Hanging Plants Indoor: The Complete Guide to Trailing Houseplants
Hanging Plants Indoor: The Complete Guide to Trailing Houseplants
Hanging plants transform dead vertical space into living art. They soften harsh lines, add depth to small rooms, and let you grow more plants without sacrificing a single inch of shelf or floor space. From cascading Pothos to dramatic String of Pearls to lush Swedish Ivy, here's everything you need to know about indoor hanging plants.
Why Hanging Plants?
- Maximize space — Ceiling hooks, wall brackets, and high shelves become growing spaces
- Create depth — Trailing vines add vertical layers that make rooms feel richer and more dynamic
- Pet-safe placement — Elevating plants above pet reach solves toxicity concerns
- Natural privacy — Dense trailing plants near windows create living curtains
- Dramatic visual impact — A 3-foot cascading Pothos is more striking than any shelf decor
The Best Indoor Hanging Plants
1. Pothos
Pothos is the undisputed king of indoor hanging plants. Its heart-shaped leaves cascade on long, trailing vines that can reach 6–10 feet indoors. In a hanging basket, Pothos creates a lush, cascading waterfall effect that only gets more impressive over time. It grows in any light condition and tolerates irregular watering.
Trail length: 6–10+ feet
Growth speed: Fast — expect 12–18 inches of new growth per year in good conditions
Light: Low to bright indirect (anything works)
Best for: High shelves, macramé hangers, training along curtain rods or wall hooks
2. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls is one of the most visually unique hanging plants available. Its spherical, bead-like leaves dangle on thin stems, creating cascading "strings" that look like living jewelry. The effect in a hanging planter is absolutely stunning — and unlike anything else in the plant world.
Trail length: 2–3 feet
Growth speed: Moderate
Light: Bright indirect light. A few hours of gentle morning sun is ideal.
Water: Only when soil is completely dry — the pearls store water. Overwatering is the #1 killer.
3. String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus)
String of Dolphins produces tiny dolphin-shaped leaves that look like they're leaping along the trailing stems. It's one of the most Instagram-worthy hanging plants and a conversation starter in any room. Care is similar to String of Pearls — bright light, infrequent watering.
Trail length: 1–3 feet
Growth speed: Moderate
Light: Bright indirect light
Water: When soil is completely dry
4. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)
Completing the "string family" trifecta, String of Bananas produces banana-shaped leaves on long, cascading stems. It's actually easier to grow than String of Pearls — more forgiving of watering mistakes and slightly more tolerant of lower light. Perfect for beginners who want the cascading succulent look.
Trail length: 2–4 feet
Growth speed: Moderate to fast (faster than String of Pearls)
Light: Bright indirect to some direct light
Water: When soil is dry. More forgiving than String of Pearls.
5. Philodendron
Philodendron Brasil and Cordatum are classic trailing houseplants. Their heart-shaped leaves cascade elegantly from hanging baskets, and they grow vigorously enough to create dense, lush curtains of greenery. Philodendron Brasil adds golden-green variegation; Cordatum delivers classic solid green hearts.
Trail length: 4–8 feet
Growth speed: Fast
Light: Low to bright indirect
Best for: Macramé hangers, high shelves, bathroom hooks
👉 Shop Philodendron Brasil · Shop Cordatum
6. Spider Plant
Spider Plants produce arching, variegated leaves and dangling "spiderettes" (baby plants on long stems) that create a cascading, multi-layered effect in hanging baskets. A mature Spider Plant in a hanging basket looks like a living fountain of green and white.
Trail length: Arching leaves 12–18 inches + spiderettes trail 2–3 feet below
Growth speed: Fast — produces multiple runners with babies per season
Light: Low to bright indirect. Produces more babies in brighter light.
Bonus: Pet-safe and excellent air purifier.
👉 Shop Variegated Spider Plant
7. Tradescantia
Tradescantia is one of the fastest-growing trailing plants available. The purple, green, and silver variegated stems grow so vigorously that a small starter plant can fill a hanging basket in a single growing season. The trailing purple foliage is eye-catching and pairs beautifully with green plants.
Trail length: 2–4 feet
Growth speed: Very fast — visible weekly growth in good conditions
Light: Bright indirect for the most vibrant purple coloring
Pro tip: Pinch stems regularly to keep the plant bushy at the top while letting select stems trail.
👉 Shop Tradescantia Purple · Shop Rhapsody Combo
8. Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus)
Swedish Ivy produces dense cascades of scalloped, aromatic leaves. It grows vigorously and fills hanging baskets quickly, creating a lush, overflowing effect. The scalloped leaf edges add texture, and the plant releases a subtle pleasant fragrance when the leaves are brushed.
