12 Unique Plants That Look Like Hair For Head Planters
Are you looking for plants that look like hair, whether long, short, curly, straight, textured, voluminous, or unique in style? Look no further; we have got you covered!
Face & head planters are a fun and quirky way to liven up your home and be inventive with your plant decor. We have searched far and wide to compile a list that meets all your head planter requirements.
From low-maintenance options to rarer finds, each plant has an easy-to-follow care guide to ensure your hair-like plant thrives beautifully in its new head pots.
1. String of Tears
Botanical name: Senecio Herreianus
Contrary to its name, these beautiful succulent cascading fronds will bring a smile to your face.
Originating from South Africa, this succulent is easy to care for and sprouts small charming white flowers seasonally.
Not to be confused with the famous string of pearls, the key distinction being that the string of pearls has smaller circular leaves.
- Water: Watering once a week in warmer months and once every two in cooler months.
- Light: Bright sunlight is needed for 6 to 8 hours per day.
- Temperature: Between 50-80 ° F (10 – 26° C)
- Humidity: Prefers higher humidity or a weekly spray.
- Soil: Well-draining regular potting mix.
2. Rat Tail Cactus
Botanical name: Aporocactus flagelliformis (or Disocactus flagelliformis)
This beautiful cactus gives the feel of long (possibly prickly) hair that can be used for any head planter you desire. Their lovely robust pink flowers give the plant an indoor botanical feel and add a splash of color to any room.
However, these low-maintenance cactus may be harder to find than other cactus variants. We recommend searching online before entering your local nursery.
- Water: The Rat tail cactus requires good drenching on an infrequent basis (once per month). Too frequent watering can lead to root rot.
- Light: Bright indirect light is best. However, it tolerates direct morning sun and partial afternoon sun.
- Temperature: Prefers temperatures between 50-84.2°F (10-29 °C ).
- Humidity: Low.
- Soil: A well-draining perlite mix.
3. Boston Fern
Botanical name: Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensi
Wild, luscious, and voluminous are the words to describe the Boston Ferns foliage, perfect for larger head planters.
A popular fern originating from South America, its long lime green leaves or fronds have been adding life to people’s homes for decades.
There are various cultivars of the Boston fern, such as the Compacta, which is the compacted version.
Like most ferns, these plants can be tricky to care for at the start. However, once you have its routine, this plant will flourish!
- Light: Bright indirect light is best.
- Water: Water when the first inch of soil is dry.
- Humidity: Prefers high humidity, such as in bathrooms. Making a pebble tray is also an easy solution.
- Temperature: Temperatures between 50°-77F (10-25°C).
- Soil: Prefers a mixture of peat and vermiculite.
4. Mistletoe cactus
Botanical name: Rhiplasis baccifera
Named after its white ball fruits that resemble mistletoe, the Mistletoe cactus will give your head planter excellent thick, long locks of ‘hair.’
The Rhipsalis Baccifera comes from a large family of Rhipsalis that are different in thickness and length, all of which could be fantastic additions to your head planter.
I have loved my Mistletoe cactus for many years. It is low maintenance, easy to find. It has magnificent draping locks of hair, making it a perfect addition to any head planter.
- Light: Prefers bright indirect light; morning light is okay.
- Water: Once a week in warmer months and once every two in the cooler months.
- Temperature: Prefers temperature above 54 °F (12°C).
- Humidity: High to medium humidity; a spray once every two weeks is perfect.
- Soil: Regular cacti potting mix works a treat. These plants also prefer to be root bound.
- Pests: Mistletoe cactus are prone to mealy bugs. We suggest using neem oil for treatment.
5. Nerve plants
Botanical name: Fittonia albivenis
A short bushy cut is what you are after for your head planter? Then look no further; the white Nerve plant (Fittonia) is for you.
Their striking white nerve pattern contrasts nicely with the dark green of their leaves. The nerve plant also comes in an electrified pink variant if you want to add a splash of pink to your decor!
These plants love a prune and are to be kept short and bushy, making them great for shorter hairdos.
- Light: Bright indirect light.
- Water: when the 2–3 in (5–7.5 cm) of soil dries.
- Temperature: above 60°F (16°C).
- Humidity: High humidity.
- Soil: Well-draining indoor potting mix.
6. Spanish Moss
Botanical name: Tillandsia Usneoides
Their long, textured, hair-like leaves will cascade down your head planter.
Also known as the ‘old man’s beard’, Spanish Moss is easy to care for and find, making it an ideal candidate for those starting their plant journey.
A fascinating fact: Spanish Moss is an air plant that doesn’t require traditional potting and absorbs nutrients and moisture from the air.
