22 Best Houseplants for Hanging Pots

Donkey tail or burros tail plant in hanging basket.
© Pravruti/Shutterstock.com

Written by Heather Hall

Updated: November 1, 2023

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Looking to add a touch of greenery to your living space? Discover the best houseplants for hanging pots that will bring life and beauty to any room.

1. Spider Plant

Chlorophytum comosum, Spider plant  in white hanging pot / basket, Air purifying plants for home, Indoor houseplant

Chlorophytum comosum, or spider plants, are some of the best houseplants for hanging pots.

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The spider plant, otherwise known as Chlorophytum comosum, is a great choice for hanging pots. It’s an easy-to-care-for houseplant that can tolerate low light and dry air conditions. The long grass-like leaves of the spider plant have white or yellow markings along their edges and look great, cascading down from a pot suspended in midair. Spider plants need bright indirect sunlight, so make sure that you don’t place them in direct sun or too close to windows.

2. String of Beads

Hanging garden - succulent plants in similar twine pots, senecio rowleyanus

One of the best houseplants for hanging pots is the string of beads.

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String of Beads, also known as Senecio rowleyanus, is a succulent houseplant with long trailing stems covered in small round leaves. This is one of the best houseplants for hanging pots. It cascades over the edge and adds texture to any space. It prefers bright light but can tolerate some shade, so it’s easy to care for even if you don’t have an abundance of sunlight. Water the string of beads only when the soil is dry, and make sure the pot has proper drainage holes at the bottom.

3. String of Hearts

Ceropegia woodii, string of hearts

Ceropegia woodii, or string of hearts, is one of the best houseplants for hanging pots.

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String of Hearts, or Ceropegia woodii, is an evergreen succulent with heart-shaped leaves that can reach up to a foot long. This unique plant looks gorgeous hanging in a pot and adds a whimsical touch to any room. It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade as well. Water it sparingly when the soil is mostly dry. These plants are prone to root rot, so do not overwater.

4. Donkey’s Tail

potted donkey tail plant

Let the stems of Donkey’s Tail cascade over the edge of a hanging pot for a stunning display.

©iStock.com/Iryna Imago

Donkey’s Tail, or Sedum morganianum, is a succulent houseplant with long trailing stems that can reach up to three feet in length. Their stems are covered with small round leaves that look like tiny beads. This plant looks great hanging from a pot and adds texture and dimension to any space. It prefers bright light and does not tolerate shade, so you can place this one directly in a south-facing window.

5. Tradescantia

Wandering Jew, Wandering Dude, Inch Plant, Spiderwort or Tradescantia Zebrina plant flowers. Pink purple violet leafs. telgraf çiçeÄŸi

The jewel tones of Tradescantia make it one of the most eye-catching houseplants for hanging pots.

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Tradescantia, or inch plant, is a trailing houseplant with delicate leaves that come in many colors. Its stems can reach up to four feet long. Its jewel tones make it one of the most eye-catching houseplants for hanging pots. This plant prefers bright indirect light but can also tolerate shade. Water it regularly when the soil is dry. The stems are very thin and prone to breaking, so handle them with care.

6. Pothos

Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen' pothos houseplant

Epipremnum aureum ‘Marble Queen’ is a brilliant vining houseplant for hanging pots.

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Pothos, or Epipremnum aureum, is a fast-growing vining tropical plant. It is probably one of the best houseplants for hanging pots. Its glossy green leaves are strikingly beautiful and can add color to any room. It prefers bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade as well. Pothos prefer to be bone dry between each watering, so water deeply but infrequently.

7. Philodendron

Philodendron Brasil (Philodendron Hederaceum Scandens Brasil) hang on white wall. Tropical creeper house plant with yellow stripes in flowerpot. Houseplant care concept for modern interior decoration

The lovely variegated Philodendron Brasil is one of the best houseplants for hanging pots.

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Philodendron is a popular houseplant that’s perfect for hanging pots. Its lush, heart-shaped leaves give it a romantic look that adds texture and dimension to any space. It prefers bright, indirect light and likes soil that is free-draining. When watering your philodendron, only water when the top inch of soil feels dry — don’t let it sit in soggy soil, or else its roots may rot. There are many cultivars of philodendron, some with lime-green leaves and others with variegation.

