15 Best Indoor Hanging Plants for Small Spaces [with Pictures]

Welcome to vertical gardening! Three are so many plusses to installing hanging plants in your home or office. Hanging house plants provide lush greenery without taking up floor or table space. They keep temptation away from young children or pets and they help to purify the air. Also, they are visually interesting and beautiful!

In this article, we will look at some diverse categories of indoor hanging plants, such as air plants, succulents, ferns as well as some unusual hanging techniques. We will offer some basic care tips as well!

Before we begin, we also recommend you to read our guides detailing the best plants that clean the air,  best indoor plants to add to the bedroom to improve sleep, and also the finest indoor garden ideas to create in your home for a green and gorgeous redesign! You will find many of these hanging plants listed in those guides and tutorials as well, so do your homework thoroughly and improve the looks and atmosphere of your indoor space!

1. Tillandsia Ionantha (Sky plant)

This hanging plant is part of the Bromeliad family, stays small, and has a short stem. Like most hanging air plants, it originates from tropical climates and absorbs water through its leaves, not its roots, and so does not need to grow in soil.

The only limit to creating interesting hanging air plant displays is your imagination!

For more information on Tillandsias, check out our Air Plant Care Guide! Learn everything you need to know about the soil it requires, the watering and light needs, temperature control, fertilization, and even display options!

2. Tillandsia Maxima

This air plant’s leaves turn from green to a deep coral and produce a bright purple flower. Most air plants only bloom once in their lives, but that bloom can last for many months. They will generate “pups” after blooming which can eventually become new plants. This type of hanging air plant can sprout several flowers at once.

As we said, you will find all the information you need on how to grow and make the best out of this plant with our Tillandsia plant care guide!

3. Tillandsia Xerographica

This hanging air plant, called the Tillandsia Xerographica, originates from Mexico and Central America. It is spherical in shape with round, grayish leaves. It will slowly produce a tall spike which becomes a red or yellow flower.

Due to its shape, this hanging air plant requires less water.

1. Donkeys Tail (Sedum morganianum)

This dramatic hanging succulent has grayish-green trailing leaves that hang in clusters. It does well as an indoor hanging plant as well as outdoors, over rocks in a rock garden.

The leaves hold water so care must be taken not to overwater the plant – every 10 days or so is good. Like all succulents, drainage is important, and it should be planted in soil specially mixed for cactus and succulents.

If this is your first attempt at hanging plants and succulents at the same time, maybe you should check out our complete guide on how to care for succulents and cacti indoors! You can adapt our advice to these particular indoor hanging plants.

2. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

This whimsical hanging succulent looks just like green pea-sized pearls as it trails over the edge of a planter. It is an easy-to-care-for hanging plant if it grows in soil specially formulated for succulents and cacti, is not overwatered, and there is good drainage in the pot. Speaking of pots, here is our selection of the best succulent containers on the market right now, so you can make the best choice!

The Senecio rowleyanus (String of pearls plant) is one of the most spectacular types of succulents you can grow indoors as use as building blocks for your future indoor garden.

3.Little Pickles (Othona capensis)

The amusing name of this hanging succulent refers to the leaf shape which does resemble small pickles. Native to Africa, this slow-growing succulent has trailing stems that can extend several feet.

It produces small daisy-like flowers throughout summer and does well in hanging baskets or in an outdoor garden. Make sure you get the best hanging baskets for plants from a reputable source, as oftentimes, the container is just as important as the plant when it comes to outdoor or indoor garden ideas! The question of design is crucial if you want to add certain oomph to your small indoor space!

1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis)

The Boston fern is an attractive, easy-care fern which seems to be made for a hanging basket. Its fronds have a ruffled look, are bright green, and can grow up to 6 feet long.

This hanging plant needs humidity and is an ideal plant for a bright bathroom. Soil drainage is important and should be mixed with organic material. Take a look at our guide on potting soil varieties to make the best choice for your indoor hanging plants!

The Boston fern is effective in removing pollutants from the air.

2. Maidenhair Fern (Adiantum)

There are several species of this hanging fern named for their delicate and often lacey looking fronds. The bright foliage can hide a purple underside, making this hanging fern a beautiful addition to your décor.

The Maidenhair can be a little picky however, requiring constant humidity and so is often planted in a stone-filled tray to maintain moisture. Like all ferns, this hanging fern needs to be kept from heating or air vents and at a moderate temperature (60 degrees Fahrenheit or above).

As hanging plants go, this is one of the best you can choose for its looks and a rather bohemian atmosphere it offers your indoor space.

3. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus aethiopicus)

The Asparagus hanging fern is not actually a fern but is fern-like and is made for a hanging basket. This plant has needle-like leaves which are soft to the touch, although the plant can be sometimes thorny. The fronds are feathery and can hang several feet.

