Let’s face it. Not everyone is a master gardener that can keep up a lush indoor garden with ease. However, even if you don’t have a lot of time or experience, there are some great options available for low maintenance indoor hanging plants.
Hanging plants are suitable for any room in the house, and their cascading foliage makes them especially great for creating a relaxing atmosphere. It’s also an easy way to keep plants away from pets. Our cat likes to munch on anything we’re growing. How did our pets ever survive with out us?
The indoor hanging plants on this list are easy to care for, making them perfect for the novice gardener. Pretty soon, you’ll find yourself with a large collection of lush, healthy houseplants. Let’s dive into some of the best indoor hanging plants for beginners. You may also like this post on low humidity houseplants.
1. Wandering Jew (Tradescantia albiflora)
Ignoring the silly and questionable name, Wandering Jew is an incredibly low maintenance indoor plant. The rapid growth and unique, beautiful leaves make them perfect for shelves, hanging baskets, or windowsills. While these plants may occasionally bloom for you, they are typically kept for their stunning foliage.
There are many different varieties and colors of Wandering Jew available. So, prepare yourself to become a bit addicted to this houseplant. This plant prefers a cooler spot in the home (temperatures around 55°F (winter) to 65°F (summer) are best. However, we have found they happily adjust to temperatures a bit warmer than this as well.
Wandering Jew is also very easy to propagate from cuttings. Simply snip off a 4-inch topshoot, place it into water, and wait for roots to form. If you notice your plant is starting to get leggy (long and straggly stems), a simple prune will help reinforce a bushy appearance.
Light requirements: Wandering Jew does not like direct sunlight. If you notice new leaves turning to solid green instead of variegated, it is an indicator that the plant needs more light. Bright/indirect sunlight is best for this plant.
Watering: Water more frequently in the summer and less during the winter. Once a month during the spring and summer months, feed your Wandering Jew with a half-strength fertilizer. As with any houseplant, you do not want the soil to be soggy. Be sure the soil and pot provide adequate drainage.
Where to buy: Etsy.com or Nature Hills
2. Pothos / Devil’s Ivy (Raphidophora aurea)
The Devil’s Ivy, or Pothos, is often recommended as one of the easiest indoor hanging plants to care for. Its leaves are large and waxy with streaks of yellow, white or cream. The best part is that it will thrive in just about any light condition and it does not need to be watered frequently – making it perfect for someone who doesn’t have a lot of time to devote to their plants.
Pothos is a climbing plant that does well in both hanging baskets or high shelves. With lengths reaching as long as 20 feet, you can even trellis the plant and allow it to grow around windows or rooms. Unfortunately, this plant is toxic to animals, so you’ll want to make sure it is not accessible to any of your house pets.
Light requirements: The more light your Pothos is exposed to, the more color and variegation will be on the leaves. Pothos can tolerate shady/low light conditions, but it will need light exposure for the brightest color development. Bright/Indirect light is best for showy foliage.
Watering: Pothos does not do well with over-watering. Allow the soil to dry out before watering. If you notice brown spots on the leaves of your Pothos, this is an indication of too much watering. Pothos grow rather quickly, so fertilization once a month is recommended during the growing season (spring and summer). Be sure the plant has good drainage, and repot once every 3 years or so.
Where to buy: Etsy.com or Nature Hills Nursery
3. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are one of the best low maintenance indoor plants on this list. They are pet friendly, easy to care for, and do not have any special light requirements. These plants are highly decorative and look elegant in hanging baskets, on high shelves, or perched in front of windows. As long as it is not exposed to freezing cold temperatures, it will fare well in many locations in the home.
Light requirements: Spider plants do best with indirect light. While they tolerate low light conditions, variegation will not be as prominent. Too much light will cause the leaves to develop brown tips.
Watering: Water your plant when the soil is dry, cutting back on water during the winter months. This plant will tolerate several days of drought. Feed 1-2x a month in the spring and summer. In the warmer months, these plants like to be misted with water a few times a week.
Where to buy: Etsy.com or Nature Hills
4. Syngonium / Arrowhead vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
These houseplants deserve a spot on this list due to their ability to grow in poor light conditions. It’s an undemanding plant with fast growth that will last for several years. Cuttings root rapidly, making them easy to propagate and make new plants.
Some varieties have solid green leaves, while others show off flashy variegated foliage. They’re great plants for hanging in baskets or displaying on a shelf. They are toxic to pets, so be sure to place them somewhere out of reach.
Light requirements: These plants do best in low to medium light conditions. If you notice the leaves beginning to turn a pale color, it may be getting too much light.
