Studies have shown that plants make people happy. In fact, indoor plants have been known to do more than just add a refreshing touch to your home. They also improve indoor air quality, boost mood and productivity, and reduce stress as well as fatigue. Of course, you can’t just start adding plants within your home and call it a day. Installing them requires a bit of planning and a whole lot of space. Fortunately, you probably have a lot of ceiling space to spare. As for the best hanging plants for your home, we’ve got that covered too.
Top Recommendations for Hanging Plants in 2020
Reverse Variegated Spider Plant
The spider plant sounds like the last thing you’d ever want to decorate your home. But it’s actually one of the most popular indoor hanging plants in the market for several reasons. Obviously, this plant looks great inside any type of home. It features arching leaves of green striped with white hanging over the basket with small white flowers. That’s not all.
The spider plant is perfect for helping you improve the indoor air quality of your home. In addition, it’s quite robust. It doesn’t require a lot of care which makes it the best choice for beginning gardeners and those who are too busy to become a full-time caretaker. And should you want more spider plants in the future, no problem? This plant is one of the easiest to propagate. You don’t even need much experience to do so. One thing you should note though is that spider plants are considered delicious by some pests such as aphids and spider mites. So, you need to use insecticides. Also, cats seem to love this plant because it is slightly hallucinogenic for them. While it’s not toxic, it can cause an upset stomach and even diarrhea.
PROS
- easy to care for
- easy to propagate
- improves indoor air quality
CONS
- may require insecticides
- slightly hallucinogenic for cats (but not toxic)
Golden Devil’s Ivy – Pothos
When it comes to indoor hanging plants, there’s none that is as easy to care for as the Devil’s Ivy. Also known as the Golden Pothos, this little house plant is very low maintenance. It would fare well in various conditions – with the sun or without, moist or dry soil. In fact, a study has found that the Devil’s Ivy can survive drought. Plus, it rarely gets root rot. In short, this plant is very hard to kill. Obviously, there are other easy indoor plants (see our rec above), but not all of them provide the same benefits. The Golden Pothos has been scientifically proven (by NASA) to effectively remove VOCs and toxins such as formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and benzene from the air. Moreover, this plant increases the humidity in a room which can help prevent allergies, colds, and influenza. Of course, all of these things are great but will this plant look good in your house? Absolutely. The trailing stems and glossy, heart-shaped leaves will definitely make any room brighter and better. However, there is a huge drawback to this plant. It’s toxic when ingested, so make sure to keep it far away from children and pets.
PROS
- low maintenance
- beautiful leaves
- removes pollutants in the air
CONS
- toxic for pets and children
English Ivy
The English Ivy is one of the best hanging plants because it simply is stunning to look at. The glossy, dark green leaves are beautiful all year round. As an added bonus, you can train it to grow the way you want. Of course, this plant didn’t make it on our list just because of appearance alone. It’s very easy to care for, though not as easy as the other two on our list. You’ll need to make sure that it gets a lot of bright light, but not direct sunlight. It flourishes throughout the year, but it does require a bit more water during summer as it prefers cooler temperatures (around 50°F to 65°F). This elegant-looking plant is also great at removing pollutants in the air such as xylene, toluene, benzene and formaldehyde-based on NASA’s Clean Air study.
Research conducted by the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology also shows that this plant also cleanses the air of mold and dog feces. The English Ivy grows quickly which is both good and bad. You’ll need to trim it to prevent it from growing too big. But you also don’t have to wait too long to see the results of your care. You should know that the English Ivy is toxic to both children and pets. It can also cause contact dermatitis in some people.
PROS
- beautiful
- can be trained to grow the way you want
- removes pollutants
CONS
- toxic to children and pets
- can cause contact dermatitis
Airplant Tillandsia Xerographica
In modern gardening, one of the biggest trends to date is the air plant. Air plants are irresistible in their beauty and uniqueness. No two plants look exactly alike because its appearance can be affected by many factors including climate. There are almost 600 known varieties and all of them will look great in your home. But if you want the best, you can’t go wrong with the Xerographica. Also called Xeros, this air plant features silver leaves that curl and spiral around each other, giving it a striking appearance.
