'Vittatum' spider plant guide
Chlorophytum comosum 'Vittatum', also called striped spider plant, airplane plant
Published 2026-11-08
Quick care
- Light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- When the top 2 to 3 cm (1 in) of soil is dry
- Humidity
- Average room air is fine
- Temperature
- 15 to 27°C (60 to 80°F). Keep above 7°C (45°F).
- Soil
- Any well-draining houseplant mix
- Feeding
- Balanced liquid fertilizer, monthly in spring and summer
- Pets
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Mature size
- 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) wide, with trailing runners
- Propagation
- Root the babies in water or soil
- Where to buy
- Common
This page covers what makes 'Vittatum' spider plant different. For light, water, soil, pests, and the rest, read the spider plant care guide.
What it is
‘Vittatum’ is the classic spider plant. Its arching green leaves have a wide, creamy white stripe down the center. Select-A-Plant calls it one of the most popular houseplants. It grows 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 ft) tall and sends out long runners with babies.
How to tell it apart
| Plant | Leaves | The tell |
|---|---|---|
| ‘Vittatum’ | Green edges, white center stripe | The white runs down the middle |
| ‘Variegatum’ spider plant | Green center, white edges | The white runs along the edges |
| ‘Bonnie’ spider plant | Curly, white center stripe | The leaves curl and twist |
An easy way to remember: vitta means stripe or band. ‘Vittatum’ has a stripe down the middle.
Care differences
None to speak of. The white stripe stays bright in bright indirect light. In low light, the stripe narrows and the plant makes fewer babies.
Keeping the stripe
Now and then a ‘Vittatum’ sends up an all-green leaf or a baby with no stripe. Pull out all-green babies if you want to keep the plant striped. They grow faster and can take over a pot.
Grow it from a baby
Snip a baby off the runner and set its base in water or moist soil. Or pin it into a pot beside the mother and cut the runner once it roots. Roots form in one to two weeks.
Buying it
‘Vittatum’ is sold everywhere. You can also ask a friend for a baby. That is how most spider plants travel. Look for full plants with clean white stripes. Brown tips are common and cosmetic.