For those of us who are fans of succulents and cacti, the only thing more enticing than a pot of plump, fleshy foliage might be a cascade of those same leaves trailing out of a hanging basket or planter.
The visual cue is clear – our cups are running over with delightful, succulent goodness.
In this guide we’re going to do a meet and greet with 35 different plants, sorting our way through vines of succulent leaves and columns of trailing cacti.
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For each of these selections, I’ll let you know what to expect in terms of foliage type, flowers, and size at maturity.
I’ll also provide information on any particular light or humidity needs you’ll need to know about, so you can make sure you have the growing conditions it takes to keep them happy.
Before we get started with the introductions, if you need to brush up on your succulent growing game, be sure to check out our guide!
Ready to get on a first name basis with some sensational succulent candidates? Take a quick glimpse at today’s participants:
35 Succulents and Cacti for Hanging Baskets
1. Burro’s Tail
Burro’s tail is a member of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) that grows plump, rounded leaves along long, pendulous strands, which look like animals’ tails.
The leaves of Sedum burrito are bluish gray and tightly clustered along the stems.
Strands usually reach one and a half feet long, but can grow longer if not disturbed.
Leaves and stems can break off easily, as with many succulents, but broken off leaves are also easily propagated.
Burro’s tail looks breathtaking in a hanging basket or trailing from a planter.
Also known as “baby burro’s tail,” “baby donkey tail,” and my favorite, “troll necklace,” it produces hot pink flowers on the ends of the stems.
Some also call this plant “donkey’s tail,” but we’ll soon meet another plant, S. morganianum, that is more often known by that name.
These two succulents are very similar, and sometimes burro’s tail is classified as a hybrid of S. morganianum. We’ll have a look at how to distinguish them a bit later.
Burro’s tail should be grown with plenty of direct sunlight.
Indoors, place it near a south- or west-facing window. Outdoors, give it full sun with some protection from direct light at midday and in the late afternoon to prevent scald.
Burro’s tail is hardy outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 to 11 and is considered nontoxic.
2. Calico Kitten
Calico kitten has a compact, mat-forming growth habit with trailing stems that can reach up to 12 inches long.
Classified as Crassula pellucida ‘Variegata,’ this variety has heart-shaped leaves that are cream colored with green centers, and margins that are pink to maroon.
Also classified as C. pellucida subsp. marginalis , bunches of white flowers form at the ends of succulent stems.
Trailing from a planter or spilling from a hanging basket, calico kitten will be a delight.
When caring for this species indoors, bright indirect light is best, and some direct sun is fine as well.
For outdoor specimens, calico kitten can be grown in full sun to part shade and can live outdoors year round in Zones 9 to 11.
Calico kitten is tolerant of high humidity.
If you have another type of kitten or cat in your home, one that likes to purr, keep this plant out of reach as it is potentially toxic, like other members of the Crassula genus.
You can find calico kitten in two- or four-inch pots from the Succulents Box Store via Amazon.
Learn more about growing Crassula here.
3. Christmas Cactus
One of the floral staples of the winter holiday season, Christmas cactus is known for its showy, bright winter blooms.
Various Schlumbergera species may be referred to as “Thanksgiving cacti,” “Easter cacti,” or “Christmas cacti,” depending on their different bloom times.
And while the members of this genus are known broadly as “holiday cacti,” they are often all lumped together as “Christmas cacti.”
Christmas cacti have flat, leafless, succulent, segmented stems called cladodes that produce flowers in winter, with blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, yellow, orange, or white.
They spread about two feet but some older specimens can grow larger.
Since the long stems trail down, they work perfectly in hanging baskets.
Caring for the nontoxic Christmas cactus is pretty easy. For starters, make sure to provide it with bright, indirect light when grown indoors.
Outdoors, hang these cacti in part to full shade.
For those in warmer climates, Christmas cactus can spend its time outdoors year round in Zones 10 to 12.
You can read more in our complete guide to growing Christmas cactus.