8. Boston Fern

Boston fern as hanging plant

Boston ferns are great houseplants for hanging pots. They require a high humidity level to thrive.

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Boston ferns are a popular choice for a hanging pot houseplant. They are easy to care for and have luxurious, lush foliage. The fronds are long and arch gracefully.

Boston ferns are slow-growing and require minimal maintenance. They do best in indirect sunlight, and you will need to keep them moist, not wet. It is important to fertilize these plants every few months and keep the soil evenly moist.

9. String of Nickels

Dischidia nummularia or string of nickels

Dischidia nummularia, or string of nickels, has long trailing stems that look lovely trailing over a container.

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String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia) is a great houseplant for a hanging pot due to its interesting and unique characteristics. It is an evergreen succulent that is native to tropical areas of Asia. It grows in compact clusters of oval-shaped, rippled leaves with small white flowers in the center. The trailing branches of the plant can reach up to two feet long and hang down beautifully from a hanging pot.

10. Forest Cactus

Close up on Lepismium bolivianum plants. Close up on the flowers of the plant. This is a cactus native to South America.

For a rare and unique houseplant for hanging pots, consider Lepismium bolivianum.

©Fabrizio Guarisco/Shutterstock.com

Forest cactus, or Lepismium bolivianum, is a houseplant with unique characteristics that make it ideal for a hanging pot. This evergreen cactus is native to the tropical forests of South America and has intricate, deep green foliage with spines along its stems. It grows in clusters of slender branches that hang down gracefully from a hanging pot.

11. Hoya

Curtisii hoya in a hanging basket

There are many types of trailing hoyas that make great houseplants for hanging pots.

©AreePho/Shutterstock.com

Hoya is a great houseplant for hanging pots due to its interesting and unique characteristics. It has glossy, heart-shaped leaves with thick stems that form long, trailing vines. The flowers of this plant are small and star-shaped in white or pink colors. They require minimal maintenance and do best in indirect sunlight. It is important to fertilize these plants every few months and keep the soil evenly moist but not wet.

12. Christmas Cactus

closeup thanksgiving cactus flowers

Thanksgiving, Easter, and Christmas Cactus all make a stunning show as houseplants in hanging pots.

©iStock.com/Elena Grishina

Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) is a popular houseplant because of its festive colors and easy care. It has bright, green stems with paddle-shaped leaves that are edged in shades of pink, red, or white. This plant typically blooms during the winter months and produces showy star-shaped flowers. It prefers bright, indirect light and evenly moist soil, but do not overwater it. This houseplant is best for a hanging pot, where the stems can hang down gracefully. Keep it protected from cold drafts.

13. English Ivy

English ivy in a hanging basket

If you keep English ivy moist, the chances of spider mites are not as high.

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English ivy, or Hedera helix, is a classic houseplant that looks great in hanging pots. Its long trailing vines make it the perfect choice for suspending from the ceiling or an outdoor porch. English ivy loves bright indirect sunlight, and you will need to water it frequently for best results. It’s important to keep its soil moist but not wet, as too much water can lead to root rot.

14. Baby’s Tears

Pilea Depressa 'Baby Tears' is an adorable and beautiful plant with bright green, creeping foliage.

Pilea depressa must never be allowed to dry out, or the leaves will fall off in a great dramatic fashion.

©Kembang Peony/Shutterstock.com

Pilea depressa is a fast-growing houseplant for hanging pots. This plant has tiny, round leaves that resemble tears and have a unique texture. It is easy to care for and tolerant of medium light conditions, but it does best in bright, indirect sunlight. Baby’s tears need regular watering, and you should mist them often to keep the soil moist. For best results, fertilize this houseplant during its active growth period with a balanced liquid fertilizer every one or two weeks.

15. Asparagus Fern

Sphagnum Moss hanging planter with an asparagus fern plant.

This baby asparagus fern will grow fronds up to 9 feet long if given enough nutrients and humidity.

