Spider plants are one of the most well-known and popular houseplants available. Their long sword-shaped variegated leaves create a beautiful backdrop when used as a hanging plant. Spider plants also have strong ties to feng shui, bringing several benefits into your home if positioned properly. In this post, we’ll examine where to position spider plants in the home for maximum feng shui benefits and optimal care.
- Where to Position Spider Plants in the Home – The Essentials
- About Spider Plants
- Spider Plants and Feng Shui
- Where to Position Spider Plants in the Home
- Where NOT to Place Spider Plants in the Home
- Where to Place Spider Plants Outdoors
- Essential Spider Plant Care
- Where to Position Spider Plants FAQs
- Find the Best Location in Your Home for Spider Plants
Where to Position Spider Plants in the Home – The Essentials
The best locations for spider plants in your home or office are eastern or southeastern positions. These two areas are linked to the wood element, which is associated with houseplants. East or southeastern areas also provide spider plants with ideal light levels. Spider plants absorb negative energy in unused spaces such as empty shelves.
About Spider Plants
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum) are evergreen tropical perennials from the asparagus family (Asparagaceae). Originally native to Africa, spider plants have also colonized parts of Australia and other areas.
Spider plants have long, drooping sword-shaped foliage and a bushy appearance. Many varieties of spider plants have some form of variegation, creating a striking color combination of green and white. Healthy spider plants will produce clusters of spiderettes – also known as pups – which are used for propagation. These spiderettes resemble miniature mature spider plants.
Spider plants are famous for their air purifying abilities. According to NASA’s Clean Air Study, spider plants are great at removing chemicals like formaldehyde and xylene from our homes. Spider plants also have other benefits, such as reducing stress and improving productivity.
Spider Plants and Feng Shui
Feng shui focuses on balancing the different energies of your home, which is why spider plants are so handy. Thanks to their purifying powers, spider plants are thought to remove negative energy while adding positive energy. As well as cleaning the air, spider plants can also clean the energy currents that flow around your home.
The five elements of earth, fire, metal, water, and wood are powerful forces in feng shui. Each element is associated with particular qualities and objects. Spider plants and other houseplants are linked to the wood element. Wood represents compassion, growth, kindness, originality, and rejuvenation.
Adding spider plants to your home can help you boost the wood element and create a connection to nature. In addition, some feng shui scholars consider spider plants to be symbols of good fortune and prosperity. This makes spider plants ideal as office feng shui plants.
Colors also have power in feng shui. Like other houseplants, spider plants are predominantly green. In feng shui, green represents growth, healing energy, and regeneration. It’s also thought that a spider plant’s long blade-like foliage represents stability in your life.
Where to Position Spider Plants in the Home
According to the Bagua Map
To maximize balance in feng shui, practitioners use something called the Bagua map. This divides your home or room into nine areas, based on the directions of a compass. Each area is associated with a specific aspect of life as well as particular elements and colors.
By using the Bagua map, we can choose the ideal place for spider plants in our homes. Here are the nine areas of the Bagua map:
- Center = Health (Tai Qi)
- North = Career (Kan)
- Northeast = Knowledge (Gen)
- East = Family (Zhen)
- Southeast = Prosperity and Wealth (Xun)
- South = Fame and Reputation (Li)
- Southwest = Relationships (Kun)
- West = Children (Dui)
- Northwest = Helpful People (Qian)
Because of their associations with good fortune and growth, spider plants are well suited to the Southeastern section of the Bagua map. This area is linked to prosperity and wealth and is also strongly associated with the wood element. Spider plants make excellent feng shui plants for a home office to help you prosper in your work.
Spider plants will also perform well in the Eastern part of the Bagua map, which is linked to family. Again, this area is attuned to the wood element, which promotes family growth and kindness. Spider plants are therefore suitable for family spaces such as the living room.
Spider plants are also thought to absorb negative energy while helping to cultivate positive energy. Negative energy collects in unused spaces like the tops of cupboards or shelves. This makes spider plants the ideal countermeasure because their drooping foliage can fill empty spaces.
According to Plant Needs
An east or southeast-facing room is ideal for spider plants as this provides bright, indirect morning sunlight and partial afternoon shade. Spider plants also do well in partial shade, so they are well suited to the tops of cupboards or shelves. These requirements match up well with the best places on the Bagua map for spider plants.
