16 Low-Light Hanging Plants to Try Growing

By
Taylor Fuller
Taylor Fuller sitting holding a large houseplant
Taylor Fuller
Taylor Fuller has been writing about houseplants for The Spruce since winter 2020. She has a collection of over 75 plants in her London flat. She authored the book "The Rainbow Atlas" and her writing has appeared on Bustle and BuzzFeed.
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Published on 02/28/23
monstera adansonii

Os Tartarouchos / Getty Images

Hanging plants are so beautiful and they’re great when you don’t have a lot of counter or table space. There’s also something magical about the way their vines grow, reaching for the light. And while a lot of people love to place hanging plants on their windows, there may be various factors that may make this difficult to do.

There are many low-light hanging plants that will do just fine away from a window. They’ll still grow, although it may be a bit slower compared to plants placed directly in a southwest-facing window. So if you’re in love with plants but don’t have a ton of natural light in your home, read on to find out what low-light hanging plants you can use to create your own indoor jungle.

The 13 Best Macrame Plant Hangers of 2023
  • 01 of 16

    Marble Queen Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Marble Queen' )

    marble queen Pothos

    Nanniie_iiuu / Getty Images

    The Marble Queen pothos is a beautiful low-maintenance plant. It can do well in nearly all light conditions and will even keep a slight variegation in low-light situations. In the wild, these plants even grow light weeds in dark places. 

    • Light: Most light conditions from full shade to bright light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 15 ft. long if you give them enough space
    • Water: Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry
  • 02 of 16

    Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)

    golden Pothos

    Pannarai Nak-im / Getty Images

    Golden pothos is another variation of the pothos plant (there are seriously so many types of pothos). This is by far one of the most popular houseplants and they will thrive in pretty much any light condition, including full shade. They look beautiful hanging with their vines trailing below. 

    • Light: Full shade to bright light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 15 ft. long
    • Water: Water when the top two inches of soil are dry
  • 03 of 16

    Monstera adansonii (Monstera adansonii)

    monstera adansonii

    Os Tartarouchos / Getty Images

    A relative of the Monstera deliciosa, these plants have holes in their foliage to allow the sun to shine through to their lower leaves. They’re really easy to care for and can do well in partial shade. 

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 13 ft. long
    • Water: Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry
  • 04 of 16

    English Ivy (Hedera helix)

    English Ivy

    kuppa_rock / Getty Images

    If you’re looking for a nearly unkillable plant, English Ivy is a good choice. This classic outdoor plant can grow comfortably inside and will even grow super quickly in the shade. The plant is poisonous so don’t eat it and keep it away from pets.

    • Light: Full shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 9 ft. each year
    • Water: Keep the soil moist, but not soggy
    Continue to 5 of 16 below.
  • 05 of 16

    Satin Pothos (Scindapsus pictus)

    satin pothos

    Firn / Getty Images

    The foliage on the satin pothos (which is not actually a pothos) is just beautiful. The leaves are speckled with silver variegation and can grow really well indoors. In the wild, it will grow in the shade of other trees which makes it a perfect plant if you don’t have a ton of natural light in your home. 

    • Light: Full shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 8 ft.
    • Water: Water when the top two inches of soil feel dry
  • 06 of 16

    String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

    string of hearts

    Camelia Ciocirlan / 500px / Getty Images

    With leaves shaped like tiny little hearts, this plant is whimsical and a great addition to your home. The trailing plant can grow super long, so hang this up high and watch the delicate stems reach out toward the ground. 

    • Light: Moderate shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 10 ft. (even more in the right conditions)
    • Water: Allow soil to dry out between watering
  • 07 of 16

    Neon Robusta Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium 'neon robusta')

    syngonium neon

    Eleonora Grigorjeva / Getty Images

    There are a ton of varieties of Syngonium that you can find, however, the neon robusta is gorgeous because of the dusty pink leaves. If you want to keep the leaves that color, you’ll need to keep them in a bright area, however, if you’re not bothered, the plant will do well in partial shade—you may just end up with greener foliage.

