19 Best Hanging Plants

Hanging plants are a great space-saving way to add greenery and pretty flowers to your indoor or outdoor living spaces. There are tons of plant options and containers to choose from.

Many of the best hanging plants are both attractive and low maintenance. They add color, interest, and texture without needing a lot of care and attention from you.

Most indoor houseplants just need the right amount of light, the right container, and the right watering routine to be happy. To take care of outdoor potted plants the right way, just follow the basics of container gardening.

You have tons of freedom when it comes to hanging method and decoration for your containers. If you’re ready to get started, here are 19 of the best hanging plants for indoors and outdoors.

Best Hanging Plants for Indoors

Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

Also known as devil’s ivy, golden pothos is an easy to care for and elegant looking houseplant. The leaves are heart-shaped and evergreen with a golden-yellow variegation.

Pothos is a vine that will start trailing over the sides of its container as it grows larger. It also has air-purifying benefits that makes it a great plant for your sleeping space.
1 Golden Pothos
Golden pothos or devil’s ivy is an elegant, trailing houseplant with yellow and green variegated leaves.

Care: Golden pothos likes a low to moderate amount of light. Water plants only when the top two inches of soil are dry.

Toxicity: The leaves are toxic to pets and children if ingested. They are rarely fatal but will cause stomach upset and vomiting, so hang out of the reach of your little ones.

Peperomia (Peperomia caperata)

There are several peperomia species that make great indoor hanging plants. Peperomia caperata, also known as ripple peperomia, is an especially attractive variety that has deeply ridged and somewhat heart-shaped leaves.

You can find peperomia in a range of different colored leaves: green, red, gray-silver, and cream. Some varieties are variegated and others have one color on the top of the leaves and a different color on the bottom.

2 Peperomia Caperata
This variety is called Peperomia caperata rosso. Plants have deep green leaves that are red underneath and make great potted or hanging plants.

Care: Easy to care for. Grows well in low to bright indoor light, but avoid direct sunlight. Allow the soil to dry out in between waterings, and water even more sparingly during the winter.

Toxicity: Non-toxic and completely safe for pets and children.

Air Plant (Tillandsia)

Air plants add a very unique touch to your living space. Grown without soil, they are low-maintenance and come in all shapes, sizes, and colors.

As a hanging plant, most people choose to grow them in glass globes (technically called terrariums). This allows lots of light to get through, plus puts your plants on display.

The globe you use should have a large hole cut in the side for air circulation. Depending on the size, they can be subtle or really make a statement.

3 Air Plant
Air plants don’t need soil to grow in, which makes their caretaking unique but low maintenance. They make some of the best hanging plants for modern living spaces.

Care: Air plants have unique care requirements, so be sure to follow the instructions that came with your plant(s). In general, they will need misted every 4-5 days and soaked in water every two weeks or so.

Make sure they have good air circulation and dry out from misting or soaking quickly. Bright, indirect light is the best. Don’t place them directly in front of a window.

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

English Ivy (Hedera helix)

For a more cottage-like feel inside your home, English ivy is the perfect choice for a hanging plant. While it can become invasive if grown outdoors, it makes a very low maintenance and happy houseplant.

Ivy is a vine that will trail gracefully (and enthusiastically) out of the container you put it in. You can train them into shapes using wire or simply let them grow long.

4 IvyIvy grows very happily indoors in a pot or hanging container. It will be fine if you forget to water it every now and then and makes a very graceful statement piece.

Care: Water when the soil dries out, which usually works out to once or twice a week. Ivy typically grows outdoors and can take brighter light. Grow it next to a window or in a bright room, and make sure it has lots of space to grow downwards.

Toxicity: Mildly toxic to children and pets if the leaves are ingested.

Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)

Ferns are a popular choice for indoor plants, and maidenhair fern works especially well as a hanging plant. The leaves are delicate, light green, and lacy. It grows out feathery fronds that drape over the sides of containers.

Maidenhair can be a little more picky about its conditions than some of the other plants on this list. But if you’re willing to give it a little extra care, you’ll be rewarded with a graceful, happy plant.

5 Maidenhair FernThe delicately shaped foliage of maidenhair ferns is their main attraction. They make excellent hanging plants but need just a little more attention to detail when it comes to growing conditions.

Care: The biggest care factor is humidity. They don’t do well with dry air. Some people have the best luck growing them in the bathroom (if it has a window), but you can also opt to mist them regularly if the humidity is lower than ideal.

Indirect light in the morning or afternoon is best. Keep the soil consistently moist and regularly trim off dead fronds.

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

If you love succulents, string of pearls is a gorgeous and modern-looking trailing succulent. Its leaves are round, plump, and green and look especially striking against a white container.

Because the string of pearls plant is a succulent, it can tolerate short drought periods (like when you go on vacation). In the right conditions, this plant will also bloom with small white flowers.

6 String of Pearls
String of pearls is a very unique succulent that has trailing vines of round, green leaves. The leaves are full of water, which is what makes this plant so drought-tolerant.

Care: Use a well-drained cactus or succulent potting soil. Water once every two weeks during most of the year and only once a month during the winter. Bright, indirect light is best.

