Indoor hanging plants are houseplants specifically chosen for their trailing or cascading growth habits. These plants are ideal for growing in hanging baskets or macrame plant hangers as they add a touch of greenery and natural beauty to your home.
Furthermore, the hanging plants are also suitable for smaller homes or apartments as they can utilize vertical space effectively. While plants like String of Pearls, Pothos and English Ivy are commonly used for hanging, there are several more floral that can serve this purpose. The 20 best indoor hanging plants are listed below:
1. Spider Plant
Spider plants are popular as indoor hanging plants due to their attractive foliage and easy-care requirements. They often produce small white flowers and baby plantlets, known as “spiderettes,” which dangle gracefully from long stems.
These plants help improve indoor air quality by removing toxins such as formaldehyde and benzene from the air, creating a healthier living environment. While they are commonly grown in hanging baskets, they can also be placed on shelves or tabletops, making them versatile additions to any indoor setting. Learn essential tips for spider plant care.
- Name: Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: Up to 24 inches long
2. String of Pearls
The string of pearls is popular for its trailing stems that are adorned with spherical, bead-like leaves resembling a string of pearls. These leaves add a unique and captivating visual appeal to any indoor space. They are relatively easy to care for, making it suitable for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts.
Additionally, the string of pearls plant requires moderate light, occasional watering, and well-draining soil. Place it in a location with bright, indirect light. Also, avoid exposing the plant to direct sunlight for prolonged periods as this can lead to sunburn on the delicate leaves.
- Name: String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
- Light: Bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch, avoid overwatering
- Mature size: Up to 3 feet long
3. Heartleaf Philodendron
The heartleaf philodendron is often considered one of the best indoor hanging plants for several reasons. Firstly, it features attractive heart-shaped leaves that cascade gracefully, adding beauty and greenery to any space. Secondly, it is relatively easy to care for, tolerating a wide range of indoor conditions, including low light, making it suitable for various indoor environments.
However, these low-light plants are toxic to cats and dogs if ingested. The plant contains calcium oxalate crystals, which can cause irritation and swelling of the mouth, tongue, and throat if consumed.
- Name: Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when soil feels slightly moist; avoid overwatering
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet long
4. English Ivy
This indoor hanging plant is a popular trailing vine known for its lush, green foliage and vigorous growth habit. English Ivies are versatile plants that can be grown both indoors and outdoors as a hanging or trailing plant. They thrive in bright, indirect light but can also tolerate low-light conditions. Place it near a window where it can receive filtered sunlight or in a well-lit room.
It’s essential to keep English ivy out of the reach of pets because it contains toxins called saponins, which can cause gastrointestinal upset if ingested by pets such as cats and dogs.
- Name: English Ivy (Hedera helix)
- Light: Medium to bright, indirect light
- Water: Water when the soil feels slightly moist, avoid overwatering
- Mature Size: Up to 10 feet long
5. Pothos
Pothos is a versatile plant that thrives in a variety of indoor conditions, making it suitable for beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts alike. These shrubs prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions, although their growth may slow down.
Pothos can be hung in a hanging basket or placed on a high shelf where their trailing vines can cascade down. Moreover, it can also be trained to climb a trellis or moss pole if desired. Learn more about pothos plant care.
- Name: Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
- Light: Low to bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet long
6. String of Hearts
The indoor basket plant, string of hearts, is a charming trailing plant known for its delicate heart-shaped leaves that cascade gracefully over the edges of hanging baskets or containers. The heart-shaped leaves add a whimsical and romantic touch to any indoor space.
They are perennial plants, meaning they can live for several years with proper care. With its slow growth rate, string of hearts can become a cherished and long-lasting addition to your indoor garden.
- Name: String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch
- Mature size: Up to 3 feet long
7. Air Plants
Often referred to as an air plant or tillandsia, the indoor air plant is a type of epiphytic flora from the Bromeliaceae family. Opting for indoor air plants as hanging displays not only adds a stylish touch to your home decor but also contributes to better indoor air quality by removing toxins and impurities from the air.
