Succulent plants with trailing vines make stunning hanging baskets. Succulents with dangling stems and succulent leaves are ideal for hanging baskets, and some may even bloom. Succulents that trail generally thrive in partial shade and require little care. Depending on the environment, you may also cultivate hanging succulents indoors or outdoors.
Plants with string-type vines are some of the most attractive and popular hanging succulents. Some popular string succulents include String of Pearls, String of Dolphins, String of Nickels, and String of Buttons. Other succulents and cacti with meaty stems and leaves look stunning when suspended from baskets, including other types.
Hindu Rope, Burro’s Tail, and Calico Kitten all have long dangling vines, for example. Hanging cactus plants with Monkey’s Tail and Queen of the Night are two visually stunning examples. The finest varieties of succulents and cacti for hanging baskets are covered in this article. You’ll learn how to take care of trailing succulents in your own home.
Trailing Succulents vs. Hanging Cacti
Succulents and cacti for hanging baskets seem to be similar plants in many ways. Succulents and cactus, on the other hand, have differences. Cacti and succulents are both water-storing fleshy plants. Succulents, on the other hand, are a diverse group of cactus-like plants.
Cacti are a kind of succulent plant, according to botany. Hanging cacti have long, thick cylindrical or flat stemless stems that grow to be around 6.5 feet (1.8 meters) long, with no leaves. Cacti and other hanging succulents may be found. They do, however, include a variety of plants with trailing stems that include leaves and flowers, in addition to those with trailing stems.
How to Choose Succulents for Hanging Baskets
When picking a hanging succulent, location and height are the two most important factors. Bright, indirect or full sunlight is required by most succulents in hanging baskets. Sun-loving plants such as hanging basket succulents and cacti are uncommon.
Several cactus and succulents may grow to be extremely tall. Rat Tail cactus hanging stems may dangle up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) below the pot, while Donkey’s Tail dangling stems might reach 4 feet (1.2 meters) long. Of course, pruning hanging succulents may help to limit their length.
Indoor hanging succulent plants have lower maintenance requirements. Cactus and succulents, on the whole, need less watering than ordinary houseplants. Only water the plants once a week in the summertime.
The Best Hanging Succulents
Let’s take a closer look at the finest indoor succulents you can cultivate. In zones 9 through 12, succulents are the most successful. You can also hang these succulents on a porch, deck area, arbor, or fence if you live in a warm climate.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls is a hanging succulent with long, slender, thread-like stems and tiny spherical pea-sized leaves. It has a lovely appearance. Wiry stems hang over pots between 1 and 3 feet (0.3 and 1 meter) long, making it a popular hanging succulent. Small, fragrant white flowers bloom on the flowering vining succulent.
Place in a sunny spot and grow Pearls on a string in a hanging basket or pot. Maintain the fragile succulent out of direct light, as with many varieties of succulents. Plant a number of stems in a pot to create a cascading display of green beads. If you live in zones 9 through 12, you may cultivate String of Pearls outside.
The necklace-like stems of the vining succulent will root in the soil, spreading along the ground. As a ground cover for full sun, String of Pearls thrives in rock gardens.
String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)
String of Bananas is a trailing succulent with emerald green leaves that works well in hanging baskets. Small cinnamon-scented white flowers adorn the string of Bananas, which is a flowering succulent. This succulent has attractive vining stems with “fish-hook” leaves.
The dangling stems of String of Bananas (also known as String of Fishhooks) can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) long. To keep the soil partly moist, grow this low-maintenance plant in indirect sunlight and water it occasionally. Cutting off some stems and placing them in the soil is another simple way to propagate succulents. The stringy stems’ fleshy leaves are quickly taking root.
String of Dolphins (Senecio hippogriff)
String of Dolphins is a string-like succulent with a cascading growth pattern that is ideal for hanging baskets. The String of Dolphins features leaping dolphins on cascading stems-like foliage that is stunning. The succulents that make up the “dolphin necklace” also create off-white flowers.
String of Dolphins grows best in bright light, so protect it from direct sunlight, just like other vining succulents. Every now and then, water the drought-tolerant succulent to keep the soil moist. Although String of Dolphins seldom blooms indoors, the fascinating dolphin leaves make up for the lack of blooms.
