Looking to add some greenery to your home but don’t have much sunlight?
Hanging plants can be a perfect solution for spaces with limited light.
Many plant varieties can thrive in low-light conditions, making them ideal for rooms with few windows or areas away from direct sun.
You can successfully grow hanging plants in shadier spots by choosing species specifically adapted to lower light levels.
Plants like pothos, ivy, and peperomia don’t need much sunlight to flourish and can create beautiful cascading displays.
These low-maintenance options add life to your space without requiring the perfect sunny window, making them accessible for any plant lover, regardless of their home’s lighting situation.
1. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is one of the most popular hanging plants for indoor spaces with low light conditions.
Depending on the variety, this plant features heart-shaped leaves that can be green, golden, marble, or silver.
Pothos plants are incredibly forgiving and can thrive in areas with minimal sunlight.
They prefer bright, indirect light but adapt well to low-light environments, perfect for rooms with few windows.
These plants are excellent for beginners as they require minimal care.
Their vining nature creates a beautiful cascading effect when placed in hanging baskets or on high shelves.
Pothos can grow quite long, with vines reaching several feet in length when properly cared for.
The trailing stems can be trimmed to maintain a desired length or propagated to create new plants.
Watering should be done when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering is more harmful than underwatering for this resilient plant.
One of the benefits of Pothos is its air-purifying qualities. It helps remove indoor pollutants like formaldehyde, making it both decorative and functional for your home.
When acclimating a Pothos to different light conditions, do so gradually to avoid shocking the plant.
While it can tolerate low light, extremely dark corners may result in slower growth and less vibrant foliage.
For maintenance, simply wipe the leaves occasionally with a damp cloth to remove dust and keep them looking fresh. This also helps the plant absorb light more efficiently.
2. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a popular hanging plant that thrives in low-light conditions.
This versatile climber can grow indoors with minimal sunlight, making it perfect for darker corners of your home.
The plant features distinctive lobed leaves with a deep green color. Some varieties have variegated patterns with white, yellow, or cream markings that add visual interest.
English Ivy grows as a vine that can extend up to 9 feet each year.
Its trailing stems look stunning in hanging baskets or placed on high shelves where they can cascade downward.
While English Ivy prefers medium-light conditions, it adapts well to lower light settings.
It won’t grow as quickly or last as long in very dim areas, but it will survive much better than sun-loving plants.
One remarkable benefit of English Ivy is its air-purifying ability.
Studies have shown that it can help clean indoor air of certain pollutants. Some research even suggests that keeping it in bedrooms may help aid sleep.
Caring for English Ivy is relatively simple.
It prefers consistently moist soil but can tolerate short periods of dryness. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot.
The plant does well in normal household temperatures and average humidity.
If your home is particularly dry, occasional misting can help keep the foliage looking fresh.
English Ivy can transform plain walls and drab spaces into living art.
The trailing vines create a lush, jungle-like appearance that adds a natural element to any room.
For the best growth, place your ivy where it will receive bright, indirect light. However, it will adapt to shadier spots, making it versatile for different home environments.
3. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Peace lilies are elegant plants known for their dark green foliage and white “flowers” (which are actually specialized leaves called spathes).
They make great hanging plants for areas with low light conditions.
Unlike what many people think, peace lilies can tolerate various light levels.
They can survive in most light conditions, making them versatile for different spots in your home.
While peace lilies can handle low light, they may not flower as much in darker areas.
They prefer indirect light rather than direct sunlight, which could damage their leaves.
Peace lilies are somewhat forgiving if you occasionally forget to water them.
They can handle dry soil for short periods, though they’ll let you know they’re thirsty by drooping their leaves.
These plants are also known for their air-purifying qualities. They can help remove certain toxins from indoor air, adding both beauty and function to your home.
When hanging a peace lily, choose a spot with consistent indirect light.
A north-facing window or a well-lit hallway would be ideal locations for this plant to thrive.
Remember that while peace lilies can be grown as hanging plants, they may eventually become too heavy as they mature. Consider starting with smaller specimens for hanging displays.
