Tropical vibes
Walking or climbing plants evoke tropical landscapes and have become a staple of interior design. Softened natural light filters through the lacy strands of leaves. The foliage curls up the walls and drips from above.
1. 'Neon' Pothos
The vibrant green that gives 'Neon' Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Neon') its name makes this ivy stand out as a hanging basket. Tucked into a tall, dark bookcase, it practically glows in low light, its chartreuse leaves shining even brighter! Growing in its native South Pacific island habitat, pothos climbs tree trunks or trails along the ground, with stems reaching up to 40 feet long. This plant tolerates a bit of neglect, so it's a good choice for beginner plant growers. "Neon" Pothos is toxic if eaten by pets or small humans.
2. String of Pearls
Looking delicate in a hanging basket, string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a succulent with trailing stems. It needs little water because the "pearls" on its leaves store liquid; in fact, it can easily be overwatered. Keep string of pearls in bright, indirect light and away from high-traffic areas, as the leaves are brittle (the "pearls" will fall off if you mishandle them) and slightly toxic.
3. Inch Plant
The easy-to-grow inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina), also known as spiderwort, has gray-green striped dark magenta leaves that spread over the edges of the pot, making it a nice contrast among green houseplants. This Central American native grows quickly when planted outdoors and is considered invasive in some parts of the United States; indoors, it grows quickly and is easy to propagate from cuttings. Tradescantia zebrina prefers indirect light and moist, well-drained soil. The top inch or two should dry out between waterings. Some varieties are mildly toxic to pets and people.
4. Burrows Tail
Another trailing succulent with brittle leaves is Burrows Tail (Sedum morca- niana), sometimes called donkey tail. Native to parts of Mexico and Honduras, this plant has low water needs and will rot if overwatered. The best light for Burrows Tail, indoors or outdoors, is bright sunlight falling near the plant, but not directly.
5. Black Pagoda Lipstick Plant
If you ask for a lipstick plant at a garden center, you may be shown any of several plants; this beauty is the 'Black Pagoda' lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus longicalis). Its leaves are spotted, semi-succulent, with reddish-maroon patterns on their undersides. Like most succulents, it has low water requirements and needs a growing medium that drains quickly. The deep red flowers that extend from dark-colored tubes have earned it the nickname “lipstick plant”—it blooms in very bright filtered sunlight. This is another easy houseplant to propagate, so if you find one at a friend’s house, consider asking for a cutting.
6. Swiss Cheese Plant
What’s not to like about the fast-growing Monstera adansonii? Bearing some resemblance to its popular cousin, Monstera deliciosa, Adansonii is distinguished by its smaller leaves and overall size. Both are commonly called Swiss Cheese Plants! In the forests of Central and South America, Monstera adansonii uses its aerial roots to glabrate tree trunks. It falls evenly from a hanging basket. This rainforest plant tolerates low-light environments, but really thrives in bright, filtered light. One rule of thumb for watering Monstera adonis: If the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch, it needs a thorough soaking. It is toxic to small children and pets.
7. Turtle String
Turtle String (Peperomia prostrata) comes from the rainforests of South America. Yes, each little leaf on its stems looks like a tiny turtle shell. It is a cutie, whether it is crawling across a landscape or flowing over a hanging basket, but it can be a little stubborn. Although Peperomia prostrata prefers some moisture and slightly humid conditions, it should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It is a semi-succulent plant, but a potting medium mixed for cacti and succulents is not suitable for turtle string: it needs organic matter.
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