String of Tears (Senecio herreianus)
String of Tears is a hanging succulent with cascading stems and little oval, fleshy green leaves. It’s a kind of hanging succulent. The large leaves have dark green streaks that run from top to bottom and are in a tear shape. Senecio herreianus is known as String of Watermelons, Gooseberry Plant, and String of Raindrops due to its unusual pattern of egg-shaped leaves.
Although it has oval rather than globular fleshy leaves, this unusual hanging plant looks like the String of Pearls and is easily mistaken. The dangling stems reach roughly 3 feet (1 meter) in length, as do many different kinds of succulents. Hang a String of Tears plant in an indirect light area, such as near an east- or west-facing window.
String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)
String of Nickels has round flat leaves that resemble a smooth green coin, and thrives in high humidity. The long cascading strands cascade over hanging baskets or containers and are also known as the Button Orchid or String of Coins. The coin leaves are 0.6″ (1.5 cm) across, and the decorative vines may grow up to 18″ (45 cm) long.
The epiphyte plant String of Nickels thrives in high humidity conditions. Every day, mist the fleshy leaves of the Dischidia nummularia. Watering the succulent just enough to avoid the soil from drying out would be ideal.
String of Buttons (Crassula perforata)
String of Buttons is a rapid-growing shrubby succulent with triangle-shaped leaves that appear to be stacked on long stems. It grows upright but has a trailing nature as it develops longer. The succulent leaves, which spiral around the stem in a spiral pattern, are a grayish-green color with pink edges. The yellow blooms of String of Buttons are minor, but they bloom from time to time.
String of Buttons appears to be a rising plant at first glance. The stems become fatter and begin to droop over the edge of containers as they grow longer. The pendulous succulent stems dangle down to 2 feet (60 cm) in length, and they are fascinating.
Crassula perforata, sometimes known as Necklace Vine, thrives in areas 9 through 12. Use it as a shrubby succulent, plant it in rock gardens, hanging baskets, or ground cover.
Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Burro’s Tail is a gorgeous trailing succulent with fleshy, bluish-green plump leaves that cascade down from the tail. The stems have tightly packed little fleshy lance-shaped leaves. The reddish-purple blooms bloom in the summer and the pendulous stems grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) long.
The cascading stems of Sedum morganianum resemble braided tails, which is why it gets its name “Burro’s Tail.” Donkey’s Tail or Lamb’s Tail are two other names for this hanging basket succulent. If given enough sunlight, burro’s tail is simple to cultivate indoors. The hardy succulent, in fact, thrives on neglect and can even survive with little water.
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
String of Hearts is a succulent with silvery-green heart-shaped flowers that grows in hanging baskets with slender purple dangling vines. Indoors, the slender vines may span up to 2 feet (60 cm) owing to tuberous roots. Pinkish flowers with little tubes form on Ceropegia woodii.
Other common names for the String of Hearts vining succulent include Rosary Vine, Sweetheart Vine, and Chain of Hearts. Pink and cream variegation on dark green heart-shaped leaves distinguish Variegated forms of Ceropegia woodii.
Trailing Jade Vine (Kleinia petraea)
Trailing Jade is a succulent that can be used as a groundcover, with its long, dangling fleshy stems and wide oval leaves. It is beautiful draped over hanging baskets. Spatula-shaped trailing Jade leaves can grow up to 3 inches (7.5 cm) long. The succulent clumping produces a draped mat of leaves that spreads on the ground or hangs over pots.
The fleshy oval leaves and spectacular orange blooms of Trailing Jade Vine set them apart. Although being known as a succulent, the plant isn’t related to money plants (also known as Crassula plants) and is said to bring good fortune. If there is no risk of frost, you may put up Trailing Jade hanging succulents in baskets in a bright location.
Little Pickles Plant (Othonna capensis)
The Little Pickles Plant, often known as Ruby Necklace, is a cascading succulent with wiry purple stems and tiny oblong fleshy green leaves. It has dangling stems. The finger-like leaves of the pickle succulent, which grows on 1-foot (30-cm) stems, look like tiny pickles.
The little yellow daisy-like blooms of this trailing houseplant may be seen in the spring and summer. When the plant is in bloom, Ruby Necklace has purple or red stems with plump green leaves and yellow star-shaped flowers. It is a decorative feature of the plant.