Toxicity: Toxic to pets and children, so just be sure to keep it up out of their reach.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

Fun and decorative, spider plants are some of the easiest houseplants to care for. They grow up and out of hanging containers with long, narrow, and pointed leaves.

After they grow for long enough, spider plants start to produce offshoots that look exactly like miniature versions of the main plant. You’ll also hear them called airplane or ribbon plants.

7 Spider PlantMost spider plants have variegated leaves that are shades of green, yellow, and/or white. The foliage curves gently and looks attractive in most indoor spaces.

Care: Water thoroughly each time and let the soil dry out in between waterings. Plants prefer bright, indirect light but will tolerate low light.

Toxicity: Completely non-toxic and safe for pets and children.

String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

String of hearts is another trailing succulent with lovely heart-shaped leaves. The leaves are variegated and can be shades of green, pink, white, and silver-gray.

Plants can take some neglect and look best when they’re hung high enough to let the strands grow long.

8 String of HeartsAttractive heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines make this the perfect hanging plant. Like all succulents, it can go periods without water and is generally unfussy.

Care: Plants like lots of bright light but not direct sunlight. South and west facing windows are best. Leaves will fade from their normal dark green color if they aren’t getting enough light. Water only when the soil completely dries out and only about once a month during winter.

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

Tradescantia

Tradescantia refers to a group of plants that can be grown indoors or out. A few species make very attractive houseplants for a hanging basket.

Tradescantia pallida has deep purple leaves and blooms with light purple flowers. T. zebrina has zebra-striped leaves that are white, purple, and green. Both are easy to care for and will quickly spill out of the containers you put them in.

9 Purple TradescantiaThe deep purple foliage of Tradescantia is very unique, which is what makes it one of the best hanging plants. You’ll also get to enjoy pretty flowers that not all houseplants have.

Care: Water when the soil dries out. Plants like bright, indirect light. Leaves will start to fade in color if they aren’t getting enough sunlight. Prune the stems when they get too long and use a liquid fertilizer at 50% strength once or twice a month during the growing season.

Toxicity: Reports are conflicting, but the leaves are considered to be mildly toxic, so keep away from pets and children.

Best Hanging Plants for Outdoors

Geraniums (Pelargonium)

Geraniums make one of the best hanging plants for outdoors. They have large and showy blooms and are at the same time very hardy and low-maintenance plants.

Red geraniums make an especially bold choice for hanging baskets, and you can also find trailing varieties. Some varieties also have variegated leaves for added attraction. Plant a mix of colors for a fabulous hanging display.

10 GeraniumsGeraniums are a popular choice for hanging displays situated in full sun. They grow well in containers and need little maintenance.

Care: Geraniums need 4-6 hours of sunlight a day and are best for sunny areas. Use a well-drained potting mix and be sure to water consistently, especially during hot weather.

Apply a liquid fertilizer every two weeks or so during the spring and summer. Deadheading spent blooms will prolong flowering.

Fuchsias (Fuchsia)

It’s hard to beat fuchsias as a hanging basket choice. Their beautiful and showy blooms come in shades and combinations of red, white, pink, and purple.

The flowers are set off nicely against green foliage and grow off drooping stems. When cared for correctly, they’ll bloom abundantly all summer.

11 FuchsiaIf you’re looking for a very showy outdoor hanging plant, look no further than fuchsias. Their blooms are two-toned, abundant, and hang gracefully over the sides of their container.

Care: Fuchsias do best in partial shade, ideally with shade provided in the afternoon. They are great plants for hanging on covered porches where they can have some shelter from hot sun.

Water consistently. Don’t let your plants sit in soggy soil, but don’t let the soil completely dry out, either. You can cut back stems if they get too long, but fuchsias don’t require deadheading. Fertilize them every two weeks during the growing season with a liquid plant feed.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Boston ferns are actually two-way plants. They make great hanging plants for a porch or another shaded area, but you can also grow them as houseplants. In fact, you could have them outside in warm weather and inside during the cold months.

Boston ferns have a nice, full appearance when happy. They put out lots of feathery green fronds that look semi-tropical and also help to purify the air indoors.

12 Boston Fern
Boston ferns can be used as either indoor or outdoor plants. Pair them with a flowering plant, like fuchsia, to get some color to complement their attractive green foliage.

Care: Outdoors, ferns need a shaded area to grow in. Make sure you keep the soil consistently moist, especially throughout the hottest months.

Indoors, ferns need a moderate amount of light. They prefer higher humidity levels but can be kept happy at lower humidity levels by keeping their soil consistently moist (but not soggy).

Toxicity: Non-toxic.

Petunias (Petunia)

Petunias are a staple in many summer gardens because of their abundant flowers that come in a huge range of colors. You’ll often see them grown in container arrangements, and they also make great hanging basket plants.

Given full sun and fertile potting soil, you’ll barely be able to see the green leaves of your petunias because the blooms will be so abundant. The only drawback to petunias is that they do need deadheading and a midsummer haircut to keep them looking sharp.

13 Petunias
Petunias are some of the most prolific summer annuals with large blooms and a huge variety of colors. They work extremely well as container and hanging basket plants.

