24 Trailing Succulents Perfect for Planting in Hanging Baskets

Hanging succulents are growing in popularity nowadays, which is quite expected. The low maintenance nature of the plants makes them highly desirable houseplants.

Not to mention how they add beautiful dimensions to any spaces inside your homes. They are also easy to take care of, which is an excellent benefit for those who are starting in gardening.

If you’re a fan of succulents and starting to discover the love for hanging baskets, then you’re probably wondering which types of hanging succulents is best for your space.

Many types of succulents have a hanging, trailing, or cascading habit work in hanging planters, but not all of them look perfect in them. 

Well, you don’t have to overthink about it anymore because I came up with a list of the best trailing succulents ready to grace your hanging garden for the kitchen, living room, or even balcony.

Here Are The 24 Best Hanging Succulents To Decorate Your Home 

1. Burro’s Tail – Sedum Morganianum

The Sedum morganianum, also known as burro’s tail, is an all-time favorite houseplant. It is regarded as a showstopper as its long, luxurious stems drape over the hanging baskets.

Its leaves are plump and hang from the stem, overlapping each other, to create that tail-like illusion (thus the name). The leaves are also green and dusted with a waxy, pale blue powder.

This is the reason why it’s best not to touch the plant with your finger as the oil can rub that wax off. But in case you do, you don’t have to worry because it will develop again shortly.

The plant itself seldom produces flowers. However, when they do, the flowers are small, star-shaped, and unscented.

Generally, the Sedum morganianum is a beautiful houseplant and is excellent indoors. Just take note that as the plant matures, it can get heavy, so it’s best to place it in a sturdy hanging basket.

2. String Of Pearls – Senecio Rowleyanus

The Senecio rowleyanus is a unique-looking plant that comes with pea-shaped leaves carried down long, thin stems. This is the reason they named it String of Pearls or String of Beads.

The plant leaves store water, which gives the whole plant a drought-tolerant, succulent nature. The leaves also have little slits at the center, which serves as windows for light to enter during photosynthesis.

This plant grows from weak surface roots and produces thin stems that can grow to three-feet long. They can adapt to any growing environment, and they undeniably look pretty no matter where you stick them.

If you love flowers, the String of Pearls can also produce small, white, fuzzy flowers. They smell like spiced cinnamon-vanilla, which can help brighten your mood.

All you need to do is provide proper temperatures 50-55°F, give them adequate sunlight, and feed them additional nutrients.

This plant is perfect for hanging baskets, so its trailing foliage can drop down the edges of the basket beautifully. This way, you can enjoy the unique look of this plant.

3 . Kenya Hyacinth – Sansevieria Parva

Sansevieria parva, or commonly known as Kenya Hyacinth, is part of the rare snake plant family. It will make good as an indoor or outdoor plant as it will thrive in both situations.

Generally, the Kenya Hyacinth is a slow-growing plant with narrow, reflexing leaves that can grow to up to 16 inches long and 1 inches wide.

These leaves grow out of small dense rosettes. They also send out long stolons that end in tiny plantlets, making the Sansevieria parva an excellent hanging basket houseplant.

It also has small, pinkish flowers that appear in spikes. The Hyacinth smell will surely brighten up your mood too. This flower spike appearance and the beautiful smell simply makes the plant more gorgeous.

4. Ruby Necklace – Othonna Capensis

The next plant on our list is the Othonna capensis, or commonly known as Ruby Necklace. It is a fast-growing succulent with long, narrow, bean-like foliage.

Othonna capensis can grow up to 2 inches upward before trailing downwards. Its bean-like leaves can range in color from green to purple if happily stressed.

 The long, brightly-colored stems are ruby red, hence the name Ruby Necklace. Another great additional emphasis on the beauty of this plant is the small, yellow, daisy-like flowers.

With its appearance, there’s no denying that you can compare the Ruby Necklace plant to a bright-colored gem. Try to imagine its brightness when you hang them in your home. For sure, your day and your visitor’s day will genuinely brighten up.

5.String Of Hearts – Ceropegia Woodii

Ceropegia woodii, also known as String of Hearts, is an unusual beauty that comes with heart-shaped foliage. The whole appearance of the plant looks like the dark green, silver, and heart-shaped purple leaves have combined in one string.

If there’s one thing you can notice about this plant, it’s the fact that although it has a lot of foliage on many stems, it’s not a bushy vine.

Instead, it still stays on the wispy side. In the summer, flowers that resemble tiny purple lanterns bloom, and I think they are a great addition to the appeal of the plant as a whole.

