Culture
Typically grown as a houseplant in most of the continental U.S. where it will perform well in an organically enriched potting mix. Avoid direct sun (leaf scorch or chlorosis may occur) or full shade. Best indoor plant location is often achieved by simply experimenting with different locations. Temperature is best year-round in the 70-90°F. range. Needs evenly moist soils. Plants prefer a humid growing environment to prevent leaf tips and leaf margins from browning. Consider placing pots in shallow trays of wet pebbles and/or regularly misting the foliage with water to maintain good humidity levels in dry weather. Remove non-ornamental flower spikes as they appear unless seeds for propagation are needed.
Noteworthy Characteristics
Chlorophytum contains more than 250 species of evergreen rhizomatous perennials, most of which are native to tropical and sub-tropical parts of southern and western Africa. Spider plant is the common name used for plants in this genus. Plants generally feature rosettes of fleshy tuberous roots, lanceolate leaves, and small white flowers which bloom in panicles in spring. Most species have never been cultivated and are not considered to be ornamentally attractive.
Genus name comes from the Greek words chloros meaning green and phyton meaning a plant.
‘Fire Flash’, commonly known as orange spider plant, is an evergreen tropical perennial that is in fact very ornamentally attractive. It typically matures to 12” tall when grown indoors as a houseplant, but will rise to as much as 24” tall when grown outdoors. Broad, ovate-lanceolate, pointed, shiny dark green leaves (to 12” long) appear in rosettes. This green plant foliage is highlighted, however, by contrasting bright orange petioles and leaf midribs which bring an orange fire-like glow to the center of each plant, hence the cultivar name of ‘Fire Flash’. White flowers bloom in dense, cylindrical, outward-arching panicles. Flowers are not particularly showy and last only one week.
This plant is sold in commerce today under a number of different names including Chlorophytum amaniense, Chlorophytum amaniense ‘Fire Flash’, C. orchidantheroides, C. orchidastrum, C. filipendulum amaniense and C. ‘Fire Flash’.
Problems
Leaf tips are prone to browning. Watch for scale, aphids, mealybugs, whiteflies, and spider mites.
Uses
Great ornamental for indoors or outdoors. Easy to grow.