Tropical Hanging Plants : A Guide to Lush Greenery in Your Space
Bring the tropics indoors or out by adding some tropical hanging plants. Hanging plants bring a splash of exotic colour and nature’s beauty no matter where you choose to place them. They also make your home healthier as some plants can filter and purify the air. There is nothing like their lush foliage and cascading vines in your living spaces. Tropical hanging plants can add beauty and greenery to indoor and outdoor spaces. In this article, we will explore some of the benefits of having a tropical hanging plant, a list of the top five hanging plants, and the best ways to grow and take care of them.
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Benefits of Tropical Hanging Plants
1. Aesthetic Appeal
These days, many plant lovers and decorators alike – bring on the plant decorators! – are obsessed with tropical hanging plants; their trailing vines and flowering, foliage-filled bunches can add depth, texture and dramatic colour to a room, with either an overgrown or more minimalist finish. They can be hung from ceilings, perched on shelves, or allowed to cascade down from raised surfaces onto their supporting surfaces, with all options proving effective in a range of settings.
2. Air Purification
Because of their effective pollution control, these beautiful plants named vital because of their ability to purify indoor air quality- they absorb formaldehyde, benzene and trichloroethylene which is commonly used in household furniture, laptop computers, cookware and air fresheners. Boston Fern, Spider Plant and English Ivy are widely known for their ability to improve indoor air quality. (429 words)
3. Humidity Control
Tropical plants, which thrive in humid conditions, can also help moderate the humidity in your home: by releasing moisture through transpiration, they can raise the humidity level in the room, aiding the beneficial effects of that humidity on the skin and respiratory function. (This can be particularly helpful in wintertime when indoor, forced-air heating reduces ambient humidity, leading to a dry, tight, scratchy feeling.)
4. Stress Reduction and Mental Health Benefits
Presence of plants, especially tropical flora, is widely known to reduce stress and anxiety. Recent studies have shown that exposure to plants has lower blood pressure, boost mood, and enhance focus. Plant-keeping is also a therapeutic process itself which improves one’s mindset and provides joy from an element of purposefulness and accomplishment. Having tropical hanging plants in your home or workspace can benefit your mental well-being and create a calming ambience.
Popular Tropical Hanging Plants
1. Philodendron
They are very easy to care for and they will grow very quickly. All of these kinds make good hanging plants. Some names of philodendrons are heartleaf philodendron, selloum philodendron, and braided philodendron. The heartleaf philodendron is probably the most recognisable as the philodendron. The plants are very shiny with yellow undersides and diamond-shaped pointy leaves that radiate in all directions. They grow best in low-light areas and make beautiful hanging plants. They trail up to three metres long. Not only are they beautiful, they also purify the air.
2. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Another great tropical hanging plant that is easy to care for is the pothos or Devil’s Ivy, which gets its name because it can grow in almost any light and be forgotten about. Pothos have attractive variegated foliage that can be a mixure of green, yellow and white, and are great for air-purifying. They grow fast as well with vines that can getting several feet in length and make a great gift for the person who needs a bit of a green thumb.
3. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls is a unique, eye-catching plant that works as a distinctive hanging plant — this particular succulent produces small, beadlike leaves making it a striking choose for your plant collection. The string of pearls prefers bright indirect light and well-draining soil. It makes a statement hanging in a sunny window or on a high shelf, and is a little more attention-demanding with watering but its unique look is worth the extra effort.
4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
I chose a Boston Fern. This is a classic tropical plant that has been a favourite in homes for many decades. It is a lush plant with fronds draped in long, feathery cascades that flow from a hanging basket. The leaves are full and deep green, making it a great plant for anyone who likes some soft drapery for their windows or balconies. Boston Ferns require a humid environment and need consistent watering so their fronds do not wilt and turn brown. In that way, they are great at purifying the air and would be a good plant for a bedroom, living room or bathroom.
5. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider Plants are some of the hardiest and super-easy hanging plants you can get with regard to tropical conditions. Their leaves are long, arching and either solid green or with longitudinal whitish stripes, and they produce small ‘pups’, or born-in-a-spiral (hence the name!) baby plants. They are air-purifying plants, and they require only moderate to strong indirect low light to thrive. Plus, Spider Plants are super forgiving about cyclical foliage needs, so they can be grown in your house, anywhere you’d like to have some green in a hanging basket.
6. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)
Maidenhairs are famous for their lacy foliage and soft, fuzzy look. They’re houseplants that believe in consistency, and won’t thrive if they’re allowed to dry out or get too much direct sunlight. They require consistent moisture and high humidity to thrive. For this reason, Maidenhair Ferns do better in bathrooms or any humid area of the home. There is something ladylike about Maidenhairs that makes them very elegant in your space.
7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a great hanging plant that can be used indoors or outdoors. Its leaves are small, pointy and come in a variety of green hues, sometimes with variegated designs. It’s an adaptable climber with vines that can grow long. Its trailing branches are perfect for hanging baskets and dropping from shelves. English Ivy is also an air-purifying plant, and grows in a wide variety of light settings, from full sun to partial shade.
Tips for Growing and Caring for Tropical Hanging Plants
1. Light Requirements
Most tropical hanging plants are very happy in bright, indirect light, but all hanging plants have different light requirements. Pothos and Philodendrons are at home in low light, while String of Pearls and Maidenhair Ferns want the brightest conditions. Put hanging plants in spaces near windows with filtered sunlight, or hang sheer curtains to diffuse the light. Avoid direct light, as your plant will lose leaves from scorched, sunburned topsides.
2. Watering
There is no specific rule regarding watering. The watering requirement depends on the type of the plant you have. Most find their home in a soil kept constantly moist but never waterlogged. For example, Philodendron and Pothos need a minimum of a week of their soil drying out in between watering. Ferns, on the other hand, need their soil still somewhat moist. However, you must ensure that your pots have good drainage, because root rot is very common in ferns. Overwatering is the most common issue, so always check the moisture content of your soil before going ahead.
3. Humidity
As tropical plants come from rainforests and humid climates, they will usually need more humidity than desert plants. If the air inside is dry, especially in winter, you might want to try a humidifier, or to place your plants on a tray of water with some pebbles. Also, when you group the plants, they will share the humidity. Regular misting is a good idea for climate-demanding plants like Boston Ferns and Maidenhair Ferns, but should be avoided for plants with a velvety leave. In certain cases, your plants won’t need that much light. For instance, peace lilies like semi-shade environments, while some plants prefer total shade.
4. Soil and Fertilization
In general, tropical hanging plants tend to prefer potting mix that drains well and holds onto a bit of moisture; a good potting mix for tropical plants is peat moss and perlite and vermiculite in a 1:1:1 ratio. Succulents such as String of Pearls will want something a bit grittier with more drainage. Feed your tropical hanging plants a balanced water-soluble fertiliser every 4-6 weeks during the growing season only (spring and summer). Cut back on the fertiliser in fall and winter when they’re not growing.