Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ (24/01/2016, Walworth, London)
Position: Bright indirect light
Flowering period: Late winter to early spring
Soil: Moist, well drained
Eventual Height: 30cm
Eventual Spread: 30cm
Hardiness: 9b, 10a, 10b, 11
Family: Asparagaceae
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ is an evergreen perennial with a clump forming habit. Its mid green leaves have cream marginal stripes, are strapped shaped with entire margins, up to 25cm long and 25mm across. Its green/ white flowers are small and borne on flowering stems in arching racemes. Its roots have rhizomes which store nutrients and water for this plant. This plant produces arching stems with plantlets at their ends, these will root where they touch soil or water.
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ Leaf (24/01/2016, Walworth, London)
The species Chlorophytum comosum, commonly known as Spider Plant or Spider Ivy, is native to tropical and southern regions of Africa. In its native habitat it grows on forest floors, river valleys and mountainous regions. Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ is commonly known as Variegated Spider Plant or Variegated Spider Ivy.
The etymological root of the binomial name Chlorophytum is derived from the Greek chloros meaning ‘green’ and phyton meaning ‘plant’. Comosum is derived from the Greek kome menaing ‘tuft of hairs’.
The landscape architect may find Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ useful as an evergreen foliage houseplant suitable for lower light conditions. Once established this plant is drought tollerant.
Ecologically, Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ flowers are attractive to pollinating insects.
The Royal Horticultural Society have given Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ their prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ Plantlets (24/01/2016, Walworth, London)
Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ prefers moist, fertile, well-drained soils. It tolerates most pH of soil.
When maintaining Chlorophytum comosum ‘Variegatum’ as a houseplant its soil should be watered regularly. Watering should be reduced during the winter months. Its preferred active growing temperature rages from between 18ºc to 32ºc, although it will tolerate a temperature as low as 2ºc. Feeding with weak fertiliser solution should be carried out once a month during the growing season.
Landscape Architecture
