Definition

Noun: 1. A common houseplant: "Spider plant" refers to a specific species of perennial, herbaceous plant (Chlorophytum comosum) that is widely cultivated indoors. It is characterized by its long, slender, arching green leaves, often with a central white or yellow stripe, and its ability to produce plantlets (small offshoots) on long stems that hang down, resembling spiders on a web.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The spider plant on the bookshelf is thriving and has many new plantlets.
  • She propagated her spider plant by potting one of the small offshoots.
  • Spider plants are popular because they are easy to care for and help purify the air.

Advanced Usage

• As a common name: "Spider plant" is the universally recognized common name for . In horticultural contexts, it may be specified by cultivar names, such as the "Variegated spider plant" or "Reverse variegated spider plant," which describe the pattern on the leaves.

Variants and Related Words

• Airplane plant (n): An alternative common name for the spider plant, also referring to the hanging, airborne appearance of its plantlets.
• Ribbon plant (n): Another occasional common name for the spider plant, likely referring to the long, ribbon-like leaves.
• Chlorophytum comosum (n): The formal botanical (Latin) name for the spider plant species.

Synonyms

• Houseplant: A general term for any plant grown indoors. (Note: "Spider plant" is a specific type of houseplant, not a direct synonym.)

Related Phrases

• Spider plant babies: A casual term for the small plantlets (offshoots) produced by the mother plant.
  • My spider plant has so many babies; I'm going to give them as gifts.
• To propagate a spider plant: The act of creating new plants from the offshoots.
  • You can easily propagate a spider plant by placing a plantlet in water until it roots.

Noun

1. native to South America but naturalized in warm parts of United States; grown for its long-lasting spider-shaped white to pink-purple flowers