 Succulents
and Cacti in Hanging Baskets
In a nutshell
* Many Succulents will thrive in hanging baskets – look for those with
clumping or trailing habits – see some of our favorites below
* Succulents are easy care, water wise plants – that really tend to
take care of themselves
* While they will survive neglect they will thrive with a little
attention – a regular watering and fertilizing during their growing
season.
* They do not do well in cold wet situations and will rot.
Succulent plants are ideally suited to Hanging Baskets. Some times
referred to as fat plants, succulents retain and actually store water in
their leaves and stems – making them more swollen or “fatter” when
compared to other plants leaves.
Succulents are on the increase in popularity as they are beautiful,
relatively carefree, water-wise plants – ideal for people with busy
lifestyles and/or dry climates
Succulents enjoy bright filtered light to full sun, and are also
somewhat cold-tolerant – remember their original homes were the desserts
– where it can get quite cool at night.
Succulents will thrive in daytime temperatures between 70ºF and about
85ºF and will
withstand nighttime temperatures the drop as low as 45ºF. The one thing
they do not like however is to be wet and cold for too long – they will
turn yellow and rot. So if you are having cold nights and your hanging
baskets are wet or soggy – move them to a drier location and allow them
to dry out.
While succulents will survive with out water for long periods, to get
them to thrive they should be watered regularly in the summer – we
suggest a good drink at least once to twice a week.
Your hanging basket soil should be allowed to dry right out between
waterings. Over winter succulents growth slow right down, during this
time water every other week if sunny or if cooler – then you can cut
your watering back to once a month.
During the spring and summer fertilizer your succulents once a month.
Once the plant has stopped growing – over winter, you don’t need to
fertilize at all.
Many succulents have an upright growth habit however there are plenty
of succulent plants with training or clumping habits that are perfect
for hanging baskets.
Sempervivums - Hens & Chicks
Sempervivums, commonly called Hens & Chicks are some of the most
colorful, drought-tolerant and kid-friendly plants you'll ever find.
Sempervivum Rubikon – purple is a favorite with its non-fading
bright red color - even in the hottest summer heat. Fast growing &
drought proof ground cover for sun
This small, pretty succulent is extremely hardy and is often used in
rock gardens. It spreads rapidly, forming a thick mat of pretty, round
rosettes that average 4 inches tall. Depending on the species, the
foliage of these succulents can be green, red, purple, yellow or
variegated. Some varieties of these evergreen perennials do produce
flowers, but the flowers are secondary in attractiveness to the foliage.
Sedum morganianum, known as Donkey Tail or Burro’s tail is one
of these. It cascades down over the edges of our hanging basket or
planter. Burro’s foliage is a very pretty light green. And as a bonus
mature plants will be covered by bluey- silver flowers – very pretty.
String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)
String of pearls is a popular succulent to grow as an ornamental
houseplant because of its long, trailing stems covered with rounded
leaves. The stems can grow up to 2 feet long and frequently need to be
cut back to keep the succulent from becoming spindly. Senecio rowleyanus
blooms in the spring with masses of small white flowers that have a
pleasing fragrance similar to cinnamon
Hatiora Salicornioides or Drunkard's-Dream, is native to
Brazil. It got its name “drunkards dream” from its jointed stems that
resemble whisky bottles.
They will flower with small yellow flowers inn late winter through
early spring.
Golden Seedum, Sedum Angelina Loves heat & humidity.
Colorful golden-yellow foliage
The BEST Drought Proof Groundcover for sun! Sedum, Improved
Golden.
One of the finest ground covers for sunny dry slopes and banks. The
Improved Gold Sedum has masses of yellow star-shaped flowers that cover
it in late spring and early summer. Rich green scalloped leaves the rest
of the year. Grows to 5" tall. You receive strong one year
northern-grown divisions. Plant 12-18" apart in full sun or light shade.
Drought tolerant. Deer resistant. Attracts butterflies. Evergreen
The Christmas Cactus or Schlumbergera or Zygocactus, often
bloom around the Christmas Holiday period.
Great in Hanging Basket or Hanging planters the “joints” of these
plants are fragile and can break apart if the plant is knocked or in
poor health.
The soil should be evenly moist for best growth, but they are
intolerant to constantly wet soil and poor aeration. If outdoors, an
established plant may only need to be watered every two or three days in
warm, sunny weather; or every week in cool, cloudy weather.
Christmas cactus will do best in bright indirect light. Long term direct
sunlight can burn the leaves and stunt growth. If taken care of
properly, a single planting can last for hundreds of years.
Christmas cactus will create flower buds when subjected to cooler
temperatures (10–14 degrees Celsius / 50–57 °F) for 6–8 weeks
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