Question
Hi, I have recently purchased a Spider plant and it was in excellent shape. I brought it home, and a few weeks pass and its leaves start turning brown at the tips. This plant is located in the corner on my shelf by the window of a basement apartment (humidity?)and receives no direct sunlight.
I have watered it a few times using the Brita jug, because I heard that some tap water contains too much chemicals for the plant.
I cut the tips as well, once they started to brown and now they are worse. Did I hurt my plant?? I want it to be healthy and happy where it lives. Not sad and droopy.
Please help me and my poor little plant.

Thanks!

Answer
Hi Stephanie,
   The most common cause of brown leaf tips on a Spider Plant is the fluoride, chlorine and hard water deposits found in most tap water. I would recommend using distilled water instead of a Brita jug. The Brita filter may not filter out enough of the chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals and impurities in tap water.

Brown leaf tips are also commonly caused by improper watering (underwatering or overwatering) and low humidity.
Spider plants have thick fleshy roots that store water so the soil needs to dry out a bit between watering. Water the plant when the top 1/3 of the soil feels dry to the touch then water enough for a small amount of water to drain out of the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot.
To raise the humidity around the plant you can either place it in a group with other plants or place the plant on a tray of pebbles half filled with water. Regular misting may also help.

Brown leaf tips are almost impossible to completely prevent on a Spider Plant. The best you can do is to keep the browning leaf tips as minimal as possible with proper care. Trim off the brown leaf tips as needed to keep the plant looking it's best.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions or need additional information please don't hesitate to ask.
     Thanks
       Tracy