At the garden center, one of the most frequent inquiries I receive about plants and hanging baskets is…
I ask them to repeat after me while I raise their right hand at this point.
I hereby solemnly swear that I will give this plant the appropriate amount of light.
never letting it get too dry that it starts to wilt, and watering it everyday as needed.
For the best blossoms, I’ll feed it frequently, and I’ll pinch it back as necessary to keep it healthy and in flower all summer.
If you do all of the aforementioned, you will have a better chance than most of having hanging baskets that last throughout the summer. However, it’s time to explain a little fact about those bloomers you purchased in April or May: they will begin to droop around the middle of the summer, just as you are about to enjoy your garden, host that party, or have that wedding. Therefore, you better have a backup plan. Here is my secret to keeping you in bloom all summer long.
My customers should schedule their gardens three months in advance, as follows:
- February, January, and March
- May, June, and April
- August, September, and July
- November, December, and October
For the first three months of the year, rely on your bulbs and late winter bloomers. Then, at the start of spring, get inexpensive, cheery annuals that can withstand cool weather to get the quick color you’re yearning.
These will last you until at least July, but beyond that, don’t expect them to bloom until the end of the season; expecting them to provide you with three seasons’ worth of color is simply unrealistic.
The baskets you purchase in the early spring have actually been growing since January. When you purchase them, they are already 3–4 months old, and by the time the summer’s sweltering days arrive, they are beginning to lose steam.
This isn’t always the case with baskets; some people have amazing success keeping them fresh well into the fall ( they must have followed the above pledge ). But the majority of people are not as careful, which is where they have problems.
Therefore, planting some baskets and containers before the end of May with basket stuffers and young annuals is the key to having hanging baskets that survive all summer long.
This is what I do; after that, I position those baskets throughout my home and in places where I will care for them until they are ready to take the place of my worn-out-looking baskets that have just brought me delight for the past three months.
What I did a few years ago is described here. I planted my baskets, and when my cheap spring baskets started to look worn out, I hung these up in their place. By July, they were nearly full.
When it came time for my spring Ipomea baskets to take center stage last year, I made some two-tone Ipomea baskets and positioned them in between my spring ones.
In the summer, they appeared fantastic and enormous, and in September and October, they fit well in my fall containers.
This year, I made hanging basket-convertible containers and planted them on May 22. When my spring baskets expire, I’ll hang these up in their stead because they look fantastic when set around my fire pit.
I’ll now have lovely blooms from May through October. This is what I tell people when they ask me how I keep my garden looking so great all year long: it’s all about preparing ahead. I should also mention that all I needed was some soil and some of my go-to plants to make my summer baskets. Here is my combination for my baskets and containers this year.
At the end of August or the beginning of September, I’ll upload an update photo to show you how fantastic these will look.
Download my eBook, which is filled with advice, tactics, and plant suggestions, to discover how you may have a beautiful garden all year long:
What kind of plant is ideal for hanging?
I’m finally getting around to compiling all of my writings on how to care for some of my favorite, most beautiful trailing plants today. Finding the best indoor hanging plants for your house is a terrific way to keep your plants up and off the ground while also helping to clean the air and beautify your spaces.
Pothos Hanging Plants
Pothos maintenance is easy The most traditional hanging plants you’ll discover at big-box nurseries or nurseries are pothos plants. There are numerous types that you might come upon. Here are a few of the most widespread:
- Off-white hints occasionally appear in the green and yellow variegated golden pothos.
- a green and off-white marble queen pothos
- Jade or emerald pothos, which is entirely green
- Neon Pothos, a bright neon green,
I have a lot of pothos plants all throughout my house. They also look great pushed up onto a wall to give it a “ivy-like aspect, or placed high up on shelves that droop downward. A few images of my pothos plants are shown below.
Ric Rac Cactus
One of my favorite hanging plant species is the ric rac cactus, which is a more recent addition to my family. Before I bit the bullet and placed an internet order, I had a ric rac cactus on my wish list for a considerable amount of time. It is also expanding quite swiftly. I can’t wait to be able to take some cuttings for these so that I may offer them to my family and friends that enjoy gardening.
Hoya Carnosa Plants
Wax plants, also known as hoya carnosa plants, have been a standard houseplant for many years. A full and attractive appearance is produced by the thick, waxy leaves and vines that climb and vine up and down. There are numerous variations, but the two shown below—pubicalyx splash and tricolor variegata—are the most common.
