200 Species of Genus Chlorophytum

My Fascination with Chlorophytum: The Spider Plant and its Kin

As a plant enthusiast, I’ve always been drawn to the unique beauty and resilience of Chlorophytum, commonly known as spider plants. These evergreen perennials, with their cascading foliage and charming “spiderettes,” have a special place in my heart. Native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Australia, Chlorophytum boasts nearly 200 species, each with its own distinct characteristics.

A Diverse Genus

While the common spider plant, Chlorophytum comosum, is a familiar sight in many homes, the genus offers a surprising variety of forms. From the variegated leaves of Chlorophytum laxum to the striking orange-red petioles of Chlorophytum amaniense ‘Fire Flash,’ there’s a Chlorophytum to suit every taste. Some lesser-known species, like Chlorophytum borivilianum, even have medicinal properties and are used in traditional medicine.

Here are:

1. Chlorophytum acutum (C.H.Wright) Nordal
2. Chlorophytum affine Baker
3. Chlorophytum africanum (Baker) Baker
4. Chlorophytum alismifolium Baker
5. Chlorophytum alpinum Benth. ex Baker
6. Chlorophytum altum Engl. & K.Krause
7. Chlorophytum anceps (Baker) Kativu
8. Chlorophytum andongense Baker
9. Chlorophytum angulicaule (Baker) Kativu
10. Chlorophytum angustiracemosum Poelln.
11. Chlorophytum angustissimum (Poelln.) Nordal
12. Chlorophytum ankarense H.Perrier
13. Chlorophytum appendiculatum H.Perrier
14. Chlorophytum applanatum Nordal & Thulin
15. Chlorophytum arcuatoramosum R.B.Drumm.
16. Chlorophytum aridum Oberm.
17. Chlorophytum arundinaceum Baker
18. Chlorophytum asperum J.C.Manning
19. Chlorophytum assamicum D.Borah & A.P.Das
20. Chlorophytum basitrichum Poelln.
21. Chlorophytum baturense K.Krause
22. Chlorophytum belgaumense Chandore, Malpure, Adsul & S.R.Yadav
23. Chlorophytum benguellense (Baker) Meerts
24. Chlorophytum benuense Engl. & K.Krause
25. Chlorophytum bharuchae Ansari, Sundararagh. & Hemadri
26. Chlorophytum bifolium Dammer
27. Chlorophytum blepharophyllum Schweinf. ex Baker
28. Chlorophytum borivilianum Santapau & R.R.Fern.
29. Chlorophytum bowkeri Baker
30. Chlorophytum brachystachyum Baker
31. Chlorophytum bracteatum Hua
32. Chlorophytum brevipedunculatum Poelln.
33. Chlorophytum breviscapum Dalzell
34. Chlorophytum bulbinifolium Hoell & Nordal
35. Chlorophytum burundiense Meerts
36. Chlorophytum calyptrocarpum (Baker) Kativu
37. Chlorophytum cameronii (Baker) Kativu
38. Chlorophytum camporum Engl. & K.Krause
39. Chlorophytum capense (L.) Voss
40. Chlorophytum caudatibracteatum Engl. & K.Krause
41. Chlorophytum caulescens (Baker) Marais & Reilly
42. Chlorophytum chelindaense Kativu & Nordal
43. Chlorophytum chevalieri Poelln.
44. Chlorophytum chinense Bureau & Franch.
45. Chlorophytum chloranthum Baker
46. Chlorophytum clarae Bjorå & Nordal
47. Chlorophytum collinum (Poelln.) Nordal
48. Chlorophytum colubrinum (Baker) Engl.
49. Chlorophytum comosum (Thunb.) Jacques
50. Chlorophytum cooperi (Baker) Nordal
51. Chlorophytum cordifolium De Wild.
52. Chlorophytum crassinerve (Baker) Oberm.
53. Chlorophytum cremnophilum van Jaarsv.
54. Chlorophytum crispum (Thunb.) Baker
55. Chlorophytum cyperaceum (Kies) Nordal
56. Chlorophytum dalzielii (Hutch. ex Hepper) Nordal
57. Chlorophytum debile Baker
58. Chlorophytum decaryanum H.Perrier
59. Chlorophytum decipiens Baker
60. Chlorophytum delicatulum Osborne, Vollesen & Bjorå
61. Chlorophytum dianellifolium (Baker) H.Perrier
62. Chlorophytum distichum H.Perrier
63. Chlorophytum diwanjii Mujaffar, A.P.Tiwari & Chandore
64. Chlorophytum dolichocarpum Tamura
65. Chlorophytum ducis-aprutii Chiov.
66. Chlorophytum fasciculatum (Baker) Kativu
67. Chlorophytum fernandesii (Poelln.) Meerts
68. Chlorophytum filifolium Nordal & Thulin
69. Chlorophytum filipendulum Baker
70. Chlorophytum fischeri (Baker) Baker
71. Chlorophytum gallabatense Schweinf. ex Baker
72. Chlorophytum galpinii (Baker) Kativu
73. Chlorophytum geayanum (H.Perrier) Marais & Reilly
74. Chlorophytum geophilum Peter ex Poelln.
75. Chlorophytum glaucoides Blatt.
76. Chlorophytum glaucum Dalzell
77. Chlorophytum goetzei Engl.
78. Chlorophytum gothanense Malpure & S.R.Yadav
79. Chlorophytum gracile Baker
80. Chlorophytum graminifolium (Willd.) Kunth
81. Chlorophytum graniticola Kativu
82. Chlorophytum graniticum H.Perrier
83. Chlorophytum graptophyllum (Baker) Marais & Reilly
84. Chlorophytum haygarthii J.M.Wood & M.S.Evans
85. Chlorophytum herrmannii Nordal & Sebsebe
86. Chlorophytum heynei Baker
87. Chlorophytum hiranense Nordal & Thulin
88. Chlorophytum hirsutum A.D.Poulsen & Nordal
89. Chlorophytum holstii Engl.
