These Are the Best Indoor and Outdoor Hanging Plants for Your Home

Some of us are lucky enough to have the room to plant a full-sized garden, while others may be happy to have an empty windowsill in direct sunlight. But even those living in a space strapped apartment in the heart of a bustling metropolis can bring in a touch of greenery indoors by using the aerial space all around them. Hanging plants are some of the easiest varieties to work with, and can instantly add some dimension and calm to a room.

Before you start grabbing hanging vines by the bunch at your local garden center, know which varieties will thrive and which won't in a hanging planter. "Plants that are very heavy or grow very tall aren't meant to be placed into hanging planters," says Lauri Kranz, founder of Edible Gardens LA and author of

A Garden Can Be Anywhere

. "If the plant you're thinking about doesn't grow down—think plants like ponytail palms or African Mask—they're not the best fit."

When it comes to actually placing plants in a hanging planter, Kranz says it's best to keep your plant in the original pot you purchased it in, if it came in one. Place a plastic plant linter inside your chosen hanging planter to capture the water drainage so it won't splatter over your floor: "I like ceramic hanging planters and macrame hanging basket holders—[the plastic liner] helps with the overall care of the plant," she says.

With Kranz's help, we've identified the best indoor hanging plants that can thrive in mid- to low-light spaces, including varieties that don't require constant watering. If you have a terrace or a small outdoor space, Kranz also shares some of the lushest options that even first-time plant parents will find easy to support. Keep these plants on your radar if you're hunting for green additions to your home.

String of Pearls

If you're constantly traveling for work, this hanging plant might be best for you: Kranz says this succulent requires little water in comparison to others on this list. But the cascading beads that hang off your planter will require a fair amount of direct sunlight, but if you place your plant in the right conditions, it may even produce flowers.

Philodendron

These fastidious plants, which are known to boost air quality indoors, can gracefully cascade down a tall container. They're very adaptable, can grow in low light, and don't require frequent watering.

String of Hearts

These fleshy vines don't require direct sunlight. Rather, they thrive in indirect sunlight and prefer to dry out in between waterings. You can arrange the vines around windows or items as they grow throughout the season.

Satin Pothos

This variety of pothos are particularly durable—they require low light and can withstand dry soil if waterings are few and far between. Well watered, however, these vines will grow until leaves spill over the hanging planter and into the space around you.

Hanging Hoya

This cousin to the string of hearts plant doesn't need very much water and can flourish in medium to low light. The hoya obovota variety is particularly beautiful because of its large, circular leaves, which can hold plenty of water. This makes the plant even more self-sufficient than other varieties, Kranz says.

Boston Ferns

It's one of the most common houseplants for a reason—hearty and dense, these ferns are easy to maintain and can flourish both indoors and outdoors. But Kranz says outdoor spaces may be best for this plant since it requires heavy watering and moist soil, which is why you'll likely find them in warn, humid areas of the South.

Oxalis Triangularis

Commonly known as the false shamrock plant, this hanging plant is photophilic, which means its leaves close at night when sunlight fades. Kranz says these beautiful plants are great for shady porches and backyards, but since they grow in the wild, they can also be placed in direct sunlight. Like many others on this list, the false shamrock plant doesn't need to be overwatered, and can be watered sparingly.

Peperomia

There's more than 1,000 species of peperomia that gardeners can plant—but Kranz's suggestion for an outdoor hanging planter is the Peperomia angulata, also known as beetle peperomia, which enjoys dry soil. But watch out common pests like to burrow in this plant, including spider mites and mealybugs, Kranz says, which you can repel with organic neem oil if need be.