Hanging plants are more than just decorative—they’re problem solvers for small spaces, vertical corners, and high shelves that need a little life. Whether you’re in a compact apartment or trying to bring softness to modern interiors, hanging plants offer a beautiful way to add greenery without sacrificing floor space. From lush, trailing ferns to quirky succulents that cascade like living sculptures, the right hanging greenery can transform a room from flat to flourishing. In this guide, you’ll discover 21 of the best hanging plants that thrive indoors and bring fresh air and vibrant texture to your home.

Table of Contents

1. Baby’s Tears

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Delicate and cascading, Baby’s Tears (Pilea depressa) makes a soft and elegant statement as a hanging plant. Its tiny, round leaves grow densely along fine trailing stems, creating a lush, moss-like effect when suspended from a pot or basket. This plant thrives in bright, indirect light and appreciates consistently moist soil—just be careful not to let it dry out completely.

With its graceful drape, Baby’s Tears is ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, or any room where you want to soften the space with greenery. As it grows quickly, regular trimming helps maintain its shape and prevents it from overwhelming its container.

💡 Tip: Mist regularly or place it near a humidifier to keep those petite leaves from drying out.

2. Boston Fern

The Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a classic choice for anyone looking to add texture and lushness to indoor spaces. Its feathery, arching fronds spill beautifully over the sides of a hanging basket, bringing instant greenery to high corners or porches.

Boston ferns love high humidity and consistent moisture, making them perfect for bathrooms or kitchens with filtered light. While they prefer indirect light, they can tolerate some morning sun—but avoid harsh afternoon rays, which may scorch their fronds.

🌿 Care tip: Mist daily or use a pebble tray with water underneath the pot to increase ambient humidity. During winter, monitor closely to prevent the plant from drying out due to indoor heating.

3. Burro’s Tail

Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) is a standout among hanging plants, thanks to its cascading stems packed with plump, blue-green leaves. This succulent is both eye-catching and low-maintenance, making it a favorite for sunny windows and shelves that get plenty of bright, indirect light.

Each trailing vine can grow over 2 feet long, creating a ropelike effect that looks stunning in a simple ceramic or clay hanging planter. Since Burro’s tail stores water in its fleshy leaves, it’s highly drought-tolerant—just be sure to use well-draining soil and avoid overwatering.

🌞 Tip: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings, and handle with care—its leaves are fragile and fall off easily.

4. English Ivy

English ivy (Hedera helix) is a timeless trailing plant known for its elegant, lobed leaves and vigorous growth habit. As a hanging plant, it effortlessly spills over pots and baskets, bringing a classic, slightly wild look to bookshelves, mantels, or kitchen nooks.

This versatile plant thrives in a variety of lighting conditions—from bright, indirect light to partial shade. While it grows more fully with adequate sunlight, it’s also one of the few hanging plants that can tolerate low-light spaces.

Keep the soil evenly moist, and trim back leggy vines to encourage fuller, bushier growth.

⚠️ Pet owners: English ivy is toxic to pets if ingested, so place it out of reach from curious paws.

5. Spider Plant

The spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) is a beloved favorite among indoor hanging plants, and for good reason. Its arching green-and-white striped leaves and the baby “spiderettes” that dangle from long stems give it a playful, fountain-like appearance that livens up any space.

Spider plants are incredibly forgiving, making them ideal for beginners. They prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and avoid letting the roots sit in water.

With just a little care, your spider plant will produce pups you can easily propagate into new hanging plants.

🌱 Bonus: They’re known for helping to purify indoor air—beauty and function in one plant!

6. Arrowhead Vine

The arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) brings a bold, tropical flair to any hanging planter with its large, arrow-shaped leaves that range in shades from deep green to pink and even burgundy. As it matures, this fast-growing vine begins to trail gracefully, making it a perfect choice for suspended planters or high shelves.

This plant thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate medium light levels as well. It prefers a bit more humidity and moist (but not soggy) soil. Bathrooms and kitchens are ideal spots to keep this plant lush and happy.

⚠️ Caution: Like many houseplants, arrowhead vine is toxic to pets if ingested, so hang it safely out of reach.

7. Bird’s Nest Fern

With its elegant, wavy fronds and glossy green leaves, the bird’s nest fern (Asplenium nidus) adds soft curves and tropical beauty to indoor spaces. Unlike ferns with finely divided leaves, this variety has broad, strap-like fronds that unfurl from a central rosette—resembling, as the name suggests, a bird’s nest.

It thrives in moderate to high humidity and prefers bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun, which can scorch the leaves. Let the top inch of soil dry before watering, and mist occasionally to mimic its native rainforest habitat.

This fern’s tidy, upward-growing shape makes it a great fit for hanging planters, especially in modern or minimalist interiors.

💧 Tip: Avoid watering directly into the center of the rosette to prevent rot.

