Family: Asparagaceae

Chlorophytum comosum, commonly known as spider plant or ribbonplant, is a widely grown ornamental species native to tropical and southern Africa. It is best recognized for its long, arching green leaves with white or cream striping and its trailing stems that produce small white flowers and baby plantlets. Spider plant is popular as a houseplant and in outdoor landscaping in warm climates because it is hardy, low-maintenance, and tolerant of a wide range of light and moisture conditions. It is commonly used in hanging baskets, containers, and as a groundcover accent, and is also appreciated for its ability to improve indoor air quality.

Although spider plant is not currently known to be naturalized in Hawaiʻi, it does possess traits that are cause for concern in tropical island ecosystems. Its ability to reproduce readily through vegetative plantlets, tolerate shade, and thrive under varied environmental conditions could allow it to spread beyond cultivation if introduced into natural areas. On islands with highly sensitive native ecosystems, these traits could contribute to competition with native plants, particularly in disturbed or urban-adjacent habitats. As a precaution, it is recommended to choose a low-risk or native alternative for landscaping, especially near natural areas, to help protect Hawaiʻi’s unique biodiversity.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in tropical climates
  
• ‡Naturalized in several locations (but no evidence from Hawaiian Islands)
  
• Regarded as an environmental weed in Australia
  
• Shade tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• A geophyte (able to persist from tuberous roots)
  
• Reproduces by seeds and vegetatively by plantlets that form on inflorescence
  
• Reaches maturity in one year
  
• Dispersed by dumped garden waste
  
• Tolerates fire and resprouts from cutting or damage to foliage

Low Risk Traits:

• No reports of invasiveness or naturalization in the Hawaiian Islands to date, despite widespread cultivation
  
• Unarmed (no spines, thorns, or burrs)
  
• Non-toxic
  
• Ornamental
  
• Primarily spreads vegetatively, limiting long distance dispersal