Whether you’re a plant pro or green when it comes to greenery, an indoor plant can spice up your space. Placing plants throughout your home can also provide a ton of benefits, from cleaning the air you breathe to promoting better mental health.
Indoor hanging plants can add a touch of the tropical, brighten dreary corners, and save on space. But with so many plants to choose from, how do you even begin to figure out which ones you should hang… and which ones you’d rather not hang with? We’ve got you, boo.
There isn’t a perfect plant that everyone should hang in their home. But these plants do have a pretty broad appeal.
Maidenhair fern (Adiantum)
Water it: daily
Sunlight it likes: partial light
With their lovely, lace-like locks of leaves, maidenhair ferns make a charming addition to any hanging indoor garden. These delicate ferns love wet, humid environments, so it’s hard (but not impossible!) to overwater them.
Because they crave so much moisture, though, maidenhair ferns require daily attention. They’ll make a great bathroom plant (especially if you’re a fan of steamy showers).
Orchid (Orchidaceae)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: bright, indirect light
Fun fact: There’s over 25,000 different types of orchids in the world.
With so many options to choose from, it’s no wonder you’ll love these blooming beauties. Orchids make a great hanging plant thanks to their lovely looks, low-fuss lifestyle, and easy-to-grow nature.
Some green thumbs like to use a planter that allows the orchid’s roots to show. This can add even more appeal to an already interesting flowering plant.
Pitcher plant (Nepenthes)
Water it: 1–2 times per week
Sunlight it likes: bright, direct light
With its tall, colorful “pitchers” dangling from the leaves, the pitcher plant looks a little odd. But its function far outweighs its funky design. This carnivorous plant lures unwanted creepy crawlies into its pitchers, keeping your home blissfully bug-free.
For primo pest control, hang your pitcher plant near a sunny window and water the pitchers directly. This helps them properly capture and kill bugs.
Air plant (Tillandsia)
Water it: 2–3 times per week
Sunlight it likes: bright light
Ah, the air plant. This simple, stylish option doesn’t require any soil, making them a fave for any area of your house. Air plants love lots of light and need good circulation to thrive, but overall they’re pretty low maintenance.
The plants themselves have a ‘gram-worthy look, but you can take the aesthetic even further with the planter you choose. Glass globes are super popular thanks to their sleek, modern look. They can also provide a 360-showcase of your air plant.
New to the plant-lover life? There are plenty of beginner-friendly hanging options to get you started. With these options, you’ll be earning that #1 Plant Parent title in no time!
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: bright or partial sun
One of the most popular and easy to care for plants you can choose, the spider plant is named for its spider-like leaves. It’s great for beginners because it’s highly adaptable and can survive in a variety of environments. It loves bright sun, but can also survive in shadier spots.
If you notice that the tips of your spider plant’s leaves are turning brown, it’s pretty easy to troubleshoot the issues. Look for these probs:
- too much sunlight (give it a shadier spot)
- not enough humidity (give it a spritz with some H2O)
- high chlorine water (leave tap water out for a day before using it to water your plant)
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
Water it: every 2 weeks
Sunlight it likes: bright sun
Just like it’s necklace namesake, the string of pearls plant adds a touch of class and sophistication to any space. Its lovely, cascading leaves make it perfect for hanging. Thanks to its succulent status, string of pearls store water in their leaves. That keeps them fairly low maintenance and terrific for plant newbies. They do grow quite quickly, so don’t be afraid to give your plant a trim every now and then.
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: moderate to bright sun
With its heart-shaped leaves, it’s impossible not to fall in love with this philodendron. What makes this plant so perfect for beginners? This beautiful climber can survive both in soil or solely in water, and it’s practically impossible to kill. If you’re looking for a plant that isn’t picky — the heartleaf philodendron is for you.
