Cane-type begonias are some of the best-performing and easiest begonias to grow. They are second only to wax begonias in ease of culture and second to none in beauty.
The most recognizable cane-type begonias are known as angel wing begonias. Native to the Brazilian tropics, the plant grows on upright stems with interesting dotted leaves, unique colors, and a magnificent display of flowers. The plants are not difficult to grow and can be planted and grown year-round indoors, provided you meet a few basic requirements. Theyll grow moderately quickly, with noticeable growth in just six weeks.
Adding plants to your home or office provides so many benefits – they purify the air add visual interest and even boost your mood. But if you’re limited on tabletop or floor space, you may feel like your options are limited. Enter the hanging angel wing plant! These beautiful trailing plants are perfect for adding a splash of greenery and creativity when vertical space is all you have to work with.
What is a Hanging Angel Wing Plant?
The hanging angel wing plant refers to a few different trailing houseplant varieties in the begonia family that have uniquely shaped leaves. The most popular types are:
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Angel wing begonia (Begonia x corallina) – Has speckled leaves that resemble angel wings Comes in green, red, pink, silver, and purple foliage.
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Dragon wing begonia (B. x hybrida) – Features larger, scalloped leaves with red undersides.
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Rex begonia (B. rex) – Has stunning colored and patterned leaves in red, pink, silver, purple, and green.
These tropical beauties have a spreading dangling growth habit that looks amazing cascading from hanging baskets and planters. The red, pink and purple undersides of their leaves also create a pop of color when viewed from below.
Benefits of Hanging Angel Wing Plants
What makes angel wing begonias so perfect for hanging displays? Here are some of the biggest benefits these plants offer:
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Maximize vertical space – Ideal for small apartments or offices where floor and table space is limited. Hanging plants utilize air space efficiently.
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Easy care – Angel wing begonias thrive with basic care. Their main needs are indirect light and consistent watering.
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Trailing cascades – The vining growth looks stunning pouring over container edges. Creates a beautiful, full hanging basket.
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Interesting foliage – Colorful, artistically shaped leaves add visual punch. Their uniqueness intrigues visitors.
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Low maintenance – These begonias aren’t fussy! As long as you avoid direct sun and overwatering, they do great.
Displaying Hanging Angel Wing Plants
The fun thing about angel wing begonias is that they offer so many styling possibilities! Here are creative ways to showcase them:
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Hanging baskets – The traditional and most popular option. Use decorative baskets and hang in windows or from ceilings.
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Wall planters – Secure creative wall planters and let the vines trail down for a beautiful green waterfall.
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From hooks – Utilize cup hooks along a wall or ceiling and hang smaller angel wing begonia pots from them.
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Macrame hangers – For boho-chic style, use handmade macrame plant hangers to display your begonias.
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Shelving – Situate begonias on high shelves and allow their vines to dangle down attractively.
Caring for Your Hanging Angel Wing Plant
While angel wing begonias are less demanding than many houseplants, they do have some important care requirements to thrive:
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Light – Bright, indirect light is ideal. Avoid direct hot sun which can burn leaves.
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Water – Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry. Take care not to overwater.
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Humidity – Higher humidity is preferred. Mist leaves regularly or use a humidifier.
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Temperature – Ideal range is 65-75°F. Avoid drafty areas.
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Fertilizer – Use a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength every 2-3 weeks in spring and summer.
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Pruning – Trim back long vines or remove damaged leaves to improve shape and health.
Troubleshooting Common Angel Wing Begonia Problems
If your begonia isn’t looking its best, here are some common issues to look for:
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Drooping leaves – Often a sign of under watering. Feel soil to check its moisture.
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Spotted leaves – Indicates fungal leaf spot disease. Improve airflow and reduce watering frequency.
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Flowers drop – Caused by dry soil, insufficient light, or overfertilization. Adjust care accordingly.
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Few blooms – Encourage more flowers by giving 6+ hours of bright light daily.
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Leggy growth – Not enough light. Move plant closer to a bright window or grow light.
Ready to Welcome Hanging Angel Wings Into Your Home?
With their graceful cascades, stunning multi-hued foliage, and whimsical charm, it’s easy to see why angel wing begonias make fantastic hanging plants! Not only do they make beautiful living art, they help purify your air while asking for minimal care and maintenance from you. Position them in bright, indirect light areas and be diligent about watering without overdoing it, and you’ll be rewarded with a gorgeous and unique living decoration.
So if you’re itching to invite more greenery into your home in a creative way, look no further than the eye-catching hanging angel wing plant. Their fanciful trails will instantly become a conversation piece and breathe new life into any underutilized vertical space!
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning is the best way to keep angel wing begonias looking compact, rounded, and bushy. Once the plant reaches 6 inches, pinch off the top-growing shoot. Pinching off spurs the plant to develop more lateral branching shoots. Remove any shoots that grow errantly away from the others. After one entire season of growth, prune the plant down to 6 inches twice, once in winter and again in late spring.
Propagating Angel Wing Begonia
Angel wing begonias (and other cane-type begonias) are very easy to propagate from cuttings. When new growth emerges in the spring, carefully remove a 2- to 3-inch leaf-tip cutting that doesnt have blooms and insert it cutting-side down into potting soil. Keep the cutting moist and warm until new growth begins.
A rooting hormone will increase the chances of success, but its not strictly necessary, as begonias readily root from cuttings under the right circumstances. Like other hybrids, angel wing begonias do not reproduce accurately from seed (meaning you will not get a replica of the parent plant), so only grow begonia from seed if youre sure of the seed source (a seed company, for example).
The natural lifespan of angel wing begonias is about five to six years. Taking cuttings every spring will keep your collection fresh. Discard (or compost) any less-than-ideal adult plants—they tend toward legginess if conditions arent optimal, especially cold and drafty.
Hanging Plant Ideas | 3 Ways To Hang Your Plants
FAQ
How do I make my angel wing plant bushy?
Can angel wings be an indoor plant?
Do angel wing begonias like sun or shade?
How do you make angel wing begonia thrive?
How do you hang a plant in a room?
Anything that has a pocket or interior space can hold a plant, including a hanging basket like this one in Paula’s bedroom. Accessorize wall hooks with a mix of hanging framed artwork, accessories such as a sun hat and plants for some color and natural greenery.
How do you hang plants on a ceiling?
The draping vines draw the eye up the ceiling to create a sense of height. Heavier plants and planters should be mounted into wall studs, while lighter plants can hang on drywall. Use S-hooks to hang plant holders on a towel bar or off a decorative shelf.
Where should I hang a trailing plant?
A window is the perfect spot to hang a trailing plant, especially one that loves sunlight. It’ll give the plant plenty of room to grow and spread out, and if there is no greenery outside your window, why not bring it inside! This hanging plant makes a beautiful statement in this calm and serene bedroom by Sara Toufali .
How do you hang a plant holder?
Use S-hooks to hang plant holders on a towel bar or off a decorative shelf. It keeps them easily accessible when they need watering and makes it easy to shift them around or add new plants into the mix. Martina hung plants from a metal bar in a hallway, which is a great way to add a natural element to a small and narrow space.