Best Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets and Shelves

Nothing transforms a room quite like a cascading vine spilling over a shelf edge or a lush trailing plant dangling from a macramé hanger. Trailing plants add vertical drama, soften hard surfaces, and make any space feel like an indoor jungle — all without taking up floor space. At Divine Roots Botanicals, trailing plants are some of our most popular sellers. Here are the 14 best trailing houseplants ranked by ease of care, growth speed, and visual impact, with honest guidance on which ones suit your space.

Trailing Plant Quick Reference

Plant	Trail Length	Light Needed	Growth Speed	Difficulty	Pet Safe?
Pothos	6–10 ft	Low–Bright indirect	Fast	⭐ Beginner	❌
Heartleaf Philodendron	4–8 ft	Low–Medium	Fast	⭐ Beginner	❌
String of Pearls	2–3 ft	Bright indirect	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	❌
String of Hearts	3–6 ft	Bright indirect	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅
String of Bananas	2–3 ft	Bright indirect	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	❌
String of Dolphins	2–3 ft	Bright indirect	Slow–Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	❌
Tradescantia	2–4 ft	Medium–Bright	Very Fast	⭐ Beginner	❌
Syngonium	3–6 ft	Low–Medium	Fast	⭐ Beginner	❌
Spider Plant	1–2 ft (pups)	Medium	Moderate	⭐ Beginner	✅
Hoya	4–10 ft	Medium–Bright	Slow	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅
English Ivy	4–8 ft	Medium–Bright	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	❌
Lipstick Plant	2–3 ft	Medium–Bright	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅
Boston Fern	2–3 ft	Medium indirect	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅
Episcia	1–2 ft	Medium	Moderate	⭐⭐ Intermediate	✅

The Top 14 Trailing Houseplants

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The undisputed king of trailing houseplants. Pothos grows fast, tolerates neglect, thrives in low light, and its heart-shaped leaves cascade beautifully from any elevated surface. A single vine can reach 6–10 feet indoors, and the plant keeps pushing out new growth year-round.

Varieties range from the classic golden pothos (green leaves splashed with yellow) to marble queen (white variegation), neon (electric chartreuse), and jade (solid deep green). All trail equally well.

Display ideas: Drape from a high bookshelf, train along a curtain rod, or hang in a macramé planter by a window. In low-light corners, jade and golden pothos perform best.

Care: Water when the top 2 inches of soil dry out. Brown tips mean low humidity; yellow leaves mean overwatering. Full care details in our pothos care guide.

2. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

Often confused with pothos, the heartleaf philodendron has softer, more velvety leaves and a slightly more compact trailing habit. It's equally indestructible and adds a lush, romantic look to shelves and hanging baskets.

How it differs from pothos: Philodendron leaves are more uniformly heart-shaped, thinner, and matte rather than waxy. The stems are thinner and more flexible. Both are excellent; choose philodendron for a softer, more delicate look.

Care: Nearly identical to pothos. Medium indirect light is ideal but it tolerates low light. Water when the top inch dries. See our philodendron care guide, and don't miss the velvety Philodendron micans for a more exotic trailer.

3. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

Few plants are as visually distinctive as string of pearls. Tiny, round, bead-like leaves cascade down slender stems like a living curtain of green pearls. When happy, this succulent produces delicate white flowers with a sweet cinnamon scent.

Why it's tricky: String of pearls needs bright indirect light and very careful watering. Overwatering causes root rot quickly; underwatering makes the pearls shrivel and flatten. The sweet spot is soaking thoroughly when the soil is completely dry, then waiting.

Care: Bright indirect light (south or west window). Water only when pearls start to look slightly less plump — typically every 10–14 days in summer, every 3–4 weeks in winter. Use well-draining succulent mix.

4. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

This delicate trailer produces tiny heart-shaped leaves on thin, wire-like stems that can trail up to 6 feet. The leaves are often marbled with silver and green on top and pink-purple underneath, creating a shimmering curtain effect in sunlight. It's a romantic, whimsical plant that looks stunning in a sunny window.

Display ideas: Hang in a bright window where light can filter through the translucent leaves. The thin stems look beautiful silhouetted against natural light.

Care: Bright indirect to direct light (it can handle some morning sun). Let soil dry completely between waterings — this is a semi-succulent that stores water in its tubers. Minimal feeding needed.

5. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)

The easygoing cousin of string of pearls. Each leaf is shaped like a tiny banana, and the plant is noticeably more forgiving about watering and light. If you've killed string of pearls, try string of bananas — it gives a similar look with less drama.

Care: Bright indirect light. Water when soil is completely dry. More tolerant of lower light and inconsistent watering than string of pearls.

6. String of Dolphins (Senecio × peregrinus)

A hybrid between string of pearls and candle plant, string of dolphins produces leaves that look like tiny leaping dolphins. It's one of the most charming and Instagram-worthy trailing plants available.

