Chlorophytum acutum Plant Care
Chlorophytum acutum (C.H.Wright) Nordal
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chlorophytum acutum is a plant native to South Africa and Lesotho. Its common name in Zulu is iphamba.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Chlorophytum acutum?
Water Chlorophytum acutum every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Chlorophytum acutum Native To?
What Is the Chlorophytum acutum?
Chlorophytum acutum (Chlorophytum acutum) belongs to the Asparagaceae family within the Chlorophytum genus. Chlorophytum acutum is native to South Africa and Lesotho.
Chlorophytum acutum displays a clumping, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Chlorophytum acutum produces small white flowers on arching stems.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chlorophytum acutum?
Chlorophytum acutum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Chlorophytum acutum Need?
Chlorophytum acutum thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Chlorophytum acutum in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chlorophytum acutum Prefer?
Chlorophytum acutum grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Chlorophytum acutum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chlorophytum acutum?
Well-draining potting mix with added perlite for aeration. Good drainage is essential for Chlorophytum acutum to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chlorophytum acutum?
Feed Chlorophytum acutum every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Chlorophytum acutum?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Chlorophytum acutum?
Chlorophytum acutum can be propagated through division of offsets, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spider plant plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chlorophytum acutum Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chlorophytum acutum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Chlorophytum acutum?
Chlorophytum acutum is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, mealybugs. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Chlorophytum acutum Need?
Chlorophytum acutum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Chlorophytum acutum is native to South Africa and Lesotho. In cooler regions, grow Chlorophytum acutum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Chlorophytum acutum is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Chlorophytum genus — compare its care with other Chlorophytum species on PlantoScan.
Chlorophytum is part of the Asparagaceae plant family — browse all Asparagaceae genera and species.
Chlorophytum acutum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chlorophytum Species
Other Chlorophytum species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chlorophytum acutum (C.H.Wright) Nordal, family Asparagaceae (first published in Nordic J. Bot. 13: 62 (1993)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chlorophytum acutum, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
