They're good for your mood and easy to care for.

4: Reduction of Carbon Monoxide Indoors

Did you know that the common house spider plants can help reduce levels of carbon monoxide indoors? Not only are they spooky-cute, but these little guys are also doing us a big favour by helping purify the air in our homes!

Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless gas that can be deadly if inhaled in large concentrations.

However, at lower levels, it can still cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea. Spiders plants are known to effectively reduce carbon monoxide levels indoors, making them a great addition to any home – especially if you live in an urban area where pollution levels are higher.

5: Health Benefits For Patients

We all know that plants are good for us. They help purify the air, boost our moods, and can even help reduce stress levels.

But did you know that other spider plant benefits can also positively impact the recovery rate of surgical patients?

That's right – according to a recent study, viewing spider plants during the recovery period positively influenced surgical patients' health outcomes.

Patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had significantly lower systolic blood pressure and lower ratings of pain, which led to less pain medication, less anxiety, and tiredness than patients in a control room.

Patients who possessed plants reported feeling better about their rooms and gave them a higher satisfaction rating than patients in similar rooms without plants. According to patient feedback, plants brightened the room environment, reduced stress, and created good impressions of hospital workers caring for patients.

Patients in hospital rooms with plants and flowers had significantly more positive physiologic responses evidenced by lower systolic blood pressure, and lower ratings of pain, anxiety, and fatigue than patients in the control room.

6: Safe For Pets

Spider plants are pet-friendly plants safe for pets. Not only are they safe for dogs and cats, but they're also edible, so you can rest easy knowing that your furry friend won't get sick if they take a nibble.

7: Almost Hard To Kill

These hardy common houseplants can thrive in various climatic conditions, making them the perfect choice for even the most novice gardeners and those without much of a green thumb.

This is why a Spider plant was one of the very first plants I bought when I was young, and I was so proud that I could keep it alive :).

Spider plants can tolerate just about any light condition, making them ideal for growing indoors. They'll still thrive whether you place them in bright or indirect light.

Another reason why spider plants are almost impossible to kill is that they don't need much water. In fact, it's easy to overwater them, so it's best to err on caution and only water them when the soil is dry to the touch.

They're not susceptible to many pests or diseases. Spider plants are also relatively pest and disease-free, so you won't have to worry about spending hours trying to get rid of pests or treating diseases.

8: Easy to Propagate

These incredible plants produce spiderettes, which are small plantlets that can be easily rooted in potting soil.

Harvesting Spiderettes

The first step in propagating spider plants is to harvest the spiderettes. This can be done by simply snipping them off the mother plant with a sharp knife or pair of scissors. Once you have your spiderettes, it's time to plant them!

Planting Spiderettes in Potting Soil

Fill a small pot with quality potting soil, and make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.

Next, take your spiderette and gently push it into the soil until the roots are covered. Water the soil well, and place the pot in a bright location but out of direct sunlight.

Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and within a few weeks, you should see new growth and have lots of new spider plants!

Spider plants 9 benefits of adding them to your home or office

9: Increase Humidity

These hardy little houseplants are not only easy to care for but also have the unique ability to increase humidity.

That's right – by simply existing, spider plants can help make your home a little more comfortable.

Here's how it works: as the plants transpire (spider plants have a high transpiration rate), they release water vapour into the air. This raises the humidity levels, creating a more hospitable environment for people and plants.

So if you're looking for a way to add extra moisture to your home, consider investing in a few spider plants.

FAQ's

Where should I place a spider plant in my house?

When finding the perfect spot for your spider plant, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, spider plants prefer bright, indirect light.

However, they can also tolerate low light conditions. So, the latter is probably better if you decide between a spot near a window and one further from the light source.

Second, spider plants like to be in humid environments, about 50-60%. If your home is on the dry side, you may want to place your plant on a pebble tray or group it with other plants to create a mini humidifier.

Finally, spider plants are tolerant of a wide range of temperatures, so don't worry about finding a spot that's too hot or too cold. With these factors in mind, almost any spot in your home will be a good fit for a spider plant.

Can I leave the babies on my spider plant?

While it may be tempting to leave the babies on your spider plant, it is generally best to remove some of them.

Spider plants are best known for producing large numbers of small spiderettes, or “babies.” These babies can quickly overwhelm the parent plant, reducing growth and flower production.

In addition, spider plants are typically propagated by division, so removing the babies will give you more plants to work with.

If you decide to leave the babies on your spider plant, make sure to fertilize regularly and not over-water the plant.

And finally…

If you're looking for an easy-to-care-for plant that offers many benefits, spider plants are a great option. Not only do they purify the air, but they also reduce stress levels and boost mood and energy levels.

Spider plants are also pet-friendly and easy to propagate. So if you're looking for a way to make your space more inviting and productive, spider plants are a great option!

Spider plants: 9 benefits of spider plants for your home or office

What is a Spider plant?

The Benefits of Spider Plants