4. Snake Plant (Sansevieria)
Snake Plants, also known as Sansevieria or “Mother-in-Law’s Tongue,” are excellent hanging plants that can thrive in low light conditions.
They have tall, upright leaves with distinctive patterns that add visual interest to any space.
These plants are incredibly hardy and can tolerate neglect.
They survive in low-light areas where many other plants would struggle to grow.
Snake Plants are excellent air purifiers. They remove toxins like formaldehyde, benzene, and trichloroethylene from the air, making them as functional as they are decorative.
While Snake Plants do best in bright, indirect light, they adapt well to low-light settings.
This versatility makes them perfect for darker corners of your home.
Care for Snake Plants is straightforward.
They need infrequent watering, about once every 2-3 weeks, and can go even longer during winter months.
Overwatering is the main threat to Snake Plants.
It’s better to underwater than overwater these drought-tolerant plants.
When hanging Snake Plants, make sure to use a sturdy container. Their thick, fleshy leaves can make them heavier than they appear.
The architectural nature of Snake Plants makes them stand out in hanging displays.
Their stiff, sword-like leaves create interesting shadows and shapes.
There are several varieties of Snake Plants with different patterns and heights.
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’ has yellow leaf margins, while Sansevieria cylindrica has round, spear-like leaves.
Snake Plants rarely flower indoors, but when they do, they produce fragrant greenish-white blooms. The scent is most noticeable at night.
Propagating Snake Plants is easy. You can divide the plant during repotting or take leaf cuttings to create new plants.
These plants grow slowly, especially in low light, which means they don’t need frequent repotting. Once every 2-3 years is typically sufficient.
Snake Plants can live for decades with proper care. Their longevity makes them excellent investment plants for your home.
5. Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
The Bird’s Nest Fern is a striking hanging plant that thrives in low-light conditions.
Native to tropical regions, this fern gets its name from its nest-like appearance, with fronds that grow from a central rosette resembling a bird’s nest.
Unlike other ferns that can be finicky, the Bird’s Nest Fern is relatively easy to care for.
It prefers shade and should be kept out of direct sunlight, especially the harsh afternoon sun. This makes it perfect for hanging in darker corners of your home.
The plant features bright green, wavy-edged fronds that can grow quite long in the right conditions.
These distinctive leaves add a tropical touch to any space and create an interesting visual element when hung from the ceiling.
Bird’s Nest Ferns love humidity, making them ideal for bathrooms with windows. The steam from showers provides the moisture they crave.
If you place them elsewhere in your home, occasional misting will help keep them happy.
The soil requirements for this fern are simple.
It prefers loamy, moist soil that drains well. Overwatering can lead to problems, so letting the soil dry slightly between waterings is important.
This fern is only winter-hardy in USDA Zones 10-11.
In colder regions, it should be grown as a houseplant. When kept indoors, it can thrive year-round with minimal care.
One advantage of the Bird’s Nest Fern is its compact growth habit.
Unlike some hanging plants that sprawl wildly, this fern maintains a neat, organized appearance that works well in hanging baskets.
The plant also helps purify indoor air, making it both beautiful and functional.
Its lush green appearance brings a calming element to any room while improving air quality.
When hanging a Bird’s Nest Fern, choose a spot with consistent temperature and away from heating vents or air conditioners.
Sudden temperature changes can stress the plant and cause the fronds to brown.
6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Spider plants are among the most adaptable and easy-to-grow hanging plants available.
They’re known for their arching leaves with white stripes and the small plantlets they produce on long stems, which dangle down like little spiders.
These resilient plants don’t need direct sunlight to thrive.
In fact, too much direct sun can damage their leaves by causing them to burn.
Spider plants perform best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate lower light conditions quite well.
Spider plants are extremely forgiving when it comes to care requirements.
They can adapt to various light situations, making them perfect for rooms that don’t get much natural sunlight or areas away from windows.
Morning sunlight is acceptable for spider plants, but they should be protected from harsh afternoon rays.
Dappled sunshine or filtered light provides the ideal growing environment for these versatile plants.
The arching growth habit of spider plants makes them excellent candidates for hanging baskets.
