Hanging plants from the ceiling can transform any interior space, adding a sense of life, greenery, and tranquility. However, not all plants are suitable for ceiling hanging. As an interior plantscape designer, it’s important to carefully consider factors like plant size, weight, light exposure, and growth habits when selecting species.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore 20 top options for ceiling-hanging houseplants, along with care tips and considerations for each. Whether you want trailing vines, ropy strands, lush leaves, or cascading tendrils, there is a wonderful world of plants perfect for suspending from above. Let’s get started!
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
The spider plant is a trailing houseplant classic, with arching ribbon-like foliage that can grow quite long. Native to tropical regions of Africa, spider plants are very adaptable and easy to care for. They can tolerate low to bright indirect light. Allow soil to dry out some between waterings. Spider plants also produce babies that can be clipped and propagated. Their lightweight trailing nature makes these excellent ceiling-hanging plants.
- Sun Exposure: Bright, indirect to low light
- Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Trailing nature is great for hanging baskets
- Very adaptable to various light levels
- Produces baby plants for propagation
- Lightweight foliage good for ceiling mounts
- Easy care for beginner gardeners
Takeaways:
- Trailing nature is great for hanging baskets
- Very adaptable to various light levels
- Produces baby plants for propagation
- Lightweight foliage good for ceiling mounts
- Easy care for beginner gardeners
Wandering Jew (Tradescantia zebrina)
Known for its striking purple and silver striped leaves, the wandering Jew plant is a trailing vine that can grow quite lengthy. Give it bright, indirect light to encourage fast growth. These trailing plants require more frequent watering and high humidity. Allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings. The wandering Jew makes a beautiful hanging plant with its cascading purple foliage.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Rich, well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH: 5.6-7.5
Key Details:
- Cascading purple foliage creates drama
- Appreciates bright light for the best color
- Provides movement and flow
- Requires more moisture than some plants
- Trailing nature is perfect for hanging
Takeaways:
- Cascading purple foliage creates drama
- Appreciates bright light for the best color
- Provides movement and flow
- Requires more moisture than some plants
- Trailing nature is perfect for hanging
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
The string of pearls plant gets its name from the unique round, pea-like foliage that trails in bead-like strands. Native to South Africa, it thrives in bright light positions, tolerating some direct sun. Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings. Their lightweight dangling strands make a string of pearl plants ideal for ceiling mounts or hanging containers. Keep away from pets, as they are toxic.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light to full sun.
- Soil Type: Sharp drainage required.
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Trailing strands create lush drapery
- Requires very well-draining soil
- Tolerates bright light and some direct sun
- Toxic to pets, so hang away from reach
- Unique pearl-like foliage
Takeaways:
- Trailing strands create lush drapery
- Requires very well-draining soil
- Tolerates bright light and some direct sun
- Toxic to pets, so hang away from reach
- Unique pearl-like foliage
Philodendrons
Philodendrons are classic houseplants, valued for their heart-shaped leaves and vining growth habit. Varieties like Brasil, Micans, and Green Heartleaf Philodendron are fantastic choices for ceiling hanging containers. Allow soil to dry out some between waterings. Most philodendrons thrive in moderate to bright indirect light. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. Mist occasionally increases humidity around the foliage.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light to low light
- Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Key Details:
- Heart-shaped leaves add warmth and style
- Trailing vines create depth and movement
- Many varieties to choose from for varied looks
- Generally easy care and hard to kill
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings
Takeaways:
- Heart-shaped leaves add warmth and style
- Trailing vines create depth and movement
- Many varieties to choose from for varied looks
- Generally easy care and hard to kill
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings
Hoya Hindu Ropes (Hoya carnosa compacta)
The Hindu rope hoya is aptly named for its twisted, ropy foliage. This slow but steady-growing trailing succulent appreciates bright indirect light. Allow soil to dry out before rewatering. Hoyas tend to bloom more when slightly rootbound. Mist occasionally to provide added humidity. Hindu rope hoya is a uniquely shaped trailing plant perfect for ceiling mounts or hanging containers.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Loose, well-draining mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Ropy, twisted foliage for texture
- Slow growing but worth the wait
- Allows soil to dry out between waterings
- Blooms more when slightly rootbound
- Perfectly suited for hanging positions
Takeaways:
- Ropy, twisted foliage for texture
- Slow growing but worth the wait
- Allows soil to dry out between waterings
- Blooms more when slightly rootbound
- Perfectly suited for hanging positions
Fuchsia (Fuchsia hybrida)
Few plants can match the vibrant colors of the hanging fuchsia. This popular basket plant produces delicate teardrop blossoms in shades of red, purple, white, pink, and more. Native to South America, fuchsias grow best in cool climates with mild summers. They require consistent moisture and bright indirect sunlight. Pinch back tips to encourage bushiness. Hummingbirds love fuchsia flowers!