8. Pothos

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the go-to hanging plant for beginners and busy plant lovers alike. Its long, trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves can be solid green or beautifully variegated with cream, yellow, or white. Pothos is not only attractive but incredibly adaptable, thriving in a range of lighting conditions—from bright, indirect light to lower-light corners.

As a hanging plant, pothos adds a lush, flowing look to bookshelves, curtain rods, or plant stands. It prefers well-draining soil and occasional watering when the top 1–2 inches feel dry.

It also grows fast and can easily be pruned or propagated in water, making it a fun plant to share.

🌿 Pro Tip: Rotate the pot every few weeks to encourage even growth and keep vines from reaching too far toward one light source.

9. Heartleaf Philodendron

The heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a classic indoor hanging plant that brings a timeless, romantic vibe to any space with its cascading vines of deep green, heart-shaped leaves. It’s one of the most low-maintenance options available—perfect for beginners or those with busy schedules.

This plant thrives in medium to bright, indirect light but can tolerate low-light conditions, making it ideal for offices, bedrooms, or shaded living rooms. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry and trim back long vines to encourage bushier growth.

It’s also easy to propagate—just snip a stem and place it in water until roots form.

🪴 Note: Like pothos, heartleaf philodendron is toxic if ingested by pets or children, so hang it out of reach.

10. Chenille Plant

The chenille plant (Acalypha hispida) turns heads with its vivid, fuzzy red flowers that dangle like soft caterpillars from lush green foliage. Also called the “red-hot cat’s tail,” this tropical beauty brings vibrant color and bold texture to any hanging planter.

It thrives in bright, indirect light and appreciates regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist—but never soggy. With proper care, the chenille plant can bloom nearly year-round, making it a showstopper in living rooms, sunrooms, or even well-lit patios.

Pruning helps maintain a full, compact shape and encourages more blooms.

🌺 Care tip: Keep humidity levels up and feed monthly during the growing season to support continuous flowering.

11. Maidenhair Fern

The maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) is prized for its airy, lacy foliage and gracefully arching black stems. Its delicate leaves create a soft, cloud-like texture, making it a stunning choice for hanging planters where its beauty can be admired up close.

This fern loves high humidity and needs consistent moisture to thrive—making bathrooms or kitchens with filtered light ideal homes. It prefers bright, indirect light, and even brief exposure to direct sun can scorch its fragile fronds.

It’s more sensitive than other hanging plants, but its elegant look is worth the extra care.

💦 Tip: Mist daily or use a humidifier, and never let the soil dry out completely.

12. String of Pearls

The string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the most unique and eye-catching hanging plants, with slender stems adorned with round, bead-like leaves that truly resemble a necklace of green pearls. This succulent adds an elegant, whimsical touch to shelves, macramé hangers, or sunny window displays.

It thrives in bright, indirect light and needs well-draining soil. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings—overwatering is the most common mistake with this plant.

Its long, trailing vines can grow several feet and may even produce tiny white flowers with a light cinnamon scent.

🌿 Pro Tip: Use a cactus or succulent potting mix to ensure proper drainage and prevent root rot.

13. String of Hearts

The string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a charming trailing plant with slender vines and delicate, heart-shaped leaves in shades of green, silver, and purple. Its cascading stems can grow several feet long, making it perfect for hanging planters placed near windows or high shelves.

This semi-succulent thrives in bright, indirect light and needs infrequent watering—allow the soil to dry out almost completely between waterings. Despite its dainty look, it’s surprisingly hardy and easy to care for.

Its romantic trailing vines and compact size make it one of the most beloved indoor hanging plants.

💜 Fun fact: The string of hearts can also grow small, tuber-like bulbs along its vines, which you can use to propagate new plants.

14. Peperomia

Peperomia is a diverse genus of compact houseplants, and many varieties like Peperomia prostrata (string of turtles) and Peperomia scandens are excellent choices for hanging planters. With their small, often glossy or patterned leaves and trailing growth, these plants bring texture and charm to shelves, windowsills, or wall-mounted pots.

Peperomias prefer bright, indirect light and moderate humidity. They don’t like wet feet, so allow the top couple of inches of soil to dry before watering. Their slow, controlled growth makes them especially easy to manage in smaller indoor spaces.

🌱 Bonus: Most peperomia plants are non-toxic to pets, making them one of the safer options for pet-friendly homes.

15. Moth Orchid

The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis spp.) is an elegant addition to any indoor plant collection, especially when creatively suspended in hanging baskets or mounted displays. Known for its broad, waxy leaves and long-lasting, butterfly-shaped blooms, this orchid brings a sophisticated touch to kitchens, bathrooms, or bright living areas.

Unlike traditional hanging plants, moth orchids don’t trail, but they can be mounted or hung in ways that mimic their natural growth in tree canopies. They prefer bright, indirect light, high humidity, and well-draining orchid bark or moss rather than soil.