English ivy (Hedera helix)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: partial sun
English ivy has a storybook charm. It’s often seen growing on stone walls or climbing up a quaint trellis. It doesn’t require a lot of upkeep, so it’s perfect for first-time gardeners looking to add some elegance to their indoor space. This invasive climber loves moisture, but don’t let its soil get soggy. For best care, mist it daily and only water it once or twice a week.
Don’t let a lack of sunlight in your space prevent you from achieving your #PlantGoals. (This one’s for you, apartment dwellers.) The following hanging plants don’t need to soak up as much sun as others. You can use them to brighten up low light areas, like your bathroom or a room without a lot windows.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Water it: every 1–2 weeks
Sunlight it likes: low light
Pothos plants are survivors that can tolerate little to no light. It’s pretty tough, and it’s pretty, too. With lush leaves that come in several color and pattern variations, the pothos can add interest to any indoor space. It can also help filter out pollutants like formaldehyde, toluene, and xylene.
Just make sure to keep the pothos leaves way up high. They can be toxic to both people and pets.
ZZ plant (Zamioculcas zamiifolia)
Water it: every 1–2 weeks
Sunlight it likes: bright or low light
This leafy green just won’t quit. ZZ plants can be ignored for long stretches of time and they’ll likely survive. They enjoy bright sunlight and can survive in low light conditions, making them perfect for any room in your house.
Be careful not to overwater your ZZ plant. Too much H2O can make the leaves turn yellow and the stalks go a gross mushy brown.
Peperomia (Peperomia pellucida)
Water it: every 2 weeks
Sunlight it likes: low to moderate light
The perfectly petite peperomia is a welcome addition to any indoor hanging garden. This low maintenance plant is great if you like to travel or if you don’t have a lot of time to spend tending to your greens. Plus, it comes in a variety of designs and textures to suit any aesthetic.
Chinese evergreen (Aglaonema)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: low to moderate light
“Evergreen” may conjure up images of Christmas, but the Chinese evergreen isn’t your typical holiday fare. This popular plant has lots of big leaves, so it can add jungle-like flair to any room in your home. They love moist, humid conditions and thrive in low light. They’re the perfect plant for sprucing up your bathroom or other warm, window-less area.
Are you breathing gross air? You don’t have to. Studies show that some plants can help filter out air pollutants. You’d need *a lot* of greenery to totally purify your space, but even a few of these leafy additions to your decor can go a long way.
Dracaena (Dracaena)
Water it: every 2 weeks
Sunlight it likes: partial light
With over 40 varieties of dracaena to choose from, you’re sure to find the one that best suits your indoor style. Its name means dragon. Much like its namesake, the dracaena can vanquish air-polluting enemies with ease, including formaldehyde, benzene, xylene, and trichloroethylene.
Dracaena don’t need to be watered very often, but it’s important to give them a thorough soak when you do wet them down. It’s not a good choice if you have pets, though, because they’re toxic to animals. Even if they’re hanging out of reach, it’s possible for leaves to fall down or for cats to climb up and get sick.
Lemon button fern (Nephrolepis cordifolia)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: partial or indirect light
Ferns are a favorite for filtering out harmful pollutants like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene. While the popular Boston fern is great for indoor gardens, you shouldn’t stop there. It’s lesser-known cousin (the lemon button fern) not only helps banish toxins, but does so while emitting a pleasing, lemony fresh scent.
Lemon button ferns also require less maintenance than other ferns, and can survive with fewer waterings. They aren’t fans of direct sunlight, though. They thrive in areas with indirect light and plenty of humidity.
Fittonia (Fittonia albivenis)
Water it: every 2–3 days
Sunlight it likes: bright, indirect light
Fittonias (aka nerve or mosaic plants) are a versatile and low maintenance option. They’re available in lots of colors, like white, green, pink, and red. While they don’t grow very high (only about 3 to 6 inches), they like to spread out. Not only do they add a pop of color to your space, but they’re great for ridding your air of benzene, toluene, and trichloroethylene.