- Sun Exposure: Cool, bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Rich, humus potting mix
- Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Key Details:
- Beautiful drooping flower clusters
- Loves cool climates and indirect sun
- Consistent moisture helps flowers thrive
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Pinchback for fullness
Takeaways:
- Beautiful drooping flower clusters
- Loves cool climates and indirect sun
- Consistent moisture helps flowers thrive
- Attracts hummingbirds
- Pinchback for fullness
Chain of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
The chain of hearts vine is a trailing succulent perfect for hanging containers. Originally from South Africa, a chain of hearts has unique heart-shaped foliage on vining stems. It flourishes in bright, indirect sunlight. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Mist occasionally for added humidity. Propagate in water or sphagnum moss for lush hanging displays.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining cactus mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Unique trailing foliage with heart shapes
- Requires well-draining soil
- Allow soil to dry out before rewatering
- Propagate easily in water or moss
- Thrives in bright, warm conditions
Takeaways:
- Unique trailing foliage with heart shapes
- Requires well-draining soil
- Allow soil to dry out before rewatering
- Propagate easily in water or moss
- Thrives in bright, warm conditions
Peperomia tetragona
With its lush oval succulent-like leaves, the peperomia tetragona makes a lush addition to hanging collections. It flourishes best in bright, indirect light. Allow soil to dry before watering again. Native to South America, peperomias are generally easy care plants, making them great for beginner gardeners. Mist occasionally for added humidity around the leaves.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Loose, well-draining mix
- Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Key Details:
- Succulent-like foliage adds texture
- Best growth in moderate to bright light
- Allow soil to dry out before rewatering
- Beginner-friendly and easy care
- Benefits from occasional misting
Takeaways:
- Succulent-like foliage adds texture
- Best growth in moderate to bright light
- Allow soil to dry out before rewatering
- Beginner-friendly and easy care
- Benefits from occasional misting
Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
With trailing blue-green leaves tightly packed on wiry stems, the burro’s tail is a unique succulent perfect for hanging displays. Native to southern Mexico and Honduras, it flourishes best in full sun. Allow soil to dry thoroughly between waterings. It can struggle with excess moisture. Mist occasionally for humidity. Show off its gorgeous trailing foliage by ceiling mounting or hanging the burro’s tail.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light to full sun
- Soil Type: Very well-draining mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Unique, tightly packed foliage
- Requires very well-draining soil
- Thrives best in full sun conditions
- Struggles if overwatered
- Gorgeous trailing nature
Takeaways:
- Unique, tightly packed foliage
- Requires very well-draining soil
- Thrives best in full sun conditions
- Struggles if overwatered
- Gorgeous trailing nature
Air Plants (Tillandsia species)
Air plants are unique tropical epiphytes that cling to trees and rocks. They absorb moisture and nutrients through their leaves and roots, requiring no soil. There are over 650 Tillandsia air plant species. Most prefer bright, humid environments. Air plants make fantastic hanging plants since they attach easily to seagrass or coco liners, shells, driftwood, glass, and more. Mist 1-2 times per week and soak monthly.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect to full sun
- Soil Type: Epiphytic so no soil is needed
- Soil pH: N/A
Key Details:
- No soil needed to grow these epiphytes
- Attach easily to seashells, wood, glass
- Prefer bright, humid tropical environments
- Mist 1-2 times weekly and soak monthly
- Over 650 unique species to collect
Takeaways:
- No soil needed to grow these epiphytes
- Attach easily to seashells, wood, glass
- Prefer bright, humid tropical environments
- Mist 1-2 times weekly and soak monthly
- Over 650 unique species to collect
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium spp)
The staghorn fern is a unique epiphytic plant perfect for adding an architectural element to hanging displays. They form gorgeous two-tiered fronds that resemble antlers. Staghorns thrive mounted on wood or wireframes where their fuzzy rhizomes cling. Mist several times per week and water when fronds appear dry. Thrive best in indirect sunlight with 60-70% humidity.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight.
