Best indoor jungle candidates
Demand for plants has skyrocketed in the pandemic and Instagram influencers create indoor jungles.
Bloomscape’s resident plant expert Joyce Mast advises evaluating your home and lifestyle before choosing a houseplant to hang in your home.
“What kind of light will your plant enjoy?” Mast asked. “How much time will you have to take care of its needs? And are you able to reach the plant (to water) once it is hanging in your home?”
From fast-growing philodendron to trailing spider plants, here are varieties that will do well in baskets and macrame hangers.
1. Silver satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus)
In the wild, a Scindapsus plant can climb as high as the crown of a tree, while indoors, it can grow up to 6 feet tall. “This trailing plant enjoys low to bright indirect light areas, is very easy to care for, and looks lovely as a hanging plant as its patterned silvery green leaves drape over,” Mast said. Tip: Feel free to take a cutting from this one and share at plant swaps as they are easy to propagate. If vines grow too long, simply cut back the stems in the spring just below a healthy leaf.
2. Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
This popular philodendron features distinctive pointed tips and can be grown as a climber or a trailing vine. “These fast-growing heart-shaped plants enjoy low to bright indirect light areas and are very easy to care for,” said Mast. Tip: This plant can handle its soil drying out
from time to time. Just water it thoroughly and then hang it back up.
3. Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’
This variety of the popular heartleaf philodendron features beautiful yellow and lime green leaves that look dramatic cascading from bookshelves and hangers. Tip: If it gets long and leggy, simply pinch it back for a fuller look.
4. Neon prayer plant (Maranta)
Hardy Maranta earned its common name because of the way its leaves close at nightfall. “This vibrant plant stands out with bright green oval leaves and a herringbone-like pattern of light yellow veining,” said Mast. “The colorful foliage makes this a perfect plant for window sills or shelves that need a splash of color.” Tip: Maranta thrives in humid conditions, so it’s a good idea to give it a light mist every few days.
5. Wandering dude (Tradescantia zebrina )
This striking purple plant, now commonly known as the Wandering dude plant is easy to care for, fast-growing, and will trail quickly. It can also take some direct sunlight if necessary. Tip: Pinch back the long vines at a joint on the
stem to encourage branching as it can become leggy with bare stems.
6. Hoya obovata
Hoyas have thick, waxy leaves, are great climbers, and prefer bright, indirect light. With their striking trailing leaves, hoyas are perfect for bookshelves, mantles and hangers. Tip: Group a variety of hoyas in a row.
7. String of bananas (Curio radicans)
Native to South Africa, this succulent features distinctive banana-shaped foliage, also known as “fish hooks,” and is a good choice for sun-drenched south-facing windows. Tip: String of bananas is prone to aphids.
8. String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls is a popular trailing plant with pea-shaped leaves. It loves heat and indirect sunlight but can tolerate lower light if necessary. Water String of Pearls when the soil is dry. Tip: The attractive stems can break off easily, so install it in a place with limited traffic.
9. Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants, sometimes called airplane plants because of their arching leaves and floating plantlets, grow well in hanging baskets.
They prefer bright, indirect light, but too much sun can scorch their leaves. Water regularly and allow to dry out in between feedings. Tip: Propagate single plantlets by removing them from the stem and rooting them in water.
10. Baby Tears (Pilea depressa)
This delicate plant creates a stunning mat of creeping stems that prefer moist, well-drained soil in a part shade to full shade location. They are thirsty plants and require frequent watering. Tip: Baby’s tears thrive in humid spots, like kitchens and bathrooms.