If you have a large patio or balcony, hanging plants can add some colour and life to it. There is nothing like a touch of nature in your home space. And hanging baskets serve that purpose quite well. salvia splendens is also one of the outdoor plants. Visit to know more
But it can be a tad confusing to choose the right hanging plants for your property. The list is endless, and so are your preferences. Furthermore, winter is almost here, and not all plants can tolerate extreme chills. So make a wise choice following our guide here.
One thing you should note here. Some hanging plants, like the Marble Queen, Common primroses, etc., can be toxic to touch and taste. If you have pets at home, keeping these plants may not be the best idea. Marble Queen even has calcium oxalate that may poison dogs to the extent of fatality. millettia pinnata is also a outdoor plant. Learn more here.
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5 outdoor hanging plants you can grow in your home
Winter is almost here, so make your purchase fast and spruce up your balcony or patio with some greens.
| Winter hanging plants | Reasons to choose | Where to get |
| Pansies/violas (Viola tricolor var. hortensis) |
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You can either get an established plant from a nursery or you can buy seeds. Either way, pansies are available readily. |
| Marble Queen (Epipremnum pinnatum) |
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Get the seeds from a nursery and grow from scratch or buy an established plant, whatever you wish. |
| English Ivy (Hedera helix) |
|
You can buy both the English and Swedish Ivy online, even from established stores like Amazon and Flipkart. If brick and mortar is your thing, find a reputable nursery to get your Ivy from. |
| Lavender (Lavandula) |
|
Mostly, the Lavender plant is cultivated in the northern regions of Himachal and the Kashmir valley. But you can order flower seeds from online nurseries. |
| Common primroses (Primula vulgaris) |
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You can get flower seeds online from established stores like Etsy and Nurserylive. |
Winter hanging baskets can make your home look and feel like some rejuvenating spa where you can relax and chill without a worry in the world. But firstly, you need to know in detail how to take care of these plants and grow them without difficulty.
Pansies/violas
Source: Pinterest
These hanging basket favourites are often considered the same, as both are of European origins and winter flowering, but the difference lies in the arrangement of petals. While a pansy has four petals that point upward and one downward, violas have three pointing downwards and two upwards. Both are gorgeous-looking and can bring your winter basket to life.
A combination of pansies and violas can also be suitable for an unconventional workspace. If you are a business owner, introducing these outdoor hanging plants on your patio can create an alluring invitation for customers.
Caring tips for Pansies/Violas hanging baskets
- Prevent the soil from getting too dry. Water weekly for optimum growth.
- In winter, give them full sun, but in spring and summer, partial shade is best
- Cut the leggy plants and remove wilted leaves in the blooming season
- Spray some neem oil to keep pests at bay
- Remove the spent flowers to help the plant grow new ones
Marble Queen
Source: Pinterest
This undemanding plant doesn’t require full sun, so you can keep it indoors as well. However, it can look mesmerising and inviting in a hanging basket. You need to keep it away from direct light though. Partial shade or indirect natural light will do best. The Marble Queen also prefers its soil to be a little on the dry side.
So, water only when the top several layers have gone dry. Also, remove any excess water from the hanging basket. It also prefers a slightly higher humidity than most other hanging plants but can survive in normal humid conditions as well.
If the leaves develop a brownish tinge, it may be because the air is too dry for the Marble Queen. Spraying some mist or switching on a humidifier can help reverse the condition. You may need to repot the plant every year to enhance its growth.
Note: The Marble Queen can have a toxic reaction in pets if they tend to chew on the leaves. Keeping it in a hanging basket can prevent such incidents.
See Also: Fern plants: Facts, uses, and medicinal values
English Ivy
Source: Pinterest
If you want that dash of green on your patio or balcony, the English Ivy is one of the best options for you. It grows lush green with/without care and looks amazing when kept in a hanging basket. As a hanging plant, you need to keep it away from direct sunlight though. That’s why it can be a suitable winter green basket. It requires bright sunlight, so hanging it on the balcony will do just fine. Apart from this, it requires fairly moist, well-draining soil for healthy growth.
The English Ivy is said to be a natural air purifier and helps remove toxins like carbon monoxide, formaldehyde and benzene from the air. It is also said to remove air-borne mould particles that may trigger asthmatic attacks and cause throat infections. All in all, it is both a beautiful and beneficial plant to consider for your winter hanging basket.
A few pointers while growing English Ivy
- It is an aggressive grower and can interfere with other potted plants if kept nearby.
- Do not use fertilisers in winter, as they may cause severe damage to the plant.
- It is susceptible to spider mites; hence, regular misting is required.
Lavender
Source: Pinterest
Ah! Now this one is such a delight for gardeners and homeowners alike. All you need is a neutral or slightly alkaline, well-draining potting mix and a good-quality hanging basket to start with. Put the plant in it and keep it in a spot that gets 4-8 hours of direct sun every day. As it flourishes in slightly damp soil, make sure you water it well.
As an outdoor hanging plant, picking the right basket is essential. Choose one metal wire with an inner fibre lining to keep the soil in place. It will also act as an excellent drainage system for the plant.
Varieties of outdoor small Lavender plants
- Mini Blue Lavender – This one is characterised by pretty purple flowers and grey-green leaves. As it grows to a height of about 30 cm, it is apt for outdoor hanging baskets.
- Thumbelina Leigh – Thumbelina lavender also grows up to 30 cm and is best for indoor hanging baskets. It has purple flowers and a sweet fragrance that induces sleep.
- Blue River variety – This one grows to about 14 inches and is summer-loving with traditional flowers. It is said to tolerate dry summers and springs quite effectively.
For outdoor hanging baskets, the best variant will be the Mini Blue Lavender and the Thumbelina Leigh.
Common Primroses
Source: Pinterest
A spring bloom, but you can also bring it in during winter, as most places in India do not have frosty chills. The Common Primrose requires partial shade, so they can be hung in the balcony area or on a shaded patio. Add soil rich in organic compost and slightly acidic to the basket you wish to put your primroses.
Water well, as these plants need a lot of it to grow. However, do not make the soil overly wet. You may complement the appearance of primroses by hanging them beside other green plants, e.g., ferns. Organic insecticides and neem oil help keep your primrose safe from aphids and slugs.
FAQs
How can I choose the right hanging basket?
Choose one that offers good drainage and is also aesthetically pleasing. Metal wire baskets are best for most outdoor hanging plants.
Can hanging plants survive in cold temperatures?
Yes, they can. Some may not bloom during this period as they enter a hibernation phase. But they survive pretty well under the right conditions.
How to keep pests away from my hanging plants?
You can spray them occasionally with organic insecticides or neem oil to keep most insects and pests away.
Do I need to prune the plants?
If the plants are aggressive growers, pruning will help contain them effectively. Otherwise, make sure that you remove deadheads and spend flowers to encourage fresh blooms.
