Make crowded shelves and tabletops a thing of the past by hanging your houseplants from your ceilings and walls. These varieties with trailing stems, dangling leaves, and gracefully arching shapes make the best use of your home's vertical spaces.
English Ivy
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.
Baby's Tears
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.
Burro's Tail
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.
Spider Plant
Gracefully arching, narrow leaves earned spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) its name. This popular indoor hanging 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.
Arrowhead Vine
The large, heart-shape leaves of 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 (but keep it out of reach of pets because it can be toxic when eaten). Arrowhead vine comes in shades of green, pink, and burgundy.
Boston Fern
The feathery, draping foliage of Boston fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) adds instant lushness to indoor spaces. Keep in mind that this fern loves humidity; spray it with water daily to keep the leaves from drying out, especially in the winter.
Bird's Nest Fern
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 make the leaves crumple and turn yellow).
Pothos
Adaptable to most growing conditions, pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the easiest houseplants you can grow. Its long trailing stems are perfect for hanging planters, and you can find varieties with variegated or golden foliage for extra interest.
Philodendron
Another super easy houseplant to grow, philodendron doesn't mind lower light levels and will bounce back easily if you forget to water it a time or two. Be warned: You might have a hard time choosing a philodendron, as there are many beautiful varieties with diverse shades of color and shapes of leaves.
Chenille Plant
Chenille plant (Acalypha hispida) makes an impression immediately. 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 chenille plant to keep it healthy longer and give it the brightest light you can.
Maidenhair Fern
Gracefully arching stems of feathery, delicate-looking foliage make maidenhair fern a stunning hanging plant. However, sometimes indoor 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.
String of Pearls
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a distinctive hanging plant, thanks to its plump, round leaves running along each long, string-like stem, similar to beads on a necklace. These beads on this unique succulent are actually filled with water to help string of pearls survive periods of drought.
String of Hearts
Arguably the most adorable option for an indoor hanging plant is string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii). Its thin, trailing stems feature small, variegated green and silver heart-shape leaves with hints of purple. Suspend string of hearts from a high spot and let the love grow.
Peperomia
Sometimes called 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 have a more upright shape, and others drape their stems over the sides of their containers.
Moth Orchid
In nature, moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) perch up in tree branches, and you can create a similar effect by hanging them up 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 a hanging orchid display.
Staghorn Fern
This isn't your typical fern. Staghorn ferns have bold, broad leaves that never fail to make a statement. Mount your staghorn fern on a wooden board to hang on a wall or assemble it in a kokedama that you can hang from the ceiling.
Air Plants
Belonging to the bromeliad family, air plants don't require soil to grow, making it easy to display them in creative ways. These wispy plants work well in glass capsules, mounted on walls, or in macrame plant hangers, for example.
