6 Hanging Plants I Need in 2022

I’ve been living with more than one houseplant for quite some time. I consider the best place for my plants to be one of my bright windowsills. But when I run out of these spots, I start walking and pondering on other great places for my green roommates. My ideas have been going sort of vertical lately…

My dream of plant shelves full of “leafy living sculptures” came true (well, some of them became less leafy and less living, but that’s another story) :o). Now I’ve entered the world of hanging planters. Reason number one: horizontal space is running out. Two: hanging plants are back in fashion (yes, they are). Three: with lush window vegetation, you definitely save on curtains.

A hanging planter carrying the vigorous cascades of heart-shaped Ceropegia Woodii’s leaves, all that bathing in the golden sunlight of my south-facing window. What a treat this would be! I already have a Ceropegia Woodii, also known as the ‘Chain of Hearts’. So I just need a hanging vessel for my soon-to-be floating plant in my window. I see the clear picture of it in my mind. The thing is, the picture actually features more than one plant…

Let’s dive into the world of the most fabulous hanging and trailing plants. We might stumble upon a nice & trendy hanging planter along the way.

1. (Not) ordinary Hoya

Hoya or waxplant, if you like, is one of the most favorite low-maintenance hanging houseplants, which were already grown by our mothers and grandmothers. The most common of them is hoya carnosa. It has thick, pointed oval dark green leaves. Having a hoya plant on your shelf is like having a waterfall of elegant leaves, that always lift your mood anytime you look at them. Given a proper care (and a little bit of luck), your hoya will reward you with cute delicate star-shaped flowers of a sweet floral scent.

My mom gave me the classic deep green leafed hoya carnosa. This plant brings me pure joy for a few years now. ♡ Hoyas are real sweethearts in terms of plant care too. I almost couldn’t believe how many varieties of them are available nowadays! There are hoyas with colorful variegated leaves. The tones of creamy white and pink colors are simply stunning.

So on our journey to some pretty hanging plants for our windows, we’re going to search for hoya species in varieties ‘Krimson Queen’ (same as ‘Tricolor’, sometimes also referred to as ‘Albomarginata’). Leaves of this hoya are colored green in the middle and white alongside the edges. Younger leaves tend to keep shades of pink for some time.

Another hoya variety is hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Princess’. Colors are also the main attraction here; green and white combination with a hint of pink to reddish (as the cultivar name suggests), but this time it’s white in the middle of the leaves and green on the edges.

Distinct shape of the leaves and bright colors. This is the description of hoya Wayetii. The leaves of this hoya are elongated, making the plant very interesting and pronounced. You can get your Wayetii with dark green or variegated leaves – hoya Wayetii ‘Tricolor’. Its leaves wear shades of green, creamy white, yellow and pink or red, as most of these beautiful colorful hoyas do.

2. String of Pearls & Chain of Hearts

You know what? I’m a girl and I love pearls. And heart-shaped stuff. The coolest pearls I dream of are the ones that photosynthesize. Yes, I mean a plant and it’s called senecio rowleyanus, commonly known as String of Pearls or String of Beads. This hanging plant with its long thin stems and impressive beads-shaped leaves is actually a succulent.

The String of Pearls is very similar to the Chain of Hearts – ceropegia Woodii. These plants share the unusual look and similar care requirements. They both love to be placed in a well-lit area and watered when the soil is completely dry, considering their home in hot sunny semi-arid African areas.

Their spectacular appearance pops the most in hanging planters. In my mind now, I can clearly picture them side by side, the hearts and pearls (no, they’re not peas), both of them thriving in my sunny window. :o)

3. Pancake Plant

My next wishlisted plant is pilea peperomioides, commonly known as Pancake Plant or Chinese Money Plant. It’s the leaves that make this plant interesting. Their shape resembles, well, coins or pancakes. This plant is currently very popular among houseplant lovers. If you ask me, I always skipped this one, secretly thinking: “Too strange for me” or “I dunno, is this supposed to be a plant?”. Since then I’ve seen a lot of pictures from people growing them and I’ve come so far to find them quite adorable. So it’s definitely time for a pancake. :o)

In terms of plant care, pancake plant prefers a spot with a bright indirect (diffused) light. The brighter the spot, the better and faster it grows. Water your pastry-named plant generally when the top layer of the soil becomes dry. Clean its interestingly shaped leaves regularly, so the plant can photosynthesize well. I personally had no idea that pilea peperomioides flowers. When the tiny delicate white flowers appear, you’ll know for sure your plant loves you back.

4. Vigorous Golden Pothos

Golden pothos is one of the most favorite house plants. People love it for its lush heart-shaped foliage, fast vigorous growth and easy-care nature. The common name “pothos” usually refers to plants of the epipremnum or scindapsus genus. Specifically, pothos is either epipremnum aureum (shown below) or scindapsus pictus.

