Hanging indoor plants have a special decorative effect. They not only decorate the interior, but also serve as an original disguise, and are used for zoning a room.
In the best hanging plants for southern California variety of species, you can pick up a liana with large leaves, and a beautifully blooming bindweed.
We will talk about popular types and their features.
best hanging plants for southern California: Weaving Ampelous plants with original leaves
Deciduous ampelous plants are plants in which all beauty lies in the shape, size, and color of the leaves. We present their photos and names to you.
Ivy
Evergreen liana of the Araliev family. In nature, it prefers to settle in dry and humid subtropics. In common ivy leaves are leathery, 3-5-lobed, with a monochromatic dark green or variegated color.
In their outer outline, they resemble a maple leaf pattern.
See also: Best Plants For A Sunny Balcony
Cissus
A deciduous perennial, Cissus (aka kangaroo vineyard) is native to Australia. Its elastic vines grow up to 3 meters in length.
For climbing on supports, he uses antennae growing on shoots. Differs in rapid growth.
Scindapsus
In nature, scindapsus twines around the branches of tall trees using aerial roots. He also has underground roots, which provide him with the supply of useful elements.
Leaves are oval, with sharp tips and a well-defined central vein. The decorativeness of the plant lies in their various colors: bizarre stains of yellow, white or silver are scattered on a green background.
Chlorophytum
A traditional inhabitant of our kitchens, chlorophytum captivates with its unpretentiousness and active growth. In South Africa, where it comes from, chlorophytum has chosen the bark of trees. In a pot on a windowsill, his height does not exceed 50-60 cm.
The leaves are long, narrow, pointed. He loves water but is also prepared for drought: on the roots of the plant there are tuber-like thickenings that store moisture.
It releases long shoots, at the ends of which a shoot is formed, capable of gaining a foothold in the soil and giving life to a new plant.
Tradescantia
It is the most used best hanging plant for southern California. For a long time, Tradescantia occupied the leading place among climbing and hanging plants in terms of its presence in our apartments and offices.
The representative of the Kommelinov family is named after John Tradescant, who served as a gardener at the court of Charles I, the English monarch.
Refers to perennial species. Among the 30 varieties, there are specimens with different leaf shapes : ovoid, elliptical, lanceolate. They are arranged alternately, they can be painted in monochromatic green or supplemented with a white border around the edges.
Attention! By pinching the tops of the shoots of Tradescantia, you can get a lush growth of vines.
Check also: Best Natural Insecticides For Indoor Plants
Rowley’s godson
Growing in the mountainous regions of Africa, Rowley’s groundwort has adapted perfectly to the long absence of rain. The leaves of the plant, which look like large balls, serve as reservoirs for moisture reserves .
These balls are kept on short petioles. Filling in flexible shoots that reach a length of 1.5 m, they form a green waterfall hanging from the pot. Rowley’s flowers smell like cinnamon.
Air tillandsia
Among the 500 species of tillandsia, the atmospheric or airy variety holds a special place. This amazing epiphyte has practically no root system as such , and what looks like it serves for attachment to other plants.
All that she needs for life (moisture and nutrients), she gets through spraying foliage.
Tillandsia leaves are so narrow that they look like threads covered with gray scales. The shoots of the plant are also similar to threads. Intertwining, leaves and shoots form a spectacular gray-green lace bedspread.
Dichondra
An evergreen herb of the Vyunkov family. In the subtropics, where it grows, its thin branchy shoots spread over the ground .
At home, from long shoots, densely covered with green or silvery leaves, a beautiful waterfall is formed.
The flowers of the dichondra are inconspicuous, they are almost invisible due to the large amount of foliage. The plant got its name from the shape of the seeds, which look like a capsule consisting of two chambers.
Nephrolepis
Ampel ferns are represented by the most ancient Nephrolepis. If this flower is planted in a hanging pot, then after a while its light green leaves will slowly begin to stretch downward, gracefully drooping.
The length of one fern leaf can reach 3 meters , and it itself consists of small lanceolate segments.
Neoalsomithra sarcophillus
Caudex perennial of the Pumpkin family, the sarcophyllum neoalsomiter, has the shape of a ball with a diameter of up to 15 cm.
The shoots emerging from it stretch up to 4 meters in length. The leaves are arranged alternately, they have an oval shape and a smooth surface; at the ends they are dissected.
The liana is attached to the supports with the help of spiral antennae with suction cups. Sarcophylla blooms with creamy green corollas.
Setcreasia purpurea
Setcreasia is a member of the Commelitnov family. It does not have an impressive length of shoots, but its purple leaves are unusually beautiful. On the underside, they are purple in color.
The flowers are small, pink in color, consist of 3 petals. The plant often decorates gardens in tropical and subtropical areas, in temperate climates it is kept at home.
Dwarf ficus
Dwarf ficus or pumila refers to herbaceous plants. The natural habitat is the warm forests of Japan, Vietnam and China.
