Bringing greenery into your home can transform its ambiance, especially with hanging plants that thrive in dimly lit spaces.
These adaptable plants flourish even in areas that lack direct sunlight, allowing you to place them anywhere—from shadows to nooks—without sacrificing aesthetic appeal.
We’ve curated a selection of the top low-light hanging plants, drawing insights from horticulturist Katherine Rowe.
Imagine cascading vines with lustrous, green leaves flowing down from terracotta pots, often suspended by stylish macramé hangers.
This attractive setup is perfect for creating a peaceful vibe, whether on a bookshelf or a pedestal.
Hanging plants not only fill otherwise empty vertical spaces but also allow you to maximize your indoor plant collection without cluttering surfaces.
Their adaptability and ease of care make them ideal for anyone looking to enhance their living environment.
Light Requirements and Care
While sunlight is a must for photosynthesis, many houseplants tend to thrive in bright, indirect light.
They typically do well near windows where they can bask in filtered sunlight.
But if your home has north-facing windows or particularly dim corners, there’s no need to worry! Many plant varieties are well-suited for low-light conditions and can thrive with minimal natural light.
Keep in mind, however, that the traits of plants might change in lower light—vibrancy in leaf color may be less pronounced, and flowering can become rare.
For health and vitality, providing them with as much light as possible, even artificial, will generally yield better results.
With that in mind, let’s dive into our top picks for hanging plants that do well even in less-than-ideal lighting scenarios.
- Hoya: Hoya plants shine in their ability to thrive when kept potbound, gradually growing with time.
With approximately 200 species, they exhibit unique, waxy leaves and delightful scents when flowering, although blooms may be rare in low light.
Their minimal maintenance needs, coupled with thick foliage, make them perfect for cascading down from shelves or hanging pots.
Just ensure their soil dries slightly between watering.
- Pothos: Known for their lush growth and rapid trailing vines, pothos are ideal for a vibrant, green display.
They’re exceptionally versatile, doing well in both low light and artificial light conditions.
Available in several stunning varieties—like jade and silver—pothos plants prefer to stay out of direct sunlight and drafts.
In brighter conditions, they develop larger, more impressive leaves.
- Heartleaf Philodendron: Often called sweetheart philodendron, this plant boasts vining stems with glossy, heart-shaped leaves that start as a bright green and deepen over time.
It adapts beautifully to very low light and offers flexibility in how you choose to display it—either cascading down or climbing if given support.
Plus, it’s quite resilient against pests and diseases.
- Spider Plant: An effortlessly charming choice, the spider plant thrives in hanging baskets or pots without demanding much care.
With their long, narrow leaves—often striped in white or yellow—they make a striking addition to any plant collection.
Their gracefully arching foliage can liven up corners and add enticing texture.
- Rex Begonia: The striking, intricately patterned leaves of Rex begonias bring brilliant colors to low-light spaces.
They thrive in humidity and must remain moist, so plan on watering them regularly while allowing for slight drying between sessions.
- Prayer Plant: The prayer plant is captivating with its patterned leaves that dance throughout the day.
It folds its leaves at night and opens them up during daylight, revealing striking hues of burgundy, pink, and green that catch and hold onto light.
- Fiddleleaf Philodendron: This slow-growing vine introduces a lush vertical element to any space and can stand out as a codifying feature in your décor.
- Boston Fern: Recognized for its lush, arching fronds, the Boston fern brings a soft, visual appeal wherever it grows—its versatility has even earned accolades from the Royal Horticultural Society.
- Adanson’s Monstera: Renowned for its dramatic cut-leaf design, this tropical vine exudes an exotic charm.
Its dark green foliage features stunning cutouts, making it an eye-catching focal point.
- Hypoestes: Commonly known as the polka-dot plant, Hypoestes contributes a delightful splash of color to your hanging arrangements.
- Anthurium: Anthuriums charm with their architectural foliage and vibrant spathes that cradle a striking spadix, adding an extraordinary touch to any room.
- Bird’s Nest Fern: Resembling a lush “nest,” this fern boasts symmetrically arranged wide fronds circling a central core, offering depth and elegance to your interiors.
- Calathea: With their bold leaf patterns, Calathea plants create captivating visuals that can draw attention and serve as conversation starters.
- Peperomia: With countless species native to the tropical Americas, Peperomia brings diversity to indoor plant collections, each variety offering unique textures and shapes.
- Tree Ivy: A hybrid of Fatsia japonica and English ivy, tree ivy features impressive oversized leaves on semi-upright stems, making it a standout option for hanging arrangements.
Enhancing Your Indoor Spaces
These hanging plants not only thrive in low-light settings but also enrich your indoor environment, inviting life and greenery into every corner of your home!
Source: Epic Gardening