Indoor and outdoor hanging plants are some of the easiest types to work with and can instantly add depth to a space. However, before you rush to buy a bunch of hanging plants from your local garden center, it's important to understand what species will and won't thrive in hanging planters.
“Plants that are very heavy or grow very tall are not appropriate to plant in hanging pots,” says Lori Krantz, founder of Edible Gardens L.A. “If the plant you have in mind doesn't grow downwards — plants like ponytail palms or African mask plants, for example — then they're not the best choice.”
With expert insight, we've identified the best indoor hanging plants that thrive in medium to low light spaces, including varieties that don't require frequent watering. If you have a terrace or a small outdoor space, our experts share some of the most lush choices that are easy to maintain, even if you're new to plant growing.
If you're looking to add some greenery to your space, check out these indoor and outdoor hanging plants.
Heart Thread
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If you have a spot with bright, indirect sunlight, it could be the perfect place to hang the popular, easy-to-care-for string of hearts, says Jennifer Schutter, horticulturist and editor of Plantcarefully!
These fleshy vines don't need direct sunlight, rather they prefer to thrive in indirect sunlight and dry out between waterings. You can place these delicate heart-shaped vines on windowsills or around objects as they grow all season long.
“String of Hearts is considered a semi-succulent, so it can survive quite a long time without water. In fact, it prefers to thrive without water,” Schutter said, adding that it prefers well-drained soil, so it should only be watered when the top 2 inches of soil is dry.
Zones: 10-12 Size: 1-2 inches tall, 1-2 inches wide Growing conditions: Bright indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry
Spider Web Plant
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According to Kelly Martin, founder of Urban Garden Gal, spider web plants are popular indoor hanging plants with beautiful green and white striped leaves.
“They're easy to care for and tolerate a wide range of growing conditions, so they grow well in any room of the home,” she says, adding that they can also be propagated from their namesake seedlings, which hang from the plant like tiny spiders.
Give it indirect sunlight and be careful not to overwater it, otherwise you risk rotting the beautiful front growing from the centre of the plant.
Zones: 9-11 Size: 12-15 inches tall, up to 2 feet wide Growing conditions: Indirect light/partial shade, water when the top inch of soil is dry
Ivy
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A popular, easy-to-care-for plant, ivy's long, drooping stems with lots of leaves make it a great choice for hanging baskets. Martin says ivy can be grown both indoors and outdoors, giving you a variety of options.
“There are many different types of ivy, including English ivy, Boston ivy and Persian ivy, with leaves that come in a variety of green and variegated shades,” Martin points out. “Ivy grows best in partial shade and requires regular watering to keep the soil evenly moist.”
Zones: 4 to 11 Size: Varies, but does grow very long/tall, so pruning is required Growing Conditions: Partial shade, keep soil moist
Pearl Necklace
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If you travel a lot for work, this hanging plant might be the perfect choice. Kranz says this succulent requires very little water compared to the others on this list, though the cascading beads that hang from the planter do require a fair amount of direct sunlight, though if you place the plant in the right conditions, it may bloom.
Zones: 9-12Size: 1-2 feet tall, 1-2 feet longGrowing conditions: Bright, indirect light, well-drained soil
Philodendron
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These finicky plants cascade gracefully from tall containers. They're highly adaptable, thrive in low light and don't require frequent watering. As with any plant, there are many varieties. Schutter's favorite is the easy-to-care-for heartleaf philodendron.
“This medium to bright indirect light-loving plant is known for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves that hang from drooping stems,” says Schutter. “The heart-leaf philodendron is what we call an interior design staple, as it's highly adaptable and can climb, droop or vine to create an accent that makes full use of its heart-shaped leaves.”
Zones: 9-12Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-6 feet wideGrowing conditions: Medium to bright indirect light, well-drained soil
Satin Tempo
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This variety of pothos is particularly hardy, thriving in low light and able to tolerate dry soil if watered infrequently, but if given enough water this climbing plant will grow and spill out of its hanging pot into the surrounding space.
Zones: 10-12 Size: 4-10 feet long Growing conditions: Bright indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry
Golden Pothos
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Another pothos variety to try is the golden pothos, which is perfect for low-light locations. Schutter says the plant is very flexible and can thrive in a variety of environments, although it prefers indirect light. This fast-growing vine with heart-shaped, variegated leaves is full of air-purifying properties and is suitable for hanging indoors or outdoors.
“Add a bit of visual contrast by using a planter with a built-in trellis or arranging them on a shelf,” she says, “and use well-draining soil and water when the top inch of soil is dry.”
Plus, this plant is very easy to propagate, so you can use cuttings to plant in containers or have more plants at home.
Zones: 9-12 Size: 20-40 feet long, 3-6 feet wide Growing conditions: Bright indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry
A group of dolphins
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If you're looking for a hanging plant that's a great conversation starter, then the dolphin vine plant is exactly what it sounds like.
“It has small dolphin-shaped leaves on long, thin stems,” Martin explains, “String of Dolphins is very easy to care for and only requires occasional watering, but it does need a bright spot to thrive.”
Zones: 9-12Size: 1-3 feet longGrowing conditions: Bright indirect light, well-drained soil
Hanging sea squirt
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A relative of the heart vine, this plant doesn't need much water and will thrive in medium to low light. Hoya obovota varieties are especially beautiful with their large, circular leaves that can hold lots of water, which makes the plant even more self-sufficient than other varieties, says Krantz.
Zones: 10-12 Size: Up to 2 feet Growing conditions: Medium, indirect light, water when the top inch of soil is dry
Fuchsia
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If you're looking for a flowering plant, try fuchsia. Martin says this popular outdoor hanging plant can be recognized by its beautiful pink, red and purple blooms.
“Fuchsias grow best in partial shade and will flower best if fertilized regularly,” she says. “Fuchsias are frost sensitive, so they should be overwintered indoors in cooler climates.”
Zones: 7-10 Size: 1-3 feet tall, 1-5 feet wide Growing conditions: Direct or bright indirect sunlight, keep soil moist
Boston Fern
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There's a reason this fern is one of the most common houseplants: Hardy and dense, it's easy to care for and can grow both indoors and outdoors. But Krantz says that outdoor spaces may be best for this plant, as it requires lots of watering and moist soil, which is why you'll more likely find it in warmer, more humid areas of the South.
Zones: 9 to 11 Size: Up to 7 feet tall Growing Conditions: Medium to bright indirect light, keep soil moist
Oxalis triangularis
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Commonly known as the false shamrock plant, this hanging plant is photophilic and closes its leaves at night when the sunlight is weak. Kranz says these beauties are perfect for a shady porch or backyard, but because they grow wild, they can also be placed in direct sunlight. Like many of the other plants on this list, the false shamrock plant does not need to be overwatered, but can be watered sparingly.
Zones: 6-11 Size: 6-12 inches tall, 12-24 inches wide Growing conditions: Medium to bright indirect light, water when the top few inches of soil are dry
Peperomia
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There are more than 1,000 varieties of peperomia that gardeners can plant, including Ruby Cascade, a variety with small, round leaves and red undersides that make a striking addition to any home.
Schutter notes that the plant prefers bright, indirect light and grows best in regular potting soil, but it doesn't like to be waterlogged, so you'll need to allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
As for where to hang your plant, Schutter says it should be “planted in a simple, minimalist pot, allowing the vibrant color of the leaves to show off,” and, “While hanging plants can usually be kept out of reach of pets, the Peperomia Ruby Cascade is completely pet-friendly and safe to keep.”
Zones: 10-12 Size: Up to 3 feet tall Growing conditions: Medium to bright indirect light, water when soil surface is dry