Indoor Plants That Grow Downwards

What counts as a trailing plant

A trailing plant is one whose stems grow long and tend to hang or spill downwards instead of standing upright. Some of these plants are true trailers, meaning they cascade over the edge of a pot with no encouragement. Others are vines that will either hang or climb, depending on whether you give them something to grip. Many of the plants below can do both, which makes them flexible for shelves, hanging baskets, bookcases and window ledges.

Trailing plants suit rooms where floor space is limited. Placed high up, they let you add greenery without taking up a surface.

Easy trailing plants for most homes

These are the plants most people start with. They tolerate a fair amount of imperfect care and are widely available.

• Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Probably the most common trailing houseplant. Golden, marble and neon types all cascade readily. It usually copes with a range of light, though growth is slower and variegation can fade in dim spots.
• Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum): Soft, heart-shaped leaves on long stems. The “brasil” form has lime-and-green variegation. It generally prefers moderate to bright indirect light. See our philodendron care guide for more.
• Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum): The arching leaves and dangling plantlets give a trailing effect, particularly in a hanging basket.
• Tradescantia (wandering dude, wandering jew): Fast-growing trailing stems in green, silver or purple. Pinching the tips keeps them full. See our guide to indoor plants with a purple underside for the purple forms.
• Peperomia ‘Hope’: A compact trailer with small, thick, rounded leaves. It is a good choice if you want something neat rather than sprawling. Our peperomia care guide covers the wider group.

Trailing succulents and cactus-like plants

If you have a bright window, these plants store water in their leaves or stems and generally prefer to dry out between waterings. For help with the wider group, see are succulents indoor or outdoor plants.

• String of hearts (Ceropegia woodii): Thin, wiry stems with small heart-shaped leaves. It is often sold alongside succulents, but the question is a little more nuanced than it sounds; we cover it in is string of hearts a succulent.
• Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum): Thick, beaded stems that hang heavily. The leaves detach easily, so it is best hung somewhere it will not be brushed against.
• String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): Round, bead-like leaves on thin stems. It tends to be fussier about watering than most plants on this list.
• Rhipsalis (mistletoe cactus): A forest cactus with thin, dangling stems. Unlike desert cacti, it usually prefers bright but indirect light.

Trailing plants that flower

Most trailing houseplants are grown for their foliage. Hoyas are a notable exception. Wax plants have thick, waxy leaves and, when they are happy, clusters of star-shaped flowers. Some are trailers, some are climbers, and many will do either. Read more in is Hoya an indoor plant, or go straight to Hoya Princess care for a popular variegated type.

Plants that trail and climb

Pothos, philodendron and hoya are all happy hanging down or climbing up. If you would rather train a plant upwards, see best climbing plants indoors for supports and plant choices. A single plant can be moved between roles: let it hang for a while, then guide the stems up a pole if you want larger leaves.

Which trailing plants have shallow roots

Several of the plants above have relatively fine or shallow root systems, including string of hearts, string of pearls, burro’s tail and Rhipsalis. Because of this, they are often happier in shallow, wide pots than in deep ones. A shallow pot with drainage holes also dries out faster, which suits succulents. Always check the specific plant, as root depth varies by species and age.

Choosing by light

• Low to moderate light: Pothos and heartleaf philodendron are usually the safer picks, though growth will be slower. For more dim-room choices, see easy low-light houseplants.
• Bright indirect light: Most trailing plants, including tradescantia, peperomia and Rhipsalis, do well here.
• Bright light with some direct sun: String of hearts, burro’s tail and string of pearls generally prefer this.

If a trailing plant becomes leggy, with long gaps between leaves, that is often a sign it wants more light.

Displaying trailing plants

• Hanging baskets with a drip tray or saucer, so water does not mark floors.
• High shelves and the tops of bookcases, where stems can fall freely.
• Macramé hangers near a window.
• Wall-mounted shelves or plant ledges.

Check that any hook, bracket or shelf can carry the weight of a pot when it is fully watered.

Pet and child safety

Do not assume a plant is safe because it is common. Several popular trailing plants, including pothos, heartleaf philodendron and string of pearls, are generally listed as toxic if chewed or swallowed by cats, dogs and people, and tradescantia sap can irritate skin. Others, such as spider plant, peperomia and hoya, are commonly listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, but even non-toxic plants can cause stomach upset if eaten in quantity. If you have pets or young children, check each plant against a trusted source such as the ASPCA plant list before buying, hang plants out of reach, and contact a vet or poison helpline if you suspect a plant has been eaten.

Quick comparison

FAQ

What are the best indoor plants that hang down?

Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, spider plant, tradescantia, peperomia ‘Hope’ and string of hearts are all popular choices.

Which indoor plants can grow vertically too?

Pothos, philodendron and hoya can be trained upwards on a pole or trellis, so they work both ways.

Which indoor plants have shallow roots?

String of hearts, string of pearls, burro’s tail and Rhipsalis are commonly grown in shallow pots.

What is the easiest trailing plant?

Pothos is widely considered one of the easiest, but “easy” depends on your light and watering habits.