Pothos plants are known to be fast growers. And the beautiful waterfalls of their leaves make any place instantly much more pleasant. That’s why this plant is another item on my hanging plants wishlist. Guilty as charged. Epipremnum genus comes originally from the islands of Indonesia, where it grows on trees as a huge vine.

Epipremnum aureum is sometimes commonly called “marble queen” or “devil’s ivy”. The first name was given to this plant probably for its pretty deep green, yellow to golden, variegated leaves (variegation disappears when there’s not enough light). Golden pothos is not very picky when it comes to location; you can grow it in a bright light or semi-shade. Hence the second nickname, devil’s ivy, as the plant is considered almost imperishable.

5. (Un)common Spider Plant

You can notice that every other article about the most common house plants features spider plant – chlorophytum comosum. There are many reasons for its popularity: it’s easy to grow, tolerates various light conditions, easy to propagate. I even remember seeing a spider plant on the windowsill of my school classroom many years ago. I also remember it must have been the most grown cultivar ‘Variegatum’, since its long, otherwise green leaves were white in the middle. The cultivar with plain green leaves is called ‘Lemon’.

I had an amazing huge spider plant. It was “hanging out” in my east-facing window. I loved when the soft morning light shone through its radiant long green leaves. It’d gotten so big that it almost didn’t fit on the windowsill anymore. I was secretly dreaming of a hanging planter for my beloved chlorophytum to give it more space and freedom it needs. The plant was as nice to me as a plant can be. It even gave me flowers. They were so tiny and cute.

Then I got full of myself as a plant grower. I constantly experimented with the plant (you know, transplanting, propagating, “I want a chlorophytum here and also there”) and began to focus more on some of my new plants back then (also considered more rare, such as calatheas). I realized it when it was too late – my spider plant left me for chlorophyll heaven. In all of its propagated versions. I regret taking it for granted and considering it just a common plant. Chlorophytum forever. 💚

6. Crazy Tradescantia

Tradescantias, commonly known as Wandering Jew, are also often considered easy and beginner friendly – therefore common – plants. Why I titled this “crazy”? Simply because tradescantias kept in very sunny places with enough water grow like crazy. They’re also very easy to propagate. There are many varieties of tradescantias. Their leaves are colored in green and white, silvery to magenta shades.

These cheerful plants are perfect for hanging planters. The lush colorful foliage flows beautifully down, making it an amazing home decoration. On the other hand, with poor watering schedule and lack of light, the plant becomes leggy, the leaves fade in color and dry up. But nothing is lost, move your tradescantia outside for summer and it becomes an unstoppable huge leafy beast in no time!

Wandering Jew is best to be grown outdoors in the summer, but I can imagine it thriving in a sunny kitchen window all year long. Especially tradescantia zebrina, the variety with magenta leaves. I’m not saying the green and white variety, tradescantia flumensis ‘Variegata’, is not beautiful. It is! Look at the pictures below and see for yourself.

Hanging Planter – VIPs Only

The story of 6 happy hanging plants is almost there. Now the only thing left to talk about is which hanging planters would suit them. Our VIPs (Very Important Plants) are going to enjoy their glory in the spotlight (sunlight) of a window. I’m sure you’ll agree that a basic plant hanger made of plastic is out of question.

Lately, I’m crazy about a boho style in home decor. This is how I discovered macrame plant hangers. What is macrame? It’s a knotting technique for making textile products, such as clothes, home decorations and plant hangers. In fact, this trend is nothing new. Macrame is more of a retro style, since the technique was popular already back in the 80’s.

What comes to your mind when you say houseplants? I associate indoor plants with plant growing challenges for sure, but I also see them as a means of interior design. Houseplants introduce a sense of calm and coziness to just about any space. It’s therefore understandable to carefully choose the plants, including the decorative pots and planters, you bring to your home.

Free Your Plant, Free Your Mind

Macrame plant hangers in natural colors of vanilla or brown are perfect match for your houseplants, when you want the foliage to really stand out. The hanger itself works as a distinctive aesthetic element and, without doubt, art. I’ve never been a fan of plastic or metal when it comes to plants accessories. I prefer natural yarns, terracotta and wood.

Now, my friends, let’s get your plant a nifty planter and a nice macrame. And install all the beauty on a ceiling hook or a curtain rod. Done and done. We’ve found a luxury dwelling for our six VIPs: hoya, chain of hearts & string of pearls, pilea, pothos, chlorophytum, and tradescantia. Your free unrestrained mind can enjoy your bohemian-style decorated plants.

I wish you happy plants and a cozy home.

Miss Amaryllis

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Which hanging plants do you like the most? 🪴🌼😊

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