16 popular hanging plants and how to care for them

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Plants strive towards the sun. Usually. There are also some specimens whose shoots do not provide the strength to stand upright. They just hang down for whatever reason. That's a good thing, because they are made for balconies. Hanging plants are no less beautiful and the variety of varieties is considerable. They are just as blooming as they are pure green.

Hanging plants from A to G

Blue Daisy - (Brachyscome iberidifolia)

Daisies don't just belong in a meadow. The flower pot can also accommodate a daisy. But this is not a real daisy and is also different from the wildly growing and well-known namesake. The flower structure is similar, but the color is bright blue or Purple. The plant itself is also bushier and has plenty of flowers. Hanging slightly, it is ideal as a border for balconies.

  • flowers from May to September
  • enjoys sunbathing
  • but is also satisfied with less light
  • Keep the substrate evenly moist
  • fertilize every 14 days with liquid fertilizer
  • Remove dead plant parts promptly

Ivy - (Hedera helix)

Climbing ivy - Hedera helix

Granted, the green ivy is a bit boring as a specimen plant for many flower lovers. As a companion to flowering plants, however, it can be of great service. It creates an eye-catching green interruption in the colorful wall of flowers. Whether as a balcony decoration or as a houseplant, the rapidly growing ivy delivers results quickly. But be careful: the maintenance is far more demanding than is commonly assumed.

  • evergreen ornaments
  • suitable as a house and balcony plant
  • conventional potting soil is sufficient
  • Pour moderately, do not allow to dry out
  • low-dose liquid fertilization

Note: Ivy is poisonous. If there are small children or pets in the household, suitable protective measures must be taken or the handsome leaves must be dispensed with altogether.
Efeutute - (Epipremnum aureum)

Efeutute

When it rains outside and the beautiful balcony plants cannot be admired, the hanging ivy waits inside. The green leaves have slight patterns depending on the variety. Their tendrils can quickly grow up to 10 meters. A green curtain as a room divider is therefore easily possible with it.

  • likes it light to partially shaded
  • grows well as hydroponics
  • forgives slight negligence when pouring
  • Repot every two years
  • fertilize in summer
  • disturbing shoots can be removed at any time

Tip: Cut off shoots do not have to be thrown away. You can first form roots in a water glass and then plant them. This is how you get cheap new products.

Strawberries - 
(Fragaria)

Strawberries

Greening the balcony decoratively and at the same time nibbling on delicious fruits, that can be agreed. Hanging strawberry plants such as the 'Merosa', 'Diamant' and 'Hummi' varieties also get along well with the modest amount of space in the flower box.

  • up to four plants per traffic light
  • sunny and airy location
  • the sunnier, the sweeter the fruit
  • Potting soil enriched with compost and horn meal
  • stable attachment of the pot is necessary
  • water regularly
  • excess water must be able to drain away
  • can be overwintered and continue to thrive in the following year

Tip: So that the delicious berries can find their way into your mouth without regrets, they should only be planted on balconies away from busy roads.
Busy Lizzie - (Impatiens walleriana)

hard-working Lizzie - Impatiens walleriana

Yes, Lieschen, that is hardworking. And the preferred activity is flower formation. Much to the delight of the owner, who can look back on it for half a year. It doesn't bring the distance with it and the name is a bit old-fashioned, but with the beautiful colorful flowers that is quickly a minor matter.

  • Lieschen doesn't like heat
  • Drought is only tolerated for a short time
  • in summer it means: pour, pour and pour again
  • Support flower formation every 14 days with fertilizer
  • if faded parts are removed, new buds follow
  • Wintering is not worth it
  • buy young plants in May

Gloxinia bindweed - (Asarina)

Gloxinia bindweed is a fast growing climber. However, their long tendrils can also thrive hanging without a support. Despite their increasing popularity, it is still not common to see them. For many plant lovers, this is precisely what makes them so attractive.

  • can be grown cheaply from seeds
  • great variety of colors
  • fast growing and abundant flowering plant
  • sunny balconies are often inhabited
  • the soil should be permeable
  • water regularly in the morning or in the evening
  • do not wet the leaves
  • too much moisture leads to rot

Gold Two Tooth - (Bidens ferulifoli)

Gold two-tooth

Goldmarie is the common name of this charming balcony plant. Its innumerable yellow flowers shine in competition with the sun. On the one hand it is as noble as gold, on the other hand it is modest in its care. This combination is seductive, because the balcony shouldn't mutate into a second workplace. It creates the right atmosphere to end the evening comfortably in a deck chair.

  • grows strongly
  • two plants per box are sufficient
  • The substrate should be permeable
  • no further demands on the soil
  • place bright and sunny
  • water regularly
  • fertilize once a week
  • no repotting, no cutting

Green lily - (Chlorophytum comosum)

Green Lily - Chlorophytum comosum

Another hanging plant for living spaces is the green lily. It is so common that it is neglected. It just doesn't seem exotic, everyone is familiar with what it looks like.

