Collecting houseplants can become quite a passionate hobby. You may find yourself running out of surfaces to put those plants on. Or perhaps you have an inquisitive kitty and need to keep your plants out of reach. Why not go vertical? Hanging plants draw the eye upward and create major vertical visual interest in the home.
Many common hanging houseplants have some similarities. Most of them have a trailing habit, and many of them prefer to receive their sunlight indirectly. On the other hand, some of these plants like plenty of moisture, and others would rather that you forget it’s watering day.
If you’re considering purchasing a hanging plant, take a couple of things into consideration. First and foremost, what kind of plant parent are you? Do you love them to death or tend to be neglectful? There are plants for both of these situations. If you’re an exemplary plant owner, the sky’s the limit as long as you know what each plant needs.
I’d love to share with you some of my favorite plants for hanging in the home. All of these have a trailing habit, and many will also climb a moss pole if you prefer. Either way, you draw the eye upward and create vertical interest in the home.
- Botanical Name: Philodendron hederaceum var. oxycardium
- Sun Needs: Partial to full shade
- Length: 3’-13’
- Maintenance: Low
I’m always amazed by how quickly this philodendron grows and how little care it requires. As philodendrons go, this one is very unfussy. If you find a spot where it is happy, just water it when the soil is dry and give it a bit of fertilizer every couple of months. The beautiful, heart-shaped leaves have a pink cast when they are new. As they age, they darken to a deep green with just a slight sheen to the surface.
My heartleaf likes partial sun, a few hours late in the day. It’s less particular about water than most philodendrons. It tolerates more moisture and is a robust grower. It also propagates very easily. Snip a stem with a couple of nodes and pop it in some water. You’ll have a plant to share in just a couple of weeks.
- Botanical Name: Epipremnum aureum
- Sun Needs: Partial to full shade
- Length: 20’-40’
- Maintenance: Very Low
Golden Pothos is the original low-maintenance houseplant. If you are a houseplant novice, this is the perfect place to start. In fact, it would be easy to develop a false sense of your skill level with this one! ‘Pearls and Jade’ is, in fact, a variety of this cool plant, which explains how easy that one is to care for. However, this mother species, without the hybridization of humans, is the easiest.
You can put golden pothos just about anywhere, and it will survive. It will grow fastest in partial sun but does surprisingly well in low-lighting situations. As long as there is a window in the room, this plant seems happy. It can live in plain water for a very long time and propagates effortlessly. Give it some fertilizer, and it will take off, growing up to 30 feet long over time.
String of Rubies
- Botanical Name: Crassothonna capensis
- Sun Needs: Full sun
- Length: 12”
- Maintenance: Moderate
This attractive and unique succulent has a bit more of a learning curve than some others. But it’s really striking, and once you get the hang of it, it’s quite low maintenance. The pickle-shaped succulent leaves are unique and turn deep red when stressed. You can induce stress by exposing the plant to cold or sun. I recommend using the sun, though, as it’s not cold-tolerant.
Place string of rubies in a sunny window and allow it to dry between waterings. You may find that this plant needs more water than other succulents. This has been my experience. In winter, if your plant is happy, it will produce cheerful yellow flowers.
Zebrina
- Botanical Name: Tradescantia zebrina
- Sun Needs: Full sun to partial shade
- Length: 6-9”
- Maintenance: Low
Zebrina works well indoors and out. It is exceptionally easy to care for and grows quickly. It is also very easy to propagate. Simply cut some sections of stems and lay them on top of moist soil. You’ll have a whole new plant in a month or so. The beautiful purple leaves have silvery markings on top, and the contrast is greater when they get the right amount of sun.
Speaking of the right amount of sun, this species does best in partial sun. Bright indirect light will suffice, but a few hours of direct sun each day is better. When it’s happy, there will be tiny purple flowers. It prefers soil that is moist but well-drained. Don’t let this one dry out; once the leaves are dry, they won’t bounce back.
Black Pagoda
- Botanical Name: Aeschynanthus longicaulis ‘Black Pagoda’
- Sun Needs: Partial shade, bright indirect light
- Length: 3’
- Maintenance: Low
‘Black Pagoda’ is a type of lipstick plant. Its leaves are smooth and waxy with zebra-like stripes. The underside of the leaves has a more striking coloration. The striping is deep purple underneath but blends more on top of the leaves. This humidity-loving epiphyte grows in trees in its native habitat. Use a very well-draining potting mix with large chunks of bark or coconut coir to give the roots plenty of air.
Lipstick plants need a lot of humidity and moisture in general. They also like bright indirect light. In lower-light situations, you’re unlikely to see this plant bloom. Water about once a week, allowing the top of the soil to dry between waterings. Keep this species in a humid spot like the bathroom, or use a pebble tray or humidifier to keep it healthy. Clusters of red flowers resemble lipstick, hence the name of this fun plant.
Spider Plant
- Botanical Name: Chlorophytum comosum
- Sun Needs: Bright indirect light
- Length: 1’-2’
- Maintenance: Low
These attractive and low-maintenance plants have a reputation for their incredible air-purifying ability. Spider plants prefer bright, indirect light to keep the variegation of their leaves nice and sharp. Exposing them to too much sun can result in faded or bleached leaves. They are a heavy-feeding tropical species, so fertilize once a month to every six weeks.
Spider plants prefer well-draining soil, so add some perlite or peat moss to your standard potting mix. A mix made for tropical plants would work as well. Water when the top inch of the soil feels dry, and water thoroughly until the liquid runs out of the bottom of the pot. Spider plants appreciate a moderately high humidity level.
Silver Satin Pothos
- Botanical Name: Scindapsus pictus
- Sun Needs: Bright indirect light
- Length: 3’-10’
- Maintenance: Low
Although it’s not actually a species of pothos, this vine has similar care needs and a similar appearance. The leaves are simply stunning and heart-shaped with a velvety texture. The highlight of ‘Silver Satin’ is obviously the silver markings on the tops of the leaves. These markings can vary in intensity based on the variety. It is slightly reflecting and very eye-catching.