4. Cliff Cotyledon
Cliff cotyledon is a gorgeous succulent that has fuzzy, egg-shaped leaves that are light grayish-green in color, often sporting reddish tips and leaf margins.
Also known as “little cliff bells,” Cotyledon pendens bears fabulously showy, pink to red bell-shaped flowers that hang down from the ends of its stems.
This species is closely related to another succulent you may have heard of called “bear’s paw.”
Cliff cotyledons are small, mat-forming shrubs with drooping stems, reaching about two feet long at maturity.
This plant is gorgeous with its stems and bell-shaped flowers flowing from a hanging basket or trailing from a planter.
Outdoors in Zones 10 and 11, cliff cotyledon can grow in full sun to part shade. Indoors it will thrive in indirect bright light, though direct sun is fine too.
Let the soil dry out between waterings, and use the bottom watering method.
Since other species of the same genus are toxic, this species may not be safe for homes with small children or pets.
5. Coral Cactus
Named for its resemblance to certain types of coral, coral cactus (Rhipsalis cereuscula) is an epiphyte that has slender, branching stems.
Members of the Rhipsalis genus are also known as “mistletoe cacti,” named for the whitish fruits that develop on the plants, resembling mistletoe berries.
Also known as “rice cactus,” this species bears creamy white flowers at the end of cylindrical, pale green jointed stems that arch as they grow longer.
The plants have a shrubby growth habit, growing up to two feet tall and wide, with small, bristle-like spines.
Coral cactus is an easy-care houseplant that is quite tolerant of neglect and will trail beautifully from a hanging basket.
This species needs a bit more soil moisture than its desert relatives – use an orchid potting medium rather than a pre-mixed medium formulated for cacti.
It also likes high humidity and medium to bright, indirect light.
This species may be nontoxic, and is hardy in Zone 10.
6. Dancing Bones
Dancing bones (Hatiora salicornioides) is another branching, jointed cactus with a bushy growth habit.
The arching or pendant stems are light green and bear small, bell-shaped flowers in orange to yellow.
Also called “drunkard’s dream,” “spice cactus,” and “bottle cactus,” the spineless stems of this epiphytic or lithophytic species can grow up to two feet long, making it a perfect selection for a hanging basket.
Dancing bones will thrive indoors with indirect, bright light. Outdoors in Zones 9b to 11, locate it in part shade.
Other members of the Hatiora genus are toxic, so it would be wise to keep this species out of reach of kids and pets.
7. Donkey’s Tail
Donkey’s tail is a succulent that produces long stems covered with fleshy, crescent-shaped, light green to bluish-gray leaves.
Classified as Sedum morganianum, donkey’s tail is similar to burro’s tail, but its leaves are pointy rather than rounded, and they are more spaced out along their stems than those of burro’s tail.
Despite their differences, some sources consider burro’s tail to be a hybrid of S. morganianum rather than a separate species.
Also sometimes called “horse’s tail” or “lamb’s tail,” donkey’s tail produces trailing, succulent stems that can grow up to four feet long, with clusters of small, pink to red flowers appearing at the ends of stems.
Donkey’s tail is considered nontoxic and will thrive as a houseplant with indirect, bright light, although some direct sun is fine too.
For those who’d like to grow this one outdoors, donkey’s tail can be grown in full sun to partial shade in Zones 10b to 11a.
Indoors or out, as temperatures rise, provide less exposure to direct sunlight.
Read more on how to grow and care for donkey’s tail here.
8. Elephant Bush
Elephant bush is a bushy, trailing succulent with small, fleshy leaves.
Portulacaria afra bears rounded, medium to light green foliage on purplish-red stems and produces clusters of tiny, pink flowers.
Elephant bush looks similar to the widely known houseplant, jade (Crassula ovata), but it is not related to this member of the Crassula genus.
It is also known by the common names “dwarf jade,” “miniature jade” or “small leaf jade.”
In hanging baskets, elephant bush will create a lovely display of bushy, trailing foliage.
As a houseplant, elephant bush will thrive with direct sun, bright indirect light, or medium indirect light.