Watering: Water this plant frequently enough that the soil does not dry out completely. Feed weekly in the spring and summer.
Where to buy online: Etsy.com
5. Heart-leaf Philodendron (Philodendron scandens)
Heart-leaf philodendron is one of the easiest plants to care for and a must-have in any indoor garden. These climbing plants are native to the forest where they use trees as support to climb towards the light. The plants grow relatively quickly, making them a satisfying choice for the beginner gardener. While they can flower, it is incredibly rare.
An established Philodendron (about 3 years old) will only need to be repotted every 3-4 years. These plants are also easy to propagate from stem cuttings. This is best executed during the warmer months.
Light requirements: These plants will do fine in either sunny or shady spots, but try to avoid direct/harsh sunlight. Use a rich potting soil with good drainage.
Watering: In the summer months, water twice a week to keep soil evenly moist. Cut back on watering during the winter months to about once a week.
Where to buy online: Etsy.com
6. Rosary Vine / String Of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
The Rosary Vine is a unique and exotic looking trailing plant with heart-shaped leaves and intricate, wiry stems. This indoor hanging plant can reach lengths of several feet, making it a great choice for hanging baskets or higher shelves. The leaves are green with silver marbling.
With enough light, this plant will produce elegant lantern-shaped flowers. It’s a low maintenance houseplant that is easy to grow and care for.
The Rosary Vine is tough and can survive even under the most unfavorable conditions. In the fall and winter, Rosary Vine prefers cooler temperatures around 60-65°F. Avoid feeding and overwatering during this period of rest. In summer, the plant will thrive with warmer temperatures and fertilization.
Light requirements: While this plant is tolerant of low-light conditions, it does best with medium light. It will tolerate full sun, but you’ll want to protect it from any harsh/direct rays.
Watering: Soil should be consistently moist, though the plant will tolerate drying out. Feed during the summer months with a weak liquid fertilizer.
Where to buy online: Etsy.com
7. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is easy to grow and care for in the indoor garden as well as outside. This is another plant that will survive in low-light conditions as well as sunny conditions, making it a great addition to the beginners collection. There are many varieties of Ivy available, with variegated types requiring more light.
These plants are very popular and look nice hanging in a kitchen or office. If they are not pruned, they can reach several yards in length. You have likely seen it climbing high up the sides of old brick houses.
The plant can also be trained in a hanging basket. If your indoor collection gets too large, you can transplant the Ivy outside where it will happily survive in zones 4-8.
Light requirements: Ivies tolerate low light but will do best with indirect light. Direct light may burn the leaves.
Watering: This is one plant on the list that does not like to dry out. Keep the soil moist and water regularly throughout the season. The leaves of English Ivy will turn black if they are overwatered. Ivy can be fertilized twice a month during the summer.
Where to buy online: Etsy.com
8. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus)
Asparagus ferns are a charming houseplant that look lush and full whether planted in a pot on the shelf or hung in a basket. Its foliage consists of small, feathery evergreen fronds that may be tinged with pink or white. Many people even use Asparagus ferns for their outdoor landscaping in frost-free climates.
Despite it’s name, Asparagus fern is actually part of the lily family (it is not a true fern). There are over 100 species of this fast-growing houseplant. The roots of the Asparagus fern are able to store food and water for difficult conditions, making it a very low maintenance indoor plant suitable for hanging.
Light requirements: For the happiest plant, place the Asparagus fern in an East or West facing window. If you notice the needles of the fern browning and dropping, it may not be getting enough light.
Watering: In the summer, your Asparagus fern may need watering a couple times a week. In the winter, allow the soil to dry out between waterings. If you notice leaves shedding, you may be watering too little. Use well-draining, coarse soil.
Where to buy online: Etsy.com
9. Spanish Moss (Tillandsia usneoides)
While definitely the most unusual on this list, Spanish moss is an attractive and unique houseplant. This air-plant can add layers of texture to your indoor garden. It is relatively easy to care for, as long as you have the perfect spot for it to thrive (such as a bathroom).
It likes bright light and high humidity. This makes it a great hanging plant for a brightly-lit bathroom. If you’re unable to provide it with adequate humidity, you’ll want to mist it regularly, but we wouldn’t consider that low maintenance.
Light requirements: Spanish most does best in bright spots with plenty of light (like a sun porch or South-facing window).
Watering: Water once a week by soaking in water or misting.
Where to buy online: Etsy.com
With a little bit of care, these indoor hanging plants can add quite a bit of life and color to your home. While no plant is completely maintenance free (except for faux plants of course), the ones on these list are great for beginners. Let us know in the comments if any other hanging plants deserve a spot on this list!