What’s even more fascinating about this plant is it can grow up to 3 meters. Hanging it at a high area of your house will truly emphasize the beauty of this plant and add to your house aesthetics.

6. String Of Nickels – Dischidia Nummularia

Dischidia nummularia, also known as String of Nickels, is one of the uncommon and exotic houseplants in this list. However, even if they are, they are still effortless to grow.

It got the name String of Nickels because of its firm, round leaves that look like strands of coins. Some even say they look like a magnifying glass.

The color of the leaves can range from very light olive green to a shade of bronze.

Dischidia nummularia is classified as epiphytes, which means they can grow on other structures instead of the ground.

It can spread to up to eight to ten feet long. This very characteristic makes this plant perfect for hanging baskets.The white or pale-yellow flowers also add more beauty to the plant, even if they’re small.

7. String Of Tears – Senecio Herreianus

The Senecio herreianus, or commonly known as String of Tears, has a structure almost the same as the String of Pearls.

The only difference is that it’s more compact and comes in spherical, pea-like foliage. It also has a vertical, semi-translucent line running to its tip that assists in photosynthesis.

It is a slow-growing trailing succulent with tendrils that can reach 90 cm. It also blooms during the summer and has small white flowers that release a smell of cinnamon.

It’s best to take note that Senecio herreianus needs room to trail, and this is what makes this plant perfect for hanging baskets. As the trails sprawl out the baskets, the whole plant resembles a beaded necklace, which for me, makes an excellent accessory for your home.

8. String Of Bananas – Senecio Radicans

The next plant on our list also comes from the Senecio family or is relative to the String of Pearls and String of Tears – Senecio radicans.

This plant, also known as String of Bananas, grows the same as the latter succulents, the only difference is the banana shape-like leaves.

As the stem cascades, it resembles strings of bananas, hence the given name. The chains can grow to up to 5 feet if you don’t trim it, which makes it perfect for placing inside a hanging basket.

The beautiful strings falling down the sides is a perfect addition to the aesthetics of your house.

This succulent is even more lovable in winter or late Spring when its small white flowers start blooming.

9. Crassula Pellucida Variegata

Another aesthetically pretty succulent you can add to your drought-tolerant hanging garden is the Crassula pellucida Variegata, also known as Calico Kitten.

It is a long trailing succulent plant with heart-shaped leaves. The leaves come in a lovely shade combination of rose, pink, cream, and green.

When happily stressed, these leaves turn into an even darker shade of deeper pink. You can also expect dainty white flowers to bloom in late Spring.

This is perfect for placing in hanging baskets as it spills over retaining walls, borders, and planter bowls.

You should also note that the Calico Kitten can be a bit sensitive and needs extra care. It’s not really recommended for beginners but it’s best for those who want to level up their gardening game.

10. Hindu Rope – Hoya Carnosa Compacta

Hoya carnosa compacta, or commonly known as Hindu Rope, belongs to a wax plant family. It has an unusual structure with fleshy, curled leaves crowded together. This makes the draping vines look like thick ropes.

The leaves are either solid, dark green in color, or variegated green and white, which appear to be waxy or glossy. If well taken care of, the plant grows star-shaped flowers that come in clusters.

But the most awesome thing about these flowers is their glassy appearance that makes them look like they’re made of porcelain.

The plant’s unique vitality is what makes this plant perfect for your home’s interior. This plant doesn’t climb; however, as the stems get heavy, they will droop over the edge of the container, which makes them a perfect part for your hanging succulent garden.

11. Rattail Cactus – Aporocactus Flagelliformis

If you want a more versatile houseplant that can grow in any condition, the Aporocactus flagelliformis is an excellent choice.

It is commonly known as the Rattail Cactus because of its distinctive long, trailing stems which can grow to up to 4 feet in length and ½ inch in diameter.

These long, slender stems are flexible, which makes them perfect for hanging baskets. These stems can simply hover over the baskets.

 There are bristly brown hairs that cover the limp stems, which can be sharp. Extra care is needed when handling them.

This plant becomes even more attractive in Spring when their flowers start to bloom. The flowers are crimson-pink and tubular. This adds to the plant’s aesthetics when the stems tumble out of the pot like a waterfall. A perfect way to remind you of nature’s beauty.

12. Peanut Cactus – Echinopsis Chamaecereus

Another great cactus plant on our list is the Echinopsis chamaecereus, or commonly known as the Peanut Cactus because of its ½ inch wide stem joints that are about the size of a peanut.

