Hanging plants are very beautiful because, when they grow quickly, they form a mantle that can reach the ground. But, if you look at the base of the pot, you may find that it is rather bare. Isn't it? How about we make combinations of outdoor hanging plants?
That is to say, in the same pot, have hanging plants but, in addition, combine them with other types of plants so that the result is even more spectacular. How is it possible?
What to take into account when combining outdoor hanging plants
The combination of outdoor hanging plants is not something to be taken lightly. In this case, you cannot take two plants that you like, one hanging and the other not, and just plant them together. Maybe you're lucky; but it is more likely that one of them, or even both, will die on you.
And why is that? Because you do not take into account a series of factors that must be controlled when combining plants. The most important are the following:
Plants with similar requirements
That is to say, that have the same needs for water, light, fertilizer, humidity... If we place a plant that needs a lot of water with one that needs very little, it is normal for the latter to end up killing it, because having to water more often than the plant would like, it will end up drowning us.
Therefore, when combining, You must make sure that the lighting, the water, the type of soil, the humidity... is similar in both.
An example of these would be a hanging cactus plant combined with succulents, for example. Or on the contrary, a hanging succulent with small cacti at the base that, when blooming, will fill the pot with color (even if only for a short time).
allelopathy
Have you ever heard of allelopathy? This is a characteristic that many plants have and that affects the combinations of outdoor hanging plants.
And it is that there are some that secrete a chemical substance that negatively affects the plants with which you combine them. It is a way of "self-protection" so that others do not break into your space and remove nutrients, in such a way that they prevent their growth or even end up drying them up.
If you don't have much experience with plants it is possible that you do not know well if a plant has this characteristic or not, so it is best to consult the Internet or experts.
Enough space
A 10-centimeter pot and two plants in it? Unless they are cuttings, normal plants will not have enough room to thrive, which is why you must check that the pot or the space to be provided is large enough to house two plants.
Yes, it is true that the hanging plants do not have much in the pot, but the roots do; and if these are damaged the whole plant will wither.
Roots
Although this is related to the above, it does not hurt to stop for a moment. And there are plants that develop more roots. And others less. When combining hanging plants with other plants, make sure, if possible, that it is one with many roots and the other with few, or both with few. But never put two that take too many roots.
And it is that, if so, they will compete to get the nutrients and, in the end, the plants will not bring out their greatest splendor because they will be stressed by being with another plant that makes them "shade".
Examples of outdoor hanging plant combinations
We know that you like to have ideas to carry out combinations of outdoor hanging plants. Therefore, we are not going to make you wait and here are some that may be interesting for you.
Cacti and succulents
As we told you before, one of the first combinations of outdoor hanging plants has to do with cacti and succulents.. In both cases you can find pendants, so you can decide if what you prefer to hang is a cactus (remember that there are some that do not click) or a succulent.
As for the composition, we recommend that you pay attention to the color of the plants. Of course, remember that many succulents change their hue when exposed to a greater or lesser amount of light.
ferns and moss
Another option, which also looks quite good when you apply it, is a hanging fern pot. This, by itself, is usually quite bushy, but you can also apply a layer of moss that, in addition to nourishing it, will make it appear that it is born from a very fertile and greenish soil. In fact, it will make you want to caress it.
In this case you must be careful of humidity and irrigation, because they are two very important aspects. In addition to lighting, because if it gets too much sun, the fern can suffer and start to lose its leaves.
If the moss does not attract your attention, you could opt for Pansies or similar, which are small flowers that tolerate humidity and watering well and that will give more color to the pot itself.
Different species of the same plant
To make it easier for you to understand, Pelargonium peltatum, better known as ivy geranium, is a hanging plant. AND at the same time the Pelargonium zonale is a geranium, but not a pendant.
What we mean is that about two varieties of one plant. In most cases they will need the same care and you will be able to enjoy outdoor pots with similar plants.
It would even be worth the same family, as long as you make sure that the care they need is similar or the same.
Yes, Be careful with which ones you choose because here you will also have to see the color combination so that it does not clash.
As you can see, the combinations of outdoor hanging plants can be quite varied. We have only given you a few examples but you can create your own designs as long as you keep in mind the characteristics of each plant and if they are going to marry well. Have you ever made compositions like this in your garden or in pots?