Vining houseplants bring a unique energy to your home, adding a sense of movement and softness with their trailing or climbing habits. They’re great for hanging baskets, climbing up a moss pole, or just tumbling off a high shelf.
If you want to break up harsh lines or create a more lush, layered vibe, these trailing plants can do what upright ones just can’t.
Indoor vine plants cover a wide range, some are super easy for beginners, while others are more rewarding for folks who like a challenge, offering stunning flowers or unique foliage.
1) Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is about as easy as it gets! If you’re new to houseplants, this tropical vine with its heart-shaped leaves is a no-brainer. It looks great trailing from a basket or climbing up a pole.
Pothos is forgiving – low light, skipped waterings, you name it. It comes in all sorts of leaf patterns and colors, from solid green to wild golden variegation, so there’s probably one that’ll fit your style.
2) Philodendron Brasil
Philodendron Brasil is a flashy take on the classic heartleaf philodendron, sporting lime and golden streaks on shiny leaves. Native to South America, its vines can get impressively long indoors, perfect for letting trail or climb.
It’s pretty chill about care and bounces back from neglect. The vibrant foliage and easygoing nature make it popular with anyone wanting a splash of tropical color inside.
3) English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is well-known for its classic, star-shaped leaves and fast-growing, evergreen vines. You can let it trail or encourage it to climb, it’s pretty adaptable to where you want it.
It likes bright, indirect light and cooler temps, somewhere between 35°F and 60°F. Water when the top inch of soil is dry, and you’ll keep it looking healthy.
4) String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
String of Hearts is delicate and charming, with tiny, heart-shaped leaves trailing along thin, wiry stems. The leaves are green with silver marbling and have a hint of purple underneath.
This vine can get surprisingly long, up to 13 feet if you let it, so it’s lovely in hanging baskets or high planters. The leaves grow in pairs, spaced out along the stem, giving it a unique look.
If you see it called rosary vine or chain of hearts, it’s the same plant.
5) Devil’s Ivy
Devil’s Ivy (Epipremnum aureum) is a staple among vining houseplants. Heart-shaped leaves and long, trailing stems make it an easy favorite for just about any room.
It’s famous for being nearly indestructible. Whether you’re a plant newbie or a seasoned collector, it’s hard to go wrong here.
Plus, it’s said to help purify air, a nice bonus if you ask me!
6) Hoya Carnosa
Hoya carnosa, or wax plant, is a tropical vine with thick, glossy leaves and clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. Its vines can get impressively long. up to 20 feet if you let them.
It doesn’t need much fussing over. Thanks to its semi-succulent leaves, it handles missed waterings and is happiest in bright, indirect light.
7) Creeping Fig (Ficus pumila)
Creeping fig is a fast-growing evergreen that clings to surfaces with its tiny rootlets. You can let it trail or climb, it’s versatile that way.
The small, dense leaves give it a lush, textured look as it matures. It likes warmth and humidity, so it’s well-suited for most indoor spots if you stay on top of watering.
Moderate light and regular watering keep it looking its best. Its growth can get a little wild, so be ready to trim or train it as you like.
8) Heartleaf Philodendron
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a tried-and-true trailing houseplant with glossy, heart-shaped leaves. The vines can get pretty long and look great spilling from a basket or climbing something sturdy.
It’s hard to mess this one up; just basic care and it’ll thrive. It tolerates a range of conditions and is forgiving if you forget about it now and then.
9) Jade Vine (Strongylodon macrobotrys)
Jade Vine is a showstopper, with wild turquoise flowers that hang in cascading clusters. It’s native to the Philippines and is a true tropical climber, growing up to 50 feet long in the right conditions.
If you want to try this one, you’ll need sturdy support and a warm, humid spot. Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and avoid blasting it with direct sunlight.
10) Moth Orchid Vine
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) aren’t technically vines, but their long, arching flower stems give a similar vibe. The blooms can last for months if you keep them happy.
Set your moth orchid near an east or west window for bright, indirect light. The arched stems look elegant and bring a sense of movement to the space, even if they don’t need traditional supports.