- Water: We recommended dunking your Spanish Moss in a bowl of water for 20 minutes every two weeks and spraying weekly.
- Light: Prefers bright indirect light.
- Temperature: Prefers temperatures above 50°F (10°C).
- Humidity: Loves high humidity; be sure to spray it regularly if you are somewhere in low humidity.
- Soil: No soil necessary!
7. Turtle Vine
Botanical name: Callisia repends
Giving afro-inspired hair-like leaves, the turtle vine is your one-stop for an incredible ‘fro’ for your head planter. These tightly packed leaves give your head planter a buoyant and voluminous look.
Interestingly, this plant is native to Cuba, South Africa, and China, a true cosmopolitan.
These Plants are easy to care for and come in lovely, variegated forms. The Callisa repens variegata has distinctive pastel pink and cream stripes on its leaves.
- Light: Bright indirect light is best.
- Water: Water on an infrequent basis around once every 10 days or when the first inch of soil is dry.
- Temperature: 59-86°F (15-30°C).
- Humidity: Needs around 40-50% humidity.
- Soil: Well-draining soil, a perlite mix is preferred.
8. Corkscrew Rush
Botanical name: Juncus effusus
The Corkscrew rush, also known as the ‘common rush’ and ‘soft rush’, will add character to any face planter. Their fantastic curly strands of grass will surely energize your room as they spiral in all directions.
Avoid getting the Corkscrew Rush mistaken for the Frizzle sizzle, which looks very similar; however, its grass strands will not extend outwards!
- Water: Keep these plants’ soil moist at all times.
- Light: Bright light can be direct for up to four hours.
- Temperature: Tolerate temperatures between 59-74°F (15-23 °C ).
- Humidity: Likes humidity. However, it will grow well in all conditions if the soil is kept moist.
- Soil: Regular potting mix.
9. Hindu Rope Hoya
Botanical name: Hoya Carnosa Compacta
Hindu rope hoya is adorned with curly dark green foliage, imparting a distinctive look to any head planter.
A cultivar of Hoya Carnosa, these slow-growing tropical plants can become victim to pests inhabiting their curled leaves. If that happens, neem oil is recommended.
However, their seasonal bloom of light pink tropical flowers that fill the air with a sweet honey scent will surely be your reward.
- Light: Bright indirect light.
- Water: Water sparingly. This plant is prone to water logging.
- Temperature: Warm temperatures above 50°F (10°C).
- Humidity: Tropical humid locations are ideal, possibly in your bathroom if you are in a dry place.
- Soil: A mixture of 1-1-1 perlite, soil, and bark in a well-draining pot.
10. String of Nickles
Botanical name: Dischidia nummularia
Small, sweet, and button-like, I’m sure it comes as no surprise to that plant, also known as ‘Button plant’.
Native to Southeast Asia, these tropical trailing plants are delightful if you want long cascading hair in a possibly smaller head planter.
Sweet white flowers will often bloom in the right light conditions, creating an enchanting accessory to your head planters’ hair.
- Light: Bright indirect light is best.
- Water: Careful not to overwater. Water when the top inch of soil is dry.
- Temperature: Prefers tropical climates of temperatures over 50°F (10°C).
- Humidity: 50% humidity.
- Soil: Well-draining indoor potting mix combined with perlite.
11. Curly Spider Plant
Botanical name: Chlorophytum comosum Bonnie
This plant’s curly leaves have a lovely stripe of white through the middle, creating an eye-catching hair-like look for your head planter.
It is believed Curly spider plants have their origins in Southern Africa. Now they are popular, trendy, and easy to care for house plant that sometimes goes by the name Bonnie conosum.
I love their low-maintenance nature and their easily propagated baby spider plants that sprout from mature plants.
- Light: These plants love bright indirect filtered light but can tolerate low light.
- Water: Watering once a week in warmer months and once every two in cooler months.
- Temperature: Ideally above 44°F (7°C).
- Humidity: Medium to high humidity or spray this plant once every four days in warmer months.
- Soil: Indoor plant potting mix.
12. Air Plants
Botanical name: Tillandsia
We love this new and quirky trend of Air plants on old Trolls Dolls’ heads. Great for a retro lover, this unique planter will surely turn heads!
With over 650 variants of Tillandsia, be sure you are getting the right one, as each variant differs in size, color, texture, and thickness.
To plant your air plant, carefully cut the top of the Troll Dolls’ head with a Stanley knife and place your air plant on top.
- Light: Bright indirect light.
- Water: Misting this plant a couple of times a week works best.
- Temperature: Temperatures above 60°F (15 °C).
- Humidity: This plant prefers higher humidity.
- Soil: No soil is needed!