The stems of the pumila are thin, creeping, equipped with aerial roots, which twine around the bark of trees with their strings, fixing on it.
Heart-shaped leaves are smooth at a young age, shriveled closer to aging . Their dimensions are small: width 2 cm, length up to 4 cm.
Vines with large leaves
Among the lianas, there are specimens with large leaves and impressive shoots, which you cannot immediately say that they belong to climbing and hanging plants. Designers often use them for decorating and zoning interiors of large rooms.
Syngonium
Spectacular liana with leaves of different shapes and colors. Most of its species have arrow-shaped leaves. The color ranges from green to yellow, pink and even blue.
Light streaks, which stand out well on the leaf plate in some varieties, also add decorativeness.
Once in temperate latitudes from the tropics of South America, the syngonium has perfectly adapted and gained fans.
The plant is also credited with magical properties, believing that it attracts good luck and protects its owners from ailments.
On the support, the syngonium is held at the expense of aerial roots. Its shoots are strong, but flexible. In order for them to branch, they must be pinched, they do not do this on their own.
Monstera
Houseplants like monstera need no introduction. This majestic vine has long lived in our apartments and offices.
In its natural environment, the tropical forests of India, America, Brazil the monstera grows up to 50 meters, twisting its shoots around mighty trees.
The leaves of the monstera are huge, beautifully cut into separate fragments. The plant uses aerial roots to climb trees.
It also has an underground root system, but if the flower cannot reach the ground, it lives quietly like an epiphyte.
Philodendron
The evergreen philodendron grows in the forests of Australia and Latin America. The very name of the plant (translated from Greek it sounds like “loving trees”) contains the curly essence of the philodendron.
Thin shoots of the plant are decorated with wide leaves, the shape of which depends on the variety . In some they are oval, in others, they are arrow-shaped, in others they are heart-shaped, and there are also fancifully dissected ones. The color of the leaves is dominated by dark green tones.
Peperomia
Peperomia are herbaceous bushes of the Pepper family. Botanists have discovered about 1000 species of this flower. Although peperomia blooms, it is appreciated for its decorative leaves.
In the varietal variety, there are individuals with variegated leaves, wide veins of a light shade, green, purple and gray-blue color . Leaves are strong, can be round, elongated, oval, heart-shaped.
best hanging plants for southern California: Decorative flowering species
Houseplants, which not only curl effectively along the walls but also produce beautiful flowers, have a double decorative effect. Let’s take a look at the species that are especially popular.
Diplomas
An evergreen liana of the Kurtov family with bright green leaves and large tubular inflorescences (up to 10 cm in diameter).
Introduced to Europe from South America. In nature, liana grows up to 5 meters in length, grows quickly, adding 60–70 cm each year.
For home maintenance, competent pruning is required. The palette of colors is varied, ranging from white to all shades of red and pink.
Bindweed begonia
An interesting kind of begonia that grows in the humid tropics of Brazil. The stems extend up to 1.5 m. Large leaves (up to 10 cm in length and width) are kept on long petioles.
Painted in dark green, quadrangular in shape with rounded and pointed tips. The flowers are small, white in color, collected in dense inflorescences and due to this they look beautiful.
Interesting! Flowering can last from mid-autumn to mid-spring.
Clerodendrum
Clerodendrum has many accompanying names: “tree of fate”, “bridal veil”, volcameria . The plant belongs to the Verbenov family. Vine leaves vary in size and shape depending on the species; they can be with even and jagged edges.
The natural beauty of Clerodendrum in flowers: white and pink, red and white, white and purple, in some species they look like roses, in others they flutter along the shoots like exotic butterflies.
Interesting!A pleasant aroma is emitted not only by the flowers of volcameria, but also by its leaves.
Campanula
Herbaceous perennial growing in the Mediterranean countries, in the Caucasus, in Central Asia, some species are found in Siberia.
The name is given by the shape of the flowers that look like bells (campanula from Latin – “bell”). The people came up with a very romantic name for the plant – “shooting stars”.
The plant’s stem stands straight, but it is very short, only 15 cm. The drooping shoots up to 50 cm long turn it into a liana. All shades of blue, purple and blue prevail in the color of the corollas . There are varieties with white flowers.
Hypocyrt
Hypocyrta is an outdated generic name of the plant; today it is listed in reference books under the name nematanthus.
In ampelous form, the liana belongs to epiphytes . The leaves are small (no more than 4 cm), oval, pointed towards the edge. The flowers are similar to the original lanterns in orange and red.
Ahimenez
A close relative of gloxinia and saintpaulia, ampelous achimenes is often found in home flower beds. The pubescent leaves of the plant are similar in shape to the leaves of ordinary nettle.
It impresses not only with its beautiful shape of flowers but also with a variety of colors. Yellow, pale pink, lilac, dazzling scarlet, sometimes with a variegated corolla, they delight the eye and give positive emotions.