Outdoors, grow it in full sun to partial shade, and bring it in for the winter unless you live in Zones 9b to 11.
Also known as “elephant food,” “elephant plant,” and “porkbush,” this plant is nontoxic, making it a safer succulent alternative to crassula jade for households with pets or small kids.
Find tips on growing elephant bush here.
9. Fishbone Cactus
Fishbone cactus (Disocactus anguliger) is an epiphytic plant that has strap-shaped, flattened, and leafless stems that look like zigzags.
These jungle cacti are known for their large, showy, white and yellow flowers.
Formerly classified as Epiphyllum anguliger, this species is also known as “zigzag” or “rickrack cactus” for its ribbon-shaped leaves.
Small specimens start with upright stems, but as they grow longer, stems eventually take on a pendant growth habit with each potentially growing several feet long, making fishbone cactus a first-rate option for hanging baskets.
As a houseplant, fishbone cactus will thrive with medium to bright, indirect light – avoid direct sun.
Outdoors, place this species in part shade – it can overwinter outdoors in Zones 10b to 11b.
This cactus is considered nontoxic. In fact, it produces edible fruit similar to the pitaya, the fruit of one of its close relatives.
There are at least two very similar-looking cacti species that go by the common name “fishbone cactus.”
The other fishbone cactus is botanically classified as Selenicereus anthonyanus. These two species can be very difficult to tell apart, but unfortunately, their care needs differ.
10. Hens and Chicks
“Hens and chicks” is a common name given to many members of the Crassulaceae family, but one of the most well-known species to take this name is Sempervivum tectorum, also known as the common houseleek.
S. tectorum grows in lovely rosettes with pale green or greenish-gray leaves that often have reddish-purple tips.
Flower stalks rise up from the rosettes, producing reddish-purple blooms.
This mat-forming succulent produces small offsets (the “chicks”) from a central rosette (the “hen”).
Offsets can spill over the sides of pots or the edges of hanging baskets, creating a delightful trailing effect.
This succulent prefers full sun and it can be cultivated outdoors in Zones 3 to 8 if adequate light is available.
S. tectorum is considered nontoxic, making it safe for households with pets and small kids, as well as for a children’s garden.
This species won the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Learn more about growing these cute succulents in our guide to growing hens and chicks.
11. Ice Plant
Many different succulent plants go by the common name “ice plant” but most of these are grown more often as garden annuals or perennials rather than houseplants.
The ice plant we’re recommending here is Delosperma lehmannii and you won’t find it in the average flower bed.
A member of the Aizoaceae or fig marigold family which includes lithops, D. lehmannii has chunky, wedge-shaped leaves that are green to bluish-gray, with bright yellow blooms that resemble strawflowers.
Ice plant has sprawling, succulent stems with a spreading growth habit, reaching eight inches tall and 12 inches wide.
Grown in a hanging basket, the chunky stems will create a funky visual vibe.
This succulent is easy to care for and is a moderately fast grower. It will thrive in direct sunlight to bright, indirect light in Zones 9 to 11.
Most sources consider this plant to be nontoxic like other members of the fig marigold family.
Learn more about growing ice plant here.
12. Jade Necklace
Jade necklace (Crassula rupestris subsp. marnieriana) has trailing stems with leaves packed close together, giving them the appearance of chunky strands of gemstones.
This succulent is a subspecies of C. rupestris that is also sometimes called “Chinese pagoda.”
The leaves are rounded to squarish and are light green with red margins, taking on a purple hue in direct sun. Cream to pink flowers appear at the ends of stems.
The trailing, succulent stems reach six to 12 inches long and will spill nicely out of a hanging basket.
They cascade down and then rise up, creating a snakelike appearance that no doubt inspired one of the plant’s other common names, “worm plant.”
This slow-growing Crassula is easy to care for.
For indoor plants, provide bright, indirect light to a few hours of direct sun.
Outdoors, avoid too much direct sun, especially in the heat of the day, and overwinter indoors unless you are in Zones 9b to 11b.
As many species in the Crassula genus are toxic, this succulent is likely best kept out of reach of pets and small children.
