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Hanging HouseplantsHanging houseplants are very popular because they look attractive hanging in a window and there are many that are very easy to care for. Green plants can be used in multiple ways as a decorative element in a home and they are useful because they purify the air and give us something green to look at in an indoor setting. Some easy hanging houseplants include spider plant, lipstick and goldfish plants, ivies, wandering Jew, hoya, and purple passion to name just a few. Of course there are many, many more, but any of these would be good plants to choose because of their ease in growing and attractive vining habits. Spider Plant Spider plant is a longtime favorite house houseplant and gets its name from the way the leaves cascade downward like spider legs. Spider plant likes to be crowded in its pot and will send out long stems with tiny plantlets at the ends. Breaking off these plantlets and potting them up in their own pot is an easy way to start new plants. Spider plant likes medium to bright light, warm temperatures and moist soil. Repot occasionally when it is obvious that it is root bound. Fertilize every three or four months with a water-soluble fertilizer. Remove old brown leaves to keep you plant healthy and attractive.
Lipstick and Goldfish Plants Both lipstick and goldfish plants are hanging houseplants that produce flowers. Like their names suggest, lipstick plants produce bright, red, tubular flowers and the goldfish produces gold or orange flowers. Many flowering houseplants are difficult to keep blooming in your home because they need very specific conditions to cause them to flower, but that is not the case with the lipstick and goldfish vine. These plants like soil on the dry side, but frequent misting. Thinning out old flower stems will encourage your plant to form new shoots and continue to flower. Ivies Ivies come in dozens of variations and all make wonderful hanging houseplants. They are popular because they are fast growing, can be kept bushy by pruning frequently and can be grown in both soil and in water culture. It is easy to propagate new plants from cuttings. Generally ivies like warm temperatures, but will still grow only slower at cooler temperatures. They prefer medium to bright light and moist soil. They can be fertilized about once a month with a water-soluble fertilizer. Wandering Jew Wandering Jew comes in many varieties but is popular for its variegated green and purple leaves with purple undersides that look lovely spilling out of a hanging basket. My very first houseplant in my first apartment was a wandering Jew, and it still remains one of my favorite hanging houseplants. It is remarkably easy to grow and even when ignored continues to survive. Wandering Jew will even grow for several months completely in water. Just change the water about once a month and add a drop or two of liquid fertilizer to the water. Occasionally, if your plant starts to look straggly and leggy revive it by pinching back the stems to encourage a bushier plant. For the healthiest looking plants give it medium light, moist soil and warm temperatures.
Hoya Hoyas are popular hanging houseplants because they are relatively slow growing and they have interesting looking leathery, waxy leaves. One attractive but unusual variety is called “Hindu Rope.” Its leaves are bent and sort of twisty looking. Years ago I had a hoya plant that grew for a very long time. After several years it started to produce clusters of waxy white flowers. I was thrilled until I realized I didn’t like how it smelled when it was blooming! Hoyas enjoy cool to warm temperatures and drier soil. Fertilize only during the summer.
Purple Passion I’m sure purple passion is so popular because of its fuzzy, green and purple leaves and even though it looks exotic it is very easy to grow. It makes a beautiful hanging plant. It likes warm temperatures, bright light and fairly dry soil. Pinching it back regularly will help it to remain bushy and retain its best purple color. If you are interested in buying your own hanging houseplant visit your local nursery soon. January is a great time for obtaining some new indoor plants and the selection is probably at its best right now. Don't feel the need, though, to buy the biggest, most expensive plant you can find. True these plants look beautiful right now , but sometimes they are a recipe for disaster. They are usually already overcrowded in their pots and it won't be long before they start showing signs of stress. Big plants do not adapt as easily as smaller ones to your home's environment, and besides you lose all the satisfaction of growing a specimen plant yourself. A better idea is to look at the big plants for inspiration, but once you find something you like look in the starter section of the nursery for a smaller version of it. Some of my best bargains have been buying smaller, less expensive plants. It is a lot less stressful on you too, if your plant up and dies and you've only spent a few dollars on it.
Related Articles: Flowering Houseplants Return from Hanging Houseplants to the Gardening with Julie home page. |
