Spider Plant: Introduction, Classification, Distribution, Characteristics, Propagation, and Phytochemical Screening
Introduction
The Genus Chlorophytum, which includes more than 200 species, includes Chlorophytum comosum. In the traditional medicine of India, China, and Africa, several Chlorophytum species are referred to as medicinal herbs. Several species are recognized as a source of “Safed musli,” a key component of herbal medicines with immunomodulatory, adaptogenic, aphrodisiac, and other effects.
The Chlorophytum genus has attracted the interest of researchers in evidence-based medicine because of its long history of usage in traditional medicine. Studies on the biological activity of preparations made from various Chlorophytum species revealed that they have immunomodulatory, anti-infectious, antibacterial, antinociceptive, and antioxidant properties that can improve male sexual health and lessen the effects of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and hyperlipidemia as well as toxic liver and testicular impairments. It has also been investigated how effective the Chlorophytum genus is against tumours. The majority of investigations have been conducted in vitro using pure components, fractions, or herbal extracts. In four cell lines, primarily of haematological origin, butanol extract of C. comosum roots was found to decrease growth and induce apoptosis.
Classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Asparagales
Family: Asparagaceae
Genus: Chlorophytum
Species: C. comosum
Scientific Name: Chlorophytum comosum
Common Name(s): Spider Plant, Common Spider Plant, Spider ivy, Ribbon Plant
Distribution
The genus Chlorophytum contains 200–220 species of perennial plants that are evergreen, herbaceous, stoloniferous, and rhizomatous and are native to subtropical and tropical South Africa and Asia. They are often referred to as spider plants or ribbon plants. As part of traditional Chinese medicine, it is used to treat burns, fractures, and bronchitis. It is typically referred to as a spider plant.
Characteristics
1. The Chlorophytum comosum, sometimes known as the spider plant, is one of the most popular and well-known indoor plants.
2. It is a Perennial, herbaceous plant and is indigenous to coastal South African regions.
3. The leaves might be pure green or variegated with white or yellow streaks running lengthwise.
4. Plants get 12 to 15″ tall. The long, wiry stems can grow up to two feet long and occasionally have a few little leaves. The extremities of the stems produce tiny white, star-shaped flowers.
5. Tip burn of the leaves is a frequent issue with numerous potential causes. Brown leaf tips can be caused by low humidity, overly dry soil, salt buildup, and/or pollutants, particularly fluoride or chlorine, in tap water.
Propagation
The sword-shaped leaves of the Spider Plant are variegated and look particularly lovely in hanging planters. White flowers on long stems are frequently produced by spider plants in the spring during the warmer weather, and these blossoms develop into young offsets, also known as spiderettes. Simply detaching the babies from the stem will allow you to easily remove them so you may plant them.
Spider Plants can be propagated quite easily By placing the “spiders” or plantlets that follow the flowers in their pots. Set the plantlet, which is still connected to the mother plant, on the surface of a pot filled with soilless potting material, give it time to take root, and then cut the stem that connects it to the mother plant. You can keep the plantlet in contact with the soil until it forms roots by using a wire or a bent paper clip. Alternatively, choose a plantlet that has already begun to form roots and pot it. Larger plants can also be divided. They can also be grown from seeds, but the offspring won’t always have their parent’s exact leaf colour.
Phytochemical Screening
It contains phenolic components, flavonoids, chlorophylls, carotenoids, tannins, and reducing sugars in every fraction. The chloroform and n-hexane fractions included the highest concentrations of carotenoids and chlorophylls, and the n-butanol and chloroform fractions contained the highest concentrations of phenolic compounds and simple carbohydrates, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How do you take care of a spider plant?
Ans: Light
Bright, indirect lighting is necessary. Avoid having the sun’s direct rays hit the foliage.
Water
Check the soil roughly once a week as it prefers it to partially dry out between waterings.
Temperature
Warm temperatures above 50°F are preferred. Avoid using air conditioners and windows that let in draughts.
Soil
A peaty soil. The best soil is all-purpose potting soil with excellent drainage. Repot only when roots are evident because it prefers to be slightly pot-bound.
Fertilizer
During the growing season, treat indoor plants with a gentle liquid fertilizer about once a month. Fertilize not during the winter.
Pruning and Propagation
Remove all yellow or damaged leaves, which are frequent in non-greenhouse environments. Separate the parent plant and repot it, or separate the spiderettes from the parent plant and repot them, to reproduce.
Difficulty
Easy! Simply stay away from water frequently and direct sunlight.
Toxicity
Despite being generally regarded as non-toxic, the spider plant can sometimes cause vomiting and momentarily alter behaviour when consumed (WOLVERTON 1996).
Question: Where is the best place to put a spider plant?
Ans: A bright window or patio door Bright, It is vital to have direct, bright lighting. Do not expose the foliage to the sun’s direct light.
Question: How much sun does a spider plant need?
Ans: They are low-light indoor plants that grow with 3 to 4 hours of daily indirect sunshine.
Question: What are spider plants good for?
Ans: It facilitates indoor air purification
Question: How long do spider plants live?
Ans: They have a 20–50 year lifespan.
Question: How often should you water a spider plant?
Ans: Once a week, you should water the plant.
Question: Should I cut the babies off my spider plant?
Ans: yes