No matter if you’re running out of space, or if you want to grow some more plants in hanging pots, there are plenty of species to choose from.
Hanging plants are also useful in that you can grow them away from destructive hands, paws, or mouths that get a little too curious about your green friends.
There are so many hanging plants to choose from that it can be very difficult to decide, or even know where to begin.
The trick is to find a species that suits the space you have in mind, including how much light it gets, how humid the room is, how warm it is, and how often you’re likely to remember to water it!
So here are 21 different options, for some of the best hanging plants you can grow indoors.
Stunning Indoor Hanging Plants
1. Aeschynanthus ‘Lipstick Plant’
One of the lesser-known plants on this list is the Lipstick Plant, belonging to the Aeschynanthus genus.
It’s a beautiful plant that will do well in any bright indirect spot, provided that there is plenty of humidity, whether that’s through a humidifier, or keeping your plant in a kitchen or bathroom.
Plenty of light also ensures that the plant will flower profusely, which is exactly what you want!
There is such a thing as too much light for your plant, however. Stay away from windows that get prolonged direct sunlight, such as a Southern-facing window as your plant will burn.
2. Begonia Maculata ‘Polka Dot Plant’
One of the most beautiful Begonia plants you can grow is the Polka Dot Plant. If you don’t give it support, it will tumble down the sides of its pot, making it perfect for a hanging basket.
Begonias like consistent care with no dramatic changes. Keep your Polka Dot Plant in bright light, with a couple of hours of direct sunlight, and some humidity.
Whatever you do, do not mist the leaves of a Begonia, as this will cause them to rot.
3. Chlorophytum Comosum ‘Spider Plant’
One of the easiest hanging plants you can grow is the spider plant, and it helps that there are different forms available.
When it matures, it produces baby plants on a long trailing stem known as a runner or stolon, and you can propagate these into new plants in their own right.
Give your spider plants bright and indirect light, watering when the top two inches of compost are dry, and then leave it alone.
Occasionally use a pencil to gently poke holes in the soil to stop the compost from getting too compacted.
4. Epiphyllum Anguliger ‘Fishbone Cactus’
Sometimes known as the Ric Rac Cactus, the Fishbone Cactus is a beautiful tropical epiphyte, with trailing, zig-zag leaves.
It needs bright and indirect light, some humidity, and airy compost.
Don’t be fooled by the Cactus name into thinking that it will do well with some long dry spells, as it is a tropical plant used to plenty of moisture.
5. Epiphyllum Guatemalense ‘Curly Orchid Cactus’
A close relative of Epiphyllum oxypetalum, the ‘Queen Of The Night’, the Curly Orchid Cactus is a beautiful plant with twisted stems and bright green leaves, which spill over the sides of the pot.
It’s very low maintenance, only needing the occasional watering, and not as much light as many of these plants need.
6. Epiphyllum Oxypetalum ‘Queen Of The Night Cactus’
One of the most beautiful tropical cactus species you can grow in your home is the Queen Of The Night, a wonderful plant that will bloom at night if you get the care right.
It’s important to know that this plant won’t bloom until it is mature, so you may have to be patient, but the wait is worth it.
When it does flower, you’ll have to be quick. The buds form at about sundown and will open up during the night, and start to fade as the sun rises.
If you’re a night owl, this is the perfect plant to enjoy having in your home. If you love early nights, you could always film the flower’s short lifespan as a time-lapse, and watch it back without losing any sleep!
7. Epipremnum Aureum ‘Golden Pothos’
One of the most diverse species on this list is Golden Pothos, and there is bound to be a plant that suits your home and tastes.
From variegated varieties of many color combinations to solid shades of green, there is a Pothos for every space.
If you have very little light in your home, consider a solid-green variety, which can even thrive under fluorescent lights for most of the day if there’s very little sunlight available.
For brighter, indirect windows, a variegated variety would look perfect.
8. Hedera Helix ‘English Ivy’
Another plant that looks lovely in hanging baskets, and also does well in little light is English Ivy, with its deeply-lobed leaves giving any space a fairy-tale vibe.
It also helps that this plant will do fine with the soil drying out completely in between watering, perfect if you don’t have a lot of time, or your hanging pot is in a tricky position.
