The best hanging plants for indoors are trailing, forgiving species such as pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plant, English ivy, hoya and string of pearls. Pick one that matches the light where it will hang, put it in a lightweight pot with drainage, and anchor the hook into a ceiling joist or a rated anchor before you hang it.
Key Takeaways
- Match the plant to the light first: pothos and philodendron handle lower light, while hoya and string of pearls want bright windows.
- Hanging pots dry out faster than floor pots, so check the soil more often.
- Always hang from a joist or a properly rated anchor; wet soil is heavier than it looks.
- Hang plants where you can reach them to water without a ladder every week.
Which hanging plants are easiest to grow indoors?
The easiest hanging plants share three traits: they trail naturally, they tolerate a missed watering, and they adapt to average indoor light. Most beginners do well with the plants below.
Pothos
Pothos is the classic starter vine. Its long stems cascade over the rim of a pot and root easily when trimmed. University of Minnesota Extension lists pothos among foliage plants suited to low light (UMN Extension), though it grows faster and keeps its variegation better in brighter spots.
Heartleaf philodendron
Heartleaf philodendron looks similar to pothos but has softer, thinner, heart-shaped leaves. It is just as tolerant and is also on Minnesota's low-light list. Nebraska Extension notes that pothos and philodendrons tolerate dry indoor air better than many tropicals (Nebraska Extension), which matters for plants hanging near the ceiling.
Spider plant
Spider plants send out arching stems with baby plantlets on the ends, which look striking from a hanging basket. They like bright, indirect light and recover quickly from neglect. If you want more plants, see our guide on how to propagate spider plant babies.
English ivy
English ivy trails well and handles cooler rooms. It prefers steady moisture and good airflow, and it is prone to spider mites in very dry air, so it suits a brighter kitchen or bathroom.
Hoya
Hoyas have thick, waxy leaves that store water, so they forgive irregular watering. Mature plants in bright light may produce clusters of star-shaped flowers. Let the soil dry well between waterings.
String of pearls and burro's tail
These trailing succulents look dramatic in a hanging pot but need a bright, sunny window and very sharp drainage. They are the least forgiving choice on this list if your light is limited.
How do you choose a hanging plant for your light?
Light is the deciding factor. A hanging plant near the ceiling often gets less direct light than a plant on a sill, because it sits above the brightest part of the window.
| Light where it will hang | Good choices | Watering style |
|---|---|---|
| Low to medium (north window, back of room) | Pothos, heartleaf philodendron | Water when the top inch is dry |
| Medium to bright indirect (east window) | Spider plant, English ivy, Boston fern | Keep evenly moist, not soggy |
| Bright, some direct sun (south or west window) | Hoya, string of pearls, burro's tail | Let soil dry well between waterings |
If your best hanging spot is too dim, a compact clip-on or pendant fixture from our grow lights collection can fill the gap without moving the plant.
How do you hang a plant from the ceiling safely?
A hanging plant is a heavy object above people's heads. Wet potting mix, a ceramic pot and a full water reservoir add up quickly, so the hardware matters as much as the plant.
- Find a joist. Use a stud finder to locate a ceiling joist. A hook screwed into solid wood is the most secure option.
- Use a rated anchor if there is no joist. For drywall, choose a toggle-style anchor rated well above the weight of your watered plant. Plastic expansion plugs alone are not enough.
- Weigh the plant after watering. Water it, let it drain, then weigh it on a bathroom scale. Plan your hardware around that wet weight, not the dry weight.
- Pick the hook. A swag hook or threaded ceiling hook works for most pots. Screw it in fully so the threads are hidden.
- Set the height. Hang the pot at a height you can reach for watering. Adjustable hangers or a pulley make high ceilings easier.
- Test it. Give the hanger a firm, gentle tug before letting go, and check the hook again after a week.
Renters who cannot drill into the ceiling can use wall brackets, tension rods across a window, or a freestanding stand with a hanging arm. Our hanging and wall planters include options for both ceilings and walls.
What kind of pot works best for hanging plants?
The ideal hanging pot is light, has a drainage hole, and has a way to catch drips. Each of those features solves a common problem.
- Lightweight material. Plastic, fiberglass or thin glazed ceramic keep the load down. Heavy stoneware is better on a stand.
- Drainage. Roots sitting in water rot. A pot with a hole, set inside a decorative outer pot or with an attached saucer, is the safest setup. Our article on whether planters need drainage holes explains why.
- Drip control. An attached saucer or a cachepot keeps water off floors and furniture.
Macrame hangers are a popular way to hold a standard nursery pot inside a nicer planter. Our macrame plant hanger guide covers sizing and knots.
How often should you water hanging plants?
Hanging plants usually need water more often than the same plant on the floor. Warm air collects near the ceiling, and exposed pots lose moisture on all sides.
Illinois Extension notes that hanging baskets, especially moss-lined ones, dry out quickly and recommends watering until water drains from the bottom (Illinois Extension). That guidance is written for outdoor baskets, but the same principle applies indoors to a lesser degree.
Instead of a fixed schedule, check the soil with a finger or lift the pot from below. A light pot is a dry pot. For a fuller routine, see how often to water houseplants.
The easiest way to water is to take the plant down and water it in a sink or tub. Let it drain completely before rehanging. A long-spout watering can from our plant care tools helps if you water in place.
Where should you hang plants in your home?
Good spots combine light, reach and a little clearance. Think about where the plant will look best and where you will actually care for it.
- In front of a window. Hang one or two plants at different heights in a bright window for a layered look.
- In a corner. A trailing vine softens an empty corner and draws the eye upward.
- In the bathroom. Ferns and ivy appreciate the extra humidity from showers, as long as there is a window.
- Over a kitchen counter. Keep clear of the stove, where heat and grease build up.
Avoid hanging plants directly over heat vents, radiators or doors that let in cold drafts. Also avoid walkways where tall people might bump the pot.
How do you keep hanging plants full instead of leggy?
Trailing plants get long and bare at the top when they do not get enough light or when the vines are never trimmed. Two habits fix most of it.
- Rotate the pot. Turn it a quarter turn every week or two so all sides get light.
- Prune regularly. Trim long vines just above a leaf node. New growth usually starts from that point.
- Replant the cuttings. Root the trimmed pieces in water and tuck them back into the top of the pot to fill it out. Our guide to propagating pothos shows how.
Shop the products in this guide
- Rope Plant Hangers 4 Pack, Heavy Duty 40" Cotton Blend – Sturdy hangers for pots from 4 to 11 inches, with room for vines to trail.
- Hanging Planters 4 Pack, 9.6" Gray with Drainage Tray – Drainage holes with a removable tray to catch water when you water overhead.
- Self-Watering Hanging Planter, Translucent Color Pot – A built-in reservoir helps with plants hung where watering is harder.
- Plant Hanger Bracket, Rustic Iron Wall Hook – A wall bracket rated up to 22 lb for hanging a planter.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hanging plant for low light?
Pothos and heartleaf philodendron are the most reliable choices. Both tolerate lower light, though they grow more slowly and may lose some variegation.
Can I hang a plant from a drywall ceiling without a joist?
Yes, with a toggle-style anchor rated well above the plant's wet weight. Never rely on a screw in bare drywall or a small plastic plug.
Do hanging plants need drainage holes?
They should have them. Use a nursery pot with holes inside a decorative pot or hanger, or choose a hanging planter with an attached saucer.
Why are the leaves on my hanging plant turning crispy?
Crispy edges often mean the soil is drying out too much or the air near the ceiling is very dry. Check moisture more often and keep the plant away from heat vents.