Best Hanging Plants for Indoor and Outdoor Spaces

Hanging plants add life to your home while saving valuable floor and counter space. 

The best hanging plants include trailing varieties like pothos and string of pearls, air-purifying ferns, and colorful flowering options that thrive indoors. 

These houseplants work well in living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, and any area where you want to use vertical space.

Indoor hanging plants come in many types to fit different lighting conditions and care preferences. 

You can choose from easy-care trailing foliage, unique succulents, elegant ferns, or flowering plants that add color.

Each type offers different looks and benefits for your indoor space.

Finding the right hanging houseplants for your home depends on your lighting, care routine, and style preferences.

This guide covers the top options across different plant categories and helps you pick and display the best indoor hanging plants for your space.

Top Trailing Varieties for Indoor Hanging Displays

Spider plants produce cascading plantlets on long stems, while pothos and philodendrons offer reliable trailing vines with minimal care requirements.

Ivy varieties provide classic cascading foliage that works well in a variety of indoor conditions.

Spider Plant and Plantlets

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) stands out as one of the easiest trailing houseplants you can grow. This plant produces long stems that arch downward from hanging baskets, creating a fountain-like effect.

The most distinctive feature is the small plantlets that form at the ends of these stems.

These baby plants dangle in the air and develop their own roots while still attached to the mother plant.

You can leave them hanging for visual interest or remove them to start new plants.

Spider plants tolerate a wide range of light conditions, from bright indirect light to partial shade, making them ok to have in your living room. 

They prefer their soil to dry out slightly between waterings.

The leaves grow in rosettes and often feature white or cream stripes down the center, adding decorative appeal to your space.

Pothos and Golden Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) ranks among the most popular trailing plants for indoor spaces. The vines can grow several feet long and will cascade beautifully from elevated surfaces.

Golden pothos specifically features heart-shaped leaves with yellow variegation that brightens any room.

This houseplant thrives in low to bright indirect light, making it adaptable to different locations in your home. 

The trailing vines grow quickly under good conditions and can be trimmed back to maintain your desired length.

Water your pothos when the top inch of soil feels dry. 

The plant will tolerate some neglect better than overwatering.

You can also propagate new plants easily by cutting a stem section with a few leaves and placing it in water until roots develop.

When you think of a plant that needs little care, pothos plants are an excellent choice.

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Heartleaf Philodendron

The heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) produces trailing vines covered in glossy, heart-shaped leaves. 

This plant creates dense coverage as it grows, filling out hanging baskets with lush greenery.

The vines can extend 4 to 6 feet in length indoors. Each leaf grows 2 to 4 inches across and emerges bronze-colored before maturing to deep green. 

The stems root easily at leaf nodes if they touch soil or water.

This philodendron prefers medium to bright indirect light but adapts to lower light conditions. 

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged. The plant benefits from occasional misting to increase humidity around the leaves.

English Ivy and Swedish Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) offers classic trailing foliage with distinctive lobed leaves. The trailing vines create elegant cascades and come in varieties with solid green or variegated leaves.

This plant prefers cooler temperatures and benefits from good air circulation.

Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) provides a different look with rounded, scalloped leaves on cascading stems.

Despite the name, it’s not a true ivy but shares similar trailing growth habits. The leaves have a slightly glossy appearance and grow densely along the stems.

Both ivy types need consistent moisture without soggy soil. English ivy grows best in bright indirect light, while Swedish ivy tolerates lower light conditions.

Swedish ivy produces small white or purple flowers occasionally, adding extra visual interest to your hanging display.

Striking Succulents and Trailing Foliage Options

Succulents offer some of the most visually appealing hanging plants with minimal care requirements.

These drought-tolerant plants feature cascading stems and unique textures that create dramatic displays in hanging baskets or elevated planters.

String of Pearls and String of Bananas

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) produces delicate stems covered in small, round leaves that look like green beads.

These pea-shaped leaves store water, making this plant very drought-tolerant. You should place it in bright, indirect light and water only when the soil dries out completely.

String of Bananas (Curio radicans) has a similar growth habit but with curved, banana-shaped leaves.

This variety is slightly more forgiving than String of Pearls and tolerates lower light conditions. Both plants can trail up to 3 feet long when mature.

These plants work well in shallow hanging pots since they have small root systems.

You need to ensure good drainage to prevent root rot, which is the most common problem with these succulents.

Burro’s Tail and Trailing Jade

Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) features thick, blue-green leaves that overlap along trailing stems like braided rope.

The leaves fall off easily when touched, so you should hang this plant where it won’t be bumped.

The stems can grow up to 4 feet long and create a stunning curtain effect.

Trailing Jade (Portulacaria afra) has small, rounded leaves on reddish stems that cascade gracefully.

This plant grows faster than Burro’s Tail and handles more frequent watering. You can trim it to control length and shape, and the cuttings root easily in soil.

