spider plants

I have always known the spider plant to be indoors only but If i hand one outside in zone 6a will it survive the winter?

No, I know by experience. I tried it one year and lost it.

They grow fine down here most of the time outdoors--but last jan it got down to 22 for about 6 hours and froze them to ground level. They're coming back fine but took a long time,--up there??-I'm sure it gets a lot colder than that.

I'd doubt they'd survive. I had a massive one out side (it out grew the house in 6 months) so I put it outside, if it survived it survived and if it didn't no worries as I had smaller ones...I had it out last winder (Zone 7/8) but we had a really cold winter and it died.

maby I will try it with a baby. I get so many of them

I am in 6 also and I believe they are considered annuals here. I brought all mine in today and put them by the windows to get them acclaimated to being inside until next spring. I started out with four and wow, I have soooo many now! Can't even find friends to give them to anymore. Reminds me of the Triffids from the original Star Trek, ha!

I planted 9 babies in the garden this spring...thought for sure they would die....they are now more massive than the plant they came from! I have 2 different types of spiderplant...what kind do you have?

I have two different varieties - green with white edges and the opposite. They are "Menard's" brand as I got them at Menard's. LOL. I did ask a friend here in zone 6 (almost 5) what happens if you leave them outside and the answer was, "DOA in the spring." So, they are inside. However, I made a huge mistake in bringing them inside and giving them a "good" watering - they are still in shock trying to survive. So, they're almost dry now and think I'll try watering them from the roots this time. Dumb dumb dumb.

I understand that! I have ones that are just solid green and the other one looks like green and white stripes...i like plants so my house looks like a jungle

I'm just now bringing mine in for the fall as this is my first year with plants / gardening. It's tough to find places by windows so am buying grow lights for those that are a bit further away from the light. We'll see how they do. Don't really have much choice in the matter, LOL.

spider plants and philodendrons are 2 types of plants that thankfully can tolerate very low light situations

What about vining plants, like Mandevilla and Clematis? They can't be outside so I've brought them in and put a grow light on them. Do you think that'll help?

Hi Hansey, Clematis are perennial climbers so it is ok if you plant them outside in your zone. We have one growing on the fence in our backyard.

Serious SW Gardener? I had the impression they had to come in. I'll put that baby back outside tomorrow, LOL! How about the mandevilla - can I leave it outside too in this zone? I've seen it both ways.... thanks for the info!

Seriously :) Clematis are hardy Climbers and do best outside planted in the garden. It also helps to have some sort of ground cover around the base to shade the soil where the roots are.

I'll put her in the ground tomorrow if the rain lets up, yes! Thanks for the info. She's looking a bit droopy coming inside and I have a great place for her to grow up outside (up the light pole.) I'll cut her down and mulch over her the first freeze we have, correct?

I'd find out what type of Clematis she is before you cut her down. Some will come back from the roots every year and others come back and flower from the previous years growth. Here's a link the the Clematis Forum http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/f/clematis/all/ The folks over there will be able to give you more detailed info on what type you have :)
And for the Mandevilla she'll need to come inside if you want to overwinter her for next season. What colour is she? I had a pink one last year but I really love the red ones!

I have one growing in the house, as well as 2 different passionflowers, and 2 types of jasmine and all are doing fine....looks like a jungle but its home

The Clematis is purple with huge pedals - I think it's a Lowe's variety, LOL. I really have no clue but I know I have the name tag in my files. I'll research that before I cut her back.

Our house is red brick, white vinyl and red shutters and door - so I planted one large white mandevilla and two newer red ones together in a pot (and buried the pot in the ground). It's really pretty as it looks like one plant with two different flower colors.

Trina, do I need to cut her back when I bring her in, or can I just cut off what's wrapped around the light pole and leave the rest? She's so pretty as she is. Right now she's blooming like crazy, so I want to leave her out there until she's done. I am kinda looking forward to having her inside.

Funny story - I went to move the Mandevilla that I'd brought in from the deck - it's by a front window with a grow light also - and a praying mantis flew at me from under the lampshade - I jumped about a foot and then had to rescue the poor lil thing and get it back outside. I don't mind them, but really don't want them in my living room. LOL. Cynthia

I didn't cut anything back, just unwrapped it and brought it in...the can also flower in the house if you have a spot with enough light...I am lucky that the front of my house is 9 picture windows 4 1/2 feet wide by 8 1/2 feet tall...and they all face east. so I get lots of light all day

Wonderful - I'll unwrap her once it stops raining and bring her inside. She's really pretty - hopefully no mantis on her, lol. You are fortunate to have such great light for yours. I am not sure where she'll go yet - I have an area in the living room where she may sit - I have a grow light that shines on those plants cause it's not really great light, but the best I have. Thanks for the insight as this is new to me!

My spiders are looking somewhat less stressed now too. Thanks be to me not overwatering them this time. Dumb.

now in the house you will have to pay more attention to the water...it likes to be moist but not wet...with them being in the house and the dry heat of the furnace just make sure to monitor them closely, especially if they are next to a heater duct

I will do that - I tend to overlove my plants with too much water so that may not be a problem... I tend to overwater, overfertilize, over everything ... it's my love language, LOL. Thanks for the good reminder!
Cynthia

so do I, I'm home alone all day while hubby is at work and kids are at school....they call me the plantpertrator....my mom and other friends call me up and go put the watering can down and back away from the miracle grow

ROFL, that's funny - Back away from the Miracle Grow, beep beep beep (imagine the truck backing up). LOL, that's so ME. I find watering the grass, plants and fertilizing is theapeutic, for me, notsomuch for the plants!
Cynthia

same here...If I'm not messing with a plant indoor or out i feel sick and I'm just not a nice person to deal with