We, the Chlorophytum comosum, commonly known as Spider Plants, originate from the coastal and forested regions of South Africa. In our natural environment, we often grow under the canopy of larger trees and shrubs. This means we are adapted to thriving in dappled sunlight, not the intense, direct rays of a full sun environment. Our leaves can actually scorch and turn brown if exposed to too much direct light for prolonged periods. Therefore, our ideal setting is one of bright, indirect light, which allows for our most vigorous growth and prolific production of offsets, or "spiderettes."
When you humans say "low light," it is a broad term. From our point of view, a low-light situation is a room with a north-facing window or a spot several feet away from an east, west, or south-facing window where we can see the sky but the sun's rays never directly touch our leaves. A completely dark interior room with no natural light source is what we would consider "very low light," and this presents a significant challenge for our survival, let alone thriving.
We are equipped with a high degree of resilience. Our thick, fleshy roots are not just for anchoring; they are specialized organs called rhizomes that store water and essential energy reserves. When light levels drop, we can tap into these stored carbohydrates to sustain ourselves for a considerable period. This is why we won't immediately perish in lower light. However, this is a survival tactic, not a recipe for growth. We will essentially enter a state of suspended animation, conserving energy and halting most new growth.
While we can survive, you will notice distinct signs that we are not thriving. Our most vibrant feature, the green and white variegation on our leaves, will begin to fade. The white stripes may turn a pale green or yellow, and the overall leaf color will become less vibrant as we produce more chlorophyll in a desperate attempt to capture more photons. Our growth will become leggy and stretched, as we direct energy towards elongating our leaves to "search" for a light source. Most notably, we will almost certainly cease producing any of our beloved spiderettes, as this reproductive process requires a substantial amount of energy that we simply cannot muster without adequate light.
If you must place us in a lower light area, there are ways to help us. First, be very cautious with watering. In low light, our metabolic processes slow down dramatically, meaning we use far less water. Soggy soil will quickly lead to root rot, which is a death sentence. Allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Secondly, please resist the urge to fertilize us. We are not actively growing and cannot process the nutrients, which will instead build up in the soil and potentially chemically burn our roots. Finally, if possible, consider supplementing our light with an artificial grow light for a few hours each day to provide us with the energy spectrum we need to maintain our health.
