15 Best Hanging Plants That Don’t Mind Low Light
Cascading from a bookshelf, draping from a pedestal or stand, or hanging in a basket, trailing plants brighten dim corners while bringing life to interiors. They add vertical dimension and, when suspended, save surface space (and create more room to expand the collection!). Those that tolerate low light are even more versatile and easy to place.
All plants need sunlight to carry out photosynthesis for survival, and most houseplants prefer bright, indirect light. They absorb light from proximity to a bright window, out of the sun’s intense rays but with ample filtered light throughout the day. But there are plenty of adaptable selections that tolerate lower-light situations.
Depending on the species and variety, some attributes may not present as fully in low light. Variegation and leaf color, for example, may lessen without access to optimal lighting (the green, chlorophyll-filled portions of leaves absorb the most sunlight). Leaf shape may not be as cut, and growth can be slower. Blooming, too, may reduce or stop.
If you have north-facing windows or a darker spot to fill, rely on plants that tolerate low or artificial light without a challenge. However, you should aim for the most light you can offer to meet optimal needs and enjoy the leafy burst they bring to your space. Here are some great hanging plants for low light areas.
Hoya
Hoya are popular for their unique waxy foliage, fragrant blooms, and long lifespan as low-maintenance indoor specimens. Some 200 species and even more cultivars in diverse colors and shapes make them versatile across spaces. Their vining stems and thick leaves trail with a soft, sculptural appeal to spill over container edges.
The semi-succulents are adaptable and also one of the easiest hanging plants to grow in low light conditions with few requirements. They likely won’t flower in low light (flowering is reliable as light increases), but the green leaves of Hoya spp. don’t mind, continuing to slowly vine with few demands.
They have low water needs and prefer soils that dry slightly between sessions. Hoyas like their roots cozy and perform well when slightly potbound, living in the same vessel for years.
Pothos
Pothos join hoya as an anchoring indoor selection that trails and sprawls with few needs. Its heart-shaped foliage is jade, lime, silver, variegated, or gold-splashed.
The easy-care tropical hanging plant adapts to less-than-ideal conditions and grows well in many interior spots, even with only low or artificial light. Keep pothos out of direct sun and away from drafts, and the trailing stems will thrill and spill. In more light, they’ll develop large, showy leaves as they mature.
Golden pothos has flecks of gold to its fresh green leaves. Look to satin pothos (Scindapsus pictus) for silver mottling and vigorous vining. Prune off long stems to retain a full, vining form. Pothos propagate easily in water or soil to create new plants with the clippings.
Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf, or sweetheart, philodendron has vining stems with glossy heart-shaped leaves. The tropicals grow in very low light, cascading or climbing, depending on supports. New leaves emerge in fresh, bright green, maturing to darker green. New growth also has a pinkish-bronze tinge for pretty interest among the sweet foliage.
Numerous variegated varieties like ‘Brasil’ (with a light golden-green central stripe) and ‘Rio’ (silvery white) add a splash. In shadier spots, the pure green species is a strong performer.
Heartleaf philodendron enjoys an easy culture with no serious pest or disease issues. Native to Mexico, Central, and South America, the rainforest dwellers adapt to more temperate climes given average warmth and humidity indoors. Ideal soils are moist and well-draining.
Spider Plant
Spider plants are easy-going, happily hanging in baskets or pots with minimal care. They have narrow, green ribbon leaves, often with white or yellow striping. Longlived, they perform well with minimal maintenance, becoming mainstays in the collection.
Their slender, arching blades brighten corners and offer textural contrast. In addition to their easy care, they propagate easily through pretty little plantlets – spiderettes – produced on the ends of long stems. Confined conditions encourage spider plants to produce offshoots.
Spider plants prefer warm, humid conditions. Normal household humidity is usually fine; boost the humidity in dry seasons by placing pots on a tray of pebbles filled with water.
Rex Begonia
Rex begonias fill up a container with their textural leaves. Their bold, colorful foliage has intricate patterns with prominent veins and wavy margins. Leaf undersides are often reddish-purple for added contrast. Some rex begonias feature large, purple-lined leaves with silver interiors, while others are bright red, deep pink, or dark green.
Rex begonias came to England from India in the 1850s. They quickly became popular in hybridizing to create a flurry of foliar interest. Growth and vigor are best in bright, indirect light, but they tolerate less.
‘Dragon Wing’ begonias, too, fill a basket with slightly arching canes, winged leaves, and pendulous flowers. Angel wing begonias tuck nicely into shady spots for unusual texture and foliar interest. Their wing shapes feature dramatic mottling in rich tones. Clusters of white, red, pink, or salmon blooms suspend from curved stems.
Rex begonias can be finicky, especially in dry environments or in oversaturated soils. They prefer high humidity (above 50%) and regular moisture, erring on the dry side between watering sessions. If leaves show crispy edges, try increasing humidity by grouping them with other houseplants or the water-filled pebble tray method.
Prayer Plant
The prayer plant has graphic, patterned leaves that rise at night. They lower by day to open their bold stripes and venation in burgundy, pink, and greens to the light of the sun. Leaf undersides, most visible when the leaves are risen, are a contrasting dark red or purple.
Maranta makes a lovely indoor hanging basket or low bowl arrangement with thick stems that slowly trail. Prayer plants need humidity and regular moisture to thrive. They benefit from filtered or distilled water over treated tap water.
Fiddleleaf Philodendron
Fiddleleaf philodendrons have distinctively shaped leaves, lobed like violins or a horse’s head (also commonly called horsehead philodendron). Foliage is handsome as it vines and climbs up a tree or support pole or cascades over a pot or low wall.