11) Monstera Adansonii
Monstera adansonii, or Swiss Cheese Vine, is famous for its heart-shaped leaves full of natural holes (fenestrations). It’s a bit more delicate and compact than its big cousin, Monstera deliciosa.
Let it trail from a basket or train it to climb a moss pole. Bright, indirect light and steady moisture (but not soggy soil) keep it happy.
It brings a bit of the tropics indoors without being too fussy, once you get the care routine down.
12) Wax Plant (Hoya australis)
Hoya australis, also called wax plant or waxvine, is a strong climber from Australia and nearby regions. It has thick, shiny leaves and clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers that are hard to ignore.
It’s easygoing about care, just well-draining soil and indirect light are key. The stems can reach up to 3 meters, so it’s great for hanging baskets or climbing up supports indoors.
13) Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Sweet potato vine adds a splash of color with trailing leaves in green, purple, burgundy, or almost black. It’s fast-growing and dramatic in a hanging basket, with tendrils that spill over the edges.
You can start it from cuttings, either in water or straight into soil. ‘Blackie’ has deep purple leaves, while ‘Margarita’ is a bright chartreuse, both bring instant energy to any spot.
14) Fishbone Cactus (Epiphyllum anguliger)
Fishbone cactus is a bit quirky, with zigzagging stems that really do look like a fish skeleton. It trails nicely from a basket or shelf and always gets comments from guests.
It’s native to Mexican rainforests and likes bright, indirect light and moderate humidity. Let the soil dry out a bit between waterings – its fleshy stems store water, so it’s not too thirsty.
15) Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls)
String of Pearls is an eye-catcher, with little green spheres trailing along slender stems. Perfect for a hanging planter, and the vines can reach a few feet if you let them.
It wants bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Let the soil dry out before watering again, it’s more drought-tolerant than anything else.
It’s worth noting: String of Pearls is toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach if you’ve got curious animals around.
16) Arrowhead Plant (Syngonium podophyllum)
The Arrowhead Plant starts off bushy but eventually sends out climbing or trailing stems as it ages. You can let it drape or train it up a support, depending on your mood.
The arrow-shaped leaves come in a surprising range of colors (green, white, pink, and burgundy) often with interesting variegation that keeps things interesting.
It’s easy to care for and thrives with warmth and bright, indirect light.
17) Black-eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
Black-eyed Susan vine is a speedy tropical climber from East Africa, showing off bright flowers all summer and fall. Most have yellow or orange petals with a dark center, but there are also red, pink, and apricot varieties out there.
It’s usually grown as an annual indoors, reaching up to 8 feet in a season. Give it full sun with a bit of afternoon shade and rich, well-drained soil for the best blooms.
18) Stephanotis Floribunda
Stephanotis floribunda, or Madagascar jasmine, is an evergreen climber with clusters of intensely fragrant white flowers. The glossy, leathery leaves and waxy blooms make it a favorite for growing indoors.
It likes bright light, 4 to 6 hours of direct sun is ideal, and warm temps (65 to 90°F). Keep the soil moist but not soggy, and aim for humidity between 55 and 65 percent if you can manage it.
19) Cissus Rhombifolia (Grape Ivy)
Grape ivy is an evergreen with glossy, three-part leaves. The new growth is a bit fuzzy, giving it a soft, silvery look.
It’s adaptable to indoor life and is okay with lower light. Let it trail from a basket or climb up a trellis, either way, it’s easy to manage and doesn’t ask for much.
Indoors, vines can reach up to 10 feet. It does best with moderate humidity and well-draining soil.
20) Maurandya (Snapdragon Vine)
Maurandya, or snapdragon vine, is a climbing plant from the Plantaginaceae family that comes from Mexico and the southwestern United States. It’s a delicate perennial, and you can let it spill from containers or wind its way up a trellis if you’re feeling ambitious.
The plant throws out small, snapdragon-like flowers in purple, pink, red, or lavender once the weather warms up. Even when it’s not blooming, those triangular, ivy-ish leaves keep things interesting.