These plants are among the best choices for indoor hanging displays due to their unique growth habits and minimal care requirements. They absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves from the air around them, making them incredibly adaptable and easy to care for.
- Name: Air Plants (Tillandsia spp.)
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Mist the plant 1-2 times per week, or soak it in water for 15–30 minutes once a week
- Mature size: Varies depending on the species, but most air plants are relatively small
8. String of Bananas
Hanging plants, the string of bananas is a unique succulent plant characterized by its trailing stems adorned with small, banana-shaped leaves. It’s a member of the Asteraceae family and is native to South Africa.
Select a hanging basket or a pot with drainage holes at the bottom to prevent waterlogging. Place your string of bananas in a spot that receives bright, indirect sunlight.
- Name: String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering
- Mature size: Up to 3 feet long
9. Bird’s Nest Fern
The Bird’s Nest Fern is a popular tropical fern known for its wide, wavy, and often crinkled fronds that resemble a bird’s nest, hence its name. This fern is native to tropical regions, particularly Southeast Asia and Australia, where it grows as an epiphyte on trees or rocks.
In indoor settings, they are favored for their lush, glossy leaves and are often grown indoors in pots or hanging baskets. They require the following requirements to survive indoors:
- Name: Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
- Water: Keep the soil evenly moist, but not soggy; mist the leaves regularly
- Mature size: Up to 2 feet tall and wide
10. Creeping Charlie
Creeping Charlie is a creeping perennial plant that belongs to the mint family. It is native to Europe and Asia but has also become naturalized in North America. The plant is known for its small, rounded leaves with scalloped edges and its ability to spread rapidly, forming dense mats on the ground.
While it is typically grown as a ground cover plant in outdoor gardens due to its spreading nature, Creeping Charlies can also be cultivated as an indoor hanging plant. When grown indoors, their trailing stems and cascading growth habits make them well-suited for hanging baskets or containers placed on elevated surfaces.
- Name: Creeping Charlie (Glechoma hederacea)
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: Up to 6 inches tall
11. Lipstick Plant
Lipstick plants are commonly grown indoors as ornamental houseplants, particularly as hanging plants. It’s named for its striking tubular flowers that resemble a tube of lipstick. Their trailing growth habit makes them well-suited for hanging baskets or planters placed on elevated surfaces.
When choosing a pot for a lipstick plant, opt for a hanging basket with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging. A pot with a diameter of around 6 to 8 inches is usually sufficient, but larger pots may be needed as the plant grows.
- Name: Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus pulcher)
- Light: Bright indirect light, avoid direct sunlight
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry; maintain high humidity (50–60%)
- Mature size: Up to 2 feet tall
12. Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron brasil is a cultivar of the popular Philodendron hederaceum species. It is characterized by its striking foliage, featuring heart-shaped leaves with vibrant green coloration and golden-yellow variegation.
Moreover, Philodendron Brasil is an excellent choice for an indoor hanging plant. Its trailing growth habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets or pots placed on high shelves where its vines can cascade downward. A pot with a diameter of 6–8 inches is usually sufficient for young plants, but as they grow, you may need to repot them in a larger container.
- Name: Philodendron Brasil (Philodendron hederaceum ‘Brasil’)
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet long
13. Orchids
Orchids can indeed be grown as hanging plants indoors, although they have slightly different care requirements compared to typical hanging plants. Most orchids are epiphytic, meaning they naturally grow on trees or rocks in tropical environments. While they don’t require soil, they do need a well-ventilated growing medium that retains some moisture, such as orchid bark or sphagnum moss.
For hanging, you can place the orchid in a decorative hanging basket with a liner or use a slatted wooden basket lined with sphagnum moss.
- Name: Orchids (Orchidaceae)
- Light: Varies depending on the species, but most prefer bright indirect light
- Water: Water deeply when the roots turn silvery-white, then allow the soil to dry out slightly before watering again
- Mature size: 6 inches to 3 feet tall
14. Monstera adansonii
Monstera adansonii, commonly known as the Swiss Cheese Vine or Monstera Monkey Mask, is indeed an excellent choice for hanging indoors. Its unique fenestrated leaves add a tropical and artistic touch to any space. It is relatively easy to care for in an indoor environment.