🌸 Care tip: Water sparingly—once a week is usually enough—and never let the roots sit in water.

16. Staghorn Fern

The staghorn fern (Platycerium bifurcatum) is one of the most dramatic and sculptural hanging plants you can grow indoors. Its antler-shaped fronds grow in layered rosettes, creating a bold statement whether it’s mounted on a wooden board or placed in a hanging basket.

Unlike most plants, staghorn ferns don’t need traditional soil. Instead, they grow epiphytically—meaning they absorb moisture and nutrients from the air. They thrive in bright, indirect light and appreciate high humidity, making bathrooms or kitchens ideal homes.

Water by soaking or thoroughly misting when the root ball starts to feel dry.

🪵 Display tip: Mount it to a wooden plaque or nestle it into a wire basket lined with sphagnum moss for a striking wall-hung look.

17. Air Plants

Air plants (Tillandsia spp.) are one of the most flexible and creative options for hanging greenery. These soil-free wonders absorb nutrients and moisture through their leaves, allowing you to display them in glass terrariums, macramé hangers, or mounted onto driftwood and wire frames.

They prefer bright, indirect light and high humidity, and need to be watered about once a week—either by soaking for 15–30 minutes or misting regularly, depending on your home’s conditions.

Air plants come in many shapes and sizes, from spiky and sculptural to soft and wispy, adding modern texture to vertical spaces without the mess of soil.

🌬️ Care tip: Let air plants dry completely after soaking to prevent rot, and avoid placing them in closed terrariums without airflow.

18. Satin Pothos

The satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) is a close cousin to the common pothos, but it stands out with its velvety, silver-speckled leaves that shimmer in the light. Its lush, trailing vines make it an ideal choice for hanging baskets or planters perched on high shelves.

This low-maintenance plant prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels. Overexposure to direct sun can scorch its foliage, so filtered light is best. Water when the top inch or two of soil feels dry, and always use well-draining soil to prevent root rot.

Its combination of rich green and silver tones brings a refined, calming presence to any space.

🌿 Propagation tip: Satin pothos is easy to propagate—simply snip a vine just below a node and root it in water or moist soil.

19. Swiss Cheese Vine

The Swiss cheese vine (Monstera adansonii), named for the unique holes in its heart-shaped leaves, is a fast-growing and striking hanging plant. Its trailing vines can grow up to 8 feet indoors, making it perfect for baskets, plant shelves, or wall-mounted displays.

It thrives in bright, indirect light and enjoys moderate to high humidity. Keep the soil lightly moist but not soggy, and ensure the pot has good drainage. This plant also produces aerial roots that help it climb, so you can choose to let it trail or guide it along a support.

Its dramatic foliage and vigorous growth make it a favorite for jungle-style interiors.

🧀 Note: The “holes” in the leaves (called fenestrations) develop more readily in bright light and with consistent care.

20. Inch Plant

The inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina), also known as wandering dude, is a fast-growing tropical trailing plant with bold, variegated leaves in shades of silver, green, and deep purple. Its vibrant colors and striped foliage make it an excellent choice for adding contrast and movement to any hanging display.

It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers slightly moist soil—avoid letting it dry out completely or sit in water. With proper care, the inch plant will produce long, colorful vines that can quickly spill over the edge of a planter.

Prune regularly to keep it bushy and compact, and easily propagate the cuttings in water.

🌈 Bonus: The more light it receives, the more vivid its purple and silver stripes will become.

21. Grape Ivy

The grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) is a graceful, low-maintenance hanging plant with soft, serrated, vine-like leaves that resemble grape foliage. Its trailing stems grow moderately fast and look especially lush when cascading from baskets or elevated planters.

This plant prefers medium to bright, indirect light and does well in average room humidity. It tolerates periods of dryness, but you’ll get the best results by keeping the soil lightly moist—especially during its active growing months in spring and summer.

Grape ivy is a quieter presence compared to flashier tropical plants, but its dense, green foliage adds timeless beauty and an easy-care option to any indoor plant collection.

🍇 Tip: Rotate the plant every few weeks to ensure even growth on all sides and prevent it from leaning toward the light.

Conclusion

Adding hanging plants to your home is one of the simplest ways to maximize vertical space while creating a fresh, natural ambiance. Whether you love bold colors, delicate textures, or lush greenery, there’s a perfect hanging plant for every space and lifestyle—from easygoing pothos and spider plants to dramatic orchids and ferns.

With a little attention to light, watering, and humidity, these 21 indoor hanging plants can thrive beautifully while transforming bare walls and overlooked corners into vibrant focal points. Start with one or two, and you may find yourself turning your ceiling into a full-blown indoor jungle.

🌿 Love gardening inspiration? Follow me on Pinterest for bold plant ideas, tips, and seasonal color!

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