13. Jelly Bean Plant
Jelly bean plant is a type of succulent with small, glossy green leaves growing on stems that trail downward before turning upright.
Classified as Sedum x rubrotinctum or S. rubrotinctum, the small, rounded, bean shaped leaves will take on a pink to red tint when stressed by sun or drought.
Also known as “Christmas cheer” and “pork and beans,” this succulent bears yellow, star-shaped flowers.
The colorful clusters of foliage tumble nicely over the edges of hanging baskets.
Jelly bean plant will thrive with full sun to bright, indirect light. Bring plants indoors for the winter unless you are gardening in Zones 9a to 11a.
While many sedum species are considered nontoxic, S. rubrotinctum may cause skin irritation as well as stomach irritation if ingested.
Jelly bean plant won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2012.
Our guide to growing jelly bean plants has more information.
14. Lantern Flower
Lantern flower is quite unique among our selections.
This member of the dogbane family (Apocynaceae) has thick, fleshy, bluish-green stems, which have a trailing, climbing, and vining growth habit and can reach several feet in length.
The succulent stems of Ceropegia haygarthii feature flat, pale green leaves – and the real kicker, flowers that have to be seen to be believed.
As its common name suggests, the white or cream-speckled with burgundy flowers, may be described as looking like lanterns.
But I would suggest, perhaps it would be more apt to describe them as lanterns designed by extraterrestrials. Or rather, extraterrestrial lanterns that are secretly ray guns.
C. haygarthii has many other common names, including “wine-glass vine,” “parasol flower,” “bushman’s pipe,” and “snake creeper.”
And its latest nickname, coined here by me, “Martian ray gun flower.” (Yes, I may have watched too many episodes of “The Twilight Zone” throughout my life.)
Whatever its mind-boggling blooms look like to you, this unusual succulent species is easy to care for.
When grown as a houseplant, C. haygarthii will thrive with medium to bright indirect light.
Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 10 to 11 and should be grown in part to full shade, with more shade for locations with the hottest climates and weather.
This succulent prefers a potting medium that is rich but well-draining, and regular watering during the growing season – avoid letting plants dry out between waterings.
A month-long, dry dormancy period is also recommended in late winter.
15. Medusa’s Head
Medusa’s head is a type of Euphorbia, a genus which includes both gopher plants and poinsettias.
This succulent looks as you would imagine, based on its Greek myth-inspired common name – it has a central “head” with stems radiating out from it like snakes.
Classified as Euphorbia caput-medusae (syn. E. flanaganii), the succulent stems reach up to two and a half feet long and are bluish-green with scales, producing yellow flowers at their ends.
These snakelike stems are perfect for streaming out over the sides of hanging baskets.
Also known as “green crown” and “jellyfish head euphorbia,” this species can grow in full sun or bright, indirect light. Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 9 to 12.
Euphorbias contains sap that can cause contact dermatitis so handle medusa’s head with gloves – and it may be toxic, so keep this plant out of reach of kids and curious pets.
16. Million Hearts
Million hearts (Dischidia ruscifolia) is an epiphytic vine that has very small, heart-shaped, succulent leaves growing on long, trailing stems that can reach six feet in length.
Also called “million hearts vine,” like the lantern flower described above, this species is a member of the dogbane family and related to wildflowers such as milkweed.
The leaves are green to grayish-green and will take on a reddish hue when exposed to direct sun.
The inconspicuous, small white flowers grow along the vines, which trail beautifully from hanging baskets.
Million hearts is easy to grow. Provide it with bright, indirect light indoors. Outdoors, it’s best kept in part shade and can overwinter in Zones 10 to 12.
Plants should be allowed to dry out between waterings; however, this species likes higher humidity and requires more moisture than many succulents.
Use a water-retentive but airy potting medium for million hearts, such as an orchid mix whose ingredients include chunky coconut husks.
Like many other members of the dogbane family, this species is potentially toxic if ingested, so keep it out of reach of vulnerable members of your household.
The countless, tiny hearts on this plant might serve as good reminders of the many small wonders in life to be grateful for.
