Hanging containers do not only have a place outdoors, they can effectively and efficiently brighten any room without taking up valuable floor space. Today the wide assortment of containers and pots makes it easy to choose one that blends into an existing decorating scheme. Containers suitable for hanging plants take many shapes and forms, from simple plastic pots to china, pottery, terra cotta or even decorative metal pots. There are even containers made of cast resin which is a very lightweight material. Cast resin containers can be manufactured to look like much heavier ceramic or terra cotta and even experts have a hard time telling the difference. The containers can be suspended in a variety of ways including wicker hangers, metal wall brackets or even wall sconces. In recent years, the wall pot has become very popular. This pot has a flattened back that allows it to sit flush against the wall. You can use your imagination when it comes to containers as well. For example, choose a small watering can and convert it to a plant container that you hang from the ceiling. It might be just the touch of whimsy your decorating scheme needs.

Choosing plants should be done with careful consideration. Make sure you do your homework on what exposure the plant likes, its watering needs and any other special requirements. Consider where you plan to hang the plant, the size of the container, whether you want colour, foliage or both, and most importantly the fact that you will be viewing the plants from below.

Many indoor gardeners feel the need to follow the age-old tradition of having a single plant in a pot. Consider using multiple plantings within the same pot to create interest.  A creative concept that allows the gardener to change the plants in a grouping or rearrange the grouping easily is to use a larger, decorative, non-draining container into which individually potted plants are arranged. The advantage of this method is that the display can be changed as soon as one of the plants stops flowering, becomes unsightly or you tire of it. Flowering houseplants with short seasons of bloom can be displayed in this way.

You can plan the container on paper to ensure the plants you want to use will fit. Draw a circle the same size as the larger container on a sheet of paper and place the individual plants on it. Arrange the plants the way you think they look best and note the positioning on the paper.

• Select a flat-based container 25-30 centimetres wide and 13-15 centimetres  deep. Form a 2.5 centimetres deep layer of pea gravel in the base. Water the plants and allow them to drain before putting them in the container.
• Fill the container with plants from the centre to the outside. Sphagnum moss placed around the edges and between pots makes the display more attractive.
• The potting soil of the individual pots must be visible so the plants can be watered.

Some suggestions on which plants to chose for your indoor hanging basket include the following:

Flowering plants (trailing types):
• Lipstick vine (Aseschynathus radicans)- Bright red tubular flowers with creamy yellow throats. Oval glossy green leaves. Trails to 60 centimetres. Prefers semi-shade especially in summer
• Goldfish plant (Columnea microphylla)- Flowers bright orange and truly do resemble fish. Prefers bright spot away from direct light.
• Italian bellflower or Star of Bethlehem (Campanula isophylla)- Soft blue, 2.5 centimetres  flowers on cascading stems. Prefers full sun.
• Flame violet (Episcia cupreata)- Bright scarlet red flowers. Leaves are oval, wrinkled, green flecked with copper. Trailing habit. Does not tolerate direct sun but needs a bright location.

Foliage plants (trailing types):
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)- Long, grassy leaves are available in green or striped yellow or white. Prefer bright, indirect light.
• Rosary vine or String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)- 1 metre trailing purplish stems that bear .7 centimetres  heart-shaped succulent leaves with silver-mottled tops and purplish undersides. Bright, indirect light.
• Emerald or Asparagus fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri’)- Form arching canes that are clothed in 2.5 cm-long fake leaves called cladophylls. The cladophylls are actually modified branchlets while the true leaves take the form of small, soft spines. Part sun to semi-shade.
• Wandering Jew (Zebrina pendula)- Trailing leaves reddish-purple beneath, silvery-green above with narrow purple edges and a central purple stripe. Tolerate low light but grow best in bright, indirect light.
• Golden pothos (Epipremnum aureum)- Leaves are heart-shaped, variegated (green with blotches of golden-yellow). Bright, indirect light.

Hanging houseplants can add interest to rooms without taking up floor space. The vertical dimension is an underutilized decorating space and one that can add so much to a room. Plants can transform a cold space into one of warmth. Consider looking up. CL