90. Chlorophytum humbertianum H.Perrier
91. Chlorophytum humifusum Cufod.
92. Chlorophytum hypoxiforme (H.Perrier) Marais & Reilly
93. Chlorophytum hysteranthum Kativu
94. Chlorophytum immaculatum (Hepper) Nordal
95. Chlorophytum inconspicuum (Baker) Nordal
96. Chlorophytum indicum (Willd. ex Schult. & Schult.f.) Dress
97. Chlorophytum inornatum Ker Gawl.
98. Chlorophytum intermedium Craib
99. Chlorophytum kolhapurense Sardesai, S.P.Gaikwad & S.R.Yadav
100. Chlorophytum krauseanum (Dinter) Kativu
101. Chlorophytum krookianum Zahlbr.
102. Chlorophytum lancifolium Welw. ex Baker
103. Chlorophytum laxum R.Br.
104. Chlorophytum leptoneurum (C.H.Wright) Poelln.
105. Chlorophytum lewisae Oberm.
106. Chlorophytum limosum (Baker) Nordal
107. Chlorophytum littorale Nordal & Thulin
108. Chlorophytum longifolium Schweinf. ex Baker
109. Chlorophytum longiscapum Dammer
110. Chlorophytum longissimum Ridl.
111. Chlorophytum macrophyllum (A.Rich.) Asch.
112. Chlorophytum macrorrhizum Poelln.
113. Chlorophytum macrosporum Baker
114. Chlorophytum madagascariense Baker
115. Chlorophytum malabaricum Baker
116. Chlorophytum malayense Ridl.
117. Chlorophytum mamillatum Elden & Nordal
118. Chlorophytum modestum Baker
119. Chlorophytum molle (Baker) Meerts
120. Chlorophytum monophyllum Oberm.
121. Chlorophytum namaquense Schltr. ex Poelln.
122. Chlorophytum namorokense H.Perrier
123. Chlorophytum nepalense (Lindl.) Baker
124. Chlorophytum nervosum Nordal & Thulin
125. Chlorophytum nidulans (Baker) Brenan
126. Chlorophytum nimmonii Dalzell
127. Chlorophytum nubicum (Baker) Kativu
128. Chlorophytum nyasae (Rendle) Kativu
129. Chlorophytum nzii A.Chev. ex Hepper
130. Chlorophytum occultum A.D.Poulsen & Nordal
131. Chlorophytum orchidastrum Lindl.
132. Chlorophytum orchideum (Welw. ex Baker) Meerts
133. Chlorophytum palghatense K.M.P.Kumar & Adsul
134. Chlorophytum parkeri (Baker) Marais & Reilly
135. Chlorophytum parvulum Chiov.
136. Chlorophytum paucinervatum (Poelln.) Nordal
137. Chlorophytum pauciphyllum Oberm.
138. Chlorophytum pauper Poelln.
139. Chlorophytum pendulum Nordal & Thulin
140. Chlorophytum peralbum Poelln.
141. Chlorophytum perfoliatum Kativu
142. Chlorophytum petraeum Nordal & Thulin
143. Chlorophytum petrophilum K.Krause
144. Chlorophytum pilosicarinatum (Poelln.) Meerts
145. Chlorophytum polystachys Baker
146. Chlorophytum pseudocaule Tesfaye & Nordal
147. Chlorophytum pterocarpum Nordal & Thulin
148. Chlorophytum pubiflorum Baker
149. Chlorophytum pusillum Schweinf. ex Baker
150. Chlorophytum pygmaeum (Weim.) Kativu
151. Chlorophytum radula (Baker) Nordal
152. Chlorophytum ramosissimum Nordal & Thulin
153. Chlorophytum rangei (Engl. & K.Krause) Nordal
154. Chlorophytum recurvifolium (Baker) C.Archer & Kativu
155. Chlorophytum reflexibracteatum Poelln.
156. Chlorophytum rhizopendulum Bjorå & Hemp
157. Chlorophytum rigidum Kunth
158. Chlorophytum ruahense Engl.
159. Chlorophytum rubribracteatum (De Wild.) Kativu
160. Chlorophytum rutenbergianum Vatke
161. Chlorophytum saundersiae (Baker) Nordal
162. Chlorophytum scabrum Baker
163. Chlorophytum senegalense (Baker) Hepper
164. Chlorophytum serpens Sebsebe & Nordal
165. Chlorophytum sharmae Adsul, Lekhak & S.R.Yadav
166. Chlorophytum sikkimense P.Rai
167. Chlorophytum simplex Craib
168. Chlorophytum sofiense (H.Perrier) Marais & Reilly
169. Chlorophytum somaliense Baker
170. Chlorophytum sparsiflorum Baker
171. Chlorophytum sphacelatum (Baker) Kativu
172. Chlorophytum sphagnicola Meerts
173. Chlorophytum staudtii Nordal
174. Chlorophytum stenopetalum Baker
175. Chlorophytum stolzii (K.Krause) Weim.
176. Chlorophytum subligulatum H.Perrier
177. Chlorophytum subpetiolatum (Baker) Kativu
178. Chlorophytum suffruticosum Baker
179. Chlorophytum superpositum (Baker) Marais & Reilly
180. Chlorophytum sylvestre Bardot-Vaucoulon
181. Chlorophytum tenerrimum Peter ex Poelln.
182. Chlorophytum tetraphyllum (L.f.) Baker
183. Chlorophytum tillariense S.R.Yadav & Chandore
184. Chlorophytum tordense Chiov.
185. Chlorophytum transvaalense (Baker) Kativu
186. Chlorophytum trichophlebium (Baker) Nordal
187. Chlorophytum triflorum (Aiton) Kunth
188. Chlorophytum tripedale (Baker) H.Perrier
189. Chlorophytum tuberosum (Roxb.) Baker
190. Chlorophytum ustulatum (Welw. ex Baker) Meerts
191. Chlorophytum velutinum Kativu
192. Chlorophytum vespertinum Vollesen
193. Chlorophytum vestitum Baker
194. Chlorophytum viridescens Engl.
195. Chlorophytum viscosum Kunth
196. Chlorophytum waibelii K.Krause
197. Chlorophytum warneckei (Engl.) Marais & Reilly
198. Chlorophytum zambiense Bjorå & Nordal
199. Chlorophytum zavattarii (Cufod.) Nordal
200. Chlorophytum zingiberastrum Nordal & A.D.Poulsen

