Hanging succulents plants with trailing, vining, or cascading stems are popular among plant enthusiasts and ideal for hanging baskets or pots. Hanging succulents are low maintenance and hard to kill since they don’t need frequent watering. They can trail over pot sides, mound over container edges, or spill several feet down from a basket or hanging succulent planter.
Types of Hanging Cactus PlantsHanging cactus plants are a fun and unique way to decorate your home or garden Their trailing stems and colorful flowers cascading out of baskets or pots add visual interest and texture Many different cactus varieties work well as hangers, displaying their gorgeous shapes and textures in a new dimension.
Here are some of the most popular types of hanging cactus plants to consider
Rat Tail Cactus
The rat tail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) is aptly named for its long, slender, trailing stems covered in tiny spines. Native to Mexico, rat tail cactus can grow up to 3 feet long. It produces beautiful hot pink or red flowers, making it a standout choice for hanging planters where its blooms and textured stems can steal the show.
Fishbone Cactus
Fishbone cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger) has arching, flattened, zig-zag shaped stems that can grow several feet long. Also called zigzag cactus or rickrack cactus, its jungle vine appearance lends well to cascading from hanging baskets. Fishbone cactus produces large, gorgeous white and yellow flowers.
String of Pearls
A popular houseplant, string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is named for its trailing stems covered in round, pea-shaped leaves. Its lime green beads tumbling over the sides of planters have made it a mainstay for hanging baskets. Native to South Africa, string of pearls can grow 2-3 feet long indoors and produce cute puffball flowers.
Burro’s Tail
Closely related to the donkey’s tail, burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) has blue-green leaves tightly packed on trailing stems up to 3 feet long. Also called lamb’s tail, its thick stems and plump leaves look like braided tails swishing out of hanging baskets. Pink flowers top the ends of the stems.
Queen of the Night
Queen of the night (Epiphyllum oxypetalum) is a gorgeous epiphytic orchid cactus with long, flattened stems that produce fragrant white flowers that bloom at night. Its vines can reach up to 10 feet long, displaying the drama of its huge blossoms perfectly when suspended from hanging planters.
Monkey Tail
Aptly named, monkey tail (Cleistocactus winteri) initially grows upright but its light green, hairy stems can reach up to 8 feet long as they mature and trail downward. Covered in soft white spines when mature, its furry, unruly appearance lives up to its common name.
Hens and Chicks
Native to Europe, hens and chicks (Sempervivum tectorum) produces mats of rosettes that send out small plantlets on short stolons to form lush, spreading carpets. Their rosettes spill pleasingly over planter edges. Hens and chicks come in a variety of colors like red, pink, purple, and green with interesting leaf textures.
Silver Dollar Vine
In nature, silver dollar vine (Xerosicyos danguyi) uses trees for support, but its long, trailing round succulent leaves work beautifully spilling out of hanging baskets. Tough and easy to grow, this interesting succulent vine native to Madagascar can grow 10-15 feet long in ideal conditions.
String of Bananas
One of the most popular trailing succulents, string of bananas (Senecio radicans) has curving leaves shaped just like its namesake fruit. It can grow up to 3 feet long. Native to South Africa, its lime green banana beads cascading from hanging planters make a big statement. It produces tiny flowers that smell like cinnamon.
Rattail Cactus
Rattail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) is similar to rat tail cactus but has red flowers and only grows to 5 feet long. Its red blooms and long, slender trailing stems work beautifully in hanging planters. Rattail cactus needs full sun to flower properly.
Medusa Head
Medusa head (Euphorbia caput-medusae) may not have actual snakes for hair but its plump, segmented tentacle-like stems make it look like it could turn you to stone! Growing up to 2.5 feet long, its unique trailing stems work well in hanging planters. Be aware its sap can irritate skin.
Peanut Cactus
Native to Argentina, peanut cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus) has short, trailing clumps of stems covered in soft spines resembling peanuts. Growing just 6-10 inches long, its fuzzy finger-like stems pair perfectly with other trailing succulents in mixed hanging planters. Peanut cactus produces showy red-orange flowers.
Lantern Flower
Grown for its otherworldly flowers, lantern flower (Ceropegia haygarthii) has long, vining succulent stems that can suspend its fascinating blooms, which resemble hanging lanterns, in midair when grown in hanging planters. Though beautiful, its flowers emit a foul fragrance when in bloom to attract pollinators.
There are so many types of gorgeous, trailing cacti that are perfect for displaying in hanging pots and planters on porches, patios, over doorways, from ceilings, or indoors by bright windows. Mix and match shapes, textures, and colors for beautiful, cascading cactus gardens in a range of hanging planters.
Calico Kittens Plant – Crassula marginalis rubra ‘Variegata’
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 9, 10, 11
- Blooming Period: Late Spring, early Summer
- Mature Size: 18 in. long
- Flower Color: White, pale pink
The Calico Kitten is an excellent choice for indoor hanging baskets, where its cascading heart-shaped leaves in soft shades of pink, cream, and green add a charming pop of color to shelves, windowsills, or plant walls. This trailing succulent isn’t just stunning, it’s also low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for busy plant lovers or small spaces with bright, indirect light. As it matures, the vines can spill beautifully over the edge of containers, creating a soft, romantic effect. Whether youre styling a succulent arrangement or curating a hanging jungle, Calico Kitten is a playful and eye-catching addition. Learn more…
Seasonal Watering Needs and Techniques
When it comes to watering technique, its best to water the soil directly rather than spraying the leaves. This helps prevent rot and fungal diseases. Pour water slowly and evenly around the base of the plant until it starts to drain out of the pots drainage holes.
102 Hanging Succulent Plants | Trailing succulents | MOODY BLOOMS
FAQ
How do you take care of a hanging cactus?
Watering Hanging Pots
Don’t forget to hand-water succulents in hanging pots! Because they’re elevated, such containers are often out of reach of irrigation. During the hottest, driest part of the year, check hanging planters often; they may need twice the water as adjacent, impermeable pots.
What are low maintenance trailing plants for hanging baskets?
f you’re looking for low-maintenance hanging basket plants, go for varieties that are naturally tough, drought-tolerant, and long-blooming. Some of the easiest options include trailing petunias, calibrachoas (often called “million bells”), ivy-leaf geraniums, bacopa, and trailing verbena.
Do cactus like full sun or shade?
Most cactus need some degree of direct sunlight, and all of the species we sell at Cactus Culture thrive in full sun. Even so, you have to expose your cactus to sun gradually, too much too soon and you risk your cactus getting sunburnt which can severely impact its health.
What is the best trailing succulent?
The string of pearls plant is the most popular trailing succulent plant. It has thin stems growing as long as two feet, with leaves made to store water. The other considerable point about this trailing plant is that it adapts easily to any ecosystem and looks extremely beautiful.