Hanging plants are a crowd favorite; the endless trail of lush leaves, the way it completes the aesthetics against windows, walls and bedroom corners. What’s not to love about hanging plants? Now, if you live in a small space or in a climate where light isn’t as abundant as a summer day in Florida, don’t give up on the dream of having foliage at home. We’re here to help you with this guide on the best indoor low-light hanging plants.
Before we get into the list of plants, it’s important to know that low-light doesn’t mean no light. Low-light refers to a lack of direct sunlight or spots that are away from windows and doors; there should be some light, as all plants need light to grow.
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1. Monstera Adansonii
Possibly one of the more popular plants over the past few years for its laser cut holes, Monstera Adansonii is the smaller cousin of the typical Monstera Deliciosa.
With the holes, this plant is able to sustain low-light as what little light it gets, can pass through the leaves to the lower leaves. While it does best in indirect sunlight, it can tolerate low-light conditions if cared for properly.
Quick Facts
- Also known as: Swiss cheese plant –
- Light: Partial or shaded light
- Water: Allow the top two inches of soil to dry then water
- Pot: Hanging or standing pot with a support pole to twine the vines
- Buy: I recommend this Monstera Adansonii. With over 1,000 purchases, you know you’re getting a good plant. You might also get a good deal if you keep a lookout on the prices!
2. Pothos
A common house plant, especially around Asia and Oceania, pothos plants are famed for being fast growing and super low maintenance, making it an excellent choice for a first plant.
There are many, many, many varieties of pothos with the best for beginners being neon pothos and golden pothos. The hardest pothos to maintain would be the queen marble pothos as it’s a slow grower and can easily be overwatered.
Quick Facts
- Also known as: money plant or variegated money plant
- Light: Can tolerate all lighting conditions including indirect low-light
- Water: Allow soil to dry between watering
- Pot: Hanging or standing pot (support pole based on personal preference)
- Buy: This pothos (money plant). With a pothos, you can start with a small plant or get a full pot, either way, as long as it’s healthy, it will GROW!
3. Philodendron Hederaceum
A beautiful plant with heart shaped leaves and a waxy feel, this plant is a fast grower and can survive hardship. Should there be infrequent care (but don’t neglect your plants), it’ll still survive. It’s especially beautiful on cabinets or shelves where it can trail down.
The philodendron family is a favorite as a low-light trailing houseplant. In fact, if you were to place this somewhere with direct sunlight, your leaves are likely to burn in just a few hours!
Quick Facts
- Also known as: Philodendron Heartleaf
- Light: Can tolerate bright to low-light
- Water: Allow to dry between watering
- Pot: Hanging or standing pot (will be shorter but more robust)
4. Variegated Philodendron Hederaceum
The variegated version of the philodendron heartleaf, it shares the same characteristics as the prior species with the only difference being in its variegation. However, lack of light can revert the split color, affecting the lighter parts of the leaf to a darker green.
Quick Facts
- Also known as: Philodendron Brasil
- Light: Can tolerate bright to low-light
- Water: Allow to dry between watering
- Pot: Hanging pot
- Buy: This one, affordable and healthy with over 400 reviews (reviews are so important to me when it comes to buying plants online!)
Fun fact, this was one if my first few plants and my absolute favorite till today. I’ve propogated over 30 pots from ONE plant! Can you tell I love plants with heart shaped leaves?
5. Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma
Often mistaken for a monstera, this is a beautiful, lush plant that can tolerate low-light conditions. While it’s technically a hanging plant thanks to its vines, it will do best upright, supported by a pole.
This also makes a great filler for those awkward corners of your home.
Quick Facts
- Also known as: Mini Monstera
- Light: Shaded to low-light
- Water: Requires consistent even moisture but cannot be soggy, do not overwater
- Pot: Standing pot with a support pole
- Buy: Rooted – it’s a brand recognized for healthy plants so you can shop worry free.
Picture by Brittany
6. Spider Plant
Here’s a plant species that’s evergreen and is easily the best hanging plant for low-light indoors. It’s been a constant household plant for decades and never lost its place in homes across the world.
Spider plants are low maintenance, easy to care for and often a favourite for being one of the few plants that produces little plant offsprings. If you’ve already got one and you’re wondering how to make spider plants bushier, the trick is to prune often! Removing dead leaves encourages quicker growth.
Although, a little decor cheat is to buy multiple plants and plant them together for a bushier pot 😉
Quick Facts
- Light: Indirect, shaded and low-light
- Water: Allow the soil to dry before watering
- Pot: Hanging pot
- Buy: Rooted has the curly variety and it’s a beauty! I’d recommend this, especially great for mantels, side tables and dinner table centrepieces.
7. Staghorn Fern
In the wild, staghorn ferns are shaded by large rainforest trees and receive partial light throughout the day. They produce thick, broad leaves that can absorb light easily, making them fantastic indoor plants.
Quick Facts
- Light: Indirect or shaded light
- Water: Loves consistent moisture. Soak thoroughly when watering but ensure sufficient drainage to avoid root rot.
- Pot: Standing pot in a hanger or mounted on wood. Not available to use a plant hanger due to its potential weight.
- Buy: I’ve personally not bought a staghorn fern online as I like getting them big from start. I would recommend a trip to your nursery or look online for a staghorn specialist.
Common Questions about low-light hanging plants
Which hanging plant is the easiest to grow?
Pothos, spider plant and philodendron. The first two can survive anywhere while the latter can tolerate slight neglect.
What is the best low-light hanging plant?
The best low-light plant is the snake plant. It’s not a hanging plant as it doesn’t trail down but grows upwards. The snake plant can grow with minimal indirect light and infrequent watering. In some climates, it can go up to a month without water.
What flowers do best in low-light?
Generally, flowers need sunlight to bloom and thrive. However, the Peace Lily and Bromeliad species are able to produce flowers in low-light conditions.
What do plants look like with not enough light?
The leaves are pale or turn yellow and start to fall off. Bright colored plants such as variegated plants start to lose their distinct color and revert to a pale or dark green.
How do I know if my plant needs more light?
Keep an eye out for ‘leggy’ stems. This is when a plant focuses its energy on reach for light instead of using its energy to produce leaves and/or flowers.
Conclusion
So if you live in a small space with no room for standing pots and no sunlight coming through, don’t be discouraged, you can still fill your home (and heart) with gorgeous plants. All the plants listed above aren’t just what’s known to be able to tolerate low-light indoors, they’re tried and tested in my own not-so-sunny home. So get buying and let’s grow!