- Soil Type: Usually grown on mounts without soil
- Soil pH: N/A
Key Details:
- Unique antler-shaped fronds
- Grown mounted without soil
- Require consistent moisture and humidity
- Attach to wood or wireframes
- Architectural appeal for ceilings
Takeaways:
- Unique antler-shaped fronds
- Grown mounted without soil
- Require consistent moisture and humidity
- Attach to wood or wireframes
- Architectural appeal for ceilings
Rosary Vine (Ceropegia linearis)
The rosary vine is a flowering succulent perfect for suspended containers. Silver-grey foliage is topped by unique tube-shaped blooms. Native to South Africa, rosary vines flourish best in bright, indirect sun. Allow the soil to dry out before watering again. Introduce a trellis for optimal display of the trailing vines and unusual flowers.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining cactus mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Trailing silver-grey succulent foliage
- Topped by delicate tubular flowers
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings
- Add a trellis for optimal effect
- Flourish in warm, bright conditions
Takeaways:
- Trailing silver-grey succulent foliage
- Topped by delicate tubular flowers
- Allow soil to dry out between waterings
- Add a trellis for optimal effect
- Flourish in warm, bright conditions
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata Bostoniensis)
Boston ferns are herbaceous plants known for long, graceful fronds. They flourish best in warm, humid conditions with indirect sunlight and consistent soil moisture. Mist regularly to provide needed humidity. Ceiling hanging these beauties helps meet their moisture and humidity preferences. Their lush fronds will drape beautifully. Keep away from cold drafts.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Rich, organic potting mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Long, graceful arching fronds
- Thrive best in humidity and warmth
- Requires consistently moist soil
- Mist regularly to increase humidity
- Makes a beautiful ceiling-mounted plant
Takeaways:
- Long, graceful arching fronds
- Thrive best in humidity and warmth
- Requires consistently moist soil
- Mist regularly to increase humidity
- Makes a beautiful ceiling-mounted plant
Rabbit’s Foot Fern (Davallia fejeensis)
The rabbit’s foot fern is named for its furry rhizomes. These tropical ferns love warm, humid environments with indirect sunlight. Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings without fully drying out. Rhizome tips can be snipped for propagation or to encourage bushiness. The lush fronds drape nicely in hanging pots. Keep soil moist. Mist occasionally for added humidity.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Humus-rich potting mix
- Soil pH: 6.5-7.5
Key Details:
- Furry rhizomes give it a distinctive look
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Loves warm temperatures and high humidity
- Mist regularly to provide humidity
- Rhizome tips used for propagation
Takeaways:
- Furry rhizomes give it a distinctive look
- Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy
- Loves warm temperatures and high humidity
- Mist regularly to provide humidity
- Rhizome tips used for propagation
Nerve Plant (Fittonia albivenis)
This tropical houseplant is a real showstopper with striking veined foliage in shades of deep green, red, pink, white, and more. Nerve plants hail from the rainforests of South America. They flourish best in high-humidity environments with bright indirect light. Keep soil consistently moist and mist 1-2 times per week. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Ceiling hanging helps increase humidity exposure.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect sunlight
- Soil Type: Rich, organic potting mix
- Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Key Details:
- Gorgeous colored veined foliage
- Native to warm, humid rainforests
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Thrives best in high humidity
- Trailing nature is perfect for hanging
Takeaways:
- Gorgeous colored veined foliage
- Native to warm, humid rainforests
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Thrives best in high humidity
- Trailing nature is perfect for hanging
Flowering Maple (Abutilon hybrida)
Flowering maples are long-blooming flowering shrubs that make gorgeous hanging plants. Hybrid varieties offer a range of blossom colors like red, orange, pink, white, and more. Flowering maples hail from subtropical regions and flourish best with indirect sunlight and consistent moisture. Ceiling hanging encourages the long arching stems to drape beautifully. Bring plants indoors before the first frost.
