Water the Spider plant when the top inch of soil has dried out, which is roughly once every seven to ten days in spring and summer. Reduce watering for the Spider plant in winter to about once every two weeks, since growth slows and the soil stays damp longer. The Spider plant is sensitive to fluoride and chlorine, so let tap water sit overnight or use filtered water to prevent brown leaf tips. Allow excess water to drain fully, because the Spider plant will not tolerate sitting in a saturated saucer. Brown tips on a Spider plant often signal mineral buildup or inconsistent watering rather than underwatering alone.
The Spider plant grows best in bright, indirect light near an east- or north-facing window. Direct midday sun can scorch the foliage, so keep the Spider plant out of harsh, unfiltered beams. The Spider plant tolerates moderate to low light, though variegation fades and new plantlets form more slowly in dim conditions. Rotate the Spider plant a quarter turn every week or two so it grows evenly toward the light. If the leaves of a Spider plant turn pale or stretch toward the window, move it closer to a brighter spot.
The cited reference does not list Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) as toxic to cats or dogs. The cited reference also does not list Spider plant as toxic to humans. Because the cited reference is silent on serious effects, treat any large ingestion of Spider plant material as a question for a veterinarian or a poison-control line rather than something to manage at home. Cats are sometimes drawn to chew the arching leaves of a Spider plant, so place it where curious pets cannot strip the foliage. If your animal shows vomiting or distress after chewing a Spider plant, contact a veterinarian or poison-control service.
Plant the Spider plant in a well-draining potting mix, such as a general houseplant blend amended with perlite. The Spider plant has thick, water-storing roots that quickly fill a pot, so repot it every one to two years when roots crowd the surface or push through the drainage holes. Choose a container for the Spider plant that is one size larger, about two inches wider in diameter, with at least one drainage hole. Repot the Spider plant in spring at the start of active growth for the fastest recovery. Feed the Spider plant with a balanced, diluted liquid fertilizer about once a month during spring and summer, and pause feeding in winter.
Brown leaf tips are the most common complaint with the Spider plant and usually trace to fluoride, chlorine, or salt buildup in the soil. Flush the Spider plant's soil with filtered water every few months to wash out accumulated minerals. Pale or limp foliage on a Spider plant can indicate too much direct sun or overwatering, so check the light and the moisture before adjusting care. The Spider plant can attract spider mites and aphids in dry indoor air, so inspect the undersides of leaves and wipe them down regularly. A healthy Spider plant produces baby plantlets on long stems, and these can be rooted in water or soil to grow new plants.