Trail length: 2–4 feet
Growth speed: Very fast
Light: Medium to bright indirect
Bonus: Non-toxic to pets. (Unlike true English Ivy, which is toxic.)
👉 Shop Emerald Lace · Shop Swedish Ivy Green · Shop Mint
9. Angel Wing Begonia
Angel Wing Begonias produce cascading cane-like stems with polka-dotted leaves and clusters of pendant flowers. While not a traditional "trailing" plant, their arching canes hang beautifully over the edges of elevated pots and hanging baskets, creating a dramatic tropical display.
Trail length: Arching canes 1–3 feet
Growth speed: Moderate
Light: Bright indirect light for best foliage patterns and blooms
Best for: Elevated plant stands, wall-mounted planters, high shelves near windows
👉 Shop All Angel Wing Begonias
10. Boston Fern
Boston Ferns are the classic hanging plant. Their long, arching fronds cascade in all directions from a hanging basket, creating a lush, rounded silhouette that's been a front-porch and indoor staple for over a century. They're also pet-safe and top air purifiers.
Trail length: Arching fronds 2–3 feet in all directions
Growth speed: Moderate
Light: Medium indirect light. Avoid direct sun.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist — ferns are the thirstiest plants on this list.
👉 Shop Boston Fern · Shop Macho Fern
How to Hang Indoor Plants
Ceiling Hooks
The most common method. Use a toggle bolt or screw-in ceiling hook rated for at least 25 lbs (a large hanging basket with wet soil can weigh 15–20 lbs). Install into a ceiling joist for maximum security — use a stud finder to locate joists.
Wall-Mounted Brackets
L-shaped brackets or decorative wall hooks allow plants to trail down from any wall height. Install into studs or use heavy-duty drywall anchors. Great for creating vertical "plant walls."
Macramé Hangers
Macramé plant hangers add bohemian texture while holding nursery pots securely. They're adjustable, decorative, and work with any ceiling hook or wall bracket.
High Shelves & Bookcase Tops
No drilling required — just place trailing plants on the top shelf of bookcases, cabinets, or wall-mounted floating shelves and let them cascade down.
Curtain Rod Hooks
S-hooks on curtain rods create instant plant hangers near windows — right where trailing plants get the best light. This works especially well for Pothos and Philodendron.
Hanging Plant Care Tips
Watering Hanging Plants
Hanging plants dry out faster than tabletop plants because warm air rises. Check hanging plants more frequently — they may need watering 1–2 days sooner than the same species on a shelf. For hard-to-reach hangers, use a long-spout watering can or take the pot down to water in the sink and drain before re-hanging.
Drainage Solutions
The biggest challenge with hanging plants is drainage. Options:
- Drip tray/saucer attached to the bottom of the basket
- Cachepot method: Nursery pot with drainage inside a decorative hanging pot without holes. Water in the sink, drain, re-hang.
- Self-watering inserts: Some hanging baskets include water reservoirs
Pruning & Shaping
Trim trailing plants to your desired length. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth at the top (the crown), which looks more impressive. Don't throw away cuttings — propagate them in water or soil to create new plants.
Rotating
Rotate hanging plants quarterly so all sides receive even light exposure. Otherwise, the side facing the light source will grow much faster, creating a lopsided appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest hanging plant for indoors?
Pothos is the easiest indoor hanging plant. It grows in any light condition, tolerates irregular watering, and trails vigorously enough to create an impressive display within months.
What hanging plants do well in low light?
Pothos, Philodendron (Brasil and Cordatum), and Spider Plant all trail beautifully in low light. Avoid hanging succulents (String of Pearls, etc.) in low light — they need bright conditions.
How long do indoor hanging plants get?
Pothos and Philodendron can trail 6–10+ feet indoors. Tradescantia and Swedish Ivy typically reach 2–4 feet. String plants (Pearls, Dolphins, Bananas) reach 1–3 feet. Boston Fern fronds arch 2–3 feet in all directions.
What hanging plants are safe for cats?
Spider Plant, Swedish Ivy (Plectranthus), Boston Fern, and Sedum are all non-toxic to cats. Pothos, Philodendron, and String of Pearls are mildly toxic — hanging them out of reach mitigates the risk, but if your cat is an acrobatic climber, stick with pet-safe species.
How do I water hanging plants without making a mess?
Three options: (1) Take the pot to the sink, water thoroughly, let it drain completely, then re-hang. (2) Use a cachepot system (inner nursery pot + outer decorative pot). (3) Use ice cubes — they melt slowly and reduce spillage (though this only works for plants that tolerate cold water).
Ready to fill your vertical space with living art? Browse our Hanging Plants collection — trailing beauties ready to cascade from your shelves, hooks, and baskets.