Best Hanging Plants for Indoors: 15 Stunning Picks

Q: Do hanging plants need special soil?

Most hanging plants do best in a well-draining potting mix. Adding perlite or pumice improves drainage, which is especially important since overwatering is the most common issue with hanging plants.

Best Hanging Plants for Indoors: 15 Stunning Picks for Every Space

Hanging plants transform a room. They draw the eye upward, soften hard corners, and add life to spaces where floor and shelf real estate is limited. Whether you've got a bright sunroom or a dim bathroom, there's a trailing plant that will thrive there. Here are 15 of the best indoor hanging plants, organized by how much light they need.

Best Hanging Plants for Low Light

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The undisputed champion of low-light trailing plants. Pothos tolerates neglect, low humidity, and inconsistent watering while still pushing out long, cascading vines. Golden pothos, marble queen, and neon are all excellent varieties for hanging baskets.

Light: Low to bright indirect
Water: When top inch of soil is dry
Trail length: Up to 10+ feet
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

2. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

Often confused with pothos, the heartleaf philodendron has softer, more uniformly heart-shaped leaves. It trails beautifully and handles low light remarkably well. Growth is fast in moderate light conditions.

Light: Low to bright indirect
Water: When top inch is dry
Trail length: Up to 8 feet
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

A classic trailing plant with elegant, lobed leaves. English ivy prefers cooler temperatures (60–70°F) and consistent moisture. It's one of the best choices for hanging baskets in bedrooms and north-facing rooms.

Light: Low to moderate indirect
Water: Keep evenly moist
Trail length: Up to 6 feet indoors
Difficulty: Moderate (watch for spider mites)

4. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants are beloved for their arching leaves and cascading baby plantlets (spiderettes) that dangle from long stems. They're practically indestructible and look fantastic in hanging planters.

Light: Low to bright indirect
Water: When top inch is dry
Trail length: Spiderettes hang 1–2 feet
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

Best Hanging Plants for Medium Light

5. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The quintessential hanging plant. Boston ferns produce lush, feathery fronds that arch and cascade gracefully. They love humidity, making them perfect for bathrooms and kitchens with some natural light.

Light: Medium indirect
Water: Keep consistently moist
Trail length: Fronds reach 2–3 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (needs humidity)

6. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

Delicate heart-shaped leaves on thin, trailing stems create an almost ethereal effect. String of hearts is a semi-succulent, so it's surprisingly drought-tolerant. The variegated form adds pink and silver tones.

Light: Medium to bright indirect
Water: When fully dry
Trail length: Up to 6+ feet
Difficulty: Easy

7. Tradescantia (Tradescantia zebrina)

Also called wandering dude, this plant features striking purple and silver striped foliage. It grows aggressively fast, trails beautifully, and roots from stem cuttings dropped in water within days.

Light: Medium to bright indirect
Water: When top half-inch is dry
Trail length: Up to 4 feet
Difficulty: Beginner-friendly

8. Peperomia Hope (Peperomia tetraphylla)

Compact, round succulent-like leaves on trailing stems give this peperomia a unique, modern look. It's slower-growing than pothos but makes up for it with charm and extremely low maintenance needs.

Light: Medium indirect
Water: When top inch is dry
Trail length: Up to 18 inches
Difficulty: Easy

9. Hoya (Hoya carnosa)

Hoyas are the patient gardener's reward. Their waxy, thick leaves trail gracefully, and mature plants produce clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Hoya carnosa compacta (Hindu rope plant) is especially dramatic in a hanging planter.

Light: Medium to bright indirect
Water: When top 2 inches are dry
Trail length: Up to 4+ feet
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

Best Hanging Plants for Bright Light

10. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

One of the most visually striking hanging plants, with spherical bead-like leaves cascading down slender stems. Needs bright light and infrequent watering — it's a succulent at heart. Overwatering is the main killer.

Light: Bright indirect to some direct
Water: When fully dry
Trail length: Up to 3 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (easy to overwater)

11. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)

The hardier cousin of string of pearls. Banana-shaped leaves are slightly more forgiving of imperfect watering, and the plant grows faster. A great alternative if string of pearls has frustrated you.

Light: Bright indirect
Water: When fully dry
Trail length: Up to 3 feet
Difficulty: Easy to moderate

12. Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

Thick, plump blue-green leaves overlap tightly along trailing stems, creating a braided rope effect. Burro's tail is dramatic in a hanging pot but fragile — the leaves pop off easily if bumped.

Light: Bright indirect to some direct
Water: When fully dry
Trail length: Up to 2 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (fragile leaves)

13. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)

Named for its tubular red flowers that emerge from dark calyxes like lipstick from a tube. The glossy, dark green foliage trails nicely even when not in bloom. Bright light triggers more frequent flowering.

Light: Bright indirect
Water: When top inch is dry
Trail length: Up to 3 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

14. Columnea (Goldfish Plant)

Produces quirky orange flowers that resemble tiny goldfish. The trailing stems are covered in thick, dark leaves. Give it bright light and good humidity for the best flowering display.

Light: Bright indirect
Water: Keep lightly moist
Trail length: Up to 3 feet
Difficulty: Moderate

15. Rhipsalis (Mistletoe Cactus)

A tropical jungle cactus with thin, pencil-like stems that cascade dramatically. Rhipsalis is unique — it looks nothing like a typical cactus. It thrives in bright indirect light and appreciates more humidity than desert cacti.

Light: Bright indirect
Water: When top inch is dry
Trail length: Up to 4+ feet
Difficulty: Easy

How to Choose the Right Hanging Plant

Consider these factors before buying:

Light availability: Match the plant to your space. Low-light rooms need pothos or philodendron, not string of pearls.
Watering commitment: Succulents like string of pearls and burro's tail need infrequent watering. Ferns and ivy need consistent moisture. Be honest about your habits.
Desired trail length: Pothos and philodendron can reach 10+ feet. String of hearts and pearls stay more moderate at 3–6 feet.
Pet safety: Pothos, philodendron, and English ivy are toxic to cats and dogs. Spider plants, hoyas, and peperomias are pet-safe alternatives.

Hanging Plant Care Tips

Use pots with drainage: Hanging plants are especially prone to root rot since excess water has nowhere to go in sealed decorative pots. Use a nursery pot inside your decorative hanger.
Rotate regularly: Turn your hanging plant a quarter turn each week so all sides receive even light. This prevents lopsided growth.
Water thoroughly: Take the plant down to water it over a sink. Let water run through completely before rehanging. Dribbling small amounts from a watering can leads to dry root balls.
Fertilize during growing season: A diluted liquid balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–4 weeks in spring and summer keeps trailing plants lush.
Prune for fullness: Trim leggy vines back by a third to encourage branching. You can root the cuttings to create new plants.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest hanging plant for beginners?

Pothos is the easiest indoor hanging plant. It tolerates low light, irregular watering, and low humidity while still growing long, attractive trailing vines. Golden pothos and neon pothos are the most forgiving varieties.

What hanging plants are safe for cats and dogs?

Spider plants, Boston ferns, hoyas, peperomias, and lipstick plants are all considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. Always keep plants out of reach if your pets are persistent chewers.

How do you water a hanging plant without making a mess?

The best method is to take the plant down and water it over a sink, letting water drain fully before rehanging. Alternatively, use ice cubes on the soil surface for slow, controlled watering that minimizes dripping.

Do hanging plants need special soil?

Most hanging plants do best in a well-draining quality potting mix. Adding perlite or pumice improves drainage, which is especially important since overwatering is the most common issue with hanging plants.