Gardening Houseplants 21 Best Hanging Indoor Plants to Maximize Vertical Space Hanging indoor plants make crowded shelves and tabletops a thing of the past. By Claire Harmeyer Claire Harmeyer Claire Harmeyer is a Commerce Writer who has been contributing to Dotdash Meredith brands since she joined the company as an editorial intern in 2018. Now, Claire specializes in covering fashion, celebrity news, and shopping events and deals for People. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process and Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine Lynn McAlpine is a lifelong gardener and long-time editor of gardening and home articles. Her work encompasses both print publications and online sites. She has hands-on experience with annuals and perennial beds, vegetable gardens, herbs, houseplants, and woodland management. Lynn has a B.A. in Journalism, Magazine Production from the University of Memphis and is a member of ACES, the American Copy Editors Society. Learn about BHG's Editorial Process Updated on April 10, 2024 Reviewed by Sylvia Duax Reviewed by Sylvia Duax Sylvia Duax has over 15 years of experience as a professional Horticulturist with expertise in: sustainable garden maintenance techniques; Southeastern U.S., especially in the mid-Atlantic regional gardening; native plants; wildlife gardening; small space, urban and container gardening and community engagement. Learn about BHG's Gardening Review Board Trending Videos Close this video player Photo: Adam Albright Make crowded shelves and tabletops a thing of the past by hanging your houseplants from your ceilings and walls. The following varieties of hanging indoor plants and their trailing stems, dangling leaves, and gracefully arching shapes will make the best use of your home's vertical spaces. 01 of 21 Baby's Tears Jason Donnelly This small houseplant gets its name from the tiny round leaves that line its delicate, trailing stems. Baby's tears (Pilea depressa) will grow quickly, draping over a hanging planter like a living curtain. 02 of 21 Boston Fern BHG / Phoebe Cheong The feathery, draping foliage of a Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) adds instant lushness to indoor spaces. Keep in mind that this fern loves humidity, so spray it with water daily to keep the leaves from drying out, especially in the winter. 03 of 21 Burro's Tail Marty Baldwin Rows of small, plump leaves on cascading stems make burro's tail (Sedum morganianum) one of the most unique succulents to grow indoors. This low-maintenance and drought-tolerant houseplant is often confined to tabletop planters, but it truly shines when its ropelike stems can dangle from a hanging pot. 04 of 21 English Ivy Jacob Fox Also known as common ivy, English ivy (Hedera helix) is grown for its lush, glossy foliage both indoors and out in the garden. It's one of the best indoor plants for low light but it will grow more full in brighter light. It comes in a number of varieties that offer different leaf shapes and colors. 05 of 21 Spider Plant BHG / Phoebe Cheong Gracefully arched, narrow leaves earned the spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) its name. This popular hanging indoor plant adds a lush jungle feel to a brightly lit room, thanks to its fountain-like foliage and the dangling stems of baby plants it sends out from its center. 06 of 21 Arrowhead Vine Marty Baldwin The large, heart-shaped leaves of the arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum) give any room a tropical touch. This indoor hanging plant thrives in humidity, so it works especially well in a bathroom or kitchen. Arrowhead vines come in shades of green, pink, and burgundy. Keep this plant out of your pets' reach because it is toxic if eaten. 07 of 21 Bird's Nest Fern Brie Passano Enhance contemporary decor by hanging a bird's nest fern (Asplenium nidus) by a window. Its gorgeous, curvy leaves change shape depending on the amount of light exposure—but keep it out of direct sunlight, which will cause the leaves to crumple and turn yellow. 08 of 21 Pothos Adam Albright Adaptable to most growing conditions, a pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the easiest houseplants you can grow. Its long trailing stems are perfect for hanging planters, and for extra interest, you can find varieties with variegated or golden foliage. 09 of 21 Heartleaf Philodendron BHG / Phoebe Cheong Another super easy houseplant to grow, the heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) doesn't mind lower light levels and will bounce back easily if you occasionally forget to water it. Trim its long vines back every once in a while to encourage a fuller look. Place the cut stems into a vase of water to easily root them into new plants. 10 of 21 Chenille Plant Marty Baldwin The chenille plant (Acalypha hispida) makes an immediate impression. Fuzzy red flowers trail down from deep green foliage, earning the houseplant the nickname red-hot cat's tail. Take advantage of this plant's vibrancy and hang it somewhere that needs a little color. Prune your chenille plant to encourage a fuller look, and give it the brightest light you can. 11 of 21 Maidenhair Fern Denny Schrock Gracefully arching stems of feathery, delicate-looking foliage make the maidenhair fern (Adiantum raddianum) a stunning hanging indoor plant. However, some environments are too dry for this fern, so be extra aware of your watering habits. Keep the humidity levels up with a humidifier or by misting the leaves daily. 