Top Reasons Why A Spider Plant Makes The Perfect Indoor Houseplant

Turning your space into the green oasis of your dreams requires a lot of decision-making, like picking the right plants and finding the perfect home for each one. Luckily, there are certain plants that are so versatile that they'll flourish just about anywhere in your home (as long as there's a window). Spider plants fall into this category; they're the perfect indoor houseplant for anyone who wants something low-maintenance, fast-growing, and leafy.

Think of the biggest plant fanatic you know. Before they started collecting rare, finicky plant babies, they definitely owned a spider plant at some point. Named for the shape of the young plants, which resemble spindly spiders, spider plants are native to South Africa and made their way to Europe in the 1700s. Now they're one of the most common houseplants across the world, and they're especially popular with beginners because of how easy they are to care for. If you have trouble keeping plants alive — or if you're great with plants but just want an easy new addition — spider plants are a perfect choice.

Spider plants are the least fussy plants imaginable. They grow in regular potting soil and thrive in indirect to moderate light, average humidity, and cool to average temperatures — in other words, many standard indoor environments. They also have thick roots, so they can endure inconsistent watering or even neglect without being worse for wear. They're not especially prone to pests, and they're pet-friendly.

Care for your spider plant by watering once a week, letting the soil dry out in between, and fertilizing every three months. They're fast-growing and easy to propagate, so you'll see the fruits of your labor pretty quickly. Aesthetics-wise, they look nice in regular pots as well as hanging planters. The most common problem is the leaves turning brown, which may be caused by dry soil, low humidity, or the chemicals in tap water; distilled water can help.

One often-mentioned benefit of spider plants is their ability to filter indoor air pollutants. Spider plants can filter formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and carbon monoxide, according to one famous 1989 NASA study and more recent research. But other studies have called this into question — plants may be able to filter the air in an enclosed lab, but there are many other variables in a home setting, and you may need a lot of plants to make a measurable difference at home. However, more plants certainly can't hurt. Plants have numerous health benefits, from boosting mood to lowering stress and reducing blood pressure. And spider plants are an easy plant to add to your collection to enjoy these health perks.