I brought home a couple Boston Fern hanging baskets last week. I’m really liking them. They add interest, texture, and a solid pop of color without being overwhelming. They’re good for filling in blank vertical space on a porch or against a wall, and their visual messiness contrasts against a modern, minimalistic outdoor area.
Commitment: Water every couple days but monitor daily
Investment: $35 – $40 for a 10” basket
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Buy them as big as you realistically can for your space. Big, lush hanging baskets > small, dinky ones. Try to get a 10” or larger. A 10” means the top of the pot is 10” wide and the fern itself should be about 24” wide.
I got mine at a local nursery, but here are some similar online options:
Prep
Leave it in the plastic pot it came in. Hanging baskets dry out quickly, but a plastic pot helps retain more water.
You’ll need to install a ceiling hook to hang the basket onto. I bought these, which are 6” long and hold up to 25 pounds. We already had holes drilled from the previous homeowners, but if you don’t, Google how to drill a pilot hole. Once the hole is made, screw in the ceiling hook, hang the basket, and you’re done!
Maintain
Monitor the soil daily since hanging baskets can dry out quickly especially in the heat. The soil should be damp but not soggy. Set the basket on the ground and use a water bottle or watering can to water it until water starts draining out the bottom of the pot.
In the Fall, bring them inside, or toss them and get new ones next year.
I’d love to see what you do with these! Show me a photo on Instagram @deadplantclub or email me at deadplantclub@gmail.com.
–Karen