HANGING PLANTS: THE PERFECT MOOD ENHANCER
Whether you place them on top of a high cabinet, hang them from the ceiling or let them climb up a wall or structure, climbing and hanging plants are at home in every direction. Thanks to their versatile nature, they create an atmospheric, green vibe in your home. But which hanging plants are beautiful and easy to look after, and what are some fun, original ways to display them? Read on and get inspired!
10 EASY-to-care-for indoor HANGING PLANTS
With so many hanging and climbing plants to choose from, it can tricky to make the right choice. Here, we've assembled 10 hanging and climbing plants that are simple to care for and beautiful to look at.
Scindapsus
Looking for a hanging plant that makes few demands of you? Then Scindapsus, or Pothos, is your match. This plant prefers a spot in the semi-shade and needs watering when the potting soil starts to dry out. In autumn and winter, the plant can even be left dry for a few days before you water it again.
DRAGON IVY
Another easy-to-care-for hanging plant is dragon ivy, also known as Epipremnum Aureum. This plant thrives best in a spot in the semi-shade and likes its potting soil to remain slightly moist at all times. It grows fast, so your home will be looking green in no time at all. When it gets too bushy, you can either trim it back or take some cuttings.
tradescantia
Another easy, fast-growing hanging plant is Tradescantia. Give this hanging plant a spot with plenty of light (no direct sunlight) and it will treat you to beautiful, pink-and-green leaves. Fun fact: this plant is also called an ‘inch plant’ because it can grow an inch (2.5 centimetres) a day!
rhipsalis
Rhipsalis is a succulent, which means it needs little water. Make sure the soil dries out before you water the plant. In winter, the plant can even go weeks without water. Preferably, you should give Rhipsalis a spot in the semi-shade. A bright spot is also possible, in which case the hanging plant will grow faster and needs a little more water.
Aeschynanthus
Aeschynanthus is characterised by curly green leaves and unusual, bright red flowers which grow in spring and summer. Place this plant in a very light spot, without direct sunlight. Keep the soil slightly moist during the growing season (spring/summer). In winter, the soil can be allowed to dry between waterings.
ceropegia
Another hanging plant with a special look is the Ceropegia, also called ‘string of hearts’ or Chinese lantern plant. This plant has heart-shaped leaves with flowers resembling lanterns. Ceropegia is a succulent plant, which means it needs little water (even in summer, a small splash once a week is enough). This hanging plant thrives best in a spot in the semi-shade.
SAW CACTUS
Speaking of unusual shapes...saw cactus has fresh, green, zigzag-shaped leaves. It's a non-spiny cactus that doesn't need much water, although more than a 'normal' cactus. Let the potting soil dry out before watering the plant again. Saw cactus thrives best in a spot in semi-shade.
peperomia rotundifolia
Peperomia rotundifolia, also known as swanweed, shines most in a bright spot without direct sunlight. Make sure the potting soil doesn't dry out, as this will enable the plant to thrive the best. You'll enjoy the round, bright green leaves of this hanging plant to the max.
monstera monkey leaf
Looking for a hanging plant with a jungle feel? Then Monstera Monkey Leaf is your match. This Monstera has striking holes in its leaves and is easy to look after. As long as the soil doesn't dry out, you don't need to water it. Give it a light spot or one in the shade: this eye-catcher is easy-going. Just avoid a spot in direct sunlight.
medinilla
Looking for a colourful eye-catcher? Discover tropical Medinilla. This plant is not a traditional hanging plant pure, but it has long, drooping flowers, making it perfect for use in this context. Hang the plant in a very light spot, but not in bright sunlight. The soil may be allowed to dry out slightly between waterings.
care tips for hanging plants
Hanging plants require pretty much the same care as other houseplants, but there are some things to pay extra attention to. Check out these basic rules and tips for caring for houseplants:
- Choose the right spot. Hanging plants like scindapsus and philodendron can be placed in a fairly dark spot, but a hanging plant like tradescantia needs more light.
- Don't hang your hanging plants too high. This makes it difficult to water them and can also cause them to get too little daylight.
- Take hanging plants off their hanger from time to time to check the humidity of the soil and pot. A simple way to do this is to remove it for watering and draining and then place it back.
- Usually the lighter a hanging plant is, the faster it grows and the more often it needs watering.
- If necessary, place some hydro grains in the bottom of the pot. They will catch any excess water and prevent root rot.
- Like other houseplants, feed hanging plants during their growing season (usually between March and October).
- Think about how you will support plants as they grow, as most hanging plants are also climbers. Can they climb against something? Should you guide them with cable clips, as we did here with Philodendron?
- If your hanging plant gets too big, you can cut off the stems (after which the plant will sprout again), or guide it in a desired manner.
- If desired, you can take cuttings from a hanging plant, just like other houseplants. Here's how to do it.
how to style hanging plants
- Do you have several hanging plants in your house? Then vary the heights and style the plants in different ways, for example using special pots, macramé pendants or placing on a hanging kitchen rack.
- Try grouping hanging plants together for an impressive green effect.
- Don't just think about the plants, but about the pots too! Choose a pot that matches your home or creates a nice contrast. Combining different pots gives a playful effect.
- Don't limit hanging greenery to your living room. Areas such as the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom and home office also benefit from hanging plants and climbers!
- Clever styling and containers can turn non-hanging plants into climbers, as in the picture below.
STYLING HANGING PLANTS: 5 IDEAS
Need inspiration for styling your hanging plant? Check out the five ideas below and get inspired by hanging greenery.
HANGING PLANT IDEA 1: GREEN OASIS OF CALM
Want to create a seating area that radiates tranquillity? Combine climbing and hanging plants with standing plants in pots on the ground. In this example, we used hanging plants Philodendron Scandens (left) and Rhipsalis (right). On the ground you can see from left to right: Philodendron, Monstera, Dieffenbachia and Phlebodium (blue fern).
HANGING PLANT IDEA 2: COLOURFUL AND SURPRISING
If you love playfulness and colour, take inspiration from the example below with the cheerful Medinilla in a macramé hanging pot. If you want the same effect but with less exuberance, opt for macramé and plant pots in neutral colours.
HANGING PLANT IDEA 3: GREEN BACKGROUND FOR VIDEO CALLS
If you regularly WFH, why not make a green background for Zoom calls? See the DIY here and get inspired to make your home office more productive. Here, we used the hanging plants Rhipsalis, Scindapsus, Hedera and Tillandsia usneoides.
HANGING PLANT IDEA 4: 4 IN A ROW
Give your hanging plant some company! Combine plants of different shapes and colours and put them in different pots, so your green friends complement each other nicely. In this example, we used Ficus Pumila, dragon ivy, Hedera and begonia ivy.
HANGING PLANT IDEA 5: KITCHEN HANGING RACK
If you love a relaxed, outdoor lifestyle, try bringing it inside with plants. Place some hanging plants on a hanging rack in the kitchen, which is also a good spot for fresh herbs.
how to hang plants
Hanging a plant from a cabinet, stool or other fixed object is easy. If you'd rather hang the plant higher, you can put a hook in your ceiling or wall, or hang a rack from the ceiling or wall to attach it from.
Hanging plants with drilling
Would you rather not drill into the ceiling? Hang your plants from a curtain or shower rail, wooden beam or coat rack.
HANG IN THERE! MORE INSPIRATION FOR high-up PLANTS
Inspired? Check out our masterclass by plant designer Alexis Tricoire, who specialises in designing plants at height. You can also get inspired by the power of philodendron, which provides greenery from ground to ceiling.
