The easiest hanging plants for indoors are pothos and heartleaf philodendron, which adapt to a wide range of indoor light. For a bright window, string of pearls, string of hearts, hoyas, and lipstick plants are better fits. Spider plants and trailing peperomias work in between. The best pick depends less on looks than on three questions: how much light reaches the spot where it will hang, how you tend to water, and whether pets can reach the vines.
Below are eight trailing plants we carry, grouped by the light they prefer, with notes on watering and pet safety where we could verify it.
Three Questions to Ask Before You Choose
- How much light does the hanging spot get? Hanging spots are often farther from the window than a sill, so they are dimmer than they look. Test the spot first. Our guide to bright indirect light shows how.
- How do you water? If you water often, choose plants that enjoy steadier moisture. If you tend to forget, choose plants that store water in their leaves or stems.
- Who can reach it? Trailing stems hang within reach of cats, dogs, and small children. A plant that hangs is not automatically out of reach.
Best Hanging Plants for Bright Light
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Round, bead-like leaves on thin trailing stems. It stores water in those leaves, so let the mix dry before watering and never leave it in standing water. It wants bright light. Pets: the ASPCA lists string of pearls as toxic, with stomach upset, vomiting, and lethargy reported if ingested.
String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Heart-shaped, marbled leaves along long, delicate stems. It does best in bright indirect light, and gentle morning sun is usually fine. Let the mix dry before a deep watering and use a very well-draining mix. Pets: we could not find a matching ASPCA listing, so treat its pet safety as unverified and keep it out of reach.
Hoya (Hoya carnosa and relatives)
Waxy, fleshy leaves on vining stems. Hoyas need bright, natural light to do their best. They are not true succulents, but the thick leaves mean they generally prefer not to sit in constantly wet soil, so check the mix before watering. Pets: the ASPCA lists Hoya carnosa 'Krinkle Kurl' (Hindu rope) as non-toxic to dogs and cats. There are hundreds of hoya species, so confirm the exact plant before assuming another is the same.
Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus)
Glossy leaves and, when it is content, tubular flowers. It likes bright indirect light and moderate to high humidity, and it wants the top inch or two of mix to dry before you water. Pets: the ASPCA lists the lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus humilis) as non-toxic. Other species and cultivars may not have their own listing, so confirm yours.
Best Hanging Plants for Medium to Bright Light
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The classic. It tolerates lower light, though variegated types keep their pattern better in brighter light. Water when the top inch or two of mix is dry. Pets: the ASPCA lists pothos as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses because of insoluble calcium oxalates, which can cause mouth irritation, drooling, and vomiting. See our pothos care guide.
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Soft heart-shaped leaves on easygoing vines, including cultivars such as 'Brasil' and 'Micans'. It adapts to a range of indoor light but grows fullest in bright indirect light. Let the top of the mix dry before watering. Pets: the ASPCA lists Philodendron hederaceum as toxic to dogs, cats, and horses, with the same calcium oxalate signs as pothos.
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Arching, ribbon-like leaves, with small plantlets that dangle on long stems. Spider plants adapt to a range of indoor conditions, but they can get brown tips from chemicals in tap water, which we cover in our guide to brown leaf tips. Pets: the ASPCA lists spider plant as non-toxic to dogs and cats.
String of turtles (Peperomia prostrata)
Tiny, patterned leaves that look like turtle shells, on thin trailing stems. It likes bright indirect light and prefers to dry out a little between waterings. Pets: the ASPCA lists trailing peperomia (spelled Peperomia prostata in its database) as non-toxic to dogs and cats.
How to Hang and Water Them
- Anchor it properly. Wet soil is heavy. Use a hook or bracket anchored into a ceiling joist or wall stud and rated well above the planter's watered weight.
- Water at the sink. Take the plant down, water until it drains from the bottom, let it drain fully, then rehang. This avoids drips and standing water in a hanging saucer. Our beginner guide explains why drainage holes matter.
- Rotate it. Trailing plants grow toward the light, so an occasional quarter turn keeps growth even.
- Keep it away from vents. Heating vents and drafts dry out leaves.
Hanging Plants and Pets
Hanging a plant does not make it pet-safe. Trailing stems drop leaves, and vines often fall within reach. Check the exact botanical name against a veterinary source such as the ASPCA, and remember that a "non-toxic" listing does not mean a plant is safe to eat. Any plant material can upset an animal's stomach. Our pet-safe and toxic houseplant guide explains how to check. If you think a pet has eaten a plant, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service promptly.
Common Mistakes
- Hanging a bright-light plant in a dim corner. Stems stretch and leaves get smaller.
- Watering a succulent basket like a fern. String of pearls and string of hearts dislike staying wet.
- Choosing by looks alone. Match the plant to the window, not the other way around.
- Skipping drainage. Decorative hanging planters without holes can hold water around the roots.
- Assuming "hanging" means "out of reach." Check the pet status of every plant that trails.
From the Greenhouse Bench
Trailing plants grow toward their light, and stems that stretch with long gaps between leaves are a classic sign that a spot is too dim. So match the plant to the window first, not the other way around. Then give it time to settle. Our Help page advises new arrivals to go in a spot with good indirect light and to wait a couple of weeks before repotting or fertilizing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest hanging plant for a beginner?
Pothos and heartleaf philodendron are the most forgiving. They tolerate a range of light and tend to be forgiving of the occasional dry spell. Both are toxic to pets.
Which hanging plants are safe for pets?
Among the plants here, the ASPCA lists spider plant, trailing peperomia, lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus humilis), and Hoya carnosa 'Krinkle Kurl' as non-toxic. Confirm the exact botanical name, and keep all plants out of reach where you can.
Can hanging plants grow in low light?
Pothos and heartleaf philodendron tolerate lower light, though growth slows and variegation can fade. Succulent trailers like string of pearls need bright light.
Do hanging plants need different care?
The plant's needs are the same. The spot is different, since hanging locations are often farther from windows and harder to water. Take the plant down to water it, and check the light.
Ready to Choose?
Pick the light first, then the plant. You can browse our trailing and hanging plants to see what is available right now.
Sources: ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant entries for pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plant, wax plant, lipstick plant, and trailing peperomia; ASPCA's guide to succulents and pets; University of Missouri Extension.