Indoor trailing plants

Story by Tammy Huynh

Do the shelves in your home look like they’re missing something? Trailing plants easily transform ordinary spaces and mid-air voids into living works of art. Here are a few favourites.

Hoya (Hoya spp.)

Many people love hoyas for their clusters of small waxy flowers, but I think the beauty lies in their foliage. The leaves on the trailing stems come in various forms, from the sweet buttons on H. carnosa x serpens ‘Mathilde’ to variegated forms such as H. ‘Tricolor’. They all spill beautifully over the sides of pots and make for a gorgeous display grouped on shelves.

Hoya trailing plants — Photo credit: Shutterstock

Rhipsalis (Rhipsalis spp.)

With its slender, succulent-like stems that may be smooth or lightly tomentose (hairy), this epiphytic cactus is a unique plant for your collection. Its delicate leafless stems drape elegantly from hanging baskets and shelves. Place in a bright spot out of direct light and water when the potting mix is near dry.

Rhipsalis trailing plants — Photo credit: iStock

Devil’s ivy (Epipremnum aureum)

This is an indoor plant icon, boasting large heart-shaped leaves in vibrant green with yellow marbling. It looks stunning spilling over pot edges or scrambling over a planter box. It thrives in bright, indirect light and is tolerant of low light. Cultivars are also available, including ‘N’Joy’, ‘Manjula’, ‘Jade’ and ‘Goldilocks’, all with diverse patterning and colours. Discover more growing tips, here.