Hanging succulents exhibit a lot of growth and are best suited for hanging pots. This way, they may droop and trail below the pot, often in a very aesthetic fashion.
To care for hanging succulents, keep in mind the following:
- Watering: the “soak and dry” method is usually the best. A succulent will tolerate underwatering, but seldom will be able to handle overwatering.
- Humidity: a humid environment may hurt most succulents. A stable, dry environment is generally best.
- A balance between indirect light and partial shade are a good way to go.
- Succulents thrive in a stable temperature between 60 to 80 F (15 to 26C). Keep them away from the frost.
There’s more to find out about hanging succulents, especially since caring needs vary depending on the specific plant. Read on to learn more.
Hanging Succulents Caring Guidelines
Although it’s true that learning about succulents in general will also teach us about hanging succulents, the latter have some specific things we must be aware of. Most importantly, each hanging succulent type has specific traits, needs and exceptions we need to learn about.
It’s important to understand that care will somewhat vary depending on each specific hanging succulent. However, we can submit some principles of hanging succulent care.
Watering
When watering hanging succulents, the ‘soak and dry’ method is generally the best. Succulents, as we know, really don’t like excessive watering. A succulent sitting in excessive water may rot.
This is where the ‘soak and dry’ methodology comes in handy. What this means is basically that we want to wait until the soil is completely dry and only then proceed to water it.
It’s best to water the plant’s base, so that it will reach the roots fast. This also avoids damage to our plant from the effect of water and a very harsh sun on its surfaces.
The idea is quite literally to drench the pot with water and then leave it be. After we do this, we must wait for the soil to be completely dry. Only then may we water again.
There are a few things to be aware of, though. First, not all succulents are the same. This means that the ‘soak and dry’ method works for most of them, but not all.
The ‘soak and dry’ method is sometimes applied differently to each succulent. Perhaps this is most evident when waiting for the soil to dry. Some succulents need completely dry soil before watering. Others only need the surface of the soil to dry.
Humidity
High humidity may work really well for some hanging succulents, but not be too great for most. The first thing we need to do is find out whether our hanging succulent prefers humidity or no humidity.
Note that if a plant is kept outdoors, the humidity will either be there or not. Conversely, there are some ways to achieve a humid environment indoors. The main ones are (i) Hanging the succulent in a humid room, (ii) Using a humidifier, (iii) Misting the succulent.
Even if a succulent benefits from humidity, there are some things to be aware of. If we hang the succulent in a humid room, we still need to remember that it needs a proper light provision. Also, if we are to mist the succulent, it’s vital to remember that water or humidity on the surface of a succulent combined with sunlight may hurt it.
Soil
Soil mix for our succulents will depend on several factors. The heat of the environment is a significant factor in considering the quantity of soil mix to use. This is because in hotter climates we may want a blend that can retain a bit more moisture.
Regardless, when we choose a soil mix, it’s also vital that we remember the need for proper drainage. Succulents and excessive watering don’t mix, as we know very well. The key factor is knowing if our succulent prefers a dry or humid environment.
Fertilizer
When it comes to fertilizing, hanging succulents will vary in their needs. For the most part, fertilizing is best done at the start of the growing season. Fertilizing during winter is usually not ideal.
Light
In the case of outdoors hanging succulents, the main thing is knowing the difference between direct sun or partial sun. Some succulents thrive under full intense sunlight. The problem with direct and intense sunlight is that it may be too much for a succulent.
This is particularly true in very harsh and hot environments. Usually, the best bet with a succulent is to place it in partial sun, meaning a place where the succulent can access shade during a part of the day.
The other place where hanging succulents may be kept is indoors. The problem here is that the succulents may receive less light than they require. It’s essential to figure out the best location inside the house where a hanging succulent will get a good light provision.
Temperature
Typically, succulents will prefer temperatures from around 60 to 80 F (15 to 26C). Usually, succulents don’t enjoy the cold, although some will be able to stand 40 F (4C).
Given that these plants come from desert environments, it’s not a surprise that some of them can handle high temperatures of around 90F (32C). We need to determine the specific temperature range that our hanging succulent prefers, although this is a reliable set of principles.
High temperatures and extreme sunlight may cause sunburn on the plant. Very low temperatures (particularly frost) are also very damaging to succulents. If a plant encounters temperatures below freezing point, some owners will take these hanging succulents indoors or cover them with a cloth.
Many owners use the USDA Hardiness Zone Map to find out which plant is adequate for which area in the United States. It’s worth a look. Also, we must always remember to find out the data for each plant, either through our own independent study or via the vendors themselves.
Which succulents can be hanging succulents?
Perhaps the most accurate answer to this is that hanging succulents are simply succulents that grow enough to trail beneath their pots.
Since their growth is quite impressive, they will usually hang downwards, thus the name. This is why they are usually also kept in hanging pots. These pots are usually put up high, in places that are convenient.
There are usually two main categories of succulents. First, there are the fleshy, upright plants and then we have the trailing hanging succulents.
Although it’s true that some upright succulents may show a lot of growth, this does not really mean they are hanging succulents. The key factor identifying hanging succulents is the way they trail downwards, making a hanging pot a necessity.
