The Best Trailing and Hanging Indoor Plants

Hanging plants are the easiest way to use vertical space and create those curtains of foliage everyone loves on shelves, raised pots and ceiling hooks. Better still, many of the most popular trailers practically look after themselves. Here's our pick of the best hanging indoor plants, with quick care notes to help you choose yours.

What to look for in a hanging plant

Before the list, a few pointers to get it right:

Stems that trail or climb: species with long runners hang best.
Suited to your light: some tolerate shade; others need lots of brightness.
Easy to propagate: so you can fill out the pot and make free plants.
Pet-safe if you have animals, since trailers dangle temptingly within reach of curious cats.

The best hanging plants

1. Pothos (Epipremnum)

The easiest trailer in the world. Its vines, loaded with heart-shaped leaves, can fall a metre or more, it lives in medium to low light and it forgives almost any lapse. Roots effortlessly in water. Toxic if chewed.

2. String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

Fine trailing strands with silver-marbled heart-shaped leaves. It's semi-succulent, so it needs bright light and little water. Spectacular cascading from a high shelf.

3. Ivy (Hedera)

Classic and vigorous, with lobed leaves that trail or climb. It prefers medium light and cool air; take care in very warm, dry rooms, where it can get spider mites. Toxic to pets.

4. Spider plant (Chlorophytum)

One of the most rewarding: it produces "pups" that dangle like little spiders and plant instantly. It tolerates a wide range of light, forgives neglect and, on top of that, is pet-safe.

5. Tradescantia

Fast-growing with colourful leaves (green, purple, silver) that look gorgeous trailing. It needs good light to keep its colour and propagates astonishingly easily: every piece of stem roots.

6. String of pearls (Senecio)

Strands of little green "beads" that hang like a necklace. It's a succulent, so it wants plenty of light and very infrequent watering. Delicate but unmistakable.

7. Heartleaf philodendron

Similar to pothos but with thinner, softer leaves. Very tolerant of low light, it grows fast and trails elegantly. It roots in water too.

8. Boston fern

For anyone after volume and a lush look. It wants high humidity and indirect light; ideal in bright bathrooms. Lots of greenery spilling from a raised pot.

Tips to show them off

Pick the right support: macramé hangers, high shelves or ceiling pots with a solid anchor.
Rotate them now and then so they grow evenly all round.
Water carefully: hanging pots dry out faster; check the soil often. If you're unsure, brush up with our guide on how to water indoor plants.
Prune long runners to encourage fuller growth and reuse the cuttings.

If you have pets

Several on this list (pothos, ivy, philodendron) are toxic if chewed, and trailing they're right in view. If your cat jumps onto shelves, favour safe options like the spider plant or hang them out of reach. There are alternatives in our guide on pet-safe plants.

Before you buy, check your light

The most common mistake is hanging a trailing succulent (string of pearls, string of hearts) in a dark corner: they stretch and drop leaves. Be realistic about each spot's light and choose accordingly.

Is your favourite trailer yellowing, drying out or stretching and you can't tell why? Take a photo and run it through our AI diagnosis tool to find out what's wrong.

With one or two of these trailers well placed, you'll fill your shelves with green and create that cascade effect that brings any corner to life.