14 Trailing Succulents: Trailing Succulents for Hanging Baskets

A trailing succulent is any variety of succulent plant that produces stems that hang or trail down from a suspended pot or growing container. Succulents are plants with thick, fleshy leaves or stems, which store water and protect the plants from drought. Trailing succulents are aesthetically pleasing hanging plants, and they’re relatively easy to maintain so long as you provide well-draining soil and plenty of bright, indirect light.

Consider adding some of these hanging succulents to your indoor or outdoor succulent garden.

1. 1. Burro’s tail: Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) has long stems of plump misty green leaves that are covered in a light powder. This houseplant does well indoors in hanging baskets, but take note that it can get heavy. Secure it with a sturdy container and suspension or opt for the dwarf version of this plant known as baby donkey tail.
2. 2. Trailing jade: Trailing jade plant (Kleinia petraea or Senecio jacobsenii), also known as vining jade or weeping jade, is a succulent plant native to Tanzania and Kenya. The leaves overlapping along the stems of this trailing plant are tear-shaped and green or purple like little flattened eggplants. These can be planted high up for a dramatic effect, as the trailing stems can grow up to four feet long.
3. 3. Hindu rope: Part of the wax plant family, Hindu rope plants (Hoya carnosa 'Compacta') have dense leaves that appear wax-covered. These plants can produce tiny white flowers in the warmer months.
4. 4. String of buttons: String of buttons (Crassula perforata) goes by a number of other common names, including necklace vine, pagoda plant, and stacked crassula. The long stems of this plant produce sturdy triangle-shaped leaves that end in a rosette shape. It produces small yellow flowers and white flowers and thrives in hanging pots and bright light.
5. 5. String of nickels: String of nickels (Dischidia nummularia) is a vining succulent known for its round, dark green leaves and thin stems. It does well in both bright and low-light conditions. In the wild, this creeping epiphyte is found growing on other trees.
6. 6. String of pearls: Also known as string of beads, string of peas, and rosary vine, the string of pearls plant (Senecio rowleyanus) has pea-shaped leaves that store water and make the plant drought-tolerant. The thin, long stems can grow up to three feet long.
7. 7. String of tears: The string of tears plant (Senecio herreianus) looks a lot like the string of pearls variety, though this trailing succulent has slightly pointed leaves with a tear-like appearance.
8. 8. String of hearts: True to its name, string of hearts plants (Ceropegia woodii) have heart-shaped leaves that are variegated or blue-green in color. The stems can grow very long and have a beautiful matting effect, making them an excellent choice if you’re looking for a lush potted plant.
9. 9. String of bananas: String of bananas plants (Senecio radicans) are native to South Africa and known for having tiny, banana-shaped leaves. These plants grow on the ground and have a matting effect in their natural environment, making them good ground cover plants in the right climate.
10. 10. Ruby necklace: Also known as string of rubies (Othonna capensis), this succulent variety can come in a bright green cultivar known as ‘Little Pickles.’ Under healthy sun stress from indirect light or brief morning sun exposure, the entire plant will take on beet red to ruby hues.
    
11. 11. Climbing aloe: Climbing aloe (Aloiampelos ciliaris, formerly Aloe ciliaris) is a rapidly growing succulent from South Africa. It features hair-like teeth on the edges of the leaves that go all the way around the stem. They produce bright red and orange blossoms when situated in full sun.
12. 12. Calico kitten: Calico kitten plants (Crassula pellucida 'Variegata') are trailing plants that feature leaves with rose, pink, and milky green color combinations. With proper sun exposure, the leaves can turn a deep magenta color.
13. 13. Rattail cactus: Native to Southern Mexico, rattail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) has thin, fuzzy stems that give the cactus its name. With proper care, it produces hot pink flowers in the spring and summer months.
14. 14. Monkey’s tail: Native to Bolivia, monkey’s tail cacti (Cleistocactus colademononis, previously Hildewintera colademononis) are covered in white spikes that are thin and hair-like. The white and light green stems contrast with its bright red flowers.

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