By Claire WhitakerUpdated November 2026
Indoor plants for hanging baskets work well in rooms where floor and shelf space is limited, and they add height and movement to a window, a reading corner or a kitchen. The right pick depends on how much light the spot gets, how often you can water, and whether pets or children will have access. The four plants below were selected by comparing published care profiles, brand reputation for healthy stock, and patterns in owner feedback about how each plant handles typical indoor conditions.
Our top picks at a glance
- 1
TOP CHOICEBest overallLive Spider Plant in 6" Hanging Basket with Detachable Hook, Pet FrienView on Amazon - 2
Best for bright, dry roomsString of Bananas Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Real SucculentView on Amazon - 3
Best for low-maintenance wateringTrailing Elephant Bush Succulents, Hanging Plants Live Succulents PlanView on Amazon - 4
Best for a compact, fine-textured lookString of Raindrops Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Real SucculeView on Amazon
Our Top Picks
Each plant below is listed with its best-fit use, specifications where they are clear from the listing, and the trade-offs to weigh before buying.
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|
| Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket | Beginners and pet-owning homes | Pet-friendly houseplant with detachable hook |
| String of Bananas Succulent Hanging Basket | Bright, dry rooms | Banana-shaped trailing leaves on Senecio radicans |
| Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents Hanging Planter | Owners who forget to water | Drought-tolerant trailing succulent in a planter basket |
| String of Raindrops Succulent Hanging Basket | Compact spaces and fine textures | Small, rounded leaves on a dense trailing habit |
Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket with Detachable Hook, Pet Friendly Houseplant for Home or Office
Live Spider Plant in 6" Hanging Basket with Detachable Hook, Pet Friendly Houseplant for Home or Office, Unique Seasonal Varieties, Real Easy to Grow Houseplants by Plants for Pets
Best for: Beginners and pet-owning homes that want a forgiving trailing plant.
This suits households that want a soft, arching plant that tolerates imperfect care. Spider plants are widely grown indoors and are commonly listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs, though you should confirm this with a veterinarian or the ASPCA’s toxic plant list before bringing any plant into a home with pets.
Key specs
- 6-inch hanging basket
- Detachable hanging hook
- Trailing spider plant habit
Pros
- Tolerates a range of light levels, including bright indirect light
- Produces plantlets on runners that can be rooted for more plants
- Generally forgiving if you miss a watering or two
Cons
- Brown leaf tips often appear when water quality or humidity is poor
- A 6-inch basket dries out faster than larger containers
Bottom line: A strong first choice for beginners and for homes with pets that still want a trailing plant.
String of Bananas Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Real Succulents & Houseplants for Home or Office
String of Bananas Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Real Succulents & Houseplants for Home or Office, Senecio Radicans, Unique House Plants
Best for: Bright, dry rooms where a succulent can get strong light.
This plant suits sunny windows and rooms with dry indoor air. Its banana-shaped leaves look distinctive hanging from a basket, and it does best when its soil dries fully between waterings.
Key specs
- Species: Senecio radicans
- Hanging basket decor format
Pros
- Thrives in bright light, such as a south- or west-facing window
- Stores water in its leaves, so it handles infrequent watering
- Distinctive trailing shape that stands out in a basket
Cons
- Leaves drop and stems rot if the soil stays wet
- Stretches and loses color in low light
Bottom line: Choose this if you have a bright window and are comfortable letting the soil dry out between waterings.
Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents, Hanging Plants Live Succulents Plants Live Houseplants, Hanging Planter Basket
Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents, Hanging Plants Live Succulents Plants Live Houseplants, Hanging Planter Basket, Mini Succulents Live Plants Indoor Plants in Plant Basket by Plants for Pets
Best for: Owners who tend to forget to water and want a plant that tolerates neglect.
Elephant bush is a drought-tolerant trailing succulent. It fits busy households and rooms that get consistent sun, and it grows well in the shallow root zone of a hanging basket.
Key specs
- Trailing succulent format in a hanging planter basket
- Light requirement: bright, direct sun where possible
Pros
- Very tolerant of underwatering compared with most trailing plants
- Small, rounded leaves create a dense, cascading look
- Easy to propagate from stem cuttings
Cons
- Needs strong light; leggy growth appears in dim rooms
- Overwatering in a basket with poor drainage can cause root rot
Bottom line: A good pick for a sunny spot in a home where watering is easily forgotten.
String of Raindrops Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Real Succulents & Houseplants for Home or Office
String of Raindrops Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Real Succulents & Houseplants for Home or Office, Senecio, Curio, Unique House Plants
Best for: Compact spaces and owners who want a fine, bead-like trailing texture.
String of raindrops, a Senecio species, has small, rounded leaves that give a delicate, dense curtain effect. It suits smaller windows and shelves where a bulkier trailing plant would crowd the space.
Key specs
- Species: Senecio (curio group)
- Hanging basket decor format
Pros
- Compact, fine texture suits small rooms
- Handles dry indoor air and infrequent watering
- Strands grow fast enough to fill a basket within a season
Cons
- Stems can break under their own weight if the plant is overwatered or handled roughly
- Needs bright indirect light to keep its compact shape
Bottom line: Pick this for a small, bright space where you want a delicate trailing plant with a tidy footprint.
