Gardening with Allen: Easily grown hanging indoor plants

I am a novice at growing indoor plants. Could you suggest a couple of indoor hanging plants that are easy to grow?

Here are three indoor hanging plants that can be grown easily even by those who are not usually very successful with plants. They are all fast growing, adaptable to a wide range of conditions and are very forgiving if not given perfect care.

If plants become scraggly, just trim the stems back, and they will quickly regrow.

My favorite indoor trailing plant has two common names, Pothos and Devil’s Ivy. Epipremnum aureus is the current scientific name but you will also see it under Scindapsus aureus, the old scientific name. Leaves are heart-shaped and typically about 2 inches long, although they can get much longer or larger if given ideal growing conditions. The dark green leaves have mottled golden yellow or white variegation. There are many different varieties and a wide range of variegation. Vines develop rootlets which will cling to twine, pole or bark support. Vines can get 10 feet or longer if they have something to cling to.

New plants can be easily started just by covering the rootlets with soil while still attached to the mother plant. I usually start new plants by sticking several branches in a 6-inch pot, covering one or two sets of rootlets so I have a full multistem plant shortly after rooting.

Plectranthus australis is the scientific name for another plant with two common names, Swedish Ivy and Creeping Charlie. There are several other plants with the common name Creeping Charlie. Plectranthus has round, waxy green leaves with small scallops or rounded teeth on the edges. It also has clusters of small white flowers. White Edged Swedish Ivy, Plectranthus coleoides ‘Marginatus’, has shorter vines and makes a more compact plant. It has small purple flowers.

It is strictly a trailing plant unless twisted around support. It is also easily rooted from a piece of stem with three or four leaves. I cut stems just below a set of leaves, remove the bottom leaf and then stick that piece of the stem into potting soil.

Wandering Jew, now called The Wanderer, (Zebrina pendula), has pointed oval leaves with purple and silver stripes or bands. The colorful foliage makes a nice contrast to green plants. The Wanderer should have the tips of stems cut or pinched to encourage thicker branching.

New plants are easily started the same way as Swedish Ivy.

All three of these plants can be grown in plain water, without soil. Just stick several stems in a glass or bowl of water. Add a few drops of liquid houseplant fertilizer occasionally.

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