Both plants need bright light to maintain their compact growth. Without enough sun, the stems become leggy and sparse.

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String of Hearts, Million Hearts, and String of Nickels

String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) displays heart-shaped leaves in silver and green patterns along thin, purple stems.

The vines can reach 12 feet in length and produce small purple flowers in summer. You only need to water this plant every 2-3 weeks.

Million Hearts (Dischidia nummularia) produces smaller, rounded leaves on wiry stems that create a delicate, lacy appearance.

This plant prefers higher humidity than most succulents. String of Nickels is another variety with coin-shaped leaves that grows in similar conditions.

These plants thrive in hanging baskets near east or west-facing windows. You can train the vines to climb or let them trail naturally for different looks.

Hoya and Wax Plant Varieties

Hoya plants, commonly called wax plants, produce thick, waxy leaves on vining stems. 

Hoya carnosa is the most popular variety, with dark green leaves and clusters of star-shaped, fragrant flowers. The blooms appear on mature plants and can last several weeks.

You should provide Hoyas with bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry between waterings.

These plants grow slowly but can eventually trail several feet long. The vines become woody with age, adding to their ornamental value.

Different Hoya varieties offer various leaf shapes and sizes. Some have variegated foliage with cream or pink markings, while others feature narrow or rounded leaves.

All varieties are non-toxic to pets, making them safe choices for homes with animals.

Elegant Ferns and Air-Purifying Hanging Greenery

Ferns offer graceful fronds that cascade naturally from hanging baskets while many varieties actively clean indoor air.

These plants range from moisture-loving species to hardy air plants that need minimal care.

Boston Fern and Maidenhair Fern

The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) stands out as one of the best air-purifying plants you can hang in your home.

This fern removes formaldehyde and xylene from the air while adding humidity to dry indoor spaces.

Its billowy fronds can grow quite large, creating a dramatic focal point in any room.

You need to keep the soil consistently moist for Boston ferns to thrive. They prefer indirect light and benefit from regular misting to maintain their preferred humidity levels.

The maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) brings delicate beauty with its fine, feathery fronds. This Adiantum variety needs more attention than Boston ferns.

You’ll need to provide high humidity and keep the soil evenly moist without letting it dry out.

Maidenhair ferns work best in bathrooms or other naturally humid spaces where their need for moisture is easily met.

Bird’s Nest Fern and Blue Star Fern

The bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) grows differently than most ferns. Its broad, wavy fronds emerge from a central rosette that resembles a bird’s nest.

You can grow this fern in medium to low light conditions, making it suitable for rooms without bright windows.

This variety tolerates slightly drier conditions than other ferns. Water the soil directly rather than the center rosette to prevent rot.

The blue star fern features unique blue-green fronds with a leathery texture. Its compact size works well in smaller hanging baskets.

You’ll find this fern easier to care for than maidenhair varieties since it tolerates occasional missed waterings better.

Air Plants and Staghorn Fern

Air plants (Tillandsia) don’t need soil at all. You can mount these plants on driftwood, hang them in glass globes, or place them in specialized holders.

They absorb water and nutrients through their leaves rather than roots.

Soak your Tillandsia in water for 20-30 minutes every week or two.

After soaking, shake off excess water and let them dry upside down to prevent rot. Air plants need bright, indirect light(not direct sun exposure) and good air circulation.

The staghorn fern creates a bold statement piece with its antler-shaped fronds.

You typically mount this fern on wooden boards or in wire baskets filled with sphagnum moss.

The plant has two types of fronds: flat shield fronds that attach to the mounting surface and the dramatic antler fronds that grow outward.

Water staghorn ferns by soaking the entire mount or running water over the root ball weekly; having said that, don’t flood them- just a little water. They prefer bright, indirect light and appreciate occasional misting.

Colorful Blooms and Decorative Foliage in Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets showcase their full potential when filled with plants that offer vivid flowers or eye-catching leaves.

These selections thrive in elevated containers and create cascading displays that add depth to porches, patios, and balconies.

Begonias and Fuchsia

Begonias deliver reliable color throughout the growing season with minimal care requirements.

You can choose from tuberous begonias with large, rose-like blooms or wax begonias with smaller flowers and glossy foliage.

These plants perform well in partial shade and tolerate heat better than many flowering annuals.

Fuchsia produces distinctive two-toned flowers that dangle from arching stems like small lanterns. The blooms typically combine pink, purple, red, or white in striking combinations.

These plants prefer cooler temperatures and shade, making them ideal for covered porches or areas that receive morning sun only.

Both begonias and fuchsia require consistent moisture but need good drainage to prevent root problems. You should water them when the top inch of soil feels dry.

These plants benefit from regular deadheading to encourage continuous blooming and maintain their appearance.

