you can add hint and change font and more control

SpinnerWithHintAndItemsControl.java

private void populateSpinner1(){
        
        // you will just change R.array.search & spinner1 reference :)

        final List<String> plantsList = Arrays.asList(getResources().getStringArray(R.array.search1));
        // Initializing an ArrayAdapter
        final ArrayAdapter<String> spinnerArrayAdapter = new ArrayAdapter<String>(
                this,R.layout.spinner_item, plantsList){
            @Override
            public boolean isEnabled(int position){
                if(position == 0)
                {
                    // Disable the first item from Spinner
                    // First item will be use for hint
                    return false;
                }
                else
                {
                    return true;
                }
            }
            @Override
            public View getDropDownView(int position, View convertView,
                                        ViewGroup parent) {
                View view = super.getDropDownView(position, convertView, parent);
                TextView tv = (TextView) view;
                if(position == 0){
                    // Set the hint text color gray
                    tv.setTextColor(Color.GRAY);
                }
                else {
                    tv.setTextColor(Color.BLACK);
                }
                return view;
            }
        };
        spinnerArrayAdapter.setDropDownViewResource(R.layout.spinner_item);
        spinner1.setAdapter(spinnerArrayAdapter);

        spinner1.setOnItemSelectedListener(new AdapterView.OnItemSelectedListener() {
            @Override
            public void onItemSelected(AdapterView<?> parent, View view, int position, long id) {
                String selectedItemText = (String) parent.getItemAtPosition(position);
                // If user change the default selection
                // First item is disable and it is used for hint
                if(position > 0){
                    // Notify the selected item text
                    Toast.makeText
                            (getApplicationContext(), "Selected : " + selectedItemText, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT)
                            .show();
                }
            }

            @Override
            public void onNothingSelected(AdapterView<?> parent) {

            }
        });


    }