Care: Petunias need a full sun location, and flowering will decrease if they are getting too much shade. Water when the soil is almost dry. Petunias are heat-tolerant, but remember that small containers will dry out quickly.

Fertilize once or twice a month with a balanced liquid fertilizer. Deadhead spent blooms regularly. Cut plants back by half in midsummer when they start to get leggy. This will encourage new growth and flowering.

Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

Despite the delicate-looking and airy white blooms of sweet alyssum, it’s a very hardy plant that’s heat- and drought-tolerant. This makes it one of the best low-maintenance hanging plants.

Sweet alyssum will form mounds of white flowers that will eventually spill out the sides of hanging baskets. True to its name, the tiny flowers send out an incredible sweet scent and bloom all the way from spring to first frost.

14 Sweet AlyssumClassic sweet alyssum is all white, but you can find cultivars that are pink, purple, or a mix of all three colors. Choose an older variety to get the best honey-like fragrance.

Care: Sweet alyssum does best in full sun (at least 6 hours) but tolerates partial shade. Water when the soil is almost dry and add a liquid fertilizer every month.

Alyssum does not need to be deadheaded, but you can cut older varieties back in midsummer to encourage more flowering.

Trailing Petunia (Calibrachoa)

Calibrachoa (often called Million Bells) looks very much like a petunia plant with smaller flowers. It has a trailing habit that’s perfect for hanging baskets, and you have a huge choice when it comes to color.

Calibrachoa is a hardy plant that will bloom the entire season: from when you plant it until frost comes. Some varieties benefit from deadheading or cutting back but many are self-cleaning.

15 Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa flowers look almost like mini petunias. Their trailing habit is perfect for containers and baskets, and you’ll enjoy a display of brilliant blooms from spring until frost.

Care: Prefers full sun but will tolerate partial shade. Water when the soil is almost dry, and fertilize with a liquid plant feed every two weeks. Cut plants back by half mid-season to rejuvenate them.

Pansies (Viola x wittrockiana)

Pansies are a gorgeous cool-weather flower that are some of the first to go out in the spring. Most people use them as a bedding or container plant, but they also make an excellent hanging plant in early spring or later in fall.

You can plant pansies in a hanging basket to add some color outdoors before most other plants start to bloom. They are extremely low-maintenance and will only fade as the heat of summer comes on.

16 PansiesTry planting pansies in something decorative like a wire basket lined with sphagnum moss. They’ll add a pop of color outdoors in early spring or in fall.

Care: The ideal location for pansies is somewhere they’ll get morning sun and afternoon shade. Plant them so that their main bloom time will be during cool weather. Add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil when planting and deadhead and water regularly.

Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums are a great choice for a colorful, yet extremely low-maintenance, hanging plant. They don’t need much fertilizer, are drought tolerant, and have edible flowers.

Most nasturtium varieties have a trailing habit that looks great in hanging baskets. The flowers are large and bright with shades of yellow, red, orange, and more.

17 NasturtiumsMost nasturtium varieties have pretty, almost rounded leaves, but some have attractive variegated leaves. Flowers are edible and can be used in salads and to decorate baked goods.

Care: Place nasturtium baskets in a full sun location and make sure you use a potting soil that drains well. Nasturtiums prefer poor soil and will flower less with too much fertilizer. Don’t fertilize unless you notice plants fading at the end of the season.

Water when the soil is almost dry, and trim back the stems as needed.

Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)

For a fast-growing hanging plant, look no further than sweet potato vine. Grown for its attractive foliage, this vine can be used on its own in baskets or planted with something that flowers.

Vines can grow up to 10 feet in one season, so this is a good choice for an area where you want a dramatic effect. Sweet potato vine comes in different shades of green (including a bright lime green) and purple.

18 Sweet Potato Vine

Grown for its stunning foliage, sweet potato vine will quickly fill in hanging baskets and spill over the sides. You can prune and direct vines as needed to get your desired design.

Care: Full sun is best, but they also do well under a porch that gets sun half of the day. Start fertilizing monthly towards the end of the season and water when the soil is almost dry.

Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum x morifolium)

Chrysanthemums are a classic fall flower that make their appearance in garden centers everywhere about the same time pumpkin spice appears in coffee shops.

Although most mums are given a short growing season, they make an excellent hanging plant for the fall. Their colors perfectly match fall or Halloween decor, and they won’t need very much care from you.

19 Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums make their appearance every fall and are a great plant to use in hanging baskets when summer flowers start to fade.

Care: Hang mums in full sun and only water when the soil is almost dry. Depending on when you buy them, you may not need to fertilize, but you can do so once a month if needed.

Choosing Your Perfect Hanging Plant

As you can see, there are indoor and outdoor hanging plant options for everyone! Which one you should choose depends a lot on the kind of look you want and how much time you want to spend on maintenance.

For indoor plants, think about the lighting and humidity in your home as well as how often you’ll remember to water. For outdoor plants, think about whether you want a sun or shade plant, flowers or foliage, and whether you’ll be willing to deadhead.

Whichever plant(s) you choose, you can read up on container gardening to get the best tips for taking care of your new friends.

19 Best Hanging Plants