The Best Trailing Houseplants for Every Space
Trailing houseplants are one of the most versatile ways to bring lush greenery into your home. Whether cascading from a hanging basket, draping over a shelf, or climbing up a wall, these plants add movement, texture, and life to any room. Here are our top five favorites — and the specific varieties worth seeking out.
1. Philodendrons
The reigning royalty of the houseplant world, Philodendrons are beloved for good reason. With nearly 500 known species native to the tropical jungles of the Americas, they offer an incredible range of leaf shapes and colors. They're forgiving of missed waterings, fast-growing, and endlessly collectible — perfect for beginners and seasoned collectors alike.
Our favorite trailing varieties:
- Philodendron Micans — velvety, coppery-green heart-shaped leaves
- Philodendron Brandtianum — silver-marbled foliage with a metallic sheen
Light: Low to bright indirect • Water: Allow top inch to dry • Growth: Fast, trailing or climbing
2. Pothos
If Philodendrons are royalty, Pothos are the workhorses — and we mean that as the highest compliment. Epipremnum aureum is one of the most durable, forgiving, and fast-growing trailing plants you can own. Their vines grow quickly along shelves and walls, and their leaves gently wilt when thirsty, practically telling you when to water. Two of our current bestsellers are the Jade and Manjula — both stunning in very different ways.
Our favorite varieties:
- Jade Pothos — rich, deep green — our #1 selling Pothos right now
- Manjula Pothos — rare, creamy white variegation with wavy leaf edges
- Golden Pothos — the classic neon-yellow variegated staple
- Cebu Blue — silvery-blue elongated leaves
Light: Low to bright indirect • Water: Allow top inch to dry • Growth: Fast, trailing
3. String of Hearts
The most Instagram-worthy plant on this list, Ceropegia woodii — the String of Hearts — is a succulent trailing plant with plump, heart-shaped leaves that cascade in delicate chains. The more light you give it, the fuller and denser the growth becomes. If you have a south-facing window, this plant will absolutely thrive there.
Our favorite varieties:
- The Original — deep green with silver marbling on the underside
- Silver Glory — more pronounced silver patterning on the leaves
Light: Bright indirect to direct • Water: Allow to fully dry between waterings • Growth: Slow to moderate, trailing
4. Monstera
Many newer plant collectors don't realize how far Monsteras go beyond the classic Deliciosa. Similar in care to Philodendrons, Monsteras are striking, low-maintenance, and incredibly diverse. One thing they all have in common: they love to climb. Give them a moss pole or branch and watch those dramatic tropical leaves reach for the sky.
Our favorite varieties:
- Monstera Deliciosa — the iconic split-leaf classic
- Rhaphidophora Tetrasperma — the Mini Monstera, fast-growing and compact
- Monstera Siltepecana — silver-veined leaves, beautiful trailing habit
Light: Medium to bright indirect • Water: Allow top inch to dry • Growth: Moderate to fast, climbing
5. Hoya
Hoyas have an actual fan club — just search #hoyaheads on Instagram and you'll see why. Native mostly to Asia, these plants are highly collectible with thick, waxy leaves that come in an astonishing range of shapes and patterns. They're a little more particular about their care than the others on this list, but treating them more like a succulent than a jungle plant is a helpful starting point. The reward? Clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers that make the effort completely worth it.
Our favorite variety:
- Hoya Pubicalyx ‘Splash’ — silver-speckled leaves, prolific bloomer with fragrant star-shaped flowers
Light: Bright indirect • Water: Allow to mostly dry between waterings • Growth: Moderate, trailing or vining
Ready to Start Trailing?
Whether you're filling a bare shelf, styling a hanging basket, or training vines along a wall, Ed's Plant Shop has the trailing plants to make it happen. Every plant is carefully selected, packed with care, and shipped nationwide.
