Best Trailing Houseplants for Hanging Displays

The lack of physical space is often a concern for houseplant enthusiasts. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon of antiquity makes use of vertical space, though its grandeur is now lost to the mists of time. On a much smaller scale, the vertical plane is one neglected opportunity in the house that homeowners don’t make enough of. 

Many trailing plants tumble in a bohemian manner, hanging from a basket or cascading down bookshelves. Here is a list of the best hanging plants to buy for your home, selected for uniqueness and care requirements. 

 

1. Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)

Resembling shaggy masses of hair, the mistletoe cactus is a lesser-known houseplant that is a lot of fun for those inured to the usual pothos and spider plants. It blooms in late winter and spring, becoming studded with tiny white flowers. It needs bright, indirect light and likes warm, humid temperatures. 

2. Lipstick Plant 

In most cases, flowers make the plant, and it would be foolish to convince otherwise. In keeping with the warmer seasons, the lipstick plant explodes into tubular clusters of spectacular red flowers, blooming most prolific from summer to fall. It is moderately easy to grow, though it may struggle with inconsistent watering or insufficient bright light. Use a diluted fertilizer to encourage flower buds if the plants seem to be struggling. Optionally, you can also invest in a garden grow light setup for a minimal setting. 

3. Spider Plant 

While a common fixture in many homes, the spider plant deserves a mention for its exceedingly forgiving nature. Runners will beget more spider plants, leading to a wildly spiky appearance. It’s also non-toxic to cats and dogs, so if your unruly pet happens to munch on it, it won’t have the same ill effect an actual spider does. 

4. Foxtail Fern  

Foxtail ferns are, by nature, shrubs from the asparagus family (who knew asparagus could be palatable?). In warmer climates, it can grow to boundless lengths, but in the less forgiving Midwest, they should be brought inside. It benefits from regular watering – a self-watering planter can help provide the right balance. 

5.  Tradescantia

Tradescantia is another low-maintenance houseplant that thrives on neglect. One of its defining characteristics is its magenta streaks, which gives it a more three-dimensional look than the usual solid, blocky array of houseplants. Even if your plant appears bone dry and leggy, you can ‘resurrect’ it by propagating it through cuttings.

6. String of Dolphins 

Balloon animals twisted into intricate shapes are mildly fascinating – and so is this rare plant. Each succulent pod resembles leaping dolphins, all overlapping together in a sweep of tendrils. Another surprise unveils itself in autumn, bearing sweet, cinnamon-scenter blossoms. This succulent is infatuated with sunlight and may require full sun to promote growth. In addition to String of Dolphins, there are several other similar iterations: String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus), String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii), and String of Turtles (Peperomia prostrata). 

7. Philodendron Brasil 

One of the ways to simulate the look of a lush forest landscape is to drape spaces with carelessly overflowing leaves. In the wild, philodendrons are naturally vining, but in the home, they tend to trail. This variety has chartreuse-colored variegated foliage, making it a step up from the ordinary philodendrons. Its easy maintenance and versatility allow it to inhibit a number of spaces.

8. Pothos 

Even unlucky plant growers will rejoice at the tenacity of pothos, an almost unkillable plant that sprawls and sprawls. For many, it’s the gateway plant that paves the way to the world of houseplants. One way to style pothos is to anchor a rustic stick to the wall and allow it to climb vertically. ‘Pearls and Jade’ is a popular variety with a nacreous shine. Avoid direct sunlight, which can cause it to burn. 

9. Fishbone Cactus 

Characterized by serrated, fishbone-like segments, the fishbone cactus is eccentric in all the right ways – it’s simultaneously nautical and tropical. The crowning glory is its sculptural flowers, which appear only on specimens at least three years old; they bloom nocturnally, exuding a lovely fragrance. Fishbone cactus does well in bright, indirect light and more humidity. Display in a solid-color planter to showcase its foliage.

10. Bundle of Sticks

 To wayward animals foraging for their next meal, this rough-textured, drab pile of sticks looks decidedly unpalatable. To plant enthusiasts, the inherent lack of enthusiasm of the "Dead Stick" plant can be appealing in its own way. It’s not commonly seen at stores or on display, and one can never be too sure whether its playing dead or actually dead. 

11. Boston Fern 

Boston ferns thrive in conditions that mirror the damp, foggy prehistoric forests at the time of dinosaurs: constant humidity and indirect light. Truth be told, despite its lush, gorgeous foliage, it’s one of those plants that may require more expert attention, with a tendency to die easily should you abandon routine. A water meter and water timer are recommended to keep the soil consistently moist.  

12. Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa)

The goldfish plant – with its playful, rotund blossoms that resemble goldfishes – is a tropical delight, though it does have a few specific needs. It requires 13 hours of bright, indirect light and prefers shallow pots with a coarse but light growing medium. Temperatures that are too hot or too cold will have a detrimental effect on its growth. Mist regularly with room-temperature water to maintain humidity levels.