Spider Plant Research Log #2 - Light Experiment
Scientists are going to science.
Audience: General
Experimental Log: This is part of my ongoing project to understand how my spider plants respond to different environments. These are rough notes — learning in progress. Mistakes allowed.
Right now there are no photos here but I plan to update this to include photos.
Overview
I have a lot of spider plant cuttings, so I’ve decided to experiment with placing them in different light conditions in my office to see how they respond.
Aim
To observe how spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum - white edge) respond to varying light levels over time. I’m particularly interested in:
- Leaf colour and vibrancy
- Leaf integrity
- Bushiness vs legginess
- Growth rate
- Signs of stress
Setup
| Cutting ID | Location | Light Conditions | Container | Notes (with initial conditions - 17/06/2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SP-01 (Benji) | North-facing windowsill | Medium indirect light | Small plastic pot inside a ceramic pot | Small and has some bite marks/holes from snails. |
| SP-02 (Mary-Sue) | West-facing windowsill | Bright direct light (particularly in the afternoon/evening) | Plastic pot inside a ceramic pot | Some pale blotches and round holes with brown edges. Some leaves have dark tips. |
| SP-03 (Timothy) | Centre of room width direct line from west-facing window | Medium ambient light (some bright direct light in the afternoons) | Plastic pot inside a ceramic pot | Some pale blotches and bite marks. Otherwise doing well. |
| SP-04-AND-05 (Pinky & Perky) | West-facing shelf | Medium ambient light (indirect bright light in the afternoon/evening) | Plastic pot inside a ceramic pot | One fairly large hole given the size of the leaf. Two small plants sharing a pot |
| SP-06 (Ionna) | North-facing shelf | Low ambient light | Plastic pot | Small white blotches. |
Hypotheses
- Plants in brighter locations will grow faster and produce stronger colour contrast.
- Plants in direct sunlight will develop brown marks (burning).
- Plants in direct sunlight will dry out more frequently.
Schedule
Plan to check in every week with notes and photos.
Questions I’m Tracking
- How long until visible new growth?
- Do any locations lead to browning or leaf loss?
Reflection
To be filled in after the first few days.
Info About This Plant Species
See species notes: Spider Plant Species & Care Notes (WIP)