17. Mistletoe Cactus
Mistletoe cactus is related to and has a similar growth habit as coral cactus, mentioned above, but this epiphytic species can mature to a much larger size.
Classified as Rhipsalis baccifera, this leafless cactus species has narrow, branching stems that can reach a whopping 13 feet long. Stems are green, turning red with sun and heat stress.
Flowers are creamy white in color, giving way to white fruits that look like mistletoe berries, inspiring this plant’s most often used common name.
Other nicknames include “mouse tail,” “currant cactus,” and “spaghetti cactus.”
Previously classified as R. parasitica or R. cassutha, which are now considered synonyms, bristles on this cactus species are usually only found on young specimens.
In hanging baskets or elevated pots, the long, trailing stems will make quite a visual impact.
Mistletoe cactus thrives with part shade or bright indirect light, tolerates humidity well, and is considered nontoxic.
Unless you live in Zones 9b to 11, be sure to overwinter specimens indoors.
18. Monkey’s Tail
Monkey’s tail is a cactus that has drooping, cylindrical stems covered with golden to brown spines.
Known botanically as Cleistocactus winteri subsp. colademono, the trailing stems reach about two and a half inches wide and can grow to be eight feet long or more.
As plants mature, they grow long, white, hair-like spines, giving the stems a furry appearance.
Monkey’s tail cactus, previously classified as Hildewintera colademononis, bears showy flowers that are orange to red with pink centers.
Additional common names for this plant include “golden rat tail,” “gold-spined hildewintera” and “gold-spined winterocereus.”
The trailing growth habit makes it perfect for displaying in a hanging basket.
Monkey’s tail is a fast-growing plant that does best in bright to medium, indirect light, and can overwinter outdoors in Zones 10 to 12.
Grow in a well-draining potting medium formulated for cacti, and allow it to dry out between waterings.
19. October Daphne
October daphne (Hylotelephium sieboldii) is a succulent that has a creeping, trailing growth habit.
Blue-green leaves are oval or fan shaped, turning red or purple in fall. Stems produce leaves in whorls of three, and bear clusters of pink flowers at their ends.
Formerly classified as Sedum sieboldii, October daphne reaches nine inches tall with a 24-inch spread, and is also commonly called “October stonecrop,” “Siebold’s stonecrop,” and “Siebold’s sedum.”
October daphne will spill its foliage gloriously over the rims of hanging baskets or planters.
This succulent can be grown indoors in direct sun to indirect, bright light.
Hardy in Zones 3 to 9, outdoor specimens will thrive in full sun to light shade – some shade is especially welcome in hotter climates.
When grown outdoors in the colder parts of its hardiness range, October daphne will die back during winter and produce new growth in the spring.
Learn how to grow October daphne here.
20. Peanut Cactus
Peanut cactus (Chamaecereus silvestrii syn. Echinopsis chamaecereus) bears some resemblance to monkey’s tail, discussed above, but it’s not as hairy looking.
This mat-forming species has green, peanut-shaped stems and offsets. Stems are ribbed, and lined with short, white bristles.
As the stems mature, they trail and bear showy red-orange flowers.
Peanut cactus spreads to one and a half to two feet wide. Its more mature stems will cascade over the edges of hanging baskets.
This plant will be happiest when provided with full sun, where it will flower effortlessly. Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 9 to 11.
Peanut cactus received the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
Find more tips on growing this spiny species here.
21. Pencil Cactus
Pencil cactus is a member of the Euphorbia genus, like Medusa’s head, described above.
E. tirucalli has thin, green, branching stems, which will create a delicate, wispy mass of foliage in hanging baskets, accompanied by small, inconspicuous yellow flowers.
However, growing in the wild, this euphorbia can attain the proportions of a small tree.
Pencil cactus is known by a bevy of other common names, including “Indian tree spurge,” “milkbush,” “pencil euphorbia,” “African milk bush,” “firestick plant,” and “finger tree.”
Indoors, provide this plant with bright, indirect light and some direct sun, if possible.
