Ultimate guide to Hanging baskets for trailing indoor plants
Explore our recommendations for hanging baskets we use for the trailing indoor plants growing in our Brooklyn community home!
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If you’re obsessed with trailing indoor plants (like we are), then you know the right hanging basket can make all the difference. A string of pearls loses its magic if it’s stuck in a basic pot on a shelf. But give it a hanging basket with great drainage and a stylish design? That becomes a showstopper.
Whether you’re decorating a small apartment, trying to keep plants away from pets, or just want your vines to cascade like green waterfalls, hanging baskets are the go-to solution. In this guide, we’ll walk through the best types of hanging baskets for trailing houseplants, from macramé to wall-mounted planters—and help you figure out which ones actually work for the plant and space you have.
Summary:
Best hanging baskets for trailing indoor plants
Best Ceiling basket
Best tiered planter
Best wall planter
Best hanging baskets for trailing indoor plants
1. Best Wall-Mounted Planters
We love these small wall mounted planters that are also very economical. You don’t want heavy, big wall mounted ones, these are perfect size and shape!
2. Best Ceiling Hanging Baskets
We have countless number of these ceiling baskets in our house. These are so sturdy and boho style and just lovely
3. Best Tiered Hanging Planters
We bought these recently and we love the chic metallic touch! This is best for living rooms where minimalistic aesthetic is great. (Though we must admit we are far from minimalistic when it comes to plants!)
4. best self-watering hanging basket
We have recommended this one many many times. This is our house favorite! never went wrong with this purchase.
Best Hanging Basket Materials for Trailing Plants
- Macramé & Cotton Rope: Great for light pots, and ideal for boho interiors
- Plastic Baskets with Liners: Lightweight and affordable; often include reservoirs
- Ceramic Hanging Pots: Stylish but heavy; best for secure ceiling mounts
- Woven Rattan & Seagrass: Decorative, breathable, but may need a liner
- Metal Planters: Sleek and modern, but watch for rust or heat retention
Also read: our guide to Best Trellises for trailing indoor plants
Best Plants to Grow in Hanging Baskets Indoors
- Golden Pothos
- Heartleaf Philodendron
- Spider Plant
- String of Pearls
- English Ivy
Also read: our guide to best trailing houseplants for shelves and hanging baskets
Expert Tips for Hanging Baskets Indoors
How to Install Ceiling Hooks Safely
Our first hanging basket actually ended up in pieces on the floor 🙂 We thought a basic screw-in hook would do the trick, but we didn’t check for a stud or use an anchor — always start by finding a ceiling joist (we use a stud finder, but knocking on the ceiling works too). For drywall, we go with toggle bolts or heavy-duty anchors rated for at least 30 pounds. And if we’re working with plaster, we usually switch to wall-mounted brackets instead. It’s just not worth the stress—or the mess to be honest.
Choosing the Right Size and Weight of Basket
Always match the weight of the basket and plant combo with the hook and ceiling type. We stick to lightweight planters (plastic or thin ceramic) for ceiling hooks and save the heavier stuff for wall brackets or floor stands.
When to Use Saucers or Liners to Protect Floors
We watered our string of pearls, felt proud, and moved on—and then we noticed a damp circle on the hardwood floor a few hours later. Turns out, we didn’t have a saucer under the inner pot, and the excess water just leaked straight through the basket. Now, we try to either use hanging planters with built-in drainage trays or tuck a plastic liner and saucer inside decorative baskets. It’s not glamorous, but it keeps water stains off the floor (especially if you are a renter like us).
Tips for Watering Hanging Plants Without a Mess
We used to dread this with hanging baskets— we’d end up on a chair with a dripping watering can and one hand holding a towel. Eventually, we switched to a squeeze bottle with a long spout—and it was a game-changer. For thirstier plants, we also take them down every couple of weeks and give them a good soak in the sink. Yes, it’s a bit of a workout. But it keeps the soil happy and prevents water from dripping on everything.
Also read: our guide to best soil and fertilizer for trailing indoor plants
Using Plant Caddies or Pulleys for Easy Care
If you’ve never used a pulley system, let us tell you—it feels like discovering a secret cheat code. We installed one for our heaviest basket (a trailing tradescantia in a ceramic pot), and now we can lower it for watering with one hand. No stool. No spills. Just a gentle tug on the cord and the plant glides down like magic. For baskets we can’t rig to a pulley, we’ve also tried hanging caddies or trays that we can lift out. Either way, it makes maintenance way more manageable.
Also read: our guide on how to grow longer vines for trailing houseplants, and how to propagate them
Hanging Basket Mistakes to Avoid
Hanging Too Close to the Ceiling (Low Light = Leggy Vines)
We used to think the higher the better—like, just hang the plant near the ceiling and let it do its thing. But nope. That’s how we ended up with a sad, stretched-out tradescantia that barely had leaves left on the top. Trailing houseplants need light just like any other plant, and the higher up they go, the less light they often get. Make sure baskets hang at least 2–3 feet below the ceiling (or near a window) so the whole vine gets enough sun.
Forgetting Drainage (Root Rot!)
We make sure every hanging planter has some form of drainage. Either it comes with a hole and tray, or we pop in a nursery pot with holes and set it inside the decorative basket. It’s not fancy, but it saves lives.
Overloading Weak Hooks or Anchors
Every time we hang a basket, we check the hook’s weight limit, and if we’re not using a stud, we use heavy-duty drywall anchors or toggle bolts. Better safe than sweeping up shattered pottery. Just stick with plastic or thin ceramic planters to hang from ceiling.
Letting Vines Block Light to Other Plants
We trim regularly , and we’re strategic with placement. We stagger plant heights and rotate them every couple of weeks so no one gets left in the shade. Especially if your plant has broad leaves which are more probably to block light from plants next to it!
Read also: our tips on styling trailing houseplants.
Conclusion:
The right hanging basket doesn’t just hold your trailing plant—it elevates it, literally and visually. Whether you go for a sleek ceramic pot or a cozy woven basket, you’re giving your plant the space it needs to trail naturally and thrive. Don’t forget: function matters just as much as form. Get the drainage, placement, and light right—and those vines will keep growing for years to come!