©Eleni Mavrandoni/Shutterstock.com

Asparagus fern, or Asparagus densiflorus, is a gigantic houseplant for hanging pots. Its long cascading stems are covered with bright green foliage that looks great suspended from the ceiling or porch. This plant does best in medium to bright indirect light and needs regular watering during its active growth period. It thrives in well-draining soil with good air circulation, which makes it perfect for hanging pots.

16. Lace Flower

Close up of a white Lace Flower, with scientific name Alsobia Dianthiflora

If you are searching for great houseplants for hanging pots, consider the rare Alsobia dianthiflora.

©Khairil Azhar Junos/Shutterstock.com

Alsobia dianthiflora (lace flower) is a great houseplant for hanging pots. Lace Flower is related to the African violet and has similarly fuzzy leaves. It has tiny leaves and loves a warm and humid house. It is perfectly happy on a windowsill or under a grow light. When happy, it will produce small, frilly flowers.

17. Prayer Plant

Maranta leuconeura var. erythroneura aka herringbone plant on a shelf in a modern apartment.

Prayer plants and peacock plants both make stunning houseplants for hanging pots.

©Maritxu/Shutterstock.com

Marantas make great houseplants for hanging pots because their gorgeous leaves are perfectly suited for hanging. The Prayer Plant, or Maranta leuconeura, is a popular choice because of its bold green and red foliage. It prefers bright, indirect light, and moist soil with good drainage. Prayer plants require regular misting to keep the air around them humid, as they get a bit crispy if it is too dry.

18. Strawberry Begonia

Creeping saxifrage in pot near a window

This plant has many names, including strawberry begonia and Saxifraga stolonifera.

©COULANGES/Shutterstock.com

Saxifraga stolonifera, or Strawberry Begonia, was given its name due to its growth habit, which is similar to that of a strawberry. This plant is simple to propagate by snipping off the offshoots and planting them in individual pots. It needs medium to bright light, so place it near a window that faces east or west or on a sunny porch.

19. Chenille Plant

Sydney Australia, long red flower stems of Acalypha Hispida or fox tail plant

People in Australia call this the fox tail plant or Acalypha hispida.

©demamiel62/Shutterstock.com

Acalypha hispida, or chenille plant, will bring enjoyment to its admirers with its fuzzy, red catkins that stay in bloom all year. It prefers bright, indirect sunlight and regular watering. Being part of the Euphorbiaceae family, it is related to the poinsettia. This tropical plant loves warm and humid conditions, so it is perfect for a bathroom or a room with a humidifier.

20. Elephant Bush

Succulent African plant of Portulacaria Afra or Spekboom Elephant Bush hanging from weathered wooden garden wall

Elephant

bushes can get quite large, even indoors.

©You Touch Pix of EuToch/Shutterstock.com

The trailing elephant bush looks stunning in a hanging pot. This succulent is native to South Africa and needs very little water. It prefers bright, indirect light. It can tolerate a wide range of temperatures but does not like cold weather. Keep the soil lightly moist during spring and summer and let it dry out between waterings in winter. This plant will also benefit from fertilizing regularly with an all-purpose fertilizer at half strength.

21. Fuchsia

Fuchsia Flower, Flower, Plant, Flower Pot, Blossom

Did you know that fuchsia makes a great houseplant for hanging pots indoors?

©iStock.com/IKvyatkovskaya

Fuchsia is a classic hanging plant for the home. It produces beautiful, delicate flowers in bright colors throughout the summer and fall months. This plant loves fertile soil with good drainage as well as moderate light and regular watering. Fertilize fuchsias every two weeks during the growing season to keep them blooming abundantly.

It is essential to give fuchsias indirect bright light, away from any drafts, and the right level of humidity. Certain fuchsia varieties, such as ‘Alice Hoffman’ are more tolerant of dry air and are thus better suited for growing indoors.

22. Oxalis

Purple leaves of false shamrock (Oxalis triangularis)

Not many houseplants look as lovely in a hanging basket as the false shamrock.

©Edita Medeina/Shutterstock.com

Often referred to as the false shamrock plant, this potted hanging plant loves sunlight. Its deep plum triangular leaves are shaped like a heart. The leaves close when the light begins to fade in the evening. Water the false shamrock plant sparingly, but be careful not to overwater. If happy, this plant produces lovely white flowers.


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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