Petunia, Calibrachoa, and Nasturtium

Petunias rank among the most popular choices for hanging baskets due to their abundant blooms and wide range of colors.

Wave and trailing varieties spread quickly to fill containers with flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, white, and yellow.

They need full sun and regular fertilizing to maintain heavy blooming.

Calibrachoa, also called million bells, produces smaller flowers than petunias but blooms even more profusely. These compact annuals create dense mounds of color and require less deadheading than petunias.

They work well mixed with other plants or displayed alone.

Nasturtium offers edible flowers and leaves with a peppery flavor. The trailing varieties cascade over basket edges with rounded leaves and bright orange, yellow, or red blooms.

These plants grow quickly in full sun to partial shade and actually bloom better in less fertile soil.

Lipstick Plant, Tradescantia, and Wandering Jew

The lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus japhrolepis) features glossy dark green leaves and tubular red flowers that emerge from burgundy buds.

This tropical plant thrives in bright indirect light and adds a unique texture to hanging displays.

You need to keep the soil lightly moist and provide humidity for best results.

Tradescantia and wandering jew (Tradescantia zebrina) are prized for their variegated foliage in combinations of green, purple, silver, and pink.

These fast-growing plants trail dramatically and work well as fillers in mixed baskets or as standalone specimens.

They tolerate a range of light conditions from bright indirect light to partial shade.

Both tradescantia varieties root easily from cuttings, allowing you to propagate new plants or fill in sparse areas.

They prefer evenly moist soil but forgive occasional missed waterings better than flowering annuals.

Choosing and Displaying Hanging Planters

Success with hanging plants depends on matching the right planter to your space and choosing plants that fit your light conditions and lifestyle.

Weight capacity, drainage, and plant toxicity are key factors that affect both plant health and household safety.

Selecting the Best Hanging Planters

Your wall type determines which hanging planters you can safely use.

Drywall requires anchors rated for the weight of wet soil and plants, which can be much heavier than you expect.

Studs and concrete walls support more weight and allow for larger hanging baskets.

Choose planters with drainage holes to prevent root rot. If you prefer planters without drainage, use them as decorative outer pots with a smaller nursery pot inside. Or you can go for a low-maintenance plant.

This setup lets you remove the plant for watering and allows excess water to drain away.

Materials matter for both indoor hanging plants and outdoor displays. Plastic planters are lightweight and retain moisture longer.

Ceramic and terracotta look attractive but add weight and dry out faster. Metal hanging baskets work well outdoors but may rust over time.

Match planter size to your plant’s needs. Small pots dry out quickly and limit root growth. Larger containers need less frequent watering but weigh more when full.

Optimizing Light and Placement

Most best hanging houseplants need bright indirect light, which you find near east or west-facing windows. Direct sun from south-facing windows can burn delicate trailing foliage.

Plants for low light, like pothos and philodendrons, thrive in north-facing rooms or spaces away from windows.

Full sun hanging baskets require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Position these outdoors on porches or patios with southern exposure.

Moderate light conditions suit the widest variety of plants and occur in rooms with filtered sunlight or a few feet from bright windows.

Height affects light exposure. Hanging planters near the ceiling receive different light than those at eye level. Move plants closer to or farther from windows if you notice stretched growth or leaf burn.

Rotation keeps growth even. Turn your hanging planter a quarter turn weekly so all sides receive equal light.

Care Tips for Low Maintenance Success

Check soil moisture before watering by sticking your finger one inch deep. Most easy-to-care-for houseplants prefer soil that dries slightly between waterings.

Hanging baskets dry faster than floor plants because air circulates all sides. You can still opt for a different plant hanger.

Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom. Shallow watering creates weak root systems.

Take outdoor hanging baskets down or use a step stool to water properly rather than splashing from below. Feed your plants monthly during spring and summer with liquid balanced fertilizer.

Skip fertilizing in fall and winter when growth slows. Hanging plants in small containers need more frequent feeding than those in larger pots.

Prune regularly to maintain shape and encourage bushier growth. Remove dead leaves and spent flowers to keep plants healthy and attractive.

Pet Safety and Non-Toxic Selections

Many popular hanging plants are toxic to pets if chewed or ingested.

Pothos, philodendrons, and English ivy can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and digestive upset in cats and dogs. Keep these plants out of reach or choose safer alternatives.

Non-toxic options for homes with pets:

• Spider plants
• Boston ferns
• Prayer plants
• Peperomia varieties
• African violets

Even non-toxic plants can cause mild stomach upset if your pet eats large amounts. Place hanging planters high enough that curious pets cannot reach trailing vines.

Cats especially like to bat at dangling foliage, so consider their jumping ability when choosing placement.

Watch for signs of plant poisoning including excessive drooling, vomiting, or lethargy. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has eaten a toxic plant.