Special Considerations for Top Hanging Succulents
Now then let’s look at 5 succulents and check out specific caring guidelines for each of them.
String of Bananas
Senecio radicans or string of bananas is a succulent which grows very fast. Its vines can reach about 3 feet (90 cm). Its leaves are generally around 1.2 inches (3cm) long. Flowers are usually small and white.
This succulent requires some particular things. For starters, it does great if left in light shade. The best soil is a well-draining mix, since we really don’t want this plant to sit in water for too long.
As with so many other succulents, the string of bananas prefers the ‘soak and dry’ method for watering. During winter, it’s best to water very little; the ‘soak and dry’ way will indicate when it’s time to water and when it’ best to leave the succulent without extra water.
It’s important to note that this succulent may be toxic to both humans and animals if ingested.
String of Pearls
Another very striking hanging succulent is the string of pearls, also known as senecio rowleyanus. This hanging succulent is native to Namibia, Africa.
Its appearance is quite unusual and is what gives it the name of string of pearls: the leaves are round and do seem like a string of pearls.
As with the other hanging succulents, the string of pearls is best kept in a hanging pot. The best place to place this hanging succulent is usually inside an airy room which is quite bright as well. If it’s kept outside, a protected patio is usually best.
The point, in any case, is to provide this particular plant with good airflow. Also, although bright light is important, it’s best to shield this succulent from excessive and very harsh sunlight exposure. Light shade is usually the best. Frost is also something this succulent must be protected from.
The soil mix, as with so many other succulents, should be well draining. The ‘soak and dry’ method is usually the best. In the case of this particular hanging succulent, we want to thoroughly drench the plant with water and then let it dry off. Only when the soil is dry should we attempt another watering.
This succulent produces small white flowers. Note that this hanging succulent has been known to be toxic if ingested.
String of Hearts
The string of hearts succulent, also named ceropegia woodii, is another very distinct hanging succulent. It has purple stems and heart-shaped green leaves. It usually produces flowers which are white during summer and fall.
This hanging succulent actually enjoys bright light, including some direct sunlight. The best soil mix is well-draining, and the ‘soak and dry’ method works quite well.
Crassula Baby Necklace
This succulent has very interesting aesthetics. Indeed, it features small and very neatly stacked leaves, like small towers. It grows fast and produces yellow flowers, usually in the fall.
This succulent thrives with partial shade. It does enjoy full sun but having partial shade is ideal. The ‘soak and dry’ method is also quite good for this succulent, along with well-draining soil.
This succulent should not endure temperatures of less than 50F (10C). During the summer, this succulent prefers temperatures ranging from 65F (18C) to around 70F (21C).
The propagation of the Crassula baby necklace is quite simple. A single leaf will usually be enough to get things going.
String of Dolphins
The string of dolphins or senecio herreianus is a very interesting succulent. It has oval bead-style leaves. Its flowers are small and white.
The string of dolphins succulent prefers bright and indirect light. This succulent, in particular, really doesn’t do well with overwatering. It’s surprisingly resistant to droughts, more than other succulents. A strict ‘soak and dry’ method is the best idea.
Related Questions
How do you plant a hanging succulent?
The best way to plant a hanging succulent is by using an elevated pot. The shape of hanging succulents is such that they will really look much better is we let them drop downwards.
The very first challenge is therefore finding a good hanging pot. Good aesthetics is the main concern. Also, however, we must make sure to buy a pot that is going to be sturdy enough to house our plant and stay put.
Make sure the chain is strong and solid. The size of the pot is obviously another consideration. Depending on the hanging succulent we will be buying, one particular pot may be better suited than the other.
After we find an appropriate pot it’s time to find the right location for our succulent. We need to take into account all the different factors we have examined in this article to find the proper location.
Where do you hang succulents?
At first glance, we could say that a hanging pot could be placed virtually anywhere and it’ll be ok. There is a bit more to this though and there are some issues we need to remember.
First of all, we need to understand that a hanging succulent needs the right conditions. There are several factors, including humidity, light and temperature. These are perhaps the most important factors to watch out for.
They will evidently influence where we place our succulent.
What we want, therefore, is to know exactly the requirements of each individual succulent. This will dictate the best place to hang it.
Why do my hanging plants keep dying?
If hanging succulents keep dying, we really need to go back to basics. There are a series of questions and considerations to take into account. Such considerations will vary depending on each specific hanging succulent and that’s also essential to understand.
The first two factors that may be killing the succulent are overwatering or underwatering. Overwatering, in particular, is a swift killer of succulents.
These plants are very good at withstanding drought conditions, so overwatering is usually responsible for many succulents’ death. Indeed, most succulents will even tolerate underwatering, but not overwatering.
To deal with this, we need to study the watering needs of each succulent. When in doubt, however, we should stick to a strict ‘soak and dry’ method.
The other major consideration is light and dryness. If a succulent is not receiving enough sunlight, it simply will not fare well.
As we observed earlier, a humid environment may be great for some hanging succulents but not for most. It can very well contribute to root rotting, pests and eventually death of the succulent.
