The Humidity-Loving Compact Spider Plant That Is Perfect For Your Bathroom

Sometimes smaller is better when it comes to houseplants, especially when a plant's humidity needs seem to earmark it for one of your smaller rooms — the bathroom. You might think a spider plant as a prospective bathroom dweller is too big, but allow us to introduce Chlorophytum comosum 'Ocean', a relatively new spider plant cultivar that was developed to be compact. This little cutie will get no taller than about 8 inches so is the perfect spider plant for the bathroom and its sometimes steamy environment.

It's a charmer, too, with leaves that are wider and shorter than those of other spider plants and lovely variegation — green center stripes bordered in creamy white. The 'Ocean' cultivar is one of the varieties we suggest in our guide to how to choose the best spider plant houseplant varieties. The fact that it's easy to care for makes the 'Ocean' spider plant a solid choice.

Plant an 'Ocean' spider plant in well-draining, quality potting soil and place in indirect but bright light. Give it thorough waterings, but allow soil to dry somewhat between waterings. Apply liquid fertilizer intended for foliage plants monthly in spring and summer.

Humidity is a key requirement for this plant's environment. Ideal humidity is between 40% and 60% for spider plants. Recommended bathroom humidity is between 30% and 60%, which spikes temporarily to as high as 100% after a shower. Placing your 'Ocean' spider plant in your bathroom gives it a healthy environment, as long as you have good ventilation to disperse excess humidity, and you're also meeting light requirements. Planting in a glazed or ceramic pot can help with humidity, but be sure the container has drainage holes. Take a peek at other ways to increase humidity for plants.

Prune for tidiness and the size and shape you desire. Pruning will also foster side-shoot development. Like all spider plants, the 'Ocean' cultivar does not suffer significant disease or pest issues. Because Chlorophytum comosum 'Ocean' is a low-trailing spider plant, it doesn't get as many of the plantlets ("babies") that most other spider plants do, but it will produce some. You can root the babies to propagate your 'Ocean' cultivar, and you can propagate them through division. As you're placing your 'Ocean' cultivar, you may want to check out stunning ways to style a simple spider plant into a showstopper.