Outdoors it is hardy in Zones 10 to 12, and can be grown in full sun to part shade.
However, be aware that when grown in contact with the ground, E. tirucalli will naturalize easily outdoors within this range and has the potential to become an invasive species.
Unlike its relative the poinsettia, this Euphorbia species is considered toxic and its milky sap is a strong irritant, so handle with care.
22. Queen of the Night
Queen of the night is a type of orchid cactus with showy flowers and long, spineless stems.
Epiphyllum oxypetalum has smooth green stems that are flat and articulated, with slightly scalloped or wavy margins.
Like Christmas cactus, a fellow member of the Cactaceae family, this plant doesn’t have true leaves.
The succulent stems can be upright but tend to sprawl as they grow longer, reaching up to 10 feet in length, and bearing large, showy, night-blooming flowers that are gold, pink, or white.
This jungle cactus species grows as an epiphyte or lithophyte and is also known by many other nicknames, including “night-blooming cereus,” “princess of the night,” and “Dutchman’s pipe cactus.”
A hanging basket will give this long-stemmed species a place to shine.
Queen of the night is easy to care for. Indoors, provide bright, indirect light – a little direct sun in the morning is okay too.
Outdoors, grow in full sun to shade, with more shade preferred as the temperatures rise. Take queen of the night indoors for the winter unless you live in Zones 10b to 12a.
E. oxypetalum is considered nontoxic and safe for households with pets and young children.
Check out our guide to orchid cacti to learn more.
23. Rattail Cactus
Rattail cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) has slender stems with a trailing growth habit.
Formerly classified as Disocactus flagelliformis, the stems are pale green and have bristle-like spines that are brown to yellow.
This species bears large, showy, red to bright pink flowers.
The stems of rattail cactus can reach up to five feet long, making it an excellent candidate for a hanging basket.
With common name variations like “rat’s tail cactus” or “rat tail cactus,” this species is fast-growing and easy to care for.
Provide full sun to part sun outdoors, and indoors, offer direct light or bright indirect light. The plant should only be overwintered outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9b to 11.
A. flagelliformis received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2002.
24. Ruby Necklace
Ruby necklace (Crassothonna capensis) is a succulent with a creeping, mat-forming growth habit, and plump, oblong leaves dangling from trailing stems.
Reddish-purple stems are adorned with pale green to grayish-green foliage, turning ruby-colored with direct sun.
Also known as “Othonna ice plant,” “string of rubies,” “little pickles” and “string of pickles,” this species produces daisy-shaped, yellow flowers.
Plants reach four inches tall with a 12- to 16-inch spread, allowing them to trail effortlessly from a hanging basket.
Outdoors, ruby necklace grows best in full sun to part sun, while indoors it will thrive in direct light to bright indirect light.
Direct sun exposure will help develop the red color of the foliage and is needed for flowering.
This hardy succulent can grow outdoors in Zones 5 to 10.
25. Silver Dollar Vine
Silver dollar vine (Xerosicyos danguyi) is a member of the cucurbit family, related to garden veggies like squash and cucumbers.
This vine climbs trees in the wild, but without support it trails beautifully, cascading over the edges of hanging baskets or planters.
Also called “dollar vine” and “penny plant,” this species has long, trailing vines with succulent, round, grayish-green leaves and greenish-yellow blooms.
The vines can reach 10 to 15 feet long, but they will take their time doing so – this plant is a slow grower.
Indoors or out, silver dollar vine needs at least four hours of direct sun per day and should be allowed to dry out between waterings.
This succulent species is considered toxic, so households with pets or young children should keep it out of reach – or better yet, choose a nontoxic alternative.
Silver dollar vine is hardy in Zones 9b to 11.
26. Starfish Flower
Named for its large, showy blooms, starfish flower cactus (Orbea variegata) is a succulent with a creeping, draping growth habit.
Formerly classified as Stapelia variegata and Stisseria variegata, which are now considered synonyms, this stunning species is also known as “star flower,” “toad cactus,” “toad plant,” and “toad spotted cactus.”
