Best Trailing Plants for Shelves and Hanging Pots

One of the most charming ways to green up your space is with trailing plants spilling over shelves or cascading from hanging pots. These plants soften sharp lines, draw the eye downward, and lend a sense of fullness to your indoor jungle. But not all trailing species are equally suitable—some require more light or humidity, while others are more forgiving. Below, we explore the top trailing plants for shelves and hanging pots, plus tips for care, styling, and placement.

Why Choose Trailing Plants?

Trailing plants (also called creeping or cascading plants) are ideal for vertical interest. They bring motion into your decor, turning ordinary shelving into a living, flowing feature. Moreover, when grown in hanging baskets, their stems can dangle freely without crowding your surfaces. Many trailing plants also double as climbers, meaning you can guide them along trellises, wall hooks, or even across bookshelves.

Key Considerations Before You Choose

Before selecting a trailing plant, consider the following:

Light levels: Some species thrive in low or indirect light, while others demand bright, filtered sunshine.
Humidity and temperature: Many trailing plants prefer warm, humid environments. Dry air may cause drooping or brown tips.
Growth habit: Will the plant trail straight down, or will it want to climb? Do you plan to guide its direction?
Maintenance: How often will you need to prune it, repot, or trim back long vines?
Toxicity / pet safety: If you have pets or children, check whether the plant is non-toxic or must be kept out of reach.

Top Trailing Plants for Shelves and Hanging Pots

1. Devil’s Ivy (Pothos / Epipremnum aureum)

Arguably the most popular trailing plant for indoor spaces, Devil’s Ivy (also called Pothos) is forgiving, fast-growing, and tolerant of low light. It sends out long vines that look beautiful spilling from shelves or in hanging baskets. To keep your vines full and lush, prune occasionally and propagate the cuttings into new pots.

For more on how to nurture this beloved climber, see the full care guide on the Cheeky Plant Co blog about how to care for a Devil’s Ivy. It includes tips on watering, light, pruning, and dealing with yellowing leaves.

2. Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum and relatives)

The heartleaf philodendron is one of the most classic trailing species. With soft, heart-shaped leaves and slender vines, it adapts well to indoor life. It tolerates lower light better than many philodendrons and is easy to train along hooks or moss poles. Let some vines trail freely, and guide others to climb.

3. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

If you like a dramatic, drooping effect, the string of pearls is hard to beat. Its beaded stems tumble elegantly from hanging pots. However, it prefers bright indirect light and needs very well drained soil. It is less forgiving of overwatering than many foliage vines, so be cautious with moisture.

4. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

English ivy is a versatile vine that can trail or climb. Its lobed leaves lend a textured look, and it can endure varying light conditions. On shelves, it will drape beautifully, and in hanging pots it looks graceful cascading downward. In lower light, its growth will slow but it remains resilient.

5. Syngonium (Arrowhead vine)

Syngoniums begin with upright leaves but tend to trail once mature. The arrowhead foliage comes in colours from green to pink or variegated white and green, so they bring a decorative punch. They enjoy medium to bright indirect light and consistent moisture, but avoid waterlogging.

6. Variegated Hoya (Wax Vine)

Hoyas are semi-succulent vines known for their glossy leaves and occasional star-shaped blooms. Some varieties trail beautifully. Their thicker leaves help them cope with dry spells, making them fairly low maintenance. They do prefer warm, bright spots without direct midday sun.

7. Tradescantia / Wandering Jew

Tradescantia species (e.g. Tradescantia zebrina or Tradescantia pallida) are fast growers with colourful foliage—often purples, silvers, greens. They are perfect for trailing from hanging pots or cascading down bookshelves. They like moderate light and regular moisture but will tolerate slight neglect.

How to Style Trailing Plants on Shelves and in Pots

Here are some styling techniques to get the best visual impact:

Layered heights: Use plants of different trailing lengths and pot heights so vines overlap naturally without tangling.
Guide instead of contain: For vines you want to shape, use discreet hooks or clips along shelf edges so the stems follow a path.
Mix textures: Combine fine, delicate vines (like ivy) with chunkier foliage (like philodendron) for contrast.
Group variation: Hanging multiple trailing baskets at staggered heights adds depth and natural flow.
Balance sides: If one side of the shelf has a trailing plant, balance it with a stouter plant or decorative object on the other end.

To see ideas for combining hanging baskets and trailing vines, check the inspiration in this Cheeky Plant Co article about their hanging-plant collection. Their styling examples and product displays can spark ideas for arranging your own vines.

Care Tips for Healthy Trailing Growth

Light and Placement

Most trailing species prefer bright, indirect light. Variegated types (like variegated pothos or variegated syngonium) need more brightness to retain their pattern. Avoid strong direct sun, which can scorch leaves, and ensure even light so one side doesn’t grow leggy.

Watering and Soil

Use a free-draining potting mix and pots with drainage holes. Allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly before watering again—overwatering is one of the top reasons for root rot. Trailing vines in hanging pots often dry out faster than shelf plants, so check them more often.

Humidity and Temperature

Many trailing plants thrive in humidity above 40 %. If your home is dry, consider occasional misting, a humidity tray, or placing near a humidifier. Keep temperatures stable (ideally between 18 °C to 25 °C). Avoid cold drafts or heaters blowing directly on the foliage.

Pruning and Encouraging Full Growth

Regular pruning helps keep trailing plants lush. When vines get too long or sparse, cut back to a node and allow new shoots to sprout. Use the cuttings for propagation. Rotate pots occasionally so all sides receive light and grow evenly.

Fertiliser

Apply a balanced, diluted indoor plant fertiliser every 4–6 weeks during the active growing season (spring to early autumn). In winter, reduce or omit fertiliser since plants grow more slowly then.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are a few issues you may encounter:

Leggy growth: Means insufficient light. Move plant to a brighter spot and prune back long bare stems.
Yellowing leaves: Often from overwatering, poor drainage, or low light.
Brown tips: Could indicate low humidity or excessive fertiliser salts. Flush soil occasionally and increase ambient humidity.
Pest intrusion: Look for mealybugs, spider mites, scale. Treat early by wiping leaves or using gentle insecticidal sprays safe for indoor plants.

Which Type Should You Pick Where?

If you have low natural light, go for forgiving species like Devil’s Ivy or heartleaf philodendron. In brighter rooms, you can try string of pearls or variegated tradescantia. On deep shelves, let vines drape freely; on narrow shelves, train stems along the underside or the wall edge. In hanging pots near windows, mix long and shorter trailing species to create a lush, layered look.

Conclusion

Trailing plants are a beautiful and versatile way to add life to shelves and hanging pots. With the right selection, placement, and care, they will transform your space into a verdant sanctuary. Choose species suited to your light, humidity, and maintenance capacity, and don’t hesitate to prune and propagate to keep things vigorous. Whether you opt for classic vines like pothos and ivy or more exotic options such as string of pearls or hoyas, your home can become a living cascade of green. Happy trailing!