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Up to 6 ft.
    • Water: Water when the top two inches of soil are dry
  • 08 of 16

    Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus japhrolepis)

    lipstick plant

    The Spruce / Krystal Slagle

    Named for its bright red flowers, the lipstick plant is a unique hanging plant. Unfortunately, if you don’t have bright light, your plant probably won't flower, but that doesn’t mean it won’t thrive. It has cascading leaves that look gorgeous trailing from a high shelf.

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Up to 3 ft. long
    • Water: Keep soil moist, not soggy
    Continue to 9 of 16 below.
  • 09 of 16

    Hoya Tricolor (Hoya carnosa ‘tricolor’)

    hoya tricolor

    Benjamin Toegel / Getty Images

    Known as the wax flower, the Hoya tricolor is a popular houseplant. The leaves and flowers appear to have a waxy sheen, which is how it got its name. This plant loves humidity and while it can do well in partial shade, you won’t see any flowers unless it’s in bright light.

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: 2-4 ft. long
    • Water: Keep soil moist, but not soggy
  • 10 of 16

    Neon Pothos (Epipremnum aureum 'Neon')

    neon pothos

    Firn / Getty Images

    These plants grow so well in shady places and could survive in a fully shaded spot in your home. It’s super undemanding and makes an excellent plant for beginners. The neon leaves will still grow in low light, so don’t worry about the plant losing its color. 

    • Light: Full shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Vines can grow up to 15 ft. in the right conditions
    • Water: Allow for the top two inches of soil to dry out between waterings
  • 11 of 16

    String of Nickels (Dischidia imbricata)

    String of nickels succulent with bright green stems and round leaves hanging over white pot closeup

    The Spruce / Adrienne Legault

    This plant doesn’t need much light as it's used to growing in the shade of other trees. It loves humidity so keep this plant in a bathroom or mist it regularly so the dangling vines can soak up as much water as possible. 

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Up to 10 ft. long
    • Water: Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings
  • 12 of 16

    Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)

    heartleaf philodendron

    scisettialfio / Getty Images

    This plant is super easy to care for and is a great option if you want a big plant but don’t have a ton of space for one. You can place it high up on a shelf and let the vines trail. The heart shaped leaves don’t need a ton of sunlight so it’s great for low-light situations. 

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indicted light
    • Mature Size: Up to 10 ft. long
    • Water: Water when the top two inches of soil are dry
    Continue to 13 of 16 below.
  • 13 of 16

    Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

    spider plant

    dropStock / Getty Images

    This classic houseplant has been growing indoors since the 70s. It’s super easy to take care of and will even reward you with babies when it’s doing well. The compact plant can do well in just about any light — but it will only stay compact in low light. Once you give it bright, indirect light, it'll start sending off plantlets that can go everywhere. It looks great hanging in a macrame hanger.

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: 12-15 in. tall
    • Water: Allow the plant to dry out completely between waterings
  • 14 of 16

    Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

    Boston fern

    Anna Efetova / Getty Images

    Boston ferns can usually be found in shady areas in the wild. As long as it’s humid, they’ll be happy. These guys have been in houses since Victorian times. While they’re not the easiest to care for, as long as you water them regularly, they’ll be happy. 

    • Light: Full shade to indirect light
    • Mature Size: Up to 4 ft. 
    • Water: Keep the soil moist but not soggy
  • 15 of 16

    Mini Monstera (Rhaphidophora tetrasperma)

    mini monstera

    AndreaObzerova / Getty Images

    These plants get their name because they literally look like mini monstera, however, they’re not even in the same family. These are really quick growers, even in partial shade. You can hang these, place them on a shelf, or even allow them to climb up a trellis.

    • Light: Partial shade to indirect light
    • Mature Size: Up to 8 ft. indoors
    • Water: Allow the top two inches of soil to dry out
  • 16 of 16

    Radiator Plant (Peperomia obtusifolia)

    peperomia

    Camelia Ciocirlan / 500px / Getty Images

    There are over 1500 different types of peperomia plants and they’re ideal for beginners. They have thick, fleshy leaves that store water, so if you forget to give them a drink, they’re fairly forgiving. They grow super quickly and look great as a hanging plant. 

    • Light: Partial shade to bright, indirect light
    • Mature Size: Up to 1 ft. tall
    • Water: Allow soil to dry out completely before watering
How to Hang Plants From the Ceiling
Article Sources
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  1. English ivy. ASPCA.

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