Buying Guide
The factors below help you match a plant to your room before you buy. Light, watering habits and pet access matter more than the basket itself.
Light Levels in Your Room
Indoor light is the single biggest factor in whether a hanging plant thrives. Trailing succulents need several hours of direct sun, while spider plants tolerate brighter indirect light. Stand in the spot at midday and check whether it is bright enough to cast a clear shadow. For more on measuring this, see Understanding Light Levels for Healthy Indoor Plants.
Good picks for this: String of Bananas Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket
Watering Frequency and Drainage
Hanging baskets dry out faster than floor pots because air circulates around them and the soil volume is small. Check the soil with a finger two inches down before each watering. Make sure the basket has drainage holes, and empty any saucer that collects water. A watering can with a narrow spout helps you water the soil rather than the foliage; see Watering Cans for Indoor Plants: A Step-by-Step Guide to Choosing and Using One.
Good picks for this: Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents Hanging Planter Basket, String of Raindrops Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket
Pet and Child Safety
Many trailing plants are sold without clear toxicity information, so check before buying if pets or small children have access. The ASPCA and the Pet Poison Helpline both maintain plant lists you can search. Hang plants out of reach and use a hook rated for the full weight of wet soil, which is much heavier than dry soil.
Good picks for this: Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket with Detachable Hook
Basket Size and Weight
A 6-inch basket holds a small amount of soil and dries quickly, which suits beginners. Larger baskets hold more water and need less frequent attention but weigh more when wet. Check that your ceiling hook or bracket is rated for the combined weight of the basket, soil and plant. Mount hooks into a ceiling joist where possible.
Good picks for this: Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket, String of Raindrops Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket
Growth Habit and Space
Trailing plants can reach 2 to 3 feet or more over time. Plan for the length the plant will grow, not just the size it arrives at. Strands that hang near a window can block light for plants below, and strands that touch a radiator or heating vent can scorch.
Good picks for this: String of Raindrops Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket, String of Bananas Succulent Plant Decor Hanging Basket
Humidity and Temperature
Most succulents tolerate average household humidity and dry winter air. Spider plants do better with moderate humidity, and brown tips often signal dry air or tap water with high mineral content. Keep hanging plants away from cold drafts and direct heat sources, and avoid temperatures below about 50°F for most of these species.
Good picks for this: Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket, Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents Hanging Planter Basket
Care Commitment
Some plants reward attention; others tolerate neglect. Be honest about how often you will check on a plant. If you travel or forget watering, a succulent is usually the safer choice. If you enjoy a more responsive plant and like propagating it, a spider plant suits that routine.
Good picks for this: Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents Hanging Planter Basket, Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket
FAQ
What are the easiest indoor plants for hanging baskets?
Spider plants are generally considered among the most forgiving trailing plants for indoor use. They tolerate a range of light levels and recover well from occasional missed waterings. Trailing succulents are also easy if your room gets good light and you water sparingly.
How often should I water indoor hanging basket plants?
There is no fixed schedule. Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry, which may be every few days for a spider plant in a warm room and every two to three weeks for a succulent in winter. Always check the soil rather than following a calendar.
Do hanging baskets need drainage holes?
Yes. Without drainage, water collects at the bottom and roots rot. If your decorative basket has no holes, keep the plant in a plastic nursery pot with holes and place that pot inside the decorative one, then remove it to water and let it drain.
Which hanging plants are safe around cats and dogs?
Spider plants are commonly listed as non-toxic to pets, but many succulents, including some Senecio species, can cause stomach upset if eaten. Check the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists and confirm with your veterinarian before buying, especially if your pet chews plants.
How much light do trailing succulents need indoors?
Most trailing succulents do best with several hours of direct sun daily, usually from a south- or west-facing window. In low light they stretch, lose their compact shape and may drop leaves.
Can I hang a basket from a ceiling without a stud?
Use a hook rated for the full weight of the wet basket and secure it to a ceiling joist where possible. Anchors in drywall alone are not reliable for hanging plants. If you are unsure about your ceiling structure, ask a licensed contractor or handyman for help.
Conclusion
For most homes, the Live Spider Plant in 6″ Hanging Basket is the most flexible starting point, particularly if pets or beginner-level care are part of the picture. If you have a bright, dry window and enjoy a distinctive trailing shape, the String of Bananas suits that spot well. For owners who forget to water, the Trailing Elephant Bush Succulents Hanging Planter Basket is the most tolerant choice, and the String of Raindrops fits small, bright spaces where a fine, compact trail looks best. Match the plant to your light and watering habits first, and the basket will follow.
Sources
- Lists of toxic and non-toxic plants for cats and dogs, useful for checking any hanging plant before you buy (aspca.org)
- University extension guidance on houseplant light, watering and care (extension.illinois.edu)
- Ohio State University extension resources on indoor plant care and growing conditions (osu.edu)
Related reading
- Tropical Plants for Indoor Use: 9 Picks That Thrive in Your Home
- Tropical Indoor House Plants: A Step-by-Step Guide to Thriving Greenery
About Claire Whitaker
Claire Whitaker is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our plant care Q&A guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.
