Using spider plants to prepare root tip squashes

This resource provides information on conducting the root tip squash practical (in which students prepare and observe dividing cells from the meristems of actively growing root tips) using spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) roots instead of the usual garlic roots.

Spider plant root tips have sometimes been shown to produce larger numbers of dividing cells which makes it easier for students to be successful in finding individual cells at various stages of mitosis. The disadvantage over using garlic root tips is that it takes a little longer to grow the roots, typically one to two weeks as opposed to just a few days for garlic. Spider plants are readily available from local garden centres, are a great plant to have in the lab and are easy to care for. It is recommended that some garlic roots are also grown as a backup to ensure that students have sufficient root tips available to prepare and stain.

You will also need the protocol for root tip mitosis with garlic roots which can be found here. (Note the adjustments to the protocol mentioned in this resource.)

You can find out about caring for spider plants and other ways to use them in the lab on our page Using Spider Plants in the Lab.

This resource was developed by Pete Sigsworth at Gateways School.