What Makes a Houseplant “Trailing” or “Hanging”?
Trailing houseplants produce long stems or vines that grow outward and then cascade downward once they run out of support, rather than growing upright. In a hanging basket, on a tall shelf, or on top of a bookcase, these stems dangle and spill over the edge — which is the look most people mean by “indoor plants that grow downwards.”
Many of these same plants are also “vining,” meaning the stems will climb if given something to grip, like a trellis or moss pole, and trail if left unsupported. Which behavior you get often comes down to how you position the plant rather than the plant itself.
Best Indoor Plants That Hang or Trail Downward
Pothos
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is one of the most commonly recommended trailing houseplants, tolerating a wide range of light from fairly low to bright indirect, including under artificial office lighting. Water when the top inch of soil has dried out. It’s also one of the easiest low-light houseplants overall — see our houseplant care guide for more easy picks.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) has heart-shaped leaves and tolerates low to bright indirect light. It’s fairly tolerant of lower humidity, though it tends to look fuller with more moisture in the air. Water when the top inch of soil dries out.
String of Pearls and String of Hearts
String of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) and string of hearts (Ceropegia woodii) are both trailing succulent-type plants with long, thin vines. Both prefer bright indirect light and want the soil to dry out between waterings — these are more drought-tolerant than pothos or philodendron, so overwatering is a bigger risk than underwatering.
Spider Plant
Spider plant (Chlorophytum comosum) has long, arching green-and-white leaves and tends to tolerate some inconsistency in care. It can produce small plantlets (“spider babies”) on long stems that can be rooted into new pots. It generally prefers medium to bright indirect light and some humidity, though it tolerates lower humidity reasonably well.
Wax Plant (Hoya)
Wax plant (Hoya carnosa and related species) has thick, waxy leaves and, with the right conditions, can produce fragrant clustered blooms. It prefers bright indirect light and wants the soil to dry out between waterings. Hoya tends to be slower-growing than pothos or philodendron, so it may take longer to develop the long trailing stems it’s known for.
Indoor Plants That Can Also Be Trained to Climb or Grow Vertically
Several trailing plants will grow upward instead of downward if given a moss pole, trellis, or other support to climb. Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, and some Hoya species are commonly trained this way — the plant’s natural tendency as a vine is to climb toward light, and it will trail only when there’s nothing to grip. If you want a plant that stays compact and upright without training, a non-vining option like snake plant or ZZ plant (covered in our houseplant care guide) may be a better fit.
Do Trailing Houseplants Have Shallow Roots?
Many of the popular trailing houseplants — pothos, philodendron, spider plant, and the trailing succulents — tend to have relatively shallow, compact root systems compared to larger upright plants, and most seem to do fine somewhat snug in their pots rather than needing to be sized up frequently. This is a general pattern rather than a precise measurement, since root depth varies by plant age, pot size, and growing conditions. A good rule of thumb for most of these plants is to repot only when roots are visibly crowded or emerging from the drainage holes, rather than on a fixed schedule.
Where and How to Hang These Plants
- Choose a hanger or shelf that can support the weight once the plant matures — some trailing succulents, in particular, get heavy and brittle as they grow, and the leaves can break off with rough handling.
- Check light at the hanging height, not just the room generally — light often changes significantly a few feet higher or closer to a window.
- Leave room for the vines to grow — hanging baskets positioned too close to a wall or furniture can tangle the trailing stems.
- Watering a hanging plant can be messier than a plant at ground level, so consider taking it down to water in a sink, or using a pot with a attached saucer, to avoid drips.
If you’re adjusting care for these plants seasonally, our winter houseplant care tips cover how watering and humidity needs typically shift in colder months.
FAQs
What are the best indoor plants that can hang down? Pothos, heartleaf philodendron, string of pearls, string of hearts, spider plant, and wax plant (Hoya) are commonly recommended trailing houseplants for hanging baskets or shelves.
What are some indoor plants that can grow vertically? Vining plants like pothos, heartleaf philodendron, and some Hoya species will climb a moss pole or trellis instead of trailing, if given support.
What plants dangle down? The same trailing plants above — pothos, philodendron, string of pearls, string of hearts, and spider plant with its plantlets — are typical examples of houseplants whose stems or leaves dangle downward.
Which indoor plants have shallow roots? Many common trailing houseplants, including pothos, philodendron, and spider plant, tend to have relatively shallow, compact root systems and generally do fine staying somewhat snug in their pots.