Most people label spider plants as indoor houseplants, with good reason. You can easily provide an ideal growing environment for them indoors, and they’ll add to your house’s visual appeal.
What about the outdoors, though? Can spider plants even live outside? It’s an intriguing idea that raises many questions: Would these plants grow as quickly? Does the care routine change?
Well, that’s what I aim to answer today. So, let’s not waste any time!
Can You Plant Spider Plants Outside?
Yes, you can. Many gardeners think spider plants’ growing conditions dictate they stay indoors, but that’s not entirely true. You can also plant them outdoors.
Of course, many environmental factors affect your plant’s outdoor growth. So, you want to put extra effort into keeping it safe.
Identify Your Garden’s USDA Zone
Before you place your spider plant outdoors, you want to check your garden’s USDA zone. That determines whether it’s an optimal location for your plant to grow properly or not.
Spider plants thrive in hardiness zones 9-11. Any less than that, and you’d be risking a slow death. So, don’t skip that step.
Choose a Proper Spot
Choosing a proper outdoor spot for your spider plant is more challenging than indoors, as you don’t have as much control over the surrounding environment.
That step can make or break your plant’s growth process, though, so you want to ensure the spot you choose caters to its needs.
For instance, spider plants thrive in warm environments. So, place them somewhere with a temperature ranging between 75-85℉ during the day and 60-70℉ during the night.
That’s why summer is the perfect season to plant them outdoors, as it provides the ideal temperatures for healthy growth.
Stay away from any location where the temperature constantly fluctuates, like the corners of your patio/porch.
Despite their love for warm climates, spider plants can’t tolerate harsh direct sunlight. It’ll burn their leaves. Keep them somewhere with partial shading and bright, indirect light.
You want to place your plant in loamy, well-draining soil. It’s the best type to prevent water from accumulating around it, protecting it from root rot.
Don’t go for any brand that’s too acidic or alkaline. Spider plants prefer neutral/slightly acidic soil.
How to Care for Spider Plants Outdoors
In theory, caring for spider plants outdoors isn’t that different from indoors. That said, you might have to make a few adjustments to your care routine.
Watering
As a rule of thumb, gardeners water their spider plants indoors when the top 2 inches of the soil feel dry. That usually averages to once every 7-10 days.
You can follow the same rule outdoors. However, the number of times you’ll water your plant will depend on local weather conditions.
You can find yourself watering it two or three times a week, maybe more, if the weather is hot enough. Of course, you want to hold back on water during winter.
The soil takes longer to dry then, and you don’t want to stimulate root rot, do you?
Spider plants are drought-tolerant, which means they can last long without water. So, don’t put too much pressure on yourself to create a perfect watering schedule.
Helpful Tip: Spider plants are sensitive to the chlorine in tap water. Stick to filtered water or rainwater.
Fertilizing
Spider plants aren’t heavy feeders, so you won’t have to fertilize them often. Once or twice a month during the growth season (spring and summer) is enough.
Avoid fertilizing it in winter and fall, as the roots don’t absorb nutrients during that season. So, it’ll do more harm than good.
You want to use a balanced, liquid fertilizer for optimal growth. Other types, like granular fertilizer, can be effective, but they won’t give you the same results.
Avoid fertilizers that contain fluoride or boron, as these components can damage spider plants. Don’t fertilize the spiderlings dangling from your adult plant, as they’re too delicate to handle it.
Pest Protection
Protecting your spider plant from whiteflies, spider mites, aphids, and mealy bugs outdoors is a bit tricky.
After all, it’s harder to identify where they’re coming from. That doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do, though.
You can’t go wrong with the classic insecticidal soap to dry these pests to death. You can also mix 1 tsp of soap and 0.2 gallons (one liter) of water to make an efficient pesticide at home.
Neem oil is another solution that has gained popularity as a powerful pest eliminator.
Here’s the thing: The most effective way to fight pests is to prevent them from spreading in the first place.
So, keep a close eye on your plant and notice any changes in its color or weird marks on its leaves.
That will give you the best chance to identify threats immediately and eliminate them before they spread further.
Can You Grow Your Spider Plant Indoors Then Take It Outdoors?
Yes, you can. In fact, that’s a more efficient approach than placing it outdoors right away.
When you grow spider plants indoors, you allow them to establish a sturdy rooting system in a controlled environment first.
That increases the chances of surviving outdoors even if you don’t provide an ideal growing environment.
How Big Do Spider Plants Get Outside?
There isn’t a definitive answer to that question, as it depends on the type of spider plant you’re growing.
Some types can grow at a moderate rate, reaching 12-15 inches tall/wide. Others can grow at a more rapid pace, reaching 24 inches tall/wide.
Can Spider Plants Live Outside in the Winter?
I keep telling you to place your spider plant somewhere warm with bright light. What about winter, though? It’ll be challenging to find a warm outdoor spot during that season.
Can that plant handle the cold? Unfortunately, no. As versatile as they are, spider plants are native to the coastal areas of South Africa.
That means providing a warm environment is crucial for healthy growth. The cold weather causes the leaves to turn brown and wilt. Eventually, the plant will turn completely floppy and die.
Does that mean you have to take it inside during winter? It’s highly recommended, but it’s not your only option.
You can always cover it with horticultural fleece to protect it from the cold. A cloche cover can also prevent frost damage by storing the sun’s energy.
Some might be inclined to use mulching as a protective measure against the cold. It’s too risky, though. Yes, mulch can moderate the soil’s temperature, but it also retains a lot of moisture.
Spider plants don’t like wet feet, and too much water in the soil can cause root rot.
Do Spider Plants Go Dormant in Winter?
Being native to tropical lands, spider plants go dormant during winter. If you’re not familiar with the term, dormancy is a resting period.
Think of it as a long nap where the plant’s growth slows down. It’s a natural part of the growth cycle. The plant just doesn’t have enough energy to grow new limbs during that season.
Just let it be, water it when the soil dries, move it somewhere warm, and it’ll leaf out again, purifying your garden’s air after winter.
Final Thoughts
Now you know there isn’t a definitive answer to whether spider plants can live outside or not. It depends on the surrounding environment and how much you can meet their needs.
If you can protect it from pests and provide it with the necessary nutrients, you’ll have a happy outdoor plant with healthy leaves.
Growing up with a mom who filled her home (inside and out) with all sorts of plants, Lisa got her start in gardening at a young age. Living now on her own with a home and yard full of plants (including an indoor greenhouse), she shares all the gardening tips she’s gained over the years.