One of the ingenious and creative ideas to beautify your garden is to suspend plants — an inspiration that might have originated from dense tropical forests, having a network of pleasantly displayed vines adapted to thrive in the partial absence of proper soil medium. While the idea was taken from nature, aerial and a few land plants can be artificially anchored afloat, showcasing their exquisite and relaxing flowers and leaves. If you are thrilled to learn some outdoor hanging plants ideas, continue reading this article as we summarize the top DIY ideas for hanging plants outdoors.
Top-Notch List of Outdoor Hanging Plants Ideas
Begonias — Begonia flowers bloom throughout the summer. The first flowers appear on them in mid-May, and the last buds can bloom before frost. This flower does not require special care; it perfectly tolerates spring frosts; therefore, it is ideal for planting in pots.
Viola (pansies) — One of the most beloved flowers by gardeners: unpretentious, well tolerant of low temperatures and prolonged rains. Viola needs regular watering and good lighting for normal development and flowering. Therefore, when planting in pots, you need to observe a distance of 18-19 cm between them.
Geichera — Differs in a variety of varieties and a variety of colors. The following varieties of Heuchera are popular with flower growers: cylindrical, American, small-flowered, and some others.
Hydrangea paniculata undersized — Not all varieties of such hydrangeas are suitable for planting in pots, but only undersized ones (fortunately, quite a lot of such varieties have now been bred). You can choose Little Lime with pale emerald inflorescences or Pastel Green from the variety of low-growing hydrangeas.
Lavender — This perennial has a wonderful aroma and has been very popular with flower growers from different Russian regions for many seasons. This flowering plant requires good lighting and is comfortable during dry periods. Many European countries have used flower pots to decorate parks and squares.
Spider plant — One of the hanging planter ideas is to choose this self-perpetuating plant, resembling spider legs as it grows plantlets at the top of its offshoots. Spider plants are low-maintenance plants that can be enjoyed while hanging. Its yellowish-white margined leaf contrasts with the green-toned midribs, particular characteristics of this variety.
Oxalis triangularis — Also known as false shamrock, Oxalis triangularis is one of the hanging pot ideas you should consider. The butterfly-shaped violet leaves will set a great composition when mixed with verdant green varieties of hanging plants. In hotter climates, they grow perennially, while in northern regions, they undergo dormancy in winter. So stay chill even if the leaves are seemingly dead when the cold hits; they will have a stunning comeback in spring!
Ferns — Ferns such as Boston or bird's nest are hot picks for spacious gardens or balconies because of their elongated and textured leaves that fill a space. Since they naturally grow in soil-less or peat-based materials, it should not be a problem planting them directly in a coco coir basket or concave planters, available in most garden centers.
String of Pearls — Named after the plant's chain of bead-like leaves resemblant to pearls, this succulent plant is the perfect hanging plant for a garden that does not get direct sunlight. Its droopy vine can get long in no time, so consider pruning them regularly or propagating the pruned stem in another pot. Water it less frequently than other plants as it can easily catch root rot disease with overwatered soils.
Black-eyed Susan vine — If you want a vigorous-growing plant, the black-eyed Susan vine is for you. They aggressively grow in warm climates and can colonize the entire balcony, displaying their flowers with golden petals and dark radial points (the black eye). Pruning is needed in hotter regions to prevent it from becoming invasive. In zones that experience winter, the freezing temperature naturally limits its quick-branching vines.
Pothos — One of the classic outdoor hanging plant ideas is to opt for pothos, available in variegated, yellow, or green varieties. They are versatile plants that can thrive with minimal care indoors and outdoors as long as they get adequate watering. If the vines become leggy, they will need a snip-snip and can be inserted back into the potting medium to grow as an individual plant.
Ivy geranium (Pelargonium spp.) — is a climbing evergreen perennial adorned with fiery scarlet flower petals that match the true ivy. It is a great hanging display for gardens, windows, or balconies that are hit with direct sunlight. The flowers make a dazzling show off, typically in summer. Unlike the true geranium, pelargoniums grow as annuals in zones that experience below 10 C in winter; hence they should be brought indoors when frost hits.
DIY Planter Ideas for Hanging Plants Outdoors
Before starting with your DIY outdoor hanging planter, several points should be considered. While it can be daunting to hear about the DIY hanging planter outdoor, the steps can be easily followed, which we have listed below:
- Prepare a container that should have drainage holes at the bottom. Doing so prevents the likelihood of root rot.
- Pour a layer of the nutrient substrate into the pot. A special soil mixture is available in specialized stores — lighter than ordinary soil.
- Plant your vine of choice and fill the gaps with well-draining soil.
- Hang your plants with macrame hangers and plastic or metallic plant suspenders readily available in stores. The former adds aesthetic value, while the latter is cheaper and can easily be sourced out.
- Regularly turn your plant to face the sun’s rays to make the growth even. Such pots look beautiful if different types of flowers are planted in them - such compositions always look festive.
How to Choose a Pot
Various outdoor hanging planter ideas are published online, which can be tedious to read and select. To help you simplify the task, we have summarized a list of hanging planter ideas outdoor for you:
- When selecting a planter, plastic pots are better for wooden beams or hooks that can support a limited weight capacity. Ceramic or terracotta pots are your last choice, as they can swing like a pendulum with strong wind gusts.
- The pots should also have drainage holes to facilitate drainage of the pooled water. It can be coupled with a pot saucer to catch the excess water, preventing a nasty spill on the balconies.
- Hang the pots on the walls of garden buildings, on fences, on trees, or on balconies. There are pots with a flat side and a hole for hanging, suitable for pinning on walls.
- The choice of flowers for planting depends on where the container with them will be located. Plant violets, begonias, petunias, ivy geranium, and black-eyed Susan vine are perfect for spots with plenty of direct solar radiation.
FAQ
What Is the Best Hanging Plant for the Full Sun?
Violets, begonias, petunias, lavender, ivy geranium, and black-eyed Susan vine are some of the hanging plant ideas outdoors that are worth considering. Plant them in clusters or mixed colors for a more striking effect.
What Can We Use Instead of Hanging Baskets?
Other outdoor plant hanger ideas are to use wicker baskets or small buckets, which can easily be suspended with a rope. Alternatively, macrame or crochet plant hangers are also available to poise your plant mid-air, especially for already potted plants.
What Hanging Plants Last the Longest?
Begonias, lavender, geranium, and Black-Eyed Susan vine are some everlasting flowering perennials. Trailing perennials appreciated for their leaves, including pothos and spider plants, can last long, given that they do not experience below-freezing temperatures.
