Spider plants are one of the most popular varieties of house plant, and for a good number of reasons. They're very easy to maintain, are very attractive when healthy, and can easily be propagated to produce many extra plants for other rooms of your house. They're much less dependent on exacting water amounts, making them less likely to fall victim to under watering or over watering, and live for a very long time when properly cared for.

You may not know exactly what a spider plant is, but you've probably seen one before, even if you don't know it. These plants have long, narrow leaves, sometimes with bents in them that can give the impression of a spider's long legs, hence the name. Worry not though, as they are much more attractive and less frightening than a spider. They grow quickly, with the leaves developing into a dark green with yellow stripes.

As mentioned, watering a spider plant is a breeze. As long as you remain within a good middle ground of not giving it too much water, which could cause the roots to rot, or too little water, which of course would not give it enough nourishment, your spider plant should continue to grow and do well.

Where you may find trouble is in the type of water they receive. Doses of water not suitable for the plant may cause the tips of the leaves to become brown or spotted. This is determined by the level of chlorine or fluorine in the tap water, which varies by region. If you avoid the use of tap water and use purified water instead you should not encounter any problems along these lines.

Spider plants are also anything but demanding when it comes to the amount of light they receive. They can do well in direct or indirect sunlight, and room temperature can vary as well, though they're ideally suited for rooms that sit around the 65F range.

An additional bonus that anyone unfamiliar with these plants may not be aware of is that they are and produce numerous white, star-shaped flowers during the summer months along well developed stalks. You may notice that the stalk sags or leans as these flowers bloom, which may necessitate you staking it.

Spider plants are perfect for hanging baskets when developed, and this is their most common form. As they grow quite fast, you will have to re-pot them every year or so. Not doing so could cause the plant's health to suffer, and they could even grow to the point where they crack a clay pot.

Spider plants are perfect for just about any room, and make a wise choice for the novice indoor gardener looking to get their feet wet.