12 of 21 String of Pearls Jason Donnelly String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a distinctive hanging plant, thanks to the plump, round leaves running along each long, stringlike stem, similar to beads on a necklace. The beads on this unique succulent are filled with water to help it survive periods of drought. 13 of 21 String of Hearts Ceropegia woodii or chain of hearts or rosary vine or hearts-on-a-string or sweetheart vine green and red plant soft focus. Courtesy of Getty Images Arguably the most adorable option for an indoor hanging plant is the string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii). Its thin, trailing stems feature small, variegated green and silver heart-shaped leaves with hints of purple. Try planting your string of hearts in a cute pot, then suspending it from a high spot and let the love grow. 14 of 21 Peperomia Marty Baldwin Sometimes called a baby rubber plant, peperomia is an easy houseplant for beginners to grow. There are many varieties of this plant, and each one boasts different foliage colors and patterns. Some feature a more upright shape, while others drape their stems over the sides of their containers. 15 of 21 Moth Orchid Adam Albright In nature, moth orchids (Phalaenopsis spp.) are perched in tree branches, but you can create a similar effect by hanging them in your home. Their beautiful flowers are sure to lend an air of sophistication and elegance to any well-lit room. Create this hanging orchid planter for a modern take on an orchid display. 16 of 21 Staghorn Fern Brie Passano This isn't your typical fern. Staghorn ferns (Platycerium bifurcatum) have bold, broad leaves that never fail to make a statement. Mount yours on a wooden board to hang on a wall or assemble it in a kokedama that you can hang from the ceiling. 17 of 21 Air Plants Peter Krumhardt Belonging to the bromeliad family, air plants (Tillandsia spp.) don't require soil to grow, which makes them easy to display in creative ways. These wispy houseplants work well in glass capsules, mounted on walls, or in macrame plant hangers. 18 of 21 Satin Pothos Marty Baldwin Despite the name, satin pothos is not actually a type of pothos, although they are closely related. The trailing variegated leaves of satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) are showier than those of standard pothos, but the plant is just as low-maintenance. It prefers bright indirect light and tolerates lower light, but the leaves scorch in direct sunlight. Allow the soil to dry between waterings. 19 of 21 Swiss Cheese Vine Jacob Fox The Swiss cheese vine is a fast-growing tropical plant that thrives as a houseplant. The leaves are heart-shaped and laced with holes, hence the name. This plant, also called Adanson’s monstera (Monstera adansonii), grows aerial roots it uses for support as it climbs, but it is just as attractive when growing in a hanging basket. Give a Swiss cheese vine plenty of bright, indirect light and keep it in a consistently moist, well-draining potting mix. Indoors, Swiss cheese plants grow vines that are 3 to 8 feet long. 20 of 21 Inch Plant Peter Krumhardt The inch plant (Tradescantia zebrina) is an easy-to-grow tropical perennial also known as wandering dude. Varieties include plants with variegated olive and silver foliage with purple undersides and plants with leaves that are purple on both sides with silvery green stripes on the upper surface. Stems root readily in water or where they come in contact with soil. The plant doesn’t like dry or wet soil; aim for slightly moist soil and water it less during winter. 21 of 21 Grape Ivy William N. Hopkins Grape ivy (Cissus rhombifolia) adds a touch of the tropics to any space and looks beautiful in a hanging basket. This easy-care houseplant grows best when the soil is slightly dry, and it can go several days between waterings. Place it in an area that receives medium to bright light but not in direct sun. Frequently Asked Questions How do you display hanging plants in your home? You can use hook screws, J-hooks, or S-hooks, but make sure you are installing them on to a wall stud or ceiling joist so that the hook is able to hold the weight of the pot or planter. If you don’t want to install hooks, you can also place hanging plants on a bookcase or a kitchen unit. Which hanging baskets are the best to put your plants in? Hanging baskets come in a variety of styles that can be suspended from chains or ropes. Choose whatever look and material fits your room best—but make sure the container isn’t too small for the plant to grow and thrive. It’s best to pick the plant before the basket to make sure you choose the correct fit. Which hanging indoor plants do not need sunlight? Plenty of plants listed above, like the English ivy, bird’s nest fern, and spider plant don't need direct sunlight to thrive. Just make sure that you keep them properly watered. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Sources Better Homes & Gardens is committed to using high-quality, reputable sources—including peer-reviewed studies—to support the facts in our articles. Read about our editorial policies and standards to learn more about how we fact check our content for accuracy. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/animal-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/arrow-head-vine