9. Hoya Carnosa ‘Wax Plant’
Hoya plants are absolutely beautiful, with their thick leaves in different shapes, and clusters of waxy flowers in sweet and powerful perfumes.
They are very easy to care for, as long as you give them plenty of light, and allow the soil to mostly dry out in between watering.
Two fantastic options to get you started include Hoya carnosa compacta, or the ‘Rope Hoya’, with its twisted leaves, and Hoya carnosa ‘Krimson Queen’ with variegated leaves and stunning flowers.
10. Hoya Linearis ‘Wax Plant’
Another interesting Hoya you should try growing at least once is Hoya Linearis, which is unusual in that the leaves are very narrow, but what they lack in width they make up for in a waterfall of foliage.
It also has similar care needs to Hoya carnosa, so keep it warm, water it when nearly dry, and pop it somewhere bright, as close to a window as possible to avoid leggy growth.
11. Maranta spp. ‘Prayer Plants’
If you want to add plenty of life and color by adding a hanging pot to your room, Prayer Plants are the ones to go for.
Not only are they some of the most stunning foliage plants available, but it also helps that they move with light.
When the light levels drop at night, the leaves fold up and open out again during the day. It also helps that these plants are easy to care for, and propagating them is very simple, too.
One thing to note is that Maranta plants (even Calatheas, which are part of the same family), are sensitive to tap water, so you may want to use rainwater or distilled water for these beautiful plants.
12. Monstera adansonii ‘Swiss Cheese Vine’
Nearly every plant list and home should have a Monstera of some form, and Monstera adansonii, the Swiss Cheese Vine, is a beautiful plant that won’t take up as much space as a Monstera deliciosa.
Get the care for this plant right, and it can grow 10 feet long or more, but the size can be easily managed by taking cuttings and propagating them.
13. Nephrolepis Exaltata ‘Boston Fern’
If you’d prefer much bigger foliage that will add a dramatic flair to your space, Boston Ferns are a good option.
There is a caveat, however. Like many ferns, this plant is prone to crisping up if the conditions aren’t right, and they do like higher levels of humidity.
If you have a humidifier, place it very near your Boston Fern, and only water the plant when it nearly dries out completely.
Keep it within a foot or two of a window, preferably an Eastern-facing one so that direct sunlight doesn’t scorch the foliage, and your plant will soon get huge.
14. Peperomia Quadrangularis
Some Peperomia plants can be a little fussy but say hello to Peperomia quadrangularis, which may be a bit of a tongue-twister, but the care certainly isn’t complicated.
Pop it somewhere bright and indirect, and water it occasionally when you remember. Make sure that the soil has plenty of drainage, and you could use houseplant compost provided that you add some perlite or pumice to sharpen up the drainage.
It helps that this plant has lovely bright green leaves, and only grows spindly when there isn’t enough light.
15. Philodendron Hederaceum ‘Heart-leaf Philodendron’
Pothos plants and Philodendrons are often mixed up, and if they’re not side-by-side, it can be difficult to remember which is which.
They belong to completely separate genera, however and are only distantly related. Both genera are easy to grow, though!
Heart-leaf Philodendrons add a ton of interest to any space, and it helps that there are many different colors, shapes, and variegation to choose from.
One of the most beautiful has to be the Philodendron ‘Brasil’, with deep green leaves that feature irregular patterns of lime green on every leaf.
It’s super easy to care for, and it’s quite a tough plant. It’s also easy to propagate, so you can have plenty of them in no time at all.
Another option is Philodendron micans, and while it’s not the easiest Philodendron to start with, it’s one of the most striking, with velvety leaves that almost mimic that of a Jewel Orchid.
As tropical plants, they do enjoy higher humidity and warm temperatures where possible. Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out in between watering, and put them somewhere bright with a little morning sunlight for a boost.
16. Rhipsalis spp. ‘Mistletoe Cactus’
If leafy tropical vines don’t do it for you, and you prefer something that looks a little different from the standard hanging plant, the Mistletoe Cactus might be the next plant on your list.
Rhipsalis plants are not difficult to grow, and it helps that there are many varieties to choose from.
This is a tropical cactus, so it will need higher humidity. Avoid placing it on a windowsill above a radiator, or near sources of drafts, as this will dry out the air.
It also needs more watering than you might think. Allow the top inch or so of compost to dry out before giving the plant a good soaking.
