12 Hanging Plants That Will Make Your Home Healthier
Houseplants aren't just for show. There are several plants out there that may be used to successfully purify your air while giving off a soothing smell, or for medicinal purposes. These plants do a lot of heavy lifting to make your living space a serene escape from the bustle and pollution of city life. Additionally, as explained by Piedmont, you can benefit from the simple act of caring for indoor plants. Doing so can reduce feelings of stress, mental fatigue, anxiety, and depressive moods. By bringing a little bit of the outdoors into your home, you can improve your focus and overall wellness, and make your house a sanctuary to recharge in.
With even just one of these 12 plants perfect for hanging containers, you can reap several benefits depending on their care requirements and natural abilities. From fast-growing ferns to easy-to-care-for epiphytes, we're confident that one of these plants will suit your bedroom, kitchen, living room, or home office.
Eucalyptus plant
Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus cinerea) is well-known for its claims to reduce stress, soothe dry skin, and ward off insects. Still, not everyone realizes that you can grow it inside your home. As per Fafard, this evergreen tree will do great in a pot. Some varieties grow very quickly, so either be prepared to trim yours back or look for a slow-growing cultivar like Eucalyptus kruseana.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Conditions: Bright, direct sunlight
Soil Type: Well-draining loam or sand
Size: Up to 50 feet, much smaller when container-grown
Pothos
The pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is a beginner-friendly plant that comes in several different varieties and is sometimes called devil's ivy. According to The Sill, cascading pothos plants can remove toxins such as formaldehyde from your home, making the air you breathe healthier. Don't be afraid to hang one of these in every room of your house, even the bathroom!
Bloom Season: Does not flower
Growing Conditions: Low light to bright indirect light
Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
Size: 6 to 10 feet long when grown indoors
Spanish moss
Spanish moss (Tillandsia usneoides) goes by several common names including grandfather's whiskers, graybeard, and long moss, as explained by North Carolina State Extension. From the bromeliad family, this epiphyte requires humid conditions and plenty of direct sunlight. You do not need to provide it with a container to live in. In fact, Spanish moss enjoys being spread out across a wall or hanging from a hook.
Bloom Season: Fall and summer
Growing Conditions: Bright to medium light
Soil Type: No soil
Size: Up to 20 feet long
Bougainvillea
Bougainvillea shrubs (Bougainvillea spp.) are gorgeous flowering woody vines that feature brightly colored bracts in yellow, red, orange, purple, white, and pink, via Clemson Cooperative Extension. The flowers are said to hold some medicinal properties that possibly treat stomach aches, fevers, and sore throats. When growing bougainvillea as a houseplant be sure to water it scarcely and allow it to receive plenty of sunlight. It's likely to grow quickly and can be pruned back on a regular basis if needed.
Bloom Season: Spring and summer
Growing Conditions: Bright, direct sunlight
Soil Type: Well-draining
Size: Dwarf varieties grow between 3 and 6 feet tall
Heart-leaf philodendron
Heart-leaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a part of the philodendron genus that is commonly known to be very effective at purifying the air. Also known as parlor ivy, this climbing plant is a great houseplant as it tolerates low light and dry air, according to North Carolina State Extension. Its tendrils will flow beautifully over the sides of a hanging basket.
Bloom Season: Spring and summer
Growing Conditions: Medium to low light
Soil Type: Moist and well-draining
Size: 4 inches to 6 feet long
Spider plant
If you travel often or just have a busy schedule, consider a spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum). These plants are extremely tolerant of neglect which makes them a good option for growing in hanging baskets that you tend to forget about. As explained by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, spider plants will make your home healthier by removing gaseous toxins such as formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and carbon monoxide from the air.
Bloom Season: Spring and summer
Growing Conditions: Medium light to bright light
Soil Type: General purpose potting soil
Size: 12 to 15 inches tall
Morning glory
Morning glory plants (Ipomoea purpurea) can be identified by their bell-shaped flowers that bloom in shades of blue, red, pink, or purple. Cornell University says there is a white blooming variety as well. Though you're probably used to seeing them outdoors, you can bring them inside too for a burst of color in your living room, kitchen, or home office throughout the summer, provided they receive enough light.
Bloom Season: Summer and early fall
Growing Conditions: Bright to medium light
Soil Type: Well-draining
Size: 6 to 10 feet long if they are trained along a trellis or railing
Boston fern
Boston ferns (Nephrolepis exaltata 'Bostoniensis') perform great in hanging baskets where their leaves will shoot up before falling gracefully to the sides, says the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This fern is commonly grown as a houseplant due to its ability to introduce more humidity into the air. Be sure to keep its soil consistently moist and place it near a window where it will receive filtered sunlight. This is one plant that will appreciate fertilizer.
Bloom Season: Does not flower
Growing Conditions: Bright indirect light
Soil Type: Rich and well-draining
Size: Up to 7 feet tall outdoors in the tropics, much smaller indoors
Maidenhair fern
If you like ferns in general, consider adding a maidenhair fern (Adiantum pedatum) which is a low-maintenance plant that will enjoy a shady spot in just about any room. According to Prairie Nursery, you should try to keep its soil moist, but it can survive without water for a short period. This plant has a variety of medicinal uses which make it popular among herbalists.
Bloom Season: Does not flower
Growing Conditions: Medium to low light
Soil Type: Loam, sand, or clay
Size: 1 to 2 feet tall
Burrito burro's tail
Burrito burro's tail (Sedum morganianum) is a trailing succulent that originates from eastern Mexico, via Mountain Crest Gardens. It is popular as a houseplant because of its tolerance to drought and neglect. In a hanging basket it will flush out the container and send its pendant stems to hang as far as 3 feet down. In the spring, burrito burro's tails show off adorable pink flowers which will welcome the season and lift the mood in your home.
Bloom Season: Spring
Growing Conditions: Bright indirect sunlight
Soil Type: Gritty succulent mix
Size: 1 to 3 feet long
Gerbera daisy
Gerbera daisies (Gerbera jamesonii) are a great option for hanging baskets that can be kept outdoors in the summer and then moved indoors during the colder seasons. Gerbera daisies produce large flowers in many colors, and they are simple to care for provided they get good airflow and filtered sunlight. According to Ferns N Petals, gerberas also produce high levels of oxygen and increase humidity in the home. They suggest the bedside table as the perfect spot.
Bloom Season: Late spring and fall
Growing Conditions: Medium to bright light
Soil Type: Rich, well-draining
Size: 12 to 18 inches tall
String of pearls
Per the University of Wisconsin-Madison, string of pearls plants (Senecio rowleyanus) can be identified by their trailing growth habit and round globe-like leaves that almost look like little green grapes. This succulent is purported to remove toxins from the air, though there is no hard evidence to prove it. Regardless, it's still a fascinating plant that adds drama to any room. Keep an eye on the leaves. Water your string of pearls anytime you see the spheres showing signs of shriveling.
Bloom Season: Summer
Growing Conditions: Bright indirect light
Soil Type: Well-draining
Size: 1 to 3 feet long