Hoya Rope Plants
Actually, hoya carnosahoya carnosa compacta is a species of hoya rope plants. They are cool enough, in my opinion, to merit a separate mention here. The hoya rope plant has thicker stems than the other hoya carnosas, which have long, spindly stems.
The leaves, though, make the most difference. The hoya rope plant’s leaves twist and curl, giving the plant a lovely rope-like appearance. They can be stretched up along other objects because they are heavy and trail down. Prior to my friend sending me this mature rope plant from Texas, I had never seen a rope plant in person. It absolutely astounds.
String of Pearls Trailing Succulent Plants
The string of pearls succulent features the most incredible spherical, pearl-like leaves that resemble peas and trail on delicate stems. Beautiful pearls that can reach several feet in length can be found all over a healthy plant. In front of a bright window, I have one hanging. In addition, it is quite simple to grow more plants from this one.
Burro’s Tail Succulent Plants
Another lovely trailing succulent is burro’s tail. Be careful since the hefty leaves are delicate and tumble down sturdy succulent stems. Because it is a smaller hanging plant and requires lots of light, save a bright window for it. It’s simple to grow from leaves, just like the string of pearls.
Rhipsalis Trailing Cactus Plants
My first rhipsalis plant, a rhipsalis campos-portoana, was a Mother’s Day gift from my husband. Rhipsalis come in a wide variety of forms, and they all have branching, lanky branches that look great in hanging planters.
At your neighborhood nursery, you’ll probably see this plant listed as a “mistletoe cactus,” but this actually refers to a specific variety of rhipsalis cactus. There are lots of pretty variations.
Heart-leaf Philodendron
Pothos plants and heart-leaf philodendron are frequently mistaken. They are completely different plants, even though they do have similar leaf sizes and shapes, the way the plants trail, and frequently even similar variegations.
Although they are both relatively easy to care for, they have similar care requirements. The philodendron Brasil, which has magnificent brilliant green and yellow variegations, is one of my favorite varieties of this plant. The leaves are also quite dazzling and glossy.
Philodendron Micans
Micans is a different kind of heart-leaf trailing philodendron that is extremely common. Micans closely resembles the more common heart-leaf philodendron, with the exception that its leaves have a lovely, velvety green sheen. The undersides of the leaves have a tint that resembles almost purple. Compared to other heart-leave philodendrons, I found that this kind prefers higher humidity.
Spider Plants
Another common houseplant is the spider plant. In hanging baskets, their long, curling leaves look fantastic, but these plants’ stems and young are truly stunning. Long stems that end in young spider plants are produced by spider plants.
These result in a stunning plant waterfall. Look at the spider plant my mother has. Numerous spider plants are present and ready to be cut off, rooted, and multiplied. However, you may alternatively leave them alone and let the cascade continue.
Wandering Tradescantia Zebrina Plants
Wandering dude plants have stunning purple, green, and silver variegation, which can vary in vivacity. The green and silver marks can appear rather clearly at times, while at other times the plant has a deeper purple hue. In either case, it is beautiful! Find out all there is to know about taking care of tradescantia zebrina plants that roam.
Tradescantia Nanouk Plants
A more recent variety of watering jew plants is the tradescantia nanouk plant (their official name is tradescantia zebrina). The plant is comparable to other forms of wandering jew in terms of size and structure, but it lacks the typical purple hue. Rather, there is more hot pink, pastel pink, and pastel green variation.
Compared to other plants on our list, this one is more difficult to find, but I was fortunate to get a little one at a neighboring nursery. They have a purchase cap on them because the plant is in such high demand! Because it simply means that they won’t be completely taken, that always makes me happy.
String of Hearts Trailing Plant
Another popular plant that has been in high demand recently is the string of hearts. The plant is delicate and stays reasonably compact, although its thin stems can trail for a distance of up to several feet. I now have mine on a shelf because it is still rather young. Just now, the stems are beginning to trail. One day, it will look great hung from a planter!
Curly Orchid Cactus Hanging Plants
In my leather plant pot holder, my curly orchid cactus looks wonderful hanging there. This plant is so low maintenance—it only needs a little bit of water every now and then, yet its long, curling stems spread like weeds. This plant shares a close relationship with the gorgeous night-blooming cereus plant, which likewise has a trailing habit.