These plants prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Learn more about indoor hanging vines that add beauty to your house.
- Name: Monstera adansonii (Monstera adansonii)
- Light: Bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: Up to 6 feet tall
15. Hoya
Hoya plants, commonly known as wax plants or Hindu ropes, are popular indoor hanging plants prized for their waxy, often variegated foliage and clusters of star-shaped flowers. They are low-maintenance and thrive in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions.
The trailing vines make them perfect for hanging baskets, where they can cascade gracefully, adding a touch of beauty and charm to any indoor space.
- Name: Hoya (Hoya carnosa)
- Light: Bright, indirect sunlight for up to 6 hours daily
- Water: Water deeply when the soil feels dry to the touch, allowing it to dry out completely between waterings
- Mature size: 6–8 feet long (Outdoor), 2–3 feet tall (Indoor)
16. Maidenhair Fern
Due to their delicate, lacy foliage and graceful trailing habit, maidenhair ferns are popular choices for indoor hanging plants. These ferns prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity, making them well-suited for bathrooms or kitchens with adequate moisture.
When grown indoors, they thrive in well-draining potting mixtures. Hanging baskets allow their fronds to drape elegantly, adding a touch of natural beauty to any indoor space. Learn how to grow and care for fern plants.
- Name: Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum spp.)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light; avoid direct sunlight
- Water: Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy; mist the leaves regularly, especially in dry environments
- Mature size: 1-2 feet tall
17. Chinese Evergreeen
While the Chinese Evergreeen is not typically grown as a hanging plant due to its upright growth habit, it can still be displayed in hanging baskets if desired. This plant features colorful, variegated leaves in shades of green, silver, and pink, making it a visually appealing addition to any indoor space.
The evergreen plant is suitable for rooms with limited natural light as it can adopt to low-to-medium light conditions. Additionally, it is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate occasional neglect, making it an excellent choice for busy individuals or those new to indoor gardening.
- Name: Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
- Light: Low to medium indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: 1-3 feet tall
18. Peperomia
Peperomia is a diverse genus of small, easy-to-care-for houseplants belonging to the Piperaceae family, which also includes black pepper. These plants are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Central and South America. These plants are valued for their compact size, making them ideal for small spaces and hanging baskets.
Their trailing or cascading growth habit adds visual interest and greenery to any indoor space. Moreover, they are relatively low-maintenance and tolerant of a variety of light conditions, making them suitable for beginners or those with limited experience caring for plants.
- Name: Peperomia (Peperomia spp)
- Light: Medium to bright indirect light
- Water: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry
- Mature size: 6–12 inches tall
19. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Burro’s tail, commonly known as donkey’s tail, is a succulent plant native to southern Mexico and Honduras. It is characterized by its distinctive trailing stems adorned with plump, fleshy leaves that resemble the shape of small, overlapping beads or droplets, giving it its common name.
Ideal for hanging baskets or containers, the Burro’s tail is often grown as a hanging plant due to its trailing growth habit. It is a popular choice for indoor gardening and can also be grown outdoors in temperate climates as long as it receives bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
- Name: Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
- Light: Bright indirect light; ideal placement is near a south-facing window
- Water: Water deeply when the soil feels completely dry to the touch; allow excess water to drain freely
- Mature size: Up to 4 feet long and 1-2 feet wide
20. Nerve Plant
The Nerve Plant is a small, tropical houseplant prized for its striking foliage. They are native to the rainforests of South America, where they grow as ground-cover plants. These plants are typically grown as indoor plants due to their tropical origins and preference for warm, humid environments.
Due to their compact size and attractive foliage, nerve plants are popular choices for terrariums, small containers, or as accents in mixed plant arrangements.
- Name: Nerve Plant (Fittonia spp.)
- Light: Bright indirect light; avoid direct sunlight to avoid leaves from scorching
- Water: Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy; water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch
- Mature size: Up to 6 inches tall; 12–18 inches wide