Top 5 Hanging Plant Types for Indoor and Outdoor Decor

Choosing the Right Hanging Plants for Your Home

If you’re looking to brighten up your indoor or outdoor spaces with some hanging greenery, you’ve come to the right place. As someone who has decorated with hanging plants for years now, I’ve learned a few lessons along the way. In this article, I’ll cover the most popular hanging plant varieties and provide tips to help you pick the perfect plants for your home.

Common Hanging Plant Types

There are so many amazing hanging plant options to choose from – it can feel kinda overwhelming! To help narrow it down, here are some of the most widely-used hanging plant varieties:

1. Pothos – Basically the gold standard of houseplants. Pothos are incredibly low maintenance and can tolerate low light. Their trailing vines look dope hanging in a macrame hanger or over the side of a bookshelf.
2. English Ivy – Kind of like the craftier cousin of pothos. Ivy spreads more vigorously but looks equally boss trailing along the wall. Just keep it away from pets as it’s slightly toxic.
3. Swedish Ivy – Similar care to pothos or English ivy but has cute round green leaves. It looks fetch decorating a gallery wall or draped around a patio fence.
4. Philodendron – These guys come in so many varieties! Heartleaf philo is a classic with its deep green heart-shaped leaves. Black cardinal adds some dramatic dark foliage.
5. Spider Plant – Low fuss plant that produces loads of baby plantlets on long stalks perfect for cascading down. Fun fact: it improves indoor air quality too!
6. Wandering Jew – Super fast growing trailing plant great for covering spaces quickly. Just watch those pretty pink or green shoots don’t wonder too far out of the pot!

Picking Plants Based on Light and Care Needs

The type of hanging plant you choose will depend a lot on the light and care requirements. From my experience decorating different spaces, here are some pointers to factor in:

1. Low light areas like shelving or inside porch – Go for pothos, spider plant or ivy which are hardy in low light.
2. Bright indirect light – Heartier philodendrons, peace lilies or ferns would dig these conditions.
3. Direct sun – More sun loving plants like wandering jew, Swedish ivy or string of hearts would beam in a south or west facing window.
4. High humidity spots – Consider peace lilies, calatheas or ferns which prefer misty bathrooms or kitchens.
5. Outdoor use – Plants tough enough to handle occasional rain showers include ivy, mandevillas or bougainvillea.

Knowing whether the area has decent or poor drainage is also clutch. Plants like peace lilies and ferns hate soggy soil.

Decorating Tips and Tricks

Once you’ve got your plants picked out based on the space, it’s time to get creative with setup. Here are some fun ways I’ve styled hanging plants over the years:

1. Macrame hangers in varying sizes lined along a wall create an eye-catching green wall display. So Instagrammable!
2. Woven rattan baskets filled with foliage like Wandering Jew or ivy trails over the edge for a boho vibe.
3. Cluster plants together in single hangers, like tripleing up philodendrons – it looks lush!
4. Drop trailing vines over shelves to break up the space between books or photos.
5. Pile plants overflowing out of handsome planters hung on a porch ceiling for a tropical, jungle-y feel.
6. String plants upside down from tree branches, pergolas or garden arches to create flowery waterfalls of greenery.

As a decorator, I’d be remised not to mention that adding hanging planters of different shapes, sizes and colors together, like pairing a dark blue macrame hanger with a yellow terra cotta basket, jazzes up a display big time.

Ongoing Care Tips and Problem-Solving

No matter how easygoing a hanging plant seems, some maintenance is still required to keep them thriving. From experience, here are my best caretaking practices:

1. Water when the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry to prevent roots from rotting. Err on the side of letting it dry out versus drowning the poor thing.
2. Mist plants weekly if the humidity is low to mimic their natural environment. Peace lilies and ferns especially love an occasional spritz.
3. Fertilize monthly in spring and summer with a diluted water-soluble or slow release fertilizer. Happy plants equal more growth.
4. Prune off any browned, diseased or tangled growth to keep vines looking full yet under control. The trimmed pieces often root for new plants!
5. Check for pests like spider mites or mealybugs. Neem oil or insecticidal soaps typically do the trick but prevention via good air flow is best.
6. Repot in fresh soil every couple years or when roots boom out the drainage holes. Go up only 1-2 pot sizes to minimize stress.

With a little TLC, most hanging plants will thank you for it by thriving for seasons to come. The benefits of green companions totally outweigh minor care hassles in my opinion. Wouldn’t you agree?

I hope this mega-guide on choosing and caring for hanging plants answers all your questions and motivates you to try decorating with some new greenery, both indoors and out. Feel free to hit me up if any other plant parenting queries come to mind down the track!

Common Hanging Plant Types

FAQ

1. What kinds of hanging plants are there?

   Basically there are several types of hanging plants you can choose from. Some common ones are pothos, philodendron, English ivy, spider plants, and succulents.

2. Can you keep more than one type of hanging plant together?

   You can certainly have multiple hanging plant varieties in the same pot or basket. Kinda like putting together a little hanging garden. Just be sure to pick plants with similar watering needs. Otherwise, some may not do so great.

3. How do I care for hanging plants?

   Caring for hanging plants is actually pretty simple. Water them when the soil gets dry, about once a week. You may need to water succulents and air plants less. Also, fertilize during the growing season. Hang them in bright, indirect light. Easy peasy!

   

4. What kind of pots can I use for hanging plants?

   Neatly, hanging baskets, ropes, macrame hangers – those all work well for hanging plants. You can even repurpose interesting containers like basketweave baskets, glass jars, or rustic wooden boxes. As long as there are drainage holes, anything goes basically. Get creative!

5. How often should I repot hanging plants?

   Typically, every couple years is fine for repotting most hanging plants. But keep an eye on root growth. If you see roots poking out the drainage holes, it’s a sign the plant has outgrown its container. Repotting in fresh soil mixes helps keep plants healthy.

6. Is there a minimum or maximum number of plants I should hang?

   Honestly, there’s no set rule for how many hanging plants is too many. Perhaps go with what feels right for the space. Odd numbers allegedly look best in design. Or follow the “rule of threes” for visual appeal. On the other hand, go nuts if you love jungle vibes! As long as they get enough light, any number can work.

7. What’s the best way to display hanging plants decoratively?

   To show off hanging plants beautifully, you might cluster several in a chandelier style above a table. Or string a long curving rope covered in vines along a wall. Hanging pots from a porch ceiling creates an instant oasis too. Get artistic – use your surroundings as inspiration! Quote an interior designer for expert advice.

   

8. Are hanging plants starter friendly?

   Luckily, hanging plants are awesome for newbies to plants. They are generally low maintenance and forgiving. Just water and light. Pothos and spider plants are practically impossible to mess up. Even if you forget to water occasionally, they’ll usually survive. Hanging plants are a great way to start your plant parenting journey!

9. How do I help hanging plants thrive?

   To really help your hanging plants flourish, give them optimal care conditions. Use a well-draining potting mix. Hang them in a spot with bright, indirect natural light – perhaps a covered porch or under an overhang. Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out. Feed them every few months in spring and summer. Soon enough they’ll be basically exploding with growth!

10. Any final tips for hanging plant success?

    A few last thoughts – check hanging pots occasionally for moisture levels, overwatering causes root rot. Cut off any dead or diseased growth to encourage new growth. Reposition pots periodically so all sides get equal sun exposure. And sit back to enjoy your lush hanging jungle! With some trial and error you’ll be an expert planter in no time. Good luck!