For a warm, humid houseplant environment, the bathroom is ideal. Bathrooms are naturally more humid than other rooms. Spider plants require ambient temperatures ranging from 65 to 85ºF and humidity levels of approximately 40 to 80%.
Where NOT to Place Spider Plants in the Home
The relationships between the five elements mentioned earlier are a key component of feng shui. Some elements will weaken others, and some can even clash aggressively, producing negative energy. These relationships are influenced by how the elements interact in the natural world.
Spider plants are linked to the wood element, which is weakened by fire and clashes with metal. Fire is attributed to the South of the Bagua map, which focuses on fame and reputation. If you’re trying to use spider plants and other wood element objects in this area, their effects will be weakened.
The metal element is associated with the Northwest and West parts of the Bagua map. Metal is often used to chop through wood, creating a clash between the two elements in feng shui. The Northwest and West of the Bagua map govern helpful people and children, respectively. Spider plants shouldn’t be placed in these areas.
In terms of their care requirements, spider plants shouldn’t be exposed to bright, direct sunlight, which can lead to yellowing or brown leaves. This type of light is common in the south or west-facing rooms. Cold or drafty areas are also unsuitable for spider plants as they need warm, humid conditions to thrive.
Spider plants are also considered mildly toxic to some pets, such as cats, so it’s prudent to position the plants where your feline friends are less likely to nibble on them.
Where to Place Spider Plants Outdoors
In certain climates, spider plants can be grown outdoors rather than as houseplants. In USDA Zones 9 to 11, spider plants can be perennial outdoor plants. For those in colder areas, they will need to stay inside during the winter. Keep them in containers to make moving them easier.
Spider plants need partial shade if you want to grow them outside. Choose a sheltered spot that receives some sun during the morning but is shaded in the afternoon. Spider plants grow pretty happily in hanging baskets indoors or outdoors.
Essential Spider Plant Care
Spider plants are perfect houseplants for beginners because they are incredibly low-maintenance. Place spider plants somewhere with bright indirect light or partial shade. Avoid locations that get direct afternoon sun as this will make the foliage burn or fade.
Spider plants prefer lightly moist soil, so water them about once a week during spring and summer. Check if the top inch or two of soil is dry before watering to prevent root rot and other problems. You can also mist the plant occasionally to boost humidity.
The ideal conditions for spider plants depend on temperatures ranging from 65 to 85ºF. Humidity should be maintained somewhere between 40% and 80%. Humidifiers are also another way to keep the correct humidity levels.
Spider plants require well-draining soil that still retains enough moisture to prevent drought. A mix of pine bark fines, coco coir, or houseplant potting mix, and perlite is ideal. Extra nutrition can be provided by fertilizing once every month or two during the growing season. Avoid fertilizing during winter.
Spider plants are easily propagated using their spiderettes or pups. Simply snip these off and place them in a soil mix. Pruning isn’t strictly necessary but can be done to control the size of the plant and you’ll also want to repot your spider plant once it starts to outgrow its current potting vessel and keep an eye out for common pests and diseases.
Where to Position Spider Plants FAQs
Which room is best for a spider plant?
East or southeast-facing rooms are ideal for spider plants. These areas provide correct light levels and also allow you to maximize the feng shui benefits of spider plants.
How far away from a window should a spider plant be?
If placed in an east or southeast-facing room, spider plants can be positioned about three feet from the window. If they must go in a south or west-facing room, extend the distance to eight or ten feet.
Can I put my spider plant in a corner?
Spider plants like partial shade, so they work well in corners. Their fast-growing foliage also helps fill empty corners while absorbing negative energy.
Can spider plants thrive in low-light environments?
Spider plants grow best in areas of partial shade. That said, extended periods in full shade can cause the leaves to lose color.
Can spider plants tolerate drafts?
Like most tropical houseplants, spider plants need warm, consistent temperatures and humidity levels. Drafts from air vents or radiators can dry out spider plants, so avoid drafty areas.
Find the Best Location in Your Home for Spider Plants
Spider plants are an easy way to boost the feng shui of your home. These tropical plants can absorb negative energy from unused spaces like empty shelves, releasing positive energy in return. Spider plants are associated with the wood element, making them ideal for southeast or east areas of your home.
Edd is a budding content writer and gardener living in the United Kingdom. He has a bachelor's degree in Creative and Professional Writing and has written for several gardening publications online. He is passionate about nature and sustainability with a focus on gardening and wildlife.
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