Ideas for Hanging Unusual Plants to Brighten Your Home

13 Unique Hanging Plant Options and Care Tips for Your Home

If you’re searching for “unique hanging plants” then you’ve come to the right place! There are many hanging plant varieties that can add visual interest to your home. From my experience as an avid plant parent, hanging plants are a great way to utilize vertical space and bring greenery to hard-to-reach areas. In this article, I’ll discuss 13 unique hanging plant options along with care tips to help you select the perfect plants for your space.

1. Pothos

Pothos is one of the most popular hanging plants due to its hardiness and trailing growth habit. While it may not be the most “unique” plant, pothos comes in several gorgeous varieties like marble queen, golden, and neon that add lots of visual appeal for low effort. Pothos are extremely tolerant of low light and thrive on neglect. Water them when the soil is dry and watch them grow! Pothos are great for beginners and seasoned plant parents alike. A hardy staple every home should have!

2. Philodendron

If you want something a bit more unusual than pothos, philodendrons make cool hanging plants. Heartleaf philodendrons have lovely heart-shaped leaves that deepen in color as the vines trail down. Pink princess philodendrons also have magnificent pink variegated leaves. These philodendron varieties grow super fast too. Give them moderate light and keep the soil moist. Philodendrons can get pretty huge over time, so start them hanging and watch the vines grow! They’re kind of like the pothos of the philodendron world.

3. Chinese Evergreen

Chinese evergreens come in a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns like pink, white, and yellow marbled leaves. They love humidity and thrive in bathrooms. Mine has been growing strong for over 5 years! I water mine when the top inch of soil is dry. Chinese evergreens appreciate bright, indirect sunlight. Their waxy leaves come in ruffled, wavy, and lacy patterns—a real stunner to show off as a hanging plant. Low-maintenance but high-impact!

4. Bowstring Hemp

With its glossy oval leaves and twining stems, bowstring hemp makes an incredibly unique hanging plant. The vines can grow over 10 feet long! It thrives in medium to low light and average home humidity. Keep the soil moist and you’ll be rewarded with fast growth. Bowstring hemp is simply stunning cascading down in a wave of green. A real showstopper to brighten up any wall or bookshelf space.

5. String of Pearls

String of pearls is one plant with a seriously unique look—its beads of succulent leaves resemble tiny green pearls on the vines. It’s very eye-catching in a hanging basket. Use a well-draining soil and water this succulent sparingly, allowing the pot to dry out between waterings. Give it a warm, sunny spot. While string of pearls is a bit more temperamental than some other options, its unique cascading strands are definitely worth trying! I’ve found it appreciates a nutrient-rich potting mix to keep the pearls plump and succulent.

6. Spider Plant

With their long thin grass-like leaves and prolific white blooms, spider plants are one of the most recognizable hanging plants. They’re basically indestructible—thriving in low lighting and sporadic watering schedules. With research, I’ve found you can propogate new plant babies easily from the plantlets that form along the stems. Spider plants are great foradding vertical greenery to any space. They’ll even clean the air! Spider plants are basically the life of any houseplant party.

7. Wandering Jew

Also called inchplant or wandering dude, this trailing plant has oval green leaves splashed with shades of purple, white, pink, and red. It grows quickly and adds bright color to hanging planters or shelves. Wandering Jew thrives in medium to low light with occasional watering—it will tell you when it’s thirsty by becoming limp. Chop and propogate stems to multiply your plants From my experience, the variegated types sometimes struggle but the solid colored leaves stay vibrant for months. A seriously vibrant hanging plant!

8. Strings of Bananas

With curved yellow bananalike leaves on trailing vines, strings of bananas hang beautifully in baskets or wall planters. Like other succulents, it does best with drainage, bright light, and infrequent watering. The vines grow super long—perfect to cascade down and showcase that unforgettable yellow foliage. Give it well draining soil and let it call the shots on moisture. Once established, my string of bananas thrives on neglect! A really unique and cheerful hanging succulent with eye-catching appeal.

9. Neon Pothos

While regular pothos is lovely in its own right, the neon pothos variety stands out with its vibrant chartreuse leaves. The color doesn’t deepen or lose its luster like other pothos. Neon pothos thrives in similar conditions—indirect light, infrequent watering, trailing growth. I find it useful for lighting up darker areas and adding brightness to office spaces. This pothos packs oodles of personality into a very hardy bundle. A perfect plant for low-maintenance plant parents who crave an extra pop of color.

10. Polka Dot Plant

As its name suggests, the polka dot plant has leaves splashed with dark green and cream splotches that resemble polka dots. It’s a fun trailing ground cover but also gorgeous in hanging planters where the leaves and trailing vines are showcased. These specimens enjoy medium to low light and moist soil. I’ve found they really like humidity! Water when the top inch is dry and watch the “polka dots” show off their hypnotic patterns. A real stunner to look at daily.