Inexperienced growers are confused by the metamorphosis that occurs with the plant during the winter dormancy: the entire ground part of the flower dies off.
Stefanotis
Stefanotis (Madagascar jasmine) resembles a hoya in appearance, but his flowers are not at all the same as those of a close relative.
Mostly white, they have five petals that are located on a long tube . Collected, as a rule, in lush inflorescences. The plant needs a lot of space to grow and develop.
Important! Stephanotis does not bloom in small apartments.
Cryptocereus anthony
An exotic ampelous succulent plant with an original liana stem shape and charming corollas. The stem of the plant is similar to the skeleton of a fish.
Large (up to 15 cm in diameter) white and red stars bloom on Cryptocerus Antonia at night. They do not stay on the branches for long, but they compensate for the annoying short life of their lush forms and bright colors.
Schlumberger Christmas cactus
Schlumberger’s cactus is popularly known under the name “Decembrist”. It is easy to understand that this miracle blooms in December.
Its shoots are segmented, consisting of small oval segments. At the tops of these segments, buds of beautiful red, crimson or white flowers are formed.
Hoya
Wax ivy or tropical hoya is represented in the genus by 50 officially recognized and described species, and 430 species waiting in the wings. Despite such a number of species, they are all somewhat similar.
Hoya leaves are oval, their tips are pointed, lignified shoots, there are aerial roots. The inflorescences are similar to globular umbrellas, consisting of small five-petal flowers. Colors white, pink, cream.
Morning glory
Who is not familiar with these pretty blue-pink gramophone, decorating the fences of private houses and summer cottages? Heart-shaped leaves densely cling to the stems of the morning glory, and bright and rather large flowers shoot out of their thicket.
With their beautiful heads, they follow the sun and close exactly at noon. They remain closed even on a cloudy day.
Ipomoea has a long flowering period from June to October. Unfortunately, in a temperate climate, morning glory loses the properties of a perennial: the plant has to be planted every year.
Alsobia
The inhabitant of the tropical forests of Brazil surprises with unusual fleecy flowers. On the ground, it spreads in an endless carpet of small velvety leaves and white corollas with fringes around the edges.
For good growth of alsobia in nature, moist forest soil and a warm climate are needed, but it also grows well in hanging pots at home.
Akalifa
Akalifa is the last in our listing of the best hanging plants for southern California. It is a herbaceous perennial of the Euphorbia family. The ampelous form of the plant has flexible stems up to 1 meter long. Leaves can be oval or lanceolate.
The inflorescences are spicate, consisting of small flowers of a red-crimson hue . With good care, akalifa blooms can last all year round.
The use of Ampelous plants or hanging plants
Ampel plants are mostly used as hanging and climbing plants. Ampel plants are used with pleasure by gardeners as green hedges, decorations for summer pavilions and decoration of garden arches.
At home, they easily fit into the interior, become a living decor for walls and windows. Looks great in hanging pots at home and on the balcony.
To decorate the balcony
When decorating a loggia with ampelous plants, one should take into account the climate of the area, the side to which the balcony opens. For rainy regions, such types as ampelous dichondra, scovola, sutera are suitable .
On the sunny side, ampelous verbena and milkweed feel good .
In the interior
Hanging plants are very convenient to use for interior decoration because they do not require a lot of space on the windowsill, they organically fit into the environment, being located in hanging pots.
Tradescantia and Chlorophytum are suitable for kitchen decoration; quarries and begonias take root well in the bedroom. For the living room, it is better to choose vines with large foliage such as monstera, nephrolepis or philodendron.
Recommended for you: Indoor Plants For North Facing Window
Ampelous Plants Care features
Most ampelous species love good lighting. In the shade, their shoots are strongly stretched, the leaves become smaller, the plants lose their decorative effect. Particular attention is paid to the formation of vines.
Planting and breeding
Ampels are planted in hanging pots, inserting pots with pallets into them and necessarily creating a drainage substrate. Watering should be frequent.
The most competent and simple way to propagate ampelous plant species is cuttings . Any piece of the shoot can be cut off from the vine. The stalk is placed in water, where it quickly gives roots.
Correct plant formation
Curly flowers are well adapted to independently settle various types of supports. However, to give them a beautiful shape, the growth of young shoots should be directed in time, fixing them in the desired position.
Transplant
The transplant is carried out by the transshipment method:
- The old earthen lump is gently shaken off the roots, and a pot is taken 2-3 cm larger than the old one.
- Fill in half with soil, insert the roots of the flower and sprinkle it down to the neck of the stem.
- Complete the operation with abundant watering.
Clipping and fertilizing
If your vine is too elongated or branched, feel free to cut off the excess parts: all ampels calmly tolerate pruning. For feeding, complex fertilizers with phosphorus and potassium are used.
Hanging plants always look spectacular in the interior. Whole artistic compositions can be created from them, used to decorate recreation areas.
They respond well to care and do not clutter up the room.
