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The Daily Telegraph
A stickler for Latin plant names I am not. One day I may be, but I’m usually grateful to be able to identify most plants at all, let alone with polysyllabic names. Plus, there is a generous flexibility about common names for plants which can often be entertaining. Take, for instance, the time a friend asked me quite earnestly about the “sexy bed vine from Pinterest”, at which point I realised that hanging plants had become something we really needed to address.
Aside from the indoor tree phenomenon, which has brought the notoriously fussy Fiddle Leaf Fig back into problematic popularity, hanging plants are one of the tricker corners to master within the recent houseplant trend. It can be difficult to find spots at home that provide them with the right light levels, those dangly bits can be impractical with children, pets or the general rigour of daily life and their lofty position can lead to neglect.
Fashion favours the brave: the pernickety and fragile “String of hearts” (Ceropegia woodii) and “String of pearls” (Senecio rowleyanus) are Instagram catnip but I’ve had some spectacular failures with both – more on which later.
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I’m a big pothos fan. In fact, mine – desperately in need of a trim at over five foot long – has sat happily in a macrame hanger and then atop a bookshelf, for over two years now and has never been watered more than once every three weeks. I often recommend it for those with low light levels because it’ll grow and grow as long as you don’t keep it too damp.
The deceptively similar philodendron has usurped the pothos position in the macrame hanger, where its elegant pointed leaves dangle above my sofa, and on top of another shelf sits a rhipsalis known as The Claw for its indefatigable growth. None of these plants get much from me in the way of dusting, cleaning or food, although I have made sure that the light levels are spot-on (bright as possible and indirect).
Bailey also recommends Seventies favourite the Spider Plant, as does Nik Southern, founder of East London plant and floristry brand Grace & Thorn: “For me the stars of the hanging plant world are spider plants and philodendrons,” she says. “Easy plants and they look stunning hanging in their full glory.”
“Always water in the morning, and place in a bright, warm, but non-humid spot,” advises Bailey. “If you do see the tops starting to rot, I’d re-pot ASAP into fresh, free draining compost and remove any rotting strands.”
Bailey admits she’s ruled out string of pearls within her personal collection, but has mastered its heart-shaped companion: “The key is to let them really dry out between waterings, keep them in bright but indirect light, and trim them regularly to encourage new growth and a thicker trail.”
As to where to hang them, natural light is as crucial as with any other plant: near windows for a sheltered city flat, or tucked away in corners if you have a light-flooded home. Bookshelves are natural props, and triangular shelving brackets can create useful hanging space. But it really can make a difference to get the drill out – just get a substantial enough hook and use coco-coir compost and lightweight planters where possible. The sexy bed vine kingdom can too be yours.
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Home & Garden