Nerve plants love moisture, so misting between waterings will keep your fittonia lush and vibrant.
Peace lily (Spathiphyllum)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: low light
Peace lilies are easy, breezy, and beautiful. This easy to care for bloom produces an elegant white flower that can bring a touch of beauty to your off-the-ground garden. They help eliminate a variety of toxins, including formaldehyde, ammonia, benzene, xylene, carbon monoxide, and trichloroethylene.
This is a flowering option, so avoid putting up peace lilies if pollen or fragrant blooms will activate your allergies. Peace lilies are also toxic to humans and pets, so hang them well out of reach.
A flowering plant can help any room fully blossom. Try one of these beautiful blooms to brighten up your space or add a pop of color to your hanging garden.
Morning glory (Ipomoea)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: bright light
If you’re looking for an easy, fast-growing, colorful floral to hang, look no further than the ever-popular morning glory. With their trumpet-like petals, this delicate bloom loves lots of light and will live its best life in your home’s sunniest spot.
Morning glories add a splash of brightness with all of their colorful options. They’re available in various shades of blue, pink, purple, yellow, and even white.
Goldfish plant (Columnea gloriosa)
Water it: 1–2 times per week
Sunlight it likes: bright, indirect light
With their golden orange blooms, the goldfish plant gets its name from its uncanny resemblance to everyone’s fave fishy friend. Goldfish plants aren’t super common, but they’re super easy to care for and make an interesting addition to any aquarium hanging garden.
While they’re happiest in bright, indirect sunlight, goldfish plants can survive in low light conditions, too. They also love warm, humid temperatures. If you live in a drier climate, consider hanging one of these delightful beauties in your bathroom or giving it a spot next to a humidified.
Lipstick vine (Aeschynanthus)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: bright, indirect light
Looking for a unique option to add a dash of vibrant red, orange, or pink to your home? Try the lipstick vine. Perfect for hanging, this cascading plant produces colorful petals that sprout from tubular buds that resemble tubes of lipstick.
This flowering plant enjoys moisture and is most active in the spring and summer. While it won’t die during the cooler months, it may bloom less in fall and winter.
Lobelia (Lobelia)
Water it: weekly
Sunlight it likes: partial to bright light
Sprouting tiny blue or violet flowers on cascading stems, the lobelia was made to be hung. This popular plant requires little work. It just needs a weekly watering. It can survive in full or partial light and — unlike many other flowers — it’s a fan of cooler temps. It’ll continue to bloom through the year’s first frost.
Whether you have one hanging plant or a dozen, proper care is essential to keep your potted friends thriving. Consider the following when tending to your indoor hanging garden.
- Potting and placement. Some require a deeper pot or good drainage, which can be tricky needs to meet with a hanging plant. Consider what your plant of choice needs so that you can figure out the best spot possible for its weight, size, and potting needs.
- Consider your light sitch. Think about what the light is like in your home so you can choose a plant that will flourish (not perish) in your space.
- Study soil needs. knowing what type of soil (or lack of soil) your plant prefers will help it live its best life. Opting for the wrong type can result in sick or dying plants.
- Mind your time. Think about your lifestyle. If you’re often away from home or simply don’t have the time to devote a lot of tender lovin’ care to your green friends, consider a plant that doesn’t need a lot of attention.
- Who lives in your home. Some plants are toxic, so use caution if you’ve got pets or small children in your home. No matter how high you hang them, little ones and four-legged friends tend to always find a way to get their hands (and mouths) on everything.
For more tips and tricks, check out our guide to houseplant care.
Hanging plants make a great addition to any interior space, but choosing which plants are right for you can be overwhelming. From flowering plants to greenery that can purify the air, there are seemingly limitless options to choose from when populating your indoor hanging garden.
Consider your space and lifestyle when choosing: Some plants need extra light, while some thrive in low light conditions; others may require extra time and attention, while some practically care for themselves.
