Hanging Plants for a Sunny Window

Spring Bloomers

• Allamanda (Allamanda cathartica), glory bower (Clerodendrum thomsoniae), Carolina jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens), fan flower (Scaevola aemula), jasmine (Jasminum) and geraniums (Pelargonium) begin their floral show in early spring as long as they receive enough sunlight. These plants prefer full sun, so growing them in a southern-facing window is fine. For windows with curtains, or windows that do not receive a lot of sunlight, Hoya (Hoya), orchid cactus (Epiphyllum hybrid) and begonia (Begonia) are ideal, since these plants prefer some shade.

Summer Bloomers

• The prominent flowering time for Chinese violet (Telosma cordata), gold finger (Juanulloa aurantiaca), corkscrew flower (Vigna caracalla), brunfelsia (Brunfelsia), stapelia (Stapelia) and climbing oleanders (Strophanthus preussii) is during the summer. Move hanging baskets that are no longer blooming outdoors or into another room. This is an ideal way to create a new look from season to season. It also gives your plants a chance to rest, which most plants, even those that are ever-blooming, need.

Fall Bloomers

• Heliotrope (Heliotropium arborescens), twining firecracker (Manettia luteo-rubra) and Eranthemum (Eranthemum wattii) put on a spectacular fall floral display. Another option is to bring your favorite flowering baskets from outdoors inside. Be sure to check them for bugs, since insects lay their eggs on plant leaves. Sometimes it is necessary to repot plants that grew outdoors all summer long before bringing them indoors, because another place insects like to hide is in potting soil. Plants that are potted up in the fall will need frequent, thorough watering to make sure the plants root into the new soil.

Winter Bloomers

• Chandalier plant (Kalanchoe manginii), kalanchoe (Kalanchoe uniflora), flaming glorybower (Clerodendron splendens), Italian bellflower (Campanula isophylla ‘Mayii’) and chains of glory (Clerodendrum schmidtii) bloom during the winter months when they are grown in a sunny window. These plants are ideal alternatives to traditional holiday plants, plus they continue to bloom after the holiday season is over. Tie these plants into your holiday décor by adding holiday decorations to the hanging baskets.