11. Hoya

Hoyas like wax plant or Hindu rope plant have leathery heart or oval-shaped leaves and charming waxy blooms hidden among the foliage. Perfect for bright, indirect spots, hoyas are easy to care for and tolerate some neglect. Mine thrives on the occasional water and grows vines up to 10 feet long! Let it choose its own pot size over time. The flowers smell incredible too. Hoyas are phenomenal hanging plants to weave through railings or fill arched doorways with greenery.

12. Purple Waffle Plant

With its textured, crinkly purple leaves in waffle-like patterns, the purple waffle plant adds serious style to hanging baskets. It enjoys medium to low lighting, soil that’s kept lightly moist, and high humidity. Cut props can be rooted for new plants to fill out your displays. I’ve found this one favors moisture but the leaves still hold up well under dry conditions – a true conversation starter for any home! Plus the purple makes a statement from afar.

13. Spider Ivy

Runnering stems covered in small heart-shaped leaves give spider ivy an airy texture that adds interest when hanging. Toss a bunch in a macrame hanger for abundance and movement in your space. These resilient vines withstand neglect yet reward you with fast growth. Give spider ivy indirect light and occasional watering. Watch the stems wander in any direction! A true standout, spider ivy is basically foolproof to grow and creates an exotic atmosphere.

So in summary, whether you want a classic like pothos or polka dot plant, a showstopper like string of pearls, or something unique like hoya or bowstring hemp, hanging baskets provide endless plant options to fill your home with verdant ambiance and decorative appeal. Follow the general watering and light guidelines above tailored to each plant variety. From there you can experiment with new combinations to design your ideal personal jungle oasis! Let me know if you have any other plant questions.

In closing, while there are many “unique hanging plant” options, not all are right for every home or experience level. I’d suggest starting with the hardier pothos, philodendron or spider plant to get your feet wet before attempting the more particular string of pearls. At the same time, don’t be afraid to try something unfamiliar! Through observation and listening to your plants’ needs, you’ll gain the knack for caring for a variety of

Top Hanging Plants for Any Home

FAQ on Unique Hanging Plants

1. What kinds of plants can be hung in a container?

   There are numerous plants that are suitable for hanging containers. Some cool options are string of hearts, English ivy, trailing jade, pothos, and philodendron. Make sure to pick plants with vines or a trailing growth habit.

2. How do I care for hanging basket plants?

   To care for hanging plants, you’ll want to water them regularly to keep the soil damp but not soaked. They also need bright, indirect light. Occasionally, you may have to trim off dead or leggy growth. Fertilizing monthly in the spring and summer helps them thrive. Does this help keep your hanging plants looking their best?

   

3. What is the best type of container for hanging plants?

   There are many cool container options for hanging plants. Baskets work well since their shape allows good drainage. Planters with holes on the sides or bottom prevent soggy soil. Terra cotta or plastic are good choices because they breathe well and come in all sizes. Curious what shape you might think looks awesome for your space? Try a few and see which you basically love most!

4. How high should hanging baskets be hung?

   Determining the perfect height for hanging baskets requires considering factors like the plant varieties, container size, and sunlight. As a general guideline, aim to hang baskets somewhere between 3 to 5 feet off the ground. This accommodates viewing the whole plant and allows sunlight to reach. On the other hand, you may have to experiment with different heights in your spot – what do you think would look stunning?

5. Is it better to start with seedlings or full plants?

   There are pros and cons to both seedlings and full plants for hanging baskets. Seedlings will be more affordable but take longer to grow out. Established plants provide quicker impact but cost more upfront. If planting seedlings, expect to hang the basket lower as the lil’ guys grow taller. Either way, before you know it you’ll have an awesome display – how’s that for patience?

6. What is the best way to water hanging baskets?

   Thorough watering is key to keeping hanging plants happy. Water until it drains freely from the drainage holes below. Some good options are using a watering can with a long spout, standing on a stool or ladder, or placing the planter in the sink or tub. Occasionally, a shower may be needed to wash off buildup. Make sure not to overwater – is that a tricky balancing act or what? Just listen to your green thumbs!

7. How long will hanging baskets last in a season?

   If cared for properly, hanging baskets can remain vibrant for months. However, their appearance may start to fade after 12 weeks or so as blooms die back. To extend the beauty, removing dead growth boosts airflow and prevents disease. Changing to fall/winter pansies around September can prolong enjoyment. So with luck and TLC, your hanging friends may hang with you all year-round!

8. What are some unique container ideas?

   For a stunning display, think outside the basket! Old boots, vintage buckets, repurposed baskets – the options are endless. Just be sure drainage holes are added. Terracotta pots hung together create a cool linear look. Get creative! I wonder what kooky containers others have dreamed up…care to share your wildest ideas?