1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

This hanging vine has many varieties and is one of the easiest plants to grow. Its leaves can be dark green or variegated and are heart-shaped.

The trailing vine can grow several feet in length although it is best to prune occasionally before the plant becomes leggy. This hanging plant likes humidity so it is a good choice for bathrooms, but it can also tolerate low humidity.

It is a very easy-going plant and perfect for beginners! If you want more suggestions on hard to kill plants that even newbie gardeners can grow, we have a comprehensive guide for you right here!

2. Ivy (Hedera)

Grown indoors, Ivy is a fast-growing hanging vine with dark green leaves and stems that hang or creep. It is quite adaptable to different light situations but thrives in bright, indirect sunlight. It is another hanging vine that can become leggy and benefits from an occasional trim.

While related to poison ivy in the wild, its leaves are not poisonous although some skin irritation can occur. If you are interested in learning more about plant toxicity and possible problems houseplants can pose to people or pets, read more about some of the most beautiful but deadliest flowers one can grow indoors!

3. Inch Plant (Tradescantia fluminensis)

The Inch Plant, commonly known as Wandering Jew or Spiderwort, is a cross between a vine and a succulent. It makes a beautiful hanging plant with its heart-shaped variegated green and purple leaves and produces delicate purple flowers.

It is at its best in a hanging basket and benefits from pinching back and pruning regularly so as not to become leggy.

1. Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)

The Lipstick Plant is made for a hanging basket and will add a touch of whimsy to your home. Though related to the African violet, it blooms are unusual; they form purple cups from which scarlet-colored tube-shaped flowers emerge.

This flowering plant will thrive and bloom consistently if kept in warm, (70 to 80-degree Fahrenheit) and humid conditions.

2. Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida)

The Chenille (French for caterpillar) plant adds texture to your vertical garden. While the green leaves of this hanging plant are innocuous, the flowers hang like fuzzy red caterpillars and can grow several inches in length.

Pruning and pinching dead blossoms will enhance blooming and plant width.

For more indoor garden ideas, learn more from our guide (with pictures) and feel free to ask us about how to add a mix of hanging plants and potted plants to a small space for a spectacular effect!

3. Trailing (Ivy) Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)

There are many types of this common annual plant, but the trailing version is spectacular in hanging baskets. Even though Ivy geraniums are often found outdoors in summer or warm climates, they winter well as hanging houseplants, adding color all year long.

With the right conditions, hanging geraniums will bloom consistently. The Ivy geranium will shed its dead blooms but can also be regularly pinched back.

Check out our Geranium care guide for more info on how to take care of this plant.

1. Macramé Hanging Planters

There is no doubt that hanging plants are space savers and add to your home or office décor. But how do you hang a hanging plant? Many of us first think of macramé plant hangers, which have been popular for years, hung from a ceiling hook. If you are a DIY type, macramé is a great way to create hangers. There are lots of tutorials available to show you the technique.

2.Indoor Trellis

An indoor trellis is not only space-saving but an attractive way to display several hanging plants at once. A trellis can be made by hand or purchased and can have any look which compliments your décor. Air plants or vines do especially well when mounted on this format.

3. Living Wall

A living wall is a new trend in both homes and offices, both for its attractiveness and its ability to cleanse the air. A Living wall is a hanging installation where several plants are planted in soil pockets or planters.

They have a water reservoir and a pump which circulates water to each plant. Simpler, DIY versions can be made using a shipping palate and some landscaping material. Many DIY videos are available to help you plan and build a living wall.

4. Upside Down Planting

An eye-catching and contemporary way to hang plants is upside down. Vegetable growers have used this method for several years, but the trend has now moved to indoor gardening as well. Instead of hanging tomato plants, you have hanging house plants. The principle is the same and the overall effect stunning.

An upside-down plant is a convenient, space-saving way to enjoy the greenery and the plants require less water!

5. Kokedama

Kokedama is another unique way to display plants. It derives from Japanese garden art and uses a moss ball to support and display a plant. Clay-like soil is shaped into a ball and covered with moss; the plant appears to grow out of the moss.

The moss ball can be hung from the ceiling or placed on a platform. To water, the moss ball is soaked in water, plant side up, for several minutes.

Many of the plants we have discussed in this article would be appropriate for Kokedama, including ferns and vines. However, among the best plants for Kokedama (hanging plants and other houseplants as well) we can count the pothos, the philodendron, anthurium, dracaena, almost all ferns, the peace lily, and more.

Conclusion

What variety and diversity exist in the world of hanging plants! From succulents to air plants, hanging upside down, or suspended in moss, hanging indoor plants give us space-saving greenery.

What has been your experience with hanging plants? Have you tried air plants or had luck with hanging vines? Have you been successful with DIY projects when hanging your vertical garden?

We would love to hear from you!