Staghorn Fern
I’ll be honest: I’m not a fern girl. I just don’t get along with Ferns. But I enjoy observing them from a distance, and I always take a closer look at staghorn ferns. They have such a distinctive appearance and frequently look fantastic hanging from walls as opposed to ceilings.
Lipstick Plants
Lipstick plants come in last on the list. There are a few various varieties of lipstick plants that you can probably buy at your neighborhood nursery, but my personal favorite has to be the curly/rasta lipstick plant version. This one is hanging in my living room, and how gorgeous is it?
Which hanging plant is the simplest?
The easiest hanging plants to care for are listed below. Perfect for anyone just getting their feet wet in the world of learning!
We’ll discuss each one in more detail later on in the article. However, if you only need the list right away, here it is:
- Satan’s Ivy
- Brooklyn Fern
- Philodendron Heartleaf
- Insect Plant
- British Ivy
- Christmas Cactus
- Necklace of Pearls
- Hearts on a String
- Dawn Glory
You will find it difficult to kill any of the plants on this list, I assure you. But there is a but.
Which hanging plants are the most durable?
Which flowers remain in a hanging basket the longest? In a hanging basket, many beautiful flowers may last the entire summer, and some even into the fall. The greatest plants to take into account include osteospermums, fuchsias, geraniums, calibrachoa, and erigeron karvinskianus.
Do hanging baskets make a yearly comeback?
Are your hanging baskets and container plants looking for a means to be revived, renewed, and given new life?
Many hanging baskets and potted plants bought in the spring start to exhibit severe indications of wear and tear as late summer approaches. What was once a happy, flourishing plant has changed into a sad, struggling plant.
The foliage is losing its leaves, and the lovely blooms that previously covered it are now few. Additionally, irrigation is essentially impossible because it simply passes through the roots.
All of the aforementioned symptoms are typical of hanging basket and container plants that are old, root-bound, and out of control. And at this point, the plant will keep losing efficiency no matter what you do.
But hold on—all is not lost! There is a method to give those shabby planters and baskets a stunning second life before you throw them out on the curb. And it’s simpler than you might think!
A Simple Solution For Saving Worn Out Hanging Baskets & Container Plants
While you can always replant baskets and potted plants into bigger containers, there are occasions when that is just not an option or a practical solution.
Finding containers large enough to work with a plant that is already enormous might be challenging. Even if you do, filling with all that potting soil can be expensive and time-consuming.
And are you really going to exert that much work on plants when they only have a short time left before the first frost?
However, there is a straightforward, inexpensive approach to give your tattered hanging baskets and overgrown container plants more vitality. And we have been using it here on the farm for years to bring vibrant late-season color for nothing!
Replant those old baskets right into your flowerbeds and landscaping to give them new life rather than dumping them on the compost pile. The fresh area and soil will not only revitalize your drooping plants but also add a vibrant burst of color to perennial bed spaces for the remainder of the growing season.
You’ll be astounded by how big and lovely those potted plants can once more grow!
The Secret To Transplanting Success
Worn-out root-bound baskets and planters can find the room and nutrients they need to grow healthy once more by being replanted directly into the ground.
Start by excavating a hole that is around 50% bigger than the potted plant’s current root ball. Remove the plant from the original basket, being careful to gently separate the edges where the roots are intertwined.
This will make it easier for the plant’s roots to find their way into fresh soil and replenish nutrients. Give the roots a good bath in water before planting to rehydrate them.
Fill the bottom of the new hole with compost before replanting, then mix equal parts soil and compost around the perimeter. The worn-out hanging basket plants will have an easy time establishing new roots thanks to the loose, nutrient-rich soil.
Finish by giving the plant a hearty dose of liquid fertilizer. It will quickly absorb the nutrients to fast return back to life because it is established and developed. See also: 4 Effective Liquid Organic Fertilizers!
For the first week, until the roots have had a chance to become re-established, water regularly or even twice daily. Your old hanging basket will quickly come back to life in a stunning display of color.
Apply a light granular or liquid fertilizer once a week to keep the annuals blooming large until the end of the season. Your plants will give you thanks by blooming again! Organics granular fertilizer product link
Here’s to giving your old planters and hanging baskets a second chance this summer! Gardening success! Mary and Jim