The leafless, succulent stems can be green or gray, turning burgundy with more sun. Flowers are star-shaped, tan-colored with maroon spots, and measure one to three inches across.
Grown on the ground, the blooms will rest horizontally on the earth, but in a planter or hanging basket, they trail down delicately.
If this plant looks too good to be true – you’re right, there’s a catch.
The incredibly gorgeous blooms are pollinated by flies – and to attract flies, they stink, giving rise to a couple other common names: “carrion cactus,” and “carrion flower.”
But we plant fanatics will put up with a lot of unpleasantries in the name of floral beauty, won’t we?
Starfish flower should be grown in bright, indirect light, and prefers low humidity. It is hardy in Zones 9b to 11a.
This member of the dogbane family is considered nontoxic.
Learn more about starfish flower here.
27. String of Bananas
String of bananas (Curio radicans) is a succulent species that bears long, thin, cascading vines covered with fleshy, pale green, crescent-shaped leaves.
This species was formerly classified as Senecio radicans, and features “banana” covered vines that can reach up to three feet long and bear puffy, white flowers.
With its long, delicately trailing vines, placing C. radicans in a hanging basket is no-brainer.
Indoors, this easygoing fast-growing species requires very bright indirect light, with at least two to three hours of direct sun per day.
Outdoors, string of bananas does well in full sun, and is hardy in Zones 9 to 11.
When it comes to safety concerns, don’t let the fruity common name of this succulent trick you – this plant is not edible and is considered toxic, so keep it out of reach of curious kids and pets.
28. String of Beads
String of beads (Curio herreanus) is a creeping, low-growing succulent species with trailing or climbing stems.
Pale green to bluish-green leaves are oval, pointed, and bead-like, hanging on thin vines. Leaves are streaked with darker green or purple.
Previously classified as Senecio herreanus, Kleinia gomphophylla, or K. herreana, string of beads bears showy, fragrant white blooms.
This species is also commonly called “string of tears,” “string of watermelons,” and “green marble vine.”
Some also call it “string of pearls,” though that name usually refers to another species (Curio rowleyanus), which we’ll discuss shortly.
String of beads is truly a thing of beauty in a hanging basket, where its long, succulent vines can trail delicately. It’s also easy to care for and will grow quickly.
For indoor and outdoor plants, provide them with bright light or filtered sun, plus at least two to three hours of direct sunlight per day.
String of beads is hardy in Zones 9b to 11b, and should be kept out of reach of curious tots and fur babies – it is considered toxic.
29. String of Buttons
String of buttons (Crassula perforata) is a succulent with wiry stems that look like they are stacked with button-shaped leaves.
Stems are usually unbranched and stand upright or trail down. Foliage is grayish-green to blue, with a frosted appearance, and often shows red or yellow leaf margins.
This species reaches 18 inches tall with a 24-inch spread.
Also called “pagoda plant,” “baby necklace,” or “necklace vine,” the blooms of string of buttons are inconspicuous and cream to pale yellow in color.
String of buttons has a similar appearance to jade necklace that we encountered earlier in this roundup but with less rounded edges.
This succulent makes a great choice for those who want a hanging basket selection with a chunky, quirky vibe.
String of buttons grows best in full sun to bright, indirect light or part sun and is hardy in Zones 9 to 11.
As a member of the Crassula genus, this succulent species is likely toxic and should be kept away from curious pets and children.
There’s also a variegated subspecies of string of buttons.
C. perforata subsp. kougaensis, has cream-colored leaves with a green stripe from stem to leaf tip.
30. String of Dolphins
String of dolphins has long, thin, trailing stems punctuated by fleshy, crescent-shaped leaves that look like cetaceans leaping out of the ocean.
Now classified as × Bacurio delphinatifolius, an intergeneric hybrid, the foliage of this succulent is pale green to medium green, and its flowers are white pom-poms.
String of dolphins is a hybrid of string of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) – one of the selections in our list, still to come – and candle plant (Baculellum articulatum).
Previously classified as Dendrophorbium peregrinum or Senecio peregrinus, it can grow four to six inches tall with trailing stems reaching six to 12 inches long.