The Hindu Rope Trailing Succulent (Hoya carnosa)
With waxy leaves and gorgeous pink and red porcelain flowers, the curving and coiled leaves of the Hindu rope plant give it an unusual appearance. With large glossy oval or heart-shaped leaves that are up to 5″ (13 cm) long, the slender woody Hoya vining stems grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m).
The Hindu Rope plant, also known as the wax plant, has star-shaped clusters of flowers. White or light pink with dark pink or red centers, the fragrant flower clusters form an umbrella shape. The Hindu Rope plant is also known as the Krinkle Kurl plant because of its crinkled succulent green leaves. This plant comes in a variety of hues, with golden yellow and light green leaves, as well.
Trailing Wax Plant (Hoya pachyclada)
With thick woody stems, meaty oval green leaves, and clusters of white flowers, the trailing wax plant can be grown outside in warm weather. The tall stems of the trailing succulent give the hanging Hoya plant a compact appearance, with its leaves growing densely.
The thick leaves have a crimson tint at the margins when grown in ideal circumstances. Only Zone 11 allows trailing wax plants to grow outdoors. During sunny summer days, you may hang the hanging basket Hoya outdoors. When the land is practically dry, water the wax plant from time to time.
Calico Kitten (Crassula pellucida ‘Variegata’)
Calico Kitten is a cascading succulent with dangling stems and tiny creamy and light green elliptic leaves that add a festive touch to a hanging basket or as a ground cover. Calico Kitten leaves have a rosy-red border when they are growing in bright light. When cultivated in hanging baskets, Calico Kitten develops into a cluster of pendulous vines.
With evergreen leaves and beautiful blooms, Calico Kitten stems can grow up to 1 foot (30 cm) long. Outside of zones 9 through 11, Crassula pellucida grows as well. Calico Kitten thrives best as a spreading, ground cover succulent for rock gardens in the garden.
Lantern Flower (Ceropegia haygarthii)
Ceropegia haygarthii features fascinating blooms that are unusual and one-of-a-kind, ideal for adding to any hanging basket. The hanging succulent has a compact appearance due to its twining stems. The long stems, which may reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length, drape over the container’s edge.
The Lantern Flower’s magnificent blossoms are a one-of-a-kind characteristic. A protruding reddish-purple stamen with little spines and a cage-like top to trap insects are found on the spotted blooms.
Hanging Cacti
Draping stems are ideal for hanging baskets, and there are several cactus plants available. Indoor hanging cactus need less maintenance than other succulent types. Loose, well-draining cactus soil is desired. When the potting mixture is almost dry, you just need to water cacti.
Rat Tail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis)
Rat Tail is a flowering cactus with long, hanging cylindrical stems that arch over the edge of pots and dangle down about 6.5 feet (2 meters) or more. It has lovely pink blooms. Due to the presence of fine spines over the fleshy stems, the cactus tube-like stems have a fuzzy appearance.
Rat Tail cactus produces 4″ (10 cm) long and 1.5″ (4 cm) broad flowers in a range of pink or purple hues. To allow the draping cactus stems to grow, Rat Tail cacti prefer hanging baskets or a pot on a high shelf.
Monkey’s Tail Hanging Cactus (Hildewintera colademononis)
Monkey’s Tail is a hanging basket cactus with long hairy stems that can grow up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall. It has crimson blooms. The white or golden hair-like spines that cover the Monkey’s Tail cylinder-shaped stems resemble a monkey’s tail.
The hanging cactus blooms contrast with the fuzzy cactus look by producing stunning red blossoms. Monkey’s Tail is a cactus that requires little care. When the soil dries, grow in sandy soil that has excellent drainage and water.
Queen of the Night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum)
Queen of the Night is a rare, magnificent cactus plant with spreading flattened, waxy stems and stunning showy white blooms that bloom at night. The bushy cactus has a spread of up to 3 feet (1 m), and the cactus stems grow between 1 and 3 feet (0.3 and 1 m) long. The lovely, brilliant white fragrant blooms grow on 1-foot (30-cm) long stems and are up to 6 inches (15 cm) wide.
The extraordinary, plate-sized flowers of Queen of the Night only bloom during nighttime hours, which is a fascinating feature. Only after dark does this nocturnal cactus bloom. It takes colder weather during the winter to get Queen of the Night to bloom. Lady of the Night, Dutchman’s Pipe Cactus, and Night-Blooming Cereus are some other names for this uncommon hanging succulent.