📅 Updated: July 2026 · Written by Tom · 11 min read

Best Hanging Plants for Home: 7 That Actually Thrive (and 3 to Avoid)

Hanging plants are the easiest way to add greenery to a room without taking up shelf or floor space. But not all hanging plants are created equal — some trail beautifully, some look leggy and sad, and some drop leaves all over your floor. I've hung plants in every room of my apartment over the past five years, and I've learned which ones actually thrive in hanging conditions and which ones are a waste of money.

Here are the seven I'd buy again, the three I'd avoid, and how to keep them looking good.

Pothos: the indestructible trailer

Epipremnum aureum is the plant I recommend to everyone who says "I kill every plant I own." It tolerates low light, missed waterings, dry air, and neglect. It trails fast (2–3 feet per year in good conditions), and it comes in several varieties: 'Golden' (yellow variegation), 'Marble Queen' (white and green), 'Neon' (bright chartreuse). All are equally easy.

Care: bright indirect light (tolerates low light but grows slower), water when the top 2 inches of soil are dry, average humidity. It'll tell you when it's thirsty — the leaves curl slightly. Prune it if it gets too long, or let it trail to the floor. You can propagate cuttings in water (see my propagation guide).

Why it's great for hanging: it trails naturally, it's fast-growing, and it doesn't drop leaves. The only downside: it's so easy that everyone has one. If you want something more unique, try philodendron or hoya.

Philodendron: the pothos's prettier cousin

Philodendrons (especially Philodendron hederaceum, the heartleaf philodendron) look similar to pothos but have softer, more delicate leaves. They trail just as fast and are almost as easy. The 'Brasil' variety (green with a yellow stripe) and 'Micans' (velvety dark leaves) are particularly beautiful.

Care: bright indirect light (tolerates lower light than pothos but grows slower), water when the top inch of soil is dry, average humidity. They're slightly more sensitive to overwatering than pothos, so let the soil dry out a bit more between waterings.

Why it's great for hanging: it trails naturally, the leaves are more delicate and refined than pothos, and it's less common. If you want a pothos alternative that looks more "designed," philodendron is it.

String of Pearls: the Instagram plant

Senecio rowleyanus is the plant with the round, bead-like leaves that look like a string of green pearls. It's beautiful when it's happy, but it's not easy. It's a succulent, so it needs bright direct light (a south or west window) and infrequent watering (every 2–3 weeks, let the soil dry out completely between waterings). Overwatering kills it quickly — the pearls turn mushy and fall off.

Care: bright direct light (at least 4–6 hours), water every 2–3 weeks (soak and dry method), well-draining soil (cactus mix + extra perlite). It'll tell you when it's thirsty — the pearls shrivel slightly. If the pearls are plump, don't water.

Why it's great for hanging: it's unique and photogenic. But it's not for beginners — if you've killed succulents before, skip this one. My watering calculator can help you build a schedule for it.

Spider Plant: the retro classic

Chlorophytum comosum is the plant your grandmother probably had. It's making a comeback because it's easy, it trails, and it produces "babies" (small plantlets on long stems) that you can propagate or just let hang. The 'Vittatum' variety (green with a white stripe) is the most common.

Care: bright indirect light (tolerates lower light), water when the top inch of soil is dry, average humidity. It's tolerant of most conditions, but it doesn't like fluoride in tap water (causes brown leaf tips) — use filtered water or let tap water sit overnight before using.

Why it's great for hanging: it's easy, it produces babies, and it's pet-safe (non-toxic to cats and dogs). The only downside: it can look messy if you don't trim the brown tips or the old leaves.

Hoya: the waxy-leaf trailer

Hoyas (wax plants) are succulent-like trailers with thick, waxy leaves. They're slow-growing but long-lived, and many varieties produce fragrant flowers. Hoya carnosa (the standard wax plant) and Hoya kerrii (the heart-leaf hoya) are the most common. They need bright indirect light and infrequent watering (every 2–3 weeks, let the soil dry out between waterings).

Care: bright indirect light, water every 2–3 weeks (soak and dry method), well-draining soil (potting mix + perlite + orchid bark). They're drought-tolerant and hate sitting in wet soil. They'll tell you when they're thirsty — the leaves wrinkle slightly.

Why it's great for hanging: they're unique, they're long-lived, and they flower (if they're happy). The downside: they're slow-growing, so it takes a few years to get a full, trailing plant.

English Ivy: the one I'd avoid

Hedera helix is the classic ivy you see in old English cottages. It's beautiful when it's healthy, but it's a pain to keep alive indoors. It needs cool temperatures (60–65°F), high humidity (60%+), and bright indirect light. Most homes are too warm and too dry for it in winter, and it gets spider mites constantly. I've tried three times and given up. If you want an ivy-like plant, try pothos or philodendron — they're easier and look similar.

How to keep hanging plants looking good

• Rotate the pot every 2–4 weeks so all sides get even light. Otherwise, the plant grows toward the window and looks lopsided.
• Prune leggy stems to encourage bushier growth. Cut just above a leaf node, and the plant will branch out from that point.
• Dust the leaves every few months. Hanging plants collect dust just like shelf plants. Wipe them with a damp cloth or rinse them in the shower.
• Water carefully — hanging plants dry out faster than plants on shelves because air circulates all around them. Check the soil weekly, not on a schedule.
• Use a cache pot (a decorative pot without drainage holes) inside the hanging basket. Water the plant in the cache pot, let it drain, then empty the cache pot after 30 minutes. This prevents water from dripping on your floor.

Hanging plants are one of the easiest ways to add greenery to a room. Pothos and philodendron are the safest bets — they trail fast, they're easy, and they don't drop leaves. String of Pearls and Hoya are for people who want something more unique and don't mind a bit of extra care. And if you're not sure how often to water them, my watering calculator builds a schedule based on your plant type, pot size, and light conditions.

I've hung plants in every room of my apartment over the past five years. This site is one person writing about plants — not a nursery, just what actually worked.