That’s not all. Xeros are extremely low maintenance. It only needs bright but indirect light along with regular misting each week. No soil or fertilizer required. Aside from aesthetics and low maintenance, air plants like the Xeros photosynthesize at night. This means that they release fresh oxygen while you’re sleeping. They also help purify the air, removing contaminants and chemicals in it. Moreover, air plants help regulate the humidity levels inside your home. However, they only flower once in their lifetime. And it takes two to four years to grow the plant to enjoy its full effect.
PROS
- low maintenance
- unique
- improves air quality
CONS
- takes years to grow
- only flowers once
String of Pearls
One of the best hanging plants ever is the String of Pearls. This perennial, cascading succulent vine is a beautiful but slightly quirky addition to any home. The marble-like balls that serve as its leaves are a definite conversation-starter. It can bloom tiny white flowers that emit a cinnamon-like scent that helps refresh the air in your home. Like all the other plants on our list, this one is also very low maintenance. It doesn’t require special care in terms of lighting and other conditions. It does best under bright light, either from the sun or fluorescent light.
This plant is drought-tolerant, so you don’t need to water it frequently. Once every two weeks is good enough. The String of Pearls is also very easy to propagate. You just need to place any cuttings in soil and let them take root. This is also a great way to rejuvenate the plant. Take note that this plant may be attractive to mealy bugs which will require you to use some insecticide. Also, this plant is toxic to consume. Keep it away from pets and children.
PROS
- low maintenance
- easy to propagate
- beautiful and unique
CONS
- toxic to pets and children
- requires insecticide
Where To Buy Hanging Plants Near Me?
There are plenty of places where you can buy indoor hanging plants.You’ll find these plants available in local nurseries. You can even find some being sold in Walmart. And then there are the online stores. Air plants, for example, can be found on various websites such as Amazon and Etsy. You can find online florists and house-plant stores as well. The best thing about online shopping for your indoor house plants is that you have more variety to choose from and they’re delivered directly to your door.
How To Hang Plants From Ceiling?
Hanging house plants does not require a degree in rocket science. All it takes is 10 to 15 minutes of your time, the right tools, and a bit of experience in handling them. Once you have a plant to hang, you need to make sure that you choose the right container.
Containers come in different styles and materials. You need to choose one that suits your decor as well as one that features proper drainage. You don’t want to have to clean up a mess every time you water your plant. You also need to make sure that the structure of your ceiling will support the weight of the plant and the container.
When you’ve chosen the container, it’s time to prepare for the hanging. Get a ladder, eye protection, your drill, drill bit, and ceiling hook kit ready. Make sure to have someone spot you on the ladder for safety purposes.
Mark the spot where you’ll be hanging the plant. Make sure that this spot will allow the plant to get all the light it needs to thrive. Next, drill the spot with your drill bit. Make sure that the bit is smaller than the screw of your hook so that it will screw in securely. Fit in the hook and make sure it’s secure. And then, hang your plant.
How To Water Hanging Plants?
There are several ways to ensure that your hanging plants get adequate water. One way is to use a simple pulley system. This is ideal if you’re working with large, heavy baskets. This makes it easier for you to lower and raise the basket/s when needed. However, it does require a bit of commitment and effort to install. You can also go with the tried and true method of just using a step ladder and a watering can with a long neck. Or, you can choose to take down the container and water the plant in your sink or shower.
Do hanging plants need drainage?
We’ve mentioned this before but it requires repeating – hanging indoor plants need drainage, especially if they require frequent watering. Soaking the roots in water for too long can lead to root rot. Drainage holes also ensure good airflow and ensure that excess salts from the soil are flushed out.
Should you put rocks in the bottom of a planter?
Generally, the answer to this question is no. It’s not necessary. Rocks in the bottom of your planter are not going to help improve air circulation or prevent your soil from getting saturated with water. The reason why a large rock is placed at the bottom of your pot is to prevent the soil from washing away through the drainage holes. Instead of a rock, you can opt to use newspaper, coffee filters or even some kitchen towels to line the bottom of your planter. It does a similar job.
All of us would benefit from having a plant inside the home. It can cure some really pervasive health issues. However, not everyone has a garden, a green thumb, or even a space for a plant. Fortunately, hanging plants are the newest trend in modern gardening. And even people with the blackest thumb will find that there are some plants that can survive just about anything. So, the next time you’re wondering about what indoor plant to get, make sure to check out our recommendations above.
