Hanging plants: the 12 best species for growing in suspended flowerpots
Even if the outdoor space of your apartment is small, it does not mean that you have to give up on keeping plants. Every balcony, terrace, veranda or small corner can be adorned with hanging pot plants and there are numerous species that are quite beautiful.
Hanging plants need slightly different care than those grown in open ground and are not always suitable for those who don't have the time or the willpower to take care of them. In fact, hanging plants need more frequent watering since the space available for their roots is smaller. At the same time, however, it must be remembered to avoid the water stagnating - so it is essential that the pots have sufficient drainage holes. Regular fertilization is also essential, as is pruning. And there is also exposure to sunlight and ambient temperature levels to consider.
So,which are the best plants for growing in hanging pots? Today, we suggest 12 species, below:
1. Pennisetum or fountain grass
This is an elegant plant with thin stems, soft spikes of flowers ranging in color from brown to pink-bronze and it is relatively easy to grow. There are are small, compact species which are suitable for cultivation in pots as long as they are at least 40 cm deep. This plant needs a very bright and warm spot and well-draining soil, preferably with expanded clay or gravel on the bottom of the pot to prevent water stagnating.
2. Bacopa or water hyssop
Forest & Kim Starr/Wikimedia Commons
This is an evergreen plant with wonderful white flowers in summer. It is the ideal choice for a hanging pot plant on a porch or patio. It prefers partial shade and in direct sunshine, it could suffer or not flower. It needs regular watering and fertilizing to remain luxuriant.
3. Tiger fern
The tiger fern is a variety of the Boston fern with characteristic striped leaves, which make it more unique and captivating than the more common variety. This plant prefers dimly lit spots with high humidity. For this reason, it adapts very well to indoor cultivation. It does not like stagnant water, so will benefit from watering by spraying the leaves, which will maintain the right degree of humidity.
4. Rosary plant
Erbse am Band/Wikimedia Commons
With its characteristic round leaves (similar to peas), this plant owes its name to the look of its stems, which resemble a rosary. It lends itself to cultivation in hanging pots and can be trained to produce long or short offshoots. It loves bright light but cannot take the cold, so the ideal spot indoors is near a sunny window. It should be watered when the leaves take on a wrinkled appearance. Be careful to keep it away from children and pets, because if ingested, it can cause irritation.
5. Osteospermum or African daisy
This vigorous and bushy plant can brighten up your balconies or gardens with its colorful flowers; it is very resistant to heat but must be protected from the cold so that it continues to bloom. It is best to place it in full sunlight or in partial shade - but if grown in the shade, it will probably not flower at all. It needs to be watered regularly and abundantly during flowering season, and it is advisable to fertilize it roughly every 15 days. This plant adapts well to being combined with other species, and should not be planted in a large pot.
6. Sedum morganianum or Donkey's tail
This plant gets its name from the leaves which are grouped in hanging braids - which is why it lends itself very well to hanging cultivation. This plant is an evergreen succulent, very suitable for growing indoors where it only needs a lot of sunlight. It can survive with very little water and in winter - provided that the temperatures are not too harsh; if grown indoors, it should be watered 1-2 times a week in summer, once every 15-20 days in winter.
7. Hybrid petunia
This beautifully flowering plant is available in a very wide range of colours,and is perfect for growing in hanging pots to give color and vitality to your open spaces. The soil must be light and draining and it should be exposed to sunlight to ensure it flowers.
8. Lobelia
This is an excellent bedding or border plant and is also suitable for hanging cultivation. It is characterized by a delicate flowering in shades of blue and purple. It needs to be exposed in full sunlight or partial shade, but tends to wither when it is too hot. Eliminate any withered flowers to keep it luxuriant and, if the plant takes on a sparce appearance, cut the stems up to one third in length to encourage growth.
9. Impatiens
Sabina Bajracharya/Wikimedia Commons
This plant benefits from hanging cultivation, since in the open ground, it can be prone to getting downy mildew - an aggressive and very harmful mold. Perfect as a decoration thanks to its beautiful and abundant colored flowers, it needs a partially-shaded spot and regular watering; the soil must always be moist but not wet.
10. Tradescantia or Misery grass
This is a perfect garden or apartment plant - depending on the variety. Its prostrate stems are perfectly suited to hanging cultivation. Misery grass is also a plant which, due to its very few needs, is suitable for cultivation even for those who are not familiar with gardening. It loves sunlight but can thrive even in shaded or dimly lit areas and, although it usually grows in humid areas, it is also able to withstand very dry climates. In summer, it is best to fertilize it every 2 weeks.
11. Echeveria
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz/Wikimedia Commons
This is a succulent plant with silver leaves, grows in small colonies and produces colored, bell-shaped flowers. Simple to grow - preferably in pots because it cannot take temperatures below 7 degrees C - it prefers full sunlight exposure and only needs regular watering in summertime.
12. Verbena speciosa
We finish with this plant that has a wonderful colored and thick flowering and which will guarantee your hanging vase looks stunning. This is a plant with low demands, and requires only a well-draining soil and a sunny spot, which will ensure it flowers. Watering must be regular, but only when the soil is dry.
Have you already chosen the plants you want for your balcony?