Care: Similar to string of pearls but slightly more forgiving. Bright indirect light, infrequent watering, well-draining soil. Grows slowly but the unique leaf shape makes the wait worthwhile.

7. Tradescantia (Tradescantia zebrina)

For explosive color, nothing beats tradescantia. The purple-and-silver striped leaves shimmer in the light, and the plant grows fast — expect several inches of new growth per month in good conditions. It's also one of the easiest plants to propagate: snip any stem, stick it in water or soil, and it roots in days.

Care: Medium to bright indirect light for the best color. In low light, the purple fades to green. Water when the top inch dries. Pinch back regularly to keep it bushy. See our tradescantia care guide.

8. Syngonium (Syngonium podophyllum)

Syngonium starts compact and bushy, then develops a trailing/climbing habit as it matures. The arrowhead-shaped leaves come in white, pink, green, and variegated patterns. It's versatile — let it trail from a shelf or give it a moss pole to climb.

Care: Low to medium indirect light. Water when the top inch dries. The plant tells you when it's thirsty — leaves droop slightly and recover quickly after watering.

9. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Spider plants trail differently — rather than long vines, they produce arching stems with dangling "babies" (pups) that create a cascading fountain effect. Each pup can be snipped off and potted as a new plant. It's one of the most generous plants you can own.

Care: Medium indirect light. Water when the top inch dries. Brown tips are common and usually caused by fluoride in tap water — switch to filtered water. Pet-safe and air-purifying. See our spider plant care guide.

10. Hoya (Hoya spp.)

Hoyas are the slow-burn trailing plants — they grow slowly but eventually produce stunning, fragrant flower clusters that look like they're made of porcelain or wax. Once a hoya is established and happy, it can trail 10+ feet and produce flowers year after year. The most common variety is the Hindu rope hoya (H. carnosa 'Compacta') with its twisted, rope-like leaves.

Care: Bright indirect light for best flowering. Let soil dry between waterings — hoyas are semi-succulent. Don't remove the flower spurs after blooms fade, as new flowers emerge from the same spot.

11. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy brings a classic, elegant trailing look with its lobed leaves and dense growth habit. It's one of the best plants for cooler rooms where tropical plants might struggle. The variegated varieties (glacier, goldchild) add brightness to darker spaces.

Care: Prefers cooler temperatures (60–75°F) and medium to bright indirect light. Keep soil evenly moist. Watch for spider mites — ivy is susceptible. Regular misting or a humidifier helps prevent infestations.

12. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)

Named for its tubular red flowers that emerge from dark calyxes (like a lipstick from its tube), this tropical trailer is both a foliage and flowering plant. The glossy, waxy leaves look good year-round, and the flowers add exciting color during spring and summer.

Care: Medium to bright indirect light. Water when the top inch dries. Appreciates higher humidity — a bathroom or kitchen window is ideal. Feed monthly during spring and summer to encourage flowering.

13. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

The classic porch and bathroom plant. Boston ferns produce arching, feathery fronds that cascade beautifully from hanging baskets. They're one of the best air purifiers on this list and the lush green mass makes a strong visual statement.

Care: Medium indirect light and high humidity. Keep soil consistently moist (not soggy). These are moisture lovers — mist regularly or keep in a humid bathroom. Brown, shedding fronds usually mean the air is too dry.

14. Episcia (Episcia cupreata)

An underrated trailing beauty, episcia (flame violet) produces fuzzy, metallic leaves in stunning shades of copper, silver, green, and pink. Small tubular flowers in red, orange, or yellow add extra color. It trails via runners (like a strawberry plant), creating a cascading curtain of iridescent foliage.

Care: Medium indirect light. Keep soil moist and humidity high. Episcia is a relative of African violets and has similar care needs — warm, humid, and consistently moist.

How to Display Trailing Plants

Hanging Methods

• Macramé hangers: The boho classic. Choose natural cotton or jute for an organic look.
• Ceiling hooks: Simple and effective. Use a toggle bolt or find a joist for heavy pots.
• Wall-mounted planters: Half-moon planters mounted on the wall let vines cascade down the surface.
• Shower rod: Hang lightweight trailing plants from the shower rod using S-hooks for a bathroom jungle effect.

Shelf Styling

• Place trailing plants at the edge of shelves so vines can drape freely.
• Pair trailing plants with upright plants (like snake plants or pilea) for contrast.
• Use odd numbers (3 or 5 plants per shelf) for a natural, unforced look.
• Vary heights and textures — mix delicate string plants with bolder pothos or philodendron.

Choosing the Right Trailer for Your Space

• Low light + easy care: Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, or syngonium
• Bright light + unique look: String of pearls, string of hearts, or hoya
• Pet-safe options: Spider plant, Boston fern, episcia, or string of hearts
• Fast growers: Tradescantia, pothos, or philodendron
• Conversation starters: String of dolphins, lipstick plant, or hoya with flowers

Ready to add some vertical greenery to your home? Browse our string plant collection, explore our best sellers, or shop our small indoor plants perfect for shelves and hanging baskets.