- Sun Exposure: Cool, bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Evenly moist, organic mix
- Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Key Details:
- Prolific flowers in shades of red, orange, pink
- Long arching stems drape gracefully
- Keep soil consistently evenly moist
- Appreciate cool daytime temperatures
- Bring indoors before frosts
Takeaways:
- Prolific flowers in shades of red, orange, pink
- Long arching stems drape gracefully
- Keep soil consistently evenly moist
- Appreciate cool daytime temperatures
- Bring indoors before frosts
Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa)
This Central American native is named for its unique flower shape, said to resemble a swimming goldfish. Glossy bright foliage drapes from long vines, with orange and red blooms that add a pop of color. Goldfish plants flourish best in humid environments with indirect light. Keep soil evenly moist but not saturated. Trailing vines make this a stunning ceiling plant for adding movement and visual interest.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Evenly moist potting mix
- Soil pH: 5.5-6.5
Key Details:
- Vining foliage and vivid goldfish-shaped flowers
- Prefers warm and humid conditions
- Keep soil consistently evenly moist
- Allows soil to almost dry before rewatering
- Trailing nature is perfect for hanging
Takeaways:
- Vining foliage and vivid goldfish-shaped flowers
- Prefers warm and humid conditions
- Keep soil consistently evenly moist
- Allows soil to almost dry before rewatering
- Trailing nature is perfect for hanging
Lady Slippers (Paphiopedilum spp)
Lady slipper orchids are prized for their pouch-shaped flowers resembling elegant shoes. Most lady slippers are terrestrial, flourishing in well-draining orchid bark mixes. Their trailing spike-like foliage also lends itself well to ceiling-hanging containers and displays. Lady slippers flourish best in bright, indirect sunlight and average room temperatures. Water when the top inch of the mix is dry.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining orchid mix
- Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Key Details:
- Unique pouch-shaped lady slipper flowers
- Trailing foliage is great for hanging
- A well-draining orchid mix is needed
- Allow orchid mix to nearly dry before watering
- Prefers average household temperatures
Takeaways:
- Unique pouch-shaped lady slipper flowers
- Trailing foliage is great for hanging
- A well-draining orchid mix is needed
- Allow orchid mix to nearly dry before watering
- Prefers average household temperatures
Arrowhead Vine (Syngonium podophyllum)
The arrowhead vine houseplant is an easy-to-grow trailing beauty originally from tropical rainforests. Juvenile leaves have unique arrow shapes before maturing to lobed leaves. Provide bright indirect light to encourage fast growth. Water when the top inch of soil is partly dry. Propagate stem cuttings in water. Allow long vines to gracefully drape when ceiling hung for tropical style.
- Sun Exposure: Bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Evenly moist potting mix
- Soil pH: 6.0-6.5
Key Details:
- Unique arrow-shaped young leaves
- Fast growing in warm, bright conditions
- Keep soil evenly moist but not soaked
- Easy to propagate stem cuttings in water
- Trailing vines perfect for ceiling mounts
Takeaways:
- Unique arrow-shaped young leaves
- Fast growing in warm, bright conditions
- Keep soil evenly moist but not soaked
- Easy to propagate stem cuttings in water
- Trailing vines perfect for ceiling mounts
Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)
Grape ivy is a popular indoor vine known for its glossy, oval-shaped foliage. It flourishes best in average room temperatures with moderate sunlight. Keep soil evenly moist but not soaked. Mist occasionally to boost humidity. Grape ivy can withstand short, dry spells. Long trailing vines give gorgeous movement and texture when the ceiling hangs. Pinch back over stems to encourage bushiness if needed.
- Sun Exposure: Medium to bright indirect light
- Soil Type: Well-draining potting mix
- Soil pH: 6.1-7.5
Key Details:
- Glossy oval-shaped trailing foliage
- Withstands brief dry periods
- Keep soil evenly moist but not soaked
- Makes beautiful ceiling hanging plant
- Pinchback to maintain the desired length
Takeaways:
- Glossy oval-shaped trailing foliage
- Withstands brief dry periods
- Keep soil evenly moist but not soaked
- Makes beautiful ceiling hanging plant
- Pinchback to maintain the desired length
Conclusion
When selecting plants for ceiling hanging displays, consider important factors like sunlight needs, humidity preferences, mature size, growth rate, and trailing habits. Choose plants whose needs best match your growing environment. This helps ensure healthy, thriving plants. Properly caring for ceiling hanging plants encourages lush growth that enhances the decor. With the right selections, you can create beautiful living artwork from above!
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