This plant is most suitably grown in a container because of its small and low-growing nature. It features many crowded finger-like stems with short white bristly spines surrounding the six to nine ridges along the stems.

They also replicate the lines down the outside of a peanut shell. These spines, however, are so soft, making it safe for children.

Matured plants can grow to up to 6 inches, which may not be too long that will hang over your basket. However, the most striking beauty of this plant is its flowers that come in bright orange-red color at 5cm in diameter.

They are produced in prolific quantities from an early age and appear bigger than the stems themselves.

Having this plant inside your home will surely add beauty in your garden, especially in late Spring and early summer, when its flowers bloom.

13. Monkey’s Tail – Hildewintera Colademononis

Also belonging to the cactus family is the Hildewintera colademononis, also known as the Monkey’s Tail because of the long, draping stems with bristly white spines.

The stems are greenish-yellow in color and can grow by up to eight feet in length when well-cared. However, you should note that they grow upright at first and trail down as they become more established.

They also produce bright-red flowers in the winter, which adds to the beauty of the whole plant.

Monkey’s tail is highly recommended for beginners as the care requirements are straightforward. The combination of the long, trailing stems covered with white bristles and its magenta flowers is undoubtedly a sight to see, turning every visitor’s head when they see it hanging in your garden.

14. Elephant Bush – Portulacaria Afra

Portulacaria afra, also known as the Elephant Bush, is a native in South Africa and serves as food for elephants and other wildlife in their native habitat.

The main features of this plant are its brown stems and small, green leaves. They can grow in incredible heights (up to feet in their native habitat) when given the right care and nutrients.

This plant comes in two varieties, but either can grow downward or outward, which makes them perfect hanging plants.

You can even add them as spillers that grow at the edge of your baskets if you make some arrangements.

If you’re in a hot country, then this plant will undoubtedly be perfect for you as it can tolerate the full heat of the sun. It’s a very simple-looking plant, but it will be a great compliment to your home, especially if you love to keep everything minimalistic.

15. Trailing Jade – Senecio Jacobsenii

Senecio jacobsenii, also known as the Trailing Jade, comes with thick succulent stems with green fleshy egg-shaped leaves that are 2-3 inches long.

The leaves overlap each other along the stems and give a purple color blush when winter.

Bright-orange rayless composite flowers usually appear in fall. It is also said to have that rich cheesy smell. Both the leaves and flowers stand upright from the stems, which adds to the aesthetics.

The Trailing Jade can grow up to four feet long, so planting it in a hanging basket will cause the stems to drape over the basket, creating a beautiful plant art.

16.  Christmas Cactus – Schlumbergera Bridgesii

Schlumbergera bridgesii, also known as the Christmas Cactus because it is said to bloom in time for Christmas.

It is a very popular yet unusual cactus with the plant bodies flattened, and leaves serve as stems. These small, flat stem segments are roundish and have minor serrations on both sides.

Flowers bloom in the late fall and early winter (in time for Christmas) and form at the end of the stems.

The flower colors vary from red, yellow, purple, pink, and white, but most of the time, it’s generally carmine red with a tinge of purple at the center.

Placing this plant in a hanging basket will emphasize those long, bright green stems showing over the basket. And with the pink flowers blooming in winter, it will be the last touch you need for your Christmas decoration.

17. Dancing Bones – Hatiora Salicornioides

It might sound scary, but the Dancing Bones Cactus, with the botanical name Hatiora salicornioides, might be the next hanging succulent you need in your garden.

It is a unique-looking plant that produces an exciting display of contorted stems. This distinct deep green foliage makes it a great addition to your garden if you want to make it more interesting.

 In winter and Spring, the Hatiora salicornioides blooms small, yellow flowers at the end of the shoots.

This plant can reach up to 20 inches in length and may appear to be a compact and bushy little plant. Placing this plant in a hanging basket, where its stem can hang and trail, will surely give your garden a fresh and unique look.

18. October Daphne – Sedum Sieboldii

The Sedum sieboldii, also known as October Daphne, is described as having the most beautiful foliage out of all sedums.

It is a colorful sedum that has light green leaves with a bit of pink at the tip. These leaves come in 3s around the stems, with the pink color intensifying at hot summer months.

It is a low-spreading species that forms a rounded mound, with horizontal branches spreading out from the center.

This is the reason why it’s highly recommended to plant the October Daphne at the very center of the pot.