One thing this plant won’t put up with for long is prolonged direct sunlight, so only choose a window with morning sunlight if possible, or no direct light at all.
17. Scindapsus Treubii ‘Moonlight’
One of the most captivating plants on this list, and one not a huge amount of houseplant owners know about is Scindapsus treubii ‘Moonlight’, with its oval silvery leaves that are aptly named.
It is steadily gaining a following, and this is only good news, as it means there’s no scavenger hunt involved!
It does require warm temperatures and humidity levels over 60% for lush growth, so you may want to put this plant in a humid room or invest in a humidifier.
Bright and indirect light is the way to go for this plant.
This plant is toxic to humans and pets, so keep the pot well out of reach. If silvery leaves aren’t your thing, there is also a dark form, with luxuries, very deep green leaves.
18. Sedum morganianum ‘Burro’s Tail’
Burro’s Tail is a fantastic plant that looks perfect in any space, but one thing it needs above all else is plenty of light, otherwise, you may find the growth stretching towards the light.
As a succulent, you can pretty much forget about watering it for a while, and it will still be just as you left it!
This makes it perfect for those who like to have hanging pots everywhere, but then struggle to reach them when it’s time to pick up the watering can!
As you might imagine, it needs very sharply-draining soil, so use a succulent compost mix amended with some horticultural grit or pumice to divert excess water away from the roots.
One thing to watch out for is pests. They are notoriously difficult to spot on a Burro’s Tail plant because of the shape of the leaves and how closely they grow together, so make a habit of checking for an invasion regularly.
19. Selenicereus chrysocardium ‘Fern Leaf Cactus’
This striking epiphyte would make a great addition to any home, adding an instant jungle vibe to any pot.
This tropical cactus grows very quickly, which is perfect for a bare space that’s just crying out for some large vines and life.
It loves bright and indirect light, and if you can provide it with some morning sunlight, all the better. Grow lights also work, but stay away from afternoon sunlight, as it can burn the delicate leaves of this plant.
It even looks a little similar to a StagHorn Fern, but don’t assume that it has the same sort of watering needs.
This plant is prone to overwatering, so allow the soil to dry out completely before you give it another drink.
To prevent overwatering, keep this plant in a succulent compost mix, or, use a houseplant compost amended with some perlite and orchid bark to keep the drainage sharp.
The Fern Leaf Cactus does need higher humidity, so put it near your humidifier, or other hanging plants, or put it in a kitchen or bathroom that sees a lot of use to stop the leaves from crisping up.
20.Senecio Rowleyanus ‘String Of Pearls’
The String Of Pearls plant largely divides people into two categories: those who love them, and those who hate them.
For some people, these plants are very easy, but for others, the String Of Pearls is a heart-breaking nightmare to grow.
But exactly how easy or difficult it is to care for depends on the growing conditions, after all. It does need direct sunlight indoors, preferably for at least a few hours during the morning, avoiding direct afternoon sunlight which can burn the plant.
Well-draining soil is a must for the String Of Pearls, and water it when the round leaves start to flatten.
It does need warm temperatures to thrive, and you can propagate the heck out of it to create many new plants.
21. Tradescantia spp. ‘Wandering Dude Plant’
If you’re addicted to propagating your plants, look no further for a willing plant than a Tradescantia.
These beautiful trailers can root in under a week in the right conditions, which is a good thing considering that they naturally die back at the top of the vine, as they are technically ground cover plants.
There are many beautiful species to choose from, no matter if you like silvery plants, purple plants, pink plants, cream plants, or, more often, a mixture of all of them.
While they will do okay in lower light levels, bright and indirect light is best, as well as warm temperatures, and well-draining soil. Water your Tradescantia when the leaves start to wilt, which will give your plant all the water it needs.
Feed it every fourth watering or so during the growing season, and occasionally flush the soil with distilled water to get rid of any buildup of chemicals in the soil, and your plant will thrive.
Final Thoughts
The trick to choosing your next hanging plant is to match it with the space you have in mind. For light and indirect places, choose a tropical plant, or, if the space gets lots of direct sunlight, a succulent would be a better choice.
Always check the soil before watering your hanging plants, which can be a little more difficult than watering plants in normal pots, but it will prevent overwatering, or your plant drying out too much.
