Houseplants are a great item or piece of “decor” to add to your house to make it fresh and vibrant. Houseplants have a way of making even small spaces look a little larger and homey. This is probably the best way you can make your apartment look “forest themed” in a chic and cool way. Plus, extra oxygen compared to all the smoke and fumes outside? Yes, please.
Unlike the strategic placement and vision it requires to decorate the inside of your home, it takes much less time and effort to put up houseplants in hanging baskets. Although we’re not all interior designers, it’s definitely easy to randomly place a plant in a corner and call it “artistic.” Let’s look at the best houseplants to make your house a DIY jungle shall we?
1. Baby’s Tears
I promise it’s not as sad as it sounds. In fact, the “tears” are actually tiny leaves on small stems that make up the whole plant. The small leaves are what make it beautiful and perfect to put in a hanging basket.
The scientific name for it is “Pilea Depressa,” and it’s foliage spreads quickly, making it a perfect hanging plant. Kind of reminds me of the quote, “imagine if trees were like wifi signals, we would be planting so many trees and we’d probably save the planet too.”
2. Arrowhead Vine
Let’s be real. I’m pretty sure you see these all over the neighborhood, especially during the summertime on people’s porches. It’s a pretty common houseplant to hang up since it thrives in humidity. It’s also great to place in humid places around the house like the bathroom or even in the kitchen. It comes in a hue of colors like pink and burgundy, so don’t assume you’ll be overloaded with the color of green.
3. Bird’s Nest Fern
The exact way to describe this plant is, ” an array of ripple edged fronds that grow out of a nest-like crown.” Personally, I feel like it’s an upside-down spider, with the spindly legs creeping out of the dirt.
Kind like that scene from The Exorcist when the heads turn backward? Accurate description. They also love the humidity, so while your hair will look like a bird’s nest (pun intended), these plants will bask in it.
4. Peperomia
Many people like this plant because the stems look like it’s reaching for the sun. Personally, it reminds me of the weird acorn obsessed squirrel from Ice Age. The leaves are nice, round, and fleshy and don’t need to be frequently watered compared to its parent plants.
Fun fact: This plant is pet friendly. So you don’t have to worry about pet allergies! This plant also tolerates a medium to a low shade of light, so try not to put it in front of the largest window that gets the most amount of light in your house.
5. Chenille Plant
These plants have cute fuzzy flowers that look like something out of a Dr.Seuss book. In other words, you can’t stop touching them, because they’re addictive to touch and fun to play with! They bask in the sunlight, so place them in front of your biggest window! They also love water and nutrients, so try using compost tea to knock both requirements down easily.
6. String of Pearls
Now this is definitely a trendy plant. It truly looks like a waterfall of cascading pearls and is very highly favored by those who own contemporary homes. This plant loves the sunlight and dry soil, and if they are truly happy, the plant will reward you with flowers! Kind of like getting a dog and getting puppies a few months later. If the ends of the plant are to thin or sparse, you can trim them.
7. Lipstick Vine
Buying lipstick is overrated since you can run out at any time. Buy a lipstick vine plant instead! They’re available in shades of red, pink, and orange. And I would much rather look at an orange plant than wear orange lipstick! Don’t prune the flowers until the flowers have finished blooming.
8. English Ivy
These plants are basically impossible to kill since they’re that easy to take care of. These plants can tolerate a lack of water and a certain amount of neglect for a few days at a time. In fact, they’re so easy to grow that their aggressive growth causes them to take over the development of other plants.
They’ve actually been banned in Oregon, and sales and imports of this plant are a complete no! It’s also highly toxic to dogs and cats, and grows better in cool temperatures. That’s probably why it’s better to grow it in a hanging basket, where it can happily grow on its own and avoid hindering the growth of other plants.
9. Blue Bacopa
This flower’s beautiful blue color and tiny size make it the perfect plant to have on your window sill or in a small container near the window! They reach about 3 – 6 inches high and need consistent moisture and well-drained soil to grow well. Make sure that the saucer under the pot is changed regularly, and that you don’t overwater the plant.
Try misting it often, if the area you live in lacks moisture. This effect only lasts for 10 – 15 minutes, so you could place it near a humidifier during the night to replace all the moisture its missing. For the best growing bacopa, place your basket in a place that receives a good amount of sunshine on a daily basis.
10. Petunia
Petunias have a rich variety of colors in the shades of pink and purple, which is a welcoming pop of color! It’s perfect for planting in a hanging basket to spruce up your porch and doorway.
They have to be placed in areas that receive a lot of sunlight on a daily basis, as well as a good amount of water for moist soil. Don’t fall victim to overwatering, as this is a common mistake.
Hanging basket plants are worth the time and effort because of the beautiful end result. Try some of these out and see for yourself!
