Hanging Plants: 15 Options to Suit Every Home

Hanging plants can add life and character to any space. Some people even find tending to plants as fulfilling as caring for children and pets.

Unfortunately, not all people have space for a garden. Many people are constrained to apartments with poor lighting, no outdoor space, and little space inside for plants. Fortunately, there are many indoor hanging plants species to choose from to address those concerns – and a number of attractive hanging planter options.

Things To Consider When Choosing Indoor Hanging Plants

Assess your environment first and research which plants best suit its characteristics. Here are a few essential questions to consider:

• How are the lighting conditions?
• How humid is your home?
• How warm or cool does your home get?

Top 15 Hanging Plants

Once you’ve considered those factors, read on to find out which plants are best for you.

1. Air Plant (Tillandsia)

This plant is typically known for its visible lack of roots and leaves growing in a rosette shape. However, it has around 650 species, resulting in many physical variations.

Like the T. ionantha rubra, some species have the kind of long, spindly leaves typically associated with air plants. Meanwhile, some have long, thick leaves, like the T. xerographica, and some have vibrant colors, like the T. ionantha fuego.

Many plant enthusiasts favor air plants for their unique appearance and simple maintenance.

Tips for Growing

• Classified as epiphytes, they naturally grow on other plants. Do not plant them in soil. Instead, opt for placing them in open glass baubles or wire baskets.
• Temperatures 60°F and warmer are ideal. To get your air plants through the winter, ensure your room’s temperature does not drop below 45°F.
• Humid environments are best. When lacking humidity, mist them at least three times a week. Every other week or when they need extra care, soak them in room temperature water for 1 to 3 hours.
• When watering your plant, avoid soft water. Its salt content is detrimental to your plant’s health.
• They will thrive with at least four hours of indirect sunlight or artificial light each day.

2. Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)

The arrowhead plant, with its spade-shaped leaves like arrowheads, is a beginner-friendly plant. It has varieties of leaves in different hues, from its typical green and white coloration to more vibrant greens and pinks. When untrimmed, it grows into a long, lush vine — perfect for hanging.

Pet owners must avoid this plant as it is toxic when eaten.

Tips for Growing

• Use soil that drains well in pots with drip holes to avoid root rot. Use clay and terracotta pots to help keep too much moisture away from its roots.
• These plants thrive in temperatures around 60° to 75°F.
• The higher the humidity, the better, although arrowhead plants can tolerate average humidity. This humidity tolerance makes them perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Water them two to three times a week or as soon as their soil begins to dry out.  They are susceptible to root rot, so avoid overwatering.
• Arrowhead plants do best in moderately bright, indirect sunlight. However, lower amounts of light are better for ones with darker green leaves. Direct sunlight may fry its leaves and turn them an unpleasant grayish color.

3. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus) Hanging Plants

Named after birds’ nests for naturally growing atop trees, the bird’s nest fern is also an epiphyte. It has long, crinkled, spear-like leaves that rise or trail down from a central rosette. When grown indoors, its leaves can reach a span of up to two feet.

Tips for Growing

• Plant the bird’s nest fern in loamy, well-drained potting soil rich in organic material.
• Being a tropical plant, keep temperatures in the 65 to 80ºF temperature range.
• It thrives in high humidity, making it a great bathroom plant, though it can also tolerate average humidity.
• Make sure its soil is always moist but not overwatered. Avoid watering directly into the rosette. This nest of leaves may retain too much water, leading to root rot. Water around the plant instead.
• Bird’s nest ferns need a medium to bright indirect sunlight. Direct light will burn its leaves.

4. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

With its beautiful feathery fronds, the Boston fern looks like the quintessential fern. It is popular among novice and expert plant growers for being hardy. It can quickly recover after a short period of neglect. When fully grown, its fronds can reach up to three feet in length.

Tips for Growing

• Plant this fern in well-draining potting mixtures containing peat moss. Give the pot a good soak about once a month to ensure the moss stays hydrated.
• Boston ferns can be finicky with temperature. Temperatures of 60° to 75°F works best. If you live in a colder climate, keep your fern away from frost and below-freezing temperatures.
• These plants love humidity, thriving the most in 80% humidity and above. If your space lacks humidity, mist your fern regularly and make sure its soil is always moist.
• Boston ferns flourish best in bright, indirect light, although it naturally grows in shaded areas and can tolerate low light. Direct sunlight may dry out and burn its leaves.

5. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) Hanging Plants

The burro’s tail (or donkey’s tail) is a succulent with long, sweeping tendrils that drape beautifully from its pot. On average, its stems can grow 24 inches long. While its flowers rarely bloom indoors, it can create red, white, and yellow flowers during summer.