As they mature, they produce runners with baby plants (called “spiderettes”) that cascade downward, creating an elegant display with minimal effort.
Spider plants are also known for their air-purifying abilities.
They help remove toxins from indoor air, making them both decorative and functional additions to your home.
Care for spider plants is straightforward.
They prefer to dry out slightly between waterings and don’t require frequent fertilizing.
Their tolerance for neglect makes them particularly suitable for beginners or busy plant owners.
Another advantage of spider plants is that they’re non-toxic to pets.
This makes them a safe choice for households with curious cats or dogs who might nibble on accessible hanging foliage.
Spider plants multiply readily through their offspring.
The small plantlets can be easily propagated by placing them in water or soil, allowing you to expand your collection or share with friends.
7. String of Nickels (Dischidia imbricata)
String of Nickels is a delightful hanging plant that thrives in bright, indirect light. This makes it perfect for indoor spaces that don’t receive direct sunlight.
The plant features small, round leaves that resemble coins, giving it its common name.
This plant has similar growth habits to Hoyas, preferring bright but filtered light. It grows best in a chunky substrate that provides good drainage.
As the plant matures, its leaves begin to cup more, adding to its visual interest.
When happy with its growing conditions, String of Nickels produces adorable pink and white flowers. The blooms are small but charming additions to the already attractive foliage.
Native to tropical under forests, Dischidia plants are accustomed to humid and well-ventilated environments. They prefer temperatures between 18 °C and 26°C (64-79°F) and humidity levels around 50% to 80%.
This makes them suitable for bathroom settings or areas with naturally higher humidity.
It’s worth noting that there is some confusion in plant identification. What is often labeled as Dischidia imbricata in stores may actually be a hybrid of Dischidia vidalii x Camiguin Island. This hybrid is widely available but frequently mislabeled.
Caring for a String of Nickels is relatively simple. Water when the soil becomes dry, and avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
A well-draining potting mix is essential for healthy growth.
The cascading growth habit of String of Nickels makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets or high shelves. Its trailing stems create a waterfall effect of round leaves that adds dimension to any indoor space.
During winter months when sunlight is scarce, String of Nickels continues to thrive in bright indirect light. This adaptability makes it a reliable plant for adding greenery year-round.
8. Silver-speckled Satin Pothos
The Silver-speckled Satin Pothos, also known as Scindapsus pictus, is an excellent choice for homes with limited natural light. This stunning houseplant features heart-shaped leaves with silvery, speckled variegation that can brighten up any space.
Unlike many variegated plants, Satin Pothos maintains its beautiful silver markings even in lower light conditions. It thrives in bright, indirect light but can adapt well to lower light environments, making it perfect for hanging in corners away from windows.
Satin Pothos is more sensitive to overwatering than other pothos varieties. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent the vines from drooping and the roots from rotting.
This plant’s trailing vines make it ideal for hanging baskets or placing on high shelves. As it grows, the vines can reach several feet in length, creating a dramatic cascading effect.
Care for Silver Pothos is relatively simple. It prefers room temperature environments and average household humidity, though it appreciates occasional misting in drier conditions.
While slow-growing compared to other pothos varieties, this plant rewards patient owners with its distinctive silver speckles and elegant growth habit. The unique metallic sheen on its leaves makes it stand out among other hanging plants.
Plant Satin Pothos in well-draining soil for best results and check moisture levels before watering. This plant isn’t demanding about feeding, but will benefit from light fertilization during the growing season.
If you notice the plant losing its variegation, it might need slightly brighter light. However, avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this can scorch the delicate leaves and damage the plant.
Propagation is straightforward with stem cuttings, making it easy to share this beautiful plant with friends or expand your collection. Simply cut below a node and place in water until roots develop.
9. Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera)
Christmas Cactus makes a beautiful hanging plant with its drooping stems and colorful blooms. Despite its name, this plant is not a desert cactus but originally comes from the tropical rainforests of Brazil where it grows on tree branches.
These plants thrive in bright indirect to medium indirect light, making them perfect for homes with limited sun exposure. They don’t do well with intense, direct sunlight for long periods, which can damage their delicate stems.
