The purple spider plant, sometimes referred to as the violet queen or Cleome hassleriana, is a fast-growing and low-maintenance kind of spider plant. The violet queen makes very fragrant flowers! This houseplant is ideal for décor because it grows beautifully in violet color and has a delightful aroma. If you want to purchase a purple spider queen for yourself, continue reading to find out all you need to know about plant care, its varieties, indoor variegated and more!
What is a Spider Plant?
Your houseplant did not get its name because it is a spider haven; rather, it was named for the tiny plantlets that develop on its long stems, which resemble tiny spiders.
Other common names for it include ribbon plant, airplane plant, and spider ivy. It is known by its botanical name, Chlorophytum Comosum.
They are often produced indoors these days, yet they come from South Africa’s tropical woodlands.
Small white blooms and long, palmate-green leaves are typical features of these low-maintenance, quick-growing plants. Spider plants gained a lot of popularity after NASA released studies showing they could effectively filter and eliminate 90% of airborne pollutants.
Purple Spider Plant Varieties
The purple spider plant comes in about 200 different varieties. Since it’s challenging to separate them entirely, they are split into two classes: vittatum and variegatum.
The qualities of the leaves are the primary distinction between the two.
Variegatum varieties feature solid green centers surrounded by white margins. The variegated Bonnie Spider plant is the most prevalent variegated form.
Vittatum plants have green-edged leaves and a greater number of center-white stripes. One kind of vittatum spider plant that you may be familiar with is spider ivy.
Are Spider Plants Toxic?
They include substances like those in opium. Only pets who eat spider plants may have hallucinations. So, this could be the reason why your pet starts acting strangely.
Despite not being classified as poisonous, they nevertheless contain substances that can make people throw up, feel sick, or have diarrhea.
I don’t think it’s a smart idea for certain people to try to get high off of this plant.
Purple Spider Plant Care
Your spider plant is perfect for all of you novice gardeners out there because it doesn’t require a lot of labor to keep it thriving!
Learn how to take care of your purple spider plant both indoor variegated and others so that it grows healthily. Discover the conditions necessary for the growth and development of this plant by continuing reading.
Light
Though these plants are known to withstand a lot, direct sunlight causes their leaves to burn, so they dislike it. Well-lit, indirect settings are ideal for them.
Where is the ideal location for a purple spider plant?
Since this plant prefers strong light, you can place it near a window that receives little to no direct sunlight.
Another great spot for your plant is in a hanging basket next to a window; the plant will look amazing hanging there with its variegated leaves cascading from the container.
Soil
They grow best in slightly wet, well-draining soil. Too much damp soil might cause root rot, so try to avoid it. For your purple spider plant care, the ideal potting soil types are chalk, sand, and loam. Additionally, you can utilize a succulent soil mix if you recently purchased a new plant.
The Temperature
Despite coming from Southern Africa, they like temperatures that are between 13 and 18 degrees Celsius. These characteristics make them ideal for indoor cultivation, while they can also be cultivated outside within this temperature range.
Thus, you might wish to bring your purple spider plant indoors if you live in a hot, humid region.
Watering
This plant has very specific needs when it comes to watering. Try to avoid using tap water, as the fluoride in it can build up in the soil and cause the tips of your leaves to turn brown. Use distilled water instead.
Letting the water go through drainage holes and then emptying the excess water out is the best method. However, in contrast to many other houseplants that need drainage holes for the removal of excess water, spider plants are among the indoor plants that do not.
Repotting
Since it regularly grows through its plantlets and leaves, our violet queen doesn’t require frequent repotting. But you should repot your plant right away if you see roots emerging from the ground or reaching past the edge of the pot.
Propagating
Do not be concerned if you are an amateur gardener with little knowledge of propagation! Propagating spider plants is the simplest.
To find them, simply search for plantlets, which resemble miniature versions of your purple spider plant. Take off the plantlets from the parent plant and place them in a pot that has been ready for planting.
Give your newly acquired plant regular watering and maintain it in partial to full sun. New spider flowers and leaves will soon start to sprout!
Common Issues of Purple Spider Plant
Despite the plant’s reputation for hardiness, you may still have to cope with issues like a limp plant, discolored foliage, or pest infestation.
- Color changes in leaves
Nearly all plants have colored leaves. Since they serve as a symbol for the plant’s general health, any changes in color are typically an indication that there is a problem.
- Looking lanky, plants
There are several possible explanations if your Violet Queen appears to be going through a difficult period, with withering leaves and a generally drab and lifeless appearance.
It looks like you are either overwatering or underwatering your purple spider plant. Your plant will soon appear content and lively again if you just stop watering it so much and place it somewhere with enough light!
- Infestations of Pests
Pests such as mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites may be causing problems for your spider plant. One way to keep these pests from getting inside the plant is to mist them occasionally.
3 Variegated Purple Spider Plant Varieties
Vittatum Spider Plant
The Vittatum variety of spider plants is one of the most commonly produced types. This kind of perennial spider plant is evergreen and has medium-green leaves with broad, creamy vertical stripes.
Bonnie Spider Plant
The Bonnie spider plant is a variegated purple spider plant that has curlier leaves that unfold in waves. It frequently resembles the spider plant variation known as “Vittatum,” and people frequently confuse the two. This plant is sometimes referred to as a “bathroom plant” because of its popularity as a low-light plant.
Variegatum Spider Plant
Gardeners love this particular variegated purple spider plant variety, which is sometimes referred to as the reverse spider plant or variegated spider plant. It can be a bit puzzling to know that a few different spider plant varieties go by the same common name, “variegated spider plant.”
How to Grow an Indoor Variegated Spider Plant
When planting a variegated spider plant indoor, choose a spot with bright, indirect light and moderate to high humidity. This plant thrives in a light-filled area such as the bathroom or bedroom, or almost anywhere. All the same, it will flourish on a table or desk in any setting as long as you meet its care needs. Gathering supplies like a plastic potting container or hanging planter is also necessary for your spider plant to flourish.
Well-draining organic potting soil is ideal for variegated spider plant indoor. The pH range of 6.0 to 7.2 is ideal for the growth of this plant in neutral soil. The best soil combinations for spider plants will have minerals like pumice or perlite that improve drainage.
FAQs
What are the advantages of purple spider?
An indoor spider plant purifies the air. Research has demonstrated that spider plants are highly efficient at eliminating formaldehyde, xylene, benzene, and carbon monoxide from indoor spaces. Spider plants can withstand sporadic watering thanks to their thick, meaty roots.
Are spider plants toxic?
These lanky plants are excellent hanging or potted plants, and any cats in the house may find those long leaves appealing. Although spider plants are thought to be non-toxic, if cats consume enough of the plant, they may nevertheless suffer from mild gastrointestinal distress.
What side effects might spider plants cause?
It is said that the chemical components found in spider plants are connected to opium. Even though these substances are thought to be non-toxic, they can nevertheless cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
Are spider plants safe for people to handle?
Growing in hanging baskets, Chlorophytum, often known as Spider Plant or Airplane Plant, is a highly popular houseplant. Its leaves are striped and arching, either green or green and white. At the end, stems hold tiny plants. Although not harmful to humans, this plant poses a choking hazard if consumed, just like any other plant.
Conclusion
The purple spider plant is the best option if you want your house to smell good and look good. This plant will look amazing hanging from a basket with its gorgeous purple flowers and variegated leaves.
Because it is simple to spread and requires little maintenance, it is an excellent choice for novice gardeners.
Your Violet Queen will adore living in your house if you only keep the soil dry, don’t overwater it, and put it somewhere cool and bright!
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