Easygoing Companions

One of the reasons I adore Chlorophytum is its adaptability. These plants are incredibly low-maintenance, thriving in a variety of conditions. Whether placed in bright, indirect light or a shadier corner, they seem to take it all in stride. Their resilience makes them perfect for both seasoned plant parents and those just starting their green journey.

Air-Purifying Prowess

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Chlorophytum plants are known for their air-purifying qualities. Studies have shown that they can effectively remove harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and xylene from indoor environments. This makes them not only a beautiful addition to any space but also a beneficial one.

Propagation: Sharing the Joy

The ease with which Chlorophytum can be propagated is another aspect I appreciate. The “spiderettes,” or plantlets, that dangle from mature plants can be easily rooted to create new individuals. This allows for effortless expansion of my plant collection and provides a sustainable way to share the joy of Chlorophytum with friends and fellow enthusiasts.

A Symbol of Resilience

For me, Chlorophytum represents resilience and adaptability. Its ability to thrive in diverse conditions and readily produce new life serves as an inspiration. In a world that often demands constant adaptation, these plants remind me of the importance of flexibility and perseverance.

A Continuing Journey

My exploration of the Chlorophytum genus is an ongoing journey. I’m constantly amazed by the diversity and resilience of these plants. With each new species I encounter, my appreciation for this remarkable genus deepens. Whether it’s the familiar charm of the common spider plant or the unique allure of a lesser-known variety, Chlorophytum continues to captivate and inspire me.