Christmas Cacti are known for their stunning flowers that appear primarily during the holiday season. The blooms come in shades of pink, red, white, or purple, creating a festive display when many other plants aren’t flowering.
The segmented stems cascade beautifully from hanging baskets, adding texture and visual interest. Each stem segment connects to form a chain-like appearance that creates an attractive trailing effect.
Care for Christmas Cactus is relatively simple. They prefer slightly moist soil and higher humidity than desert cacti.
Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.
These plants can be placed outdoors in shaded areas during the summer months. However, they should be brought indoors when temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C) as they cannot tolerate freezing temperatures.
Christmas Cacti are part of a group of holiday cacti that includes Thanksgiving and Easter Cacti. Though similar in appearance, they bloom at different times of the year.
For best flowering results, Christmas Cacti need a period of cooler temperatures and longer nights in fall. This dormancy period triggers the development of flower buds.
When grown in hanging planters, ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil. A standard potting mix with added perlite works well for these plants.
Christmas Cacti can live for decades with proper care, often becoming family heirlooms passed down through generations. Their long lifespan makes them an excellent investment for indoor plant enthusiasts.
10. Parlor Palm (Chamaedorea elegans)
The Parlor Palm is a popular houseplant known for its ability to thrive in low light conditions. This compact palm grows slowly and reaches heights of 2-4 feet when kept indoors, making it perfect for hanging displays in spaces with limited natural light.
Native to the rainforests of Mexico and Guatemala, Parlor Palms naturally grow under the shade of larger trees. This explains why they prefer indirect light and can actually suffer when placed in direct sunlight, which may scorch their delicate fronds.
Parlor Palms can survive in low light areas, though they grow best with medium, indirect light. Their ability to adapt to shadier locations makes them ideal for rooms with north-facing windows or spaces far from natural light sources.
These palms prefer temperatures between 65°F and 80°F, which aligns perfectly with average home temperatures.
They don’t like cold drafts or sudden temperature changes, so keep them away from doors and windows that open frequently in winter.
Watering should be done moderately, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Typically, watering every 1-2 weeks is sufficient, though this may vary based on your home’s humidity and temperature.
The soil for Parlor Palms should be well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral. A standard potting mix with some perlite or sand added improves drainage and prevents root rot, which can be fatal to these plants.
Parlor Palms rarely need fertilizer. Applying a diluted houseplant fertilizer once or twice during the growing season (spring and summer) is usually enough to keep them healthy.
One of the Parlor Palm’s most appealing aspects is its air-purifying ability. NASA studies have shown that it helps remove toxins from indoor air, making it not just decorative but beneficial for your home environment.
Parlor Palms are also pet-friendly, which is a significant advantage for households with cats and dogs. Unlike many other houseplants, they are non-toxic if nibbled on by curious pets.
Conclusion
Adding low light hanging plants to your home brings life to spaces where sunlight is scarce.
Plants like Golden Pothos, English Ivy, and Spider Plants thrive with minimal light while creating a lush, cascading effect.
These plants offer more than just aesthetic appeal. They improve air quality, add texture to your decor, and require minimal maintenance.
Remember to check soil moisture before watering and provide occasional fertilizer during the growing seasons.
While these plants tolerate low light, they still need some indirect light to thrive.
Even the darkest corners of your home can become vibrant green spaces with the right plant selection.
With options varying in colors, leaf shapes, and growth patterns, you can find the perfect hanging plant to match your style.
The versatility of these plants allows for creative display options – from traditional hanging baskets to wall-mounted planters or decorative shelves.
Your indoor garden can flourish regardless of your home’s lighting situation.
Hello there! I’m Elsa, and gardening is my passion. As an avid gardener, I created GardeningElsa.com to share my knowledge and experience with fellow enthusiasts. My website is a comprehensive resource for gardeners of all levels, offering expert advice on a wide range of topics, including plants, flowers, herbs, and vegetable gardening. Whether you’re a beginner looking to start your first garden or a seasoned pro seeking to expand your knowledge, GardeningElsa.com has something for everyone. Read more about me.