However, it should be mentioned here for two reasons:

  • it is very easy to care for
  • if properly cared for, it develops a surprisingly beautiful shape

The green lily does not need much care to live, but the right care can get the best out of it. She is grateful for:

  • a bright place without direct sunlight
  • loose, nutrient-rich substrate
  • regular watering in summer
  • weekly fertilization from March to August
  • a sufficiently large pot and occasional repotting

Hanging plants from H to Z

Hanging fuchsia - (Fuchsia hybrid)

The hanging classic par excellence. With the vast number of varieties and colorful flower designs, it is never boring with the fuchsia. She is never stingy with her blooming gifts and so the balcony is reliably transformed into a sea of ​​colors in summer.

  • long flowering period: from April to October
  • for shady and partially shaded locations
  • Mix some sand into conventional potting soil
  • fertilize weekly or with slow release fertilizer
  • do not tolerate drought
  • regular watering is mandatory
  • Sharpening leads to stronger growth
  • can be overwintered in a bright and cool room

Cat tail - (Acalypha hispida)

Each individual flower is reminiscent of a cat's tail with its elongated shape. Only the red color doesn't really go with it. No question about it, the cat's tail is an idiosyncratic flower that does not exist anywhere else. In summer, this plant likes to turn into a balcony plant. In winter it prefers to take refuge in the warm interior.

  • optimal location is partially shaded and sheltered from the wind
  • slightly acidic soil with a pH of 5.5
  • fertilize monthly
  • Remove faded as quickly as possible
  • water regularly, but avoid waterlogging
  • must hibernate at at least 16 degrees Celsius
  • close to heating, the risk of spider mite infestation increases

Tip: If the temperatures climb steeply in summer, the cat's tail should be sprayed with water.

Nasturtium - 
(Tropaeolum)

Nasturtium - Tropaeolum

Not only the eye, but also the palate can enjoy the nasturtium. The green leaves and bright orange flowers add a spicy aroma to salads. The climbing variety grows quickly and develops shoots up to three meters long. They can also be cultivated in a flower box.

  • Prefer February to April, direct sowing possible from May
  • sheltered, sunny place
  • the more light it gets, the more flowers it forms
  • grows more sparsely also in the shade and partial shade
  • normal earth with a bit of clay and sand
  • high water requirement, especially on warm days
  • fertilize only a little

Kiwi knotweed - (Muehlenbeckia complexa)

It is also often called a wire bush. Maybe because that

With their reddish-brown color, stems are reminiscent of rusted wire. Many small round leaves are lined up next to it. The interplay of these two elements creates a unique look, the effect of which is difficult to describe. You simply have to see a kiwi knotweed with your own eyes, then love can occasionally arise at first sight.
  • suitable as a house or balcony plant
  • sunny to partially shaded
  • fresh, humus-rich soil
  • fertilize in the growing season
  • keep moist
  • not susceptible to pests
  • also known as Mühlenbeckie

Loyal to men - (Lobelia erinus)

Faithful to men - Lobelia erinus

Loyal to men, the hanging version has long been a welcome guest on the balcony wall. This plant has some of the smallest flowers of the common hanging plants, but the quantity counts. They grow close together so that the entire crown shimmers bright blue. The filigree flowers are a little reminiscent of violets.

  • Shoots can grow up to a meter in length
  • whole plant is covered with small flowers
  • blooms until September
  • high sun intensity causes abundant flowering
  • they are no longer so colorful in the shade
  • Humus-rich potting soil is ideal
  • this should never dry out completely
  • Use low-nitrogen fertilizer
  • cut back after the main flower

Petunia - (Petunia)

Petunias - Petunia

If you are looking for tireless permanent bloomers, you will find it with the petunias. They owe their abundance of flowers a long tradition as hanging balcony decorations. Word of their popularity has spread to breeders who are busy bringing more and more new varieties onto the market. Whether in garden centers or simple supermarkets, the petunia is readily available and inexpensive.

  • trumpet-like flowers
  • in white, pink, red, violet and blue
  • also colorful, patterned and filled
  • Plants need a lot of light and can withstand blazing sun
  • Special petunia soil is available in stores
  • have a high need for nutrients
  • Regularly clean up what has faded
  • prone to some diseases and pests
  • therefore only buy vital looking plants

Black-eyed Susanne - (Thunbergia alata)

Black-eyed Susan

Bright orange and strong black. These are the two color components in which the flowers of the black-eyed Susan are immersed by Mother Nature. It was and remains one of the most popular plants that can be cultivated either climbing high or with hanging tendrils. In the second form, it is also suitable for planting balcony boxes.

  • In the meantime, different colored blooming specimens are also available
  • grows quickly and abundantly
  • Apply liquid complete fertilizer every 14 days
  • Always keep the soil moist
  • place in a sunny, warm and protected place
  • can survive the winter in a bright and cool room

Magic bells - (Calibrachoa)

Magic bells

Magic bells are simply magical bells. The flower-strewn plant is very reminiscent of the petunia, although its flowers are smaller. It grows nice and compact, the tendrils reach a length of up to 50 cm. Breeds play skillfully with the entire color palette and thus bring a Mediterranean flair to northern regions.

  • annual plant
  • many cultivars are rain and wind resistant
  • can be combined decoratively with other plants
  • Offer a sunny but not too hot place
  • Use slightly acidic potting soil
  • Keep the soil moist, avoid waterlogging
  • Drought makes them vulnerable to pests
  • Prune back slightly every four weeks

Note: Because of its appearance, the magic bell is often referred to as a mini petunia.