When fall comes, bright pink, star-shaped flowers bloom and occur in clusters at the edge of the stem.

The whole nature of the plant makes it fitting to place on a hanging basket. With the stems growing by up to 12 inches in length, it will beautifully drape over the basket. The fall color of the plant adds to this beauty as the plant turns into beautiful shades of pink, red, yellow, and orange.

19. Variegated Trailing Jade – Crassula Sarmentosa

The Crassula sarmentosa comet is the variegated version of the Trailing Jade Plant mentioned in the upper part of this article.

It is a scrambling succulent that can grow to up to 1 foot tall and branches sparingly from the base.

 It has reddish stems that grow by up to 3 foot which arches outwards and trails down, making it perfect as a hanging plant.

The leaves are oval and have pointed tips and toothed margins. They are green-colored at the center with creamy-yellow edges.

White, star-shaped flowers can appear in late autumn, which adds to the beauty of this plant.

Under strong sunlight, the whole foliage develops a red tinge, which makes the entire plant more attractive. Imagine its beauty as it hangs over your garden under perfect sunlight. It can certainly make your mood better.

20. String Of Buttons – Crassula Perforata

Crassula perforata, also known as String of Buttons, is Native to South Africa. They are beautiful with triangle-shaped leaves stacked on top of each other as it spirals around the stem.

The leaves are grayish-green in color with a pinkish tint to the edges if there’s enough light.

Growing by up to 2 feet tall, the String of Buttons grows upright at first, but as it matures, stems become pendant and start to bend and spill out the pot, making it perfect for hanging baskets.

 In Spring, clusters of small, pale yellow, star-shaped flowers are expected to appear.

Generally, the Crassula perforata are so pretty to look at, that’s for sure; even your visitors won’t be able to resist turning their heads to look at it.

21. Porcelain Flower – Hoya Pachyclada

Another plant suggestion from the Hoya genus is the Hoya pachyclada, also known as the Porcelain Flower. It does not vine and may appear to be slower-growing than other Hoyas.

The plant stems are short and have very thick, green leaves with red edges that may grow by up to 0.25 inches thick when matures.

The name Porcelain Flower comes from the fact that this plant produces bright white flowers that are just gorgeous.

These flowers form a perfect ball as 20-25 of them gather in one cluster. It comes with a pleasant smell of citrus that will be genuinely refreshing if you go out to smell the breeze in the morning.

Placing it in a hanging basket will allow the stems to drape over the edges of the basket as its foliage grows and matures. The appearance of the flowers in Spring also adds to the aesthetic of this plant.

22. Lantern Flower – Ceropegia Haygarthii

Ceropegia haygarthii, also known as the Lantern Flower, is one of the unusual-looking plants on our list.

The common name came from the fact that the plant’s flower is shaped like a lantern.

The flowers are caged-like that can trap insects that feed on their nectar. They are 4 cm long with a cream-colored tube and flecked with purple-maroon at the base.

The inside of the flowers is covered with hairs that point downwards, which traps the fly.

The Lantern Flower is a semi-evergreen, strong growing, twining stem-succulent. It comes with small, ovate leaves and stalks that are 3-6 mm thick and grows by up to 3 meters long. This length makes it perfectly designed for a hanging basket.

23. Little Missy Sedum – Sedum Little Missy

Sedum Little Missy is a fun, sun-loving, succulent that is easy to maintain. It comes with tiny, heart-shaped variegated foliage with cute pink edges.

This plant is fast-growing and can grow by up to 4 inches. Placing it inside a hanging basket will give the chance to spill over the edges and will serve as great decoration in your home garden.

The summer season makes this plant more attractive as sweet little white flowers start blooming.

24. Ice Plant – Dorotheanthus Bellidiformis

Dorotheanthus bellidiformis, also known as Ice Plant, is a great plant to add to any floral environment.

It is a low-growing plant that comes with reddish stems. Its leaves are rubbery and grayish-green in color.

Both stem and leaves are covered in transparent bobbles make the plant appear like it’s covered in tiny beads of ice, hence the name.

However, the main attraction of this plant is how it produces masses of brilliant, shiny, daisy-like flowers.

The fact that this plant can grow to a height of up to 8 inches and can spread by up to 20 inches makes it a perfect hanging plant. Imagine how the bright blooms of this plant can provide a great accent to your home.

Wrapping It Up!

Generally, any succulent that hangs down is perfect for hanging baskets. However, you must also consider the style that you want and how you plan to make it complement well inside your house or garden.