Like other succulents, this plant forgives slight neglect, although its beaded stems are fragile and require delicate handling.

Tips for Growing

• Plant in a pot with drain holes, using a potting mix meant for cacti.
• It needs warmth and average humidity to survive.
• Indoor burro’s tails only need to be watered once a month, with its soil completely drying out between watering sessions. Overwatering can kill it by causing its tendrils to rot.
• This succulent loves warm sunlight. Place your succulent by a window that receives ample light.
• Avoid frequent touching and keep it away from solid breezes to keep its stems from breaking.

6. Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)

A unique-looking plant, the Chenille is easily identifiable through the red, caterpillar-like flowers that cascade from between large, heart-shaped leaves. It has many other names, such as ‘fox tails’ and ‘red-hot cattail.’

Chenille plants are mildly poisonous. Keep them out of reach if you have pets or small children.

Tips for Growing

• The chenille plant can survive in most types of soil well-draining soil, including sand and clay. It is not drought-resistant, though, and cannot thrive by the seaside.
• As a plant native to warm places like New Guinea and Malaysia, it prefers temperatures above 60°F. Conversely, 40°F and below will make it wither away.
• Its soil needs to be constantly moist but not overwatered. This plant enjoys humidity, so misting your plant between waterings is encouraged.
• Chenille plants can take direct sunlight. It can also flourish in partial shade, but we recommend full sun.

7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

Some people consider the English ivy to be an invasive weed. However, its cascading stems with elegantly shaped evergreen leaves make for beautiful hanging plants. This vine can cover much ground when growing horizontally and can climb up to 80 feet.

Many love it for its simple needs and ability to clear the air of mold spores and harmful airborne chemicals.

Tips for Growing

• English ivy thrives in loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter or compost. It can also survive in soils of varying pH levels.
• It does not do well in extreme temperatures, favoring the 45° to 80°F range. Keep indoor plants in rooms at a cool 60°F.
• Water its soil enough to be only slightly moist. English ivy is more partial to dryer conditions.
• While it is generally better kept in partially to fully shaded areas, it needs partial light when grown indoors.

8. Hanging Hoya (Hoya carnosa)

The hoya plant (or wax plant) is known for having woody, trailing stems with waxy leaves and star-shaped flowers. It is low-maintenance and quite sturdy. There is a wide range of Hoya species that come in different colors, textures, and sizes.

As a houseplant, it can be kept indoors and outdoors and used as hanging or surface decorations.

Tips for Growing

• The Hoya flourishes in well-draining, nutrient-heavy potting mixes. It doesn’t mind being rootbound and isn’t picky with its pot as long as it has drain holes.
• It thrives in warmer weather and may die in temperatures below 45°F.
• Water it once the top half or third of its soil dries out, but water less frequently during winter. Hoyas thrive in humid places, although they can adapt to lower levels of humidity.
• Place your hoyas near windows for bright light. Too much direct sunlight may burn its leaves, but too little light may prevent flowers from blooming.

9. Orchid (Orchidaceae)

Orchids have over 800 types, 20,000 species, plus hybrids. With so many options, research is crucial to determine which one fits your gardening skills. Many common types are low-maintenance and adaptable, though, so do not be intimidated.

As diverse as they are, there are general tips that can ensure your orchids survive indoors.

Tips for Growing

• As an epiphyte, most orchids do not need soil. Attach its roots to tree bark, stone, or other loosely packed material in a roomy container. Avoid suffocating it in a tightly packed pot.
• Know what orchid type you have to determine its temperature needs. Some thrive in steady, warmer temperatures, while others need shifting temperatures to simulate changing seasons.
• Thoroughly water it once a week, then let its pot drain. Orchids are sensitive to root rot and die when overwatered. Native to humid countries, misting your plant can keep it healthy, but avoid letting water pool on the leaves.
• Different orchids need different light intensities but avoid placing them in direct sunlight.

10. Philodendron Heartleaf (Philodendron scandens) Hanging Plants

Also known as the sweetheart plant, this evergreen vine is notoriously easy to grow and keep alive. It is the most popular philodendron of 200 varieties. It makes for a beautiful hanging plant with its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves and trailing stems.

It is perfect for placing indoors because it can help cleanse the air of harmful toxins. It also does not have special light requirements or humidity needs.

Please note that the philodendron’s leaves and sap are toxic to humans and pets.

Tips for Growing

• Heartleaf philodendrons are not picky with soil as long as it is well-draining. For extra care, add some perlite into the potting mix. You can also plant it in containers with just water.
• This tropical vine loves warm and highly humid environments but can also flourish with average household humidity.
• Water your philodendron around once a week. Checking the top two inches of soil for dryness is a good idea, especially in hot weather.
• Medium to bright, indirect sunlight makes it grow more leaves, but it can survive in low-light conditions too.

11. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

The pothos is another low-maintenance trailing vine that can survive a little watering neglect. It is also known as devil’s ivy and golden pothos, among many other names.

Pothos vines grow quickly, lengthening an average of 12 to 18 inches per month, and can grow to more than 30 feet.

It can live in low-light environments, making it perfect for decorating offices and bathrooms. It also helps to filter airborne toxins and carbon monoxide.

Parents and pet owners should know that the pothos is poisonous to pets and small children. Keep it out of reach.

Tips for Growing

• It does not have special soil needs. It can thrive in most pH levels and types of potting mixes as long as they are well-draining. Like the philodendron, it can also grow in just water.
• It flourishes in high humidity, making it a perfect bathroom or kitchen plant, but it can tolerate lower levels. Pothos plants prefer temperatures around 60° to 75°F.
• Pothos plants are prone to root rot, so avoid making the soil too damp. Leaves with black spots indicate overwatering. Allow the soil to dry completely before watering, but not enough to make its leaves turn brown.
• It tolerates all forms of indirect lighting conditions — even low light. Just make sure to keep it away from direct sunlight. Too much sun may cause its leaves to burn or become pale.

12. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Named after the spider-like clusters that fall from its central mother plant, the spider plant is famously low-maintenance. Its resilience to less than ideal conditions and ability to purify the air makes it perfect for indoor care.

Tips for Growing

• Spider plants fare best when planted in well-draining soil.
• It cannot tolerate cold temperatures below 50°F. It is not finicky when it comes to humidity, but higher levels or occasional misting can help avoid browning tips.
• Brown tips can also be caused by chemicals, like fluoride, found in some tap water. Try sticking to rain or distilled water. Keeping its soil slightly moist — not too dry but not soggy — is ideal.
• It can survive in the shade and low light but flourishes when exposed to bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent burning its leaves.

13. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium)

This non-flowering plant is epiphytic, naturally found growing on trees and absorbing its needs from the air through its fronds. Some places classify it as invasive as it reproduces through spores.

With leaves shaped like elk antlers, the staghorn fern makes for stunning hanging plants. Its leaves can grow up to three feet long indoors.

Tips for Growing

• Staghorn ferns do not grow in soil. For indoor planting, mount them on pieces of wood, rocks, or baskets. Apply peat moss, compost, or other planting mediums for the plant’s basal fronds to attach themselves.
• It prefers warm climates and highly humid environments. Mist it regularly to make up for lower humidity. It is also best to keep it in temperatures above 50°F.
• With its lack of soil, it may be challenging to determine when it needs watering. Keep it healthy by regularly misting its fronds and soaking it occasionally for thorough watering. Avoid wetting its growing medium to prevent root rot.
• When grown indoors, medium to bright indirect light is best.

14. String of Hearts (Ceropegia) Hanging Plants

The string of heart’s name comes from its striking heart-shaped leaves on long, purple stems. Its green leaves have a marbled pattern, sometimes tinged with purple. This evergreen vine grows fast and can reach lengths around 4 meters fully grown.

It produces flowers that usually bloom from late summer to fall and appear sporadically throughout the year.

Tips for Growing

• It requires a well-draining potting mix, ideally for cacti, mixed with coarse sediment to aid in drainage.
• This plant thrives in moderately warm temperatures and around 50% humidity. Intense heat and cold can cause it to wilt and die.
• Dry soil is best as this succulent easily drowns and is prone to root rot. Ensure its soil dries out before watering.
• The string of hearts loves bright light but can only stand direct sunlight for a short time.

15. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

The string of pearls is one of the easiest and prettiest succulents to grow. It is also known as the rosary string of beads with its fleshy, bead-like foliage and gracefully flowing stems. Like most succulents, it is resilient and can withstand minor neglect. At full maturity, it can grow up to two feet long.

Besides its bubble-like leaves, it can also produce white flowers in the springtime, although rarely indoors.

Note that it is toxic to humans and pets when ingested.

Tips for Growing

• It prefers sandy, well-draining potting soil meant for succulents and cacti. Choose a terracotta pot or something equally as helpful in absorbing excess moisture.
• This plant loves warmth, especially when temperatures are above 70°F and humidity is low. It goes dormant in the winter and thrives at 50°F in this condition.
• It is drought-resistant and will survive with little watering. Let its soil dry out completely before another watering session.
• String-of-pearls plants flourish in both bright direct and indirect sunlight.

FAQs for Hanging Plants