The slow-growing species is native to South and Central America’s tropical rainforests and brings lush, anchoring foliage and vertical interest to the houseplant jungle. Glossy, dark olive green leaves are broad and long, with the distinguishing characteristics of deep lobes.
Philodendrons have nearly a century of houseplant popularity and year-round garden interest in subtropical climates. There are over 600 philodendron species in the Arum (Araceae) family, including household favorites like split leaf (tree) and heartleaf. P. bipennifolium is unique in its leaf shape. As a vining type, it grows from the ground up around tree trunks in its native environment with aerial and in-ground roots. Without support, it sprawls and runs.
Boston Fern
Boston ferns create a presence with lush, leafy fronds that gracefully arch. They thrive outdoors in warm conditions—perfect for adorning a porch or patio—and overwinter indoors in cold months. While they make handsome indoor specimens in the right situations, they can be a bit challenging due to their propensity to shed leaflets.
Boston ferns are graceful and compact with a full form. Their growth and versatility earned them the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. Similar sword fern cultivars have frilled or ruffled leaves for added texture.
The ferns don’t rely on lots of sunlight but will do well with at least a small window. Water is their primary need—they need ample moisture to keep those full fronds.
Adanson’s Monstera
This monstera, also called the little Swiss cheese vine, climbs and runs with dark green leaves with finely cut openings. The specialty tropicals make a big statement with striking foliar characteristics. This species differs from the larger Monstera deliciosa, also commonly called the Swiss cheese plant, whose broader leaves with natural splits and holes comprise a “delicious monster.”
As an understory dweller in dappled light, the cut leaves are an adaptation to allow sunlight to reach the lower parts of the plant. Adanson’s monstera naturally climbs up a support structure (with training) or sprawls without.
In less light, leaves are more entire (without dissection or openings), but the attractive deep green heart shape remains. Monstera are easy-care houseplants that adapt to the conditions of most homes.
Hypoestes
Polka-dot plant brings a fun splash of color to suspended planters. Petite in form, Hypoestes has numerous hybrids with speckled and splashed foliage, including pink with green spots and the reverse of green with pink spots. White with green patterning shines amongst darker tones.
For the best low-light selection, opt for one with more green in its composition. The highlights may be a challenge to retain, though they grow under artificial light. The species shows the best color in shade, but dim situations cause fading. Pinch back plants if they become leggy to retain a full form.
Anthurium
Anthurium offers structural foliage and vibrant spathes (colorful leaves) surrounding a prominent spadix (the central column with lots of tiny blossoms). Waxy, shiny, and long-lasting, the classic tropicals are a festive indoor bloomer in shades of pink to scarlet.
Anthuriums perform best in medium to bright indirect light, but their base of heart-shaped leaves remains even in low light. If you don’t mind missing the blooms or are temporarily overwintering them indoors, they’ll tolerate less light.
Bird’s Nest Fern
Bird’s nest fern has wide fronds in a symmetrical arrangement around a central core, forming a lush “nest.” They add architectural beauty, growing large outdoors but staying smaller as houseplants. Some varieties have ruffled, wavy margins and crested, flared tips.
Their long, broad fronds readily absorb available light. They grow slowly in less light, so opt for a sizeable specimen to start (it will also be able to uptake more of what is available). The sizeable, thick fronds allow bird’s nest to withstand drying out slightly between waterings. Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
With structural, vase-shaped form, entire fronds, and a strong performance, bird’s nest fern boasts Award of Garden Merit status.
Calathea
Calathea features high graphics in striking foliar patterns. With long leaves in rich greens from dark to silvery, spotted to striped, and lots of other variety-dependent configurations, calathea brings visual contrast. The undersides of the leaves are deep purple and add further interest.
Low to medium light is ideal for calathea. Indirect light is a must. They make somewhat sensitive houseplants, preferring even moisture from distilled or bottled water (with sensitivities to fluoride-treated tap water). In too much light, low humidity, or dry spells, leaf edges may crisp and curl. While not drought-tolerant, they are somewhat forgiving of a gap in watering. Aim for even moisture in well-draining soils.
Several species (C. zebrina, C. roseopicta) are Award of Garden Merit recipients. Mature leaves arch gracefully over the sides of a pedestal, shelf, or suspended pot. Be sure to place them where you can enjoy their intricate, painted-on details. Calatheas are nontoxic, making them safe for homes with kids and pets.
Peperomia
Peperomia are a vast collection of species native to the tropical Americas. Their range of colors and forms make them a houseplant favorite, from beginners to collectors. Baby rubber plant with dark green leaves is a fit for low or artificial light. Non-variegated cultivars show the least stress in dimmer situations.
Green peperomia have glossy, cupped leaves with pink-tinged petioles on distinct stems. Their adaptable foliage is almost succulent, and with low water needs, peperomia is forgiving if allowed to dry slightly between sessions.
These do best in a draft-free location. While they produce inconspicuous flowers, P. obtusifolia grows for its stable foliage and low maintenance. Like calathea, peperomia is nontoxic.
Tree Ivy
Tree ivy is a hybrid between Fatsia japonica and English ivy. The result is oversized ivy leaves on semi-upright stems. While tree ivy spreads, it also holds a shrubby, upright form with trimming.
The broad evergreen leaves of Fatshedera, with hybrids from deep green to variegated, make it a stately potted specimen. Look for ‘Angyo Star’ with creamy white margins against deep, glossy green.
Ivy adds an evergreen trailing accent to soften dark corners. English ivy and Swedish ivy (Plectranthus verticillatus) are other tolerant vines. The benefit of a contained ivy is ease of management, due to multiple being pervasive invasive species. Trim the plant to keep a full form and outdoors, from creeping into the landscape.
