11 Hanging Houseplants That Can Survive Anything

I once added a hanging plant to my kitchen window, and before I knew it, the whole room felt different—calmer, fresher. It wasn’t anything extravagant, just a simple pot, but it made the space feel more complete. What surprised me, though, was how easy it was to take care of. Some of the best hanging plants practically thrive on neglect. Forgetting to water them for a week or two won’t send them into a meltdown. In fact, they might even look better than ever. 

So, if you’ve got a busy schedule or just don’t have the best track record with plants, these low-maintenance options will do just fine with minimal attention.

When I first started adding plants to my space, I quickly learned that cacti are some of the toughest plants around. They don’t ask for much—just sunlight and a little water now and then. Mammillaria and Opuntia varieties are especially tough, thriving in dry, sunny spots. They can go weeks without water, especially in the winter. In fact, cacti are native to desert climates where they’ve adapted to survive long periods of drought by storing oisture in their stems.

If you’re looking for something that practically thrives on neglect, the spider plant is a great choice. It’s one of those plants that just keeps going, no matter what. Spider plants are known for their ability to purify the air—something I didn’t know until I started researching them. They can absorb harmful chemicals like formaldehyde and xylene. These plants also produce little “babies” or “pups,” which you can cut off and replant. They’re easy to care for, forgiving of light conditions, and grow at a steady pace.

Air plants, or Tillandsia, are about as low-maintenance as it gets. These quirky plants don’t even need soil, which means they’re super versatile in terms of placement. They absorb moisture from the air, so you only need to mist them once or twice a week. They’re also epiphytes, meaning they naturally grow on trees or rocks in the wild, using the surrounding air and moisture to thrive. I’ve found they do especially well in humid areas like bathrooms.

If you like the idea of a plant with sleek, glossy leaves, the satin pothos might be your next favorite. Its silvery-green leaves have a soft, satin-like texture, which is where the name comes from. It’s known for being one of the easiest plants to care for—just give it indirect light and water when the soil feels dry.

Boston ferns tend to be one of the most versatile plants for a hanging basket. They thrive in high humidity, which makes them perfect for bathrooms or kitchens. They were one of the first plants to be used in modern interior decor because of their ability to add lush, vibrant greenery to any room. Interestingly, they were once a popular Victorian-era plant. They became known as “air scrubbers” because of their ability to filter out pollutants

A few years ago, I decided to try the neon prayer plant, and it’s now one of my favorites. The bright, lime-green leaves add a pop of color wherever it’s placed. The plant folds its leaves at night, almost like it’s praying. This movement is a natural response to the dark and depicts how dynamic plants can be. As long as it’s not exposed to direct sunlight for too long, it’ll thrive in any space.

This plant is subtle yet incredibly elegant. Unlike the Boston fern, this fern has broader, wavy, and glossy fronds that form a rosette shape, resembling a bird’s nest. They’re also more low-maintenance than the majority of ferns, as long as you keep them in indirect light and provide a little humidity.

English ivy is the kind of plant that grows like wildfire. This is technically an invasive species that can grow up to 6 feet a year and reach lengths up to 99 feet. This only shows how easy the plant is to keep; they can grow in all kinds of conditions! Plus, their fast-growing vines can be easily trimmed, so they’re simple to keep under control.

The Christmas cactus is one of those plants that surprises you with a burst of color when you least expect it. Unlike most cacti, it thrives in more humid environments and does best in indirect light. It’s not as demanding as it sounds, though—just a little water when the soil feels dry is all it needs. The blooms are especially lovely, with colors ranging from red to pink to white.

Often referred to as Prayer plants, the Calathea has oval-shaped leaves with intricate designs featuring green, pink, purple, and yellow. The plant is also known for its “leaf movement.” The leaves fold up at night and open again in the morning, which gives it a dynamic, living quality. In terms of care, it needs lots of humidity and is a bit more finicky than other plants on this list, but the effort is worth it for its show-stopping beauty.

String of pearls is one of those hanging plants that everyone seems to ask about when they see it. Its trailing strands of beads look like tiny pearls that appear striking on a hanging basket. The beads not only look gorgeous but are in fact water-storing structures that allow it to survive periods of drought. It thrives in bright, indirect light and needs watering only when the soil is dry.