String of dolphins looks similar to string of bananas, but the crescent-shaped leaves look like they have dorsal fins or flippers, giving them their dolphin-like appearance!
The manageable vines will work well in a small hanging basket.
Grow string of dolphins in direct sun or bright, indirect light, only let it overwinter outdoors in Zones 9b to 11, and keep this toxic plant out of reach of nibbling pets and exploring tots.
31. String of Hearts
Like lantern flower and million hearts, string of hearts is another member of the dogbane family.
Classified as Ceropegia woodii or Ceropegia linearis subsp. woodii, string of hearts has heart-shaped, dark green and silver mottled leaves, with green or purple undersides – bearing a resemblance to cyclamen leaves.
Plants bear mauve-colored flowers that look like lanterns or upside down vases.
Also known as “rosary vine,” “string of arrows,” “sweetheart vine,” “hearts entangled,” “heart vine,” “collar of hearts” and “hearts on a string,” this one produces thin, climbing or trailing vines that can grow to an astounding 13 feet long!
The planter of choice for string of hearts is undoubtedly a hanging basket – and you’ll get bonus points if you have tall ceilings to let the trailing vines really show off their stuff!
For best foliage growth and flower production, provide string of hearts with bright, indirect light plus two or three hours of direct sunlight per day. This is a great selection for a south-facing window.
This species should be overwintered indoors in all regions except Zones 10 to 12.
String of hearts is considered nontoxic, and won the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
Find string of hearts care tips here.
32. String of Nickels
String of nickels (Dischidia nummularia) is a climbing epiphyte with vines covered in small, opposite leaves about half an inch wide that are thick and almost perfectly round.
The succulent foliage is pale olive green in color with a whitish, powdery look.
Plants produce inconspicuous, small, white to yellowish-white flowers at leaf axils.
Though not an orchid, one of the common names of this species is “button orchid.”
The appearance of this succulent plant might remind you of certain relatives from the dogbane family, the hoyas.
The vines will trail nicely from a hanging basket, which should be situated in indirect, medium to bright light or dappled shade. Plants are hardy in Zones 10 to 11.
33. String of Pearls
String of pearls (Curio rowleyanus) is a mat-forming, creeping succulent with long, thin stems and round, pea-shaped leaves.
Foliage is lime green to grayish-green, and flowers are white and look like puffballs.
The trailing stems can grow to prodigious lengths, but when kept as a houseplant, tend to reach just two to three feet long, making it ideal for hanging baskets.
Formerly classified as Senecio rowleyanus and Kleinia rowleyana, which are now considered synonyms, this species is sometimes called “string of beads,” though that name is most often used to refer to Curio herreanus.
String of pearls does best in indirect bright light but can handle some direct sun, is hardy in Zones 9 to 12, and is considered toxic.
There’s also a variegated variety of C. rowleyanus, known as “variegated string of pearls.”
This mat-forming, creeping succulent has long stems covered with pea-shaped leaves, each of which is different – some are green, some are green and cream swirled, and others are all cream.
Learn more in our guide to growing string of pearls.
34. Trailing Jade
Trailing jade (Kleinia petraea) is a creeping succulent that looks similar to the jade plant (Crassula ovata) but is not closely related.
This species has smooth, rounded leaves in bright green to maroon.
Formerly classified as Senecio jacobsenii or Notoniopsis petraea, it is also known as “weeping jade,” and produces bright orange blooms that are reminiscent of marigold flowers.
Trailing jade reaches six inches tall with a spread of up to 20 inches and will drape beautifully over the side of a planter or hanging basket.
Outdoors in Zones 10 to 11, grow this species in full sun to dappled shade. Indoors, provide bright, direct or indirect light. Less direct sunlight is preferable during the heat of summer.
Trailing jade will grow best in well-draining soils formulated for cacti, should be allowed to dry out between waterings, and must be watered less frequently during cool winter weather.
35. Watch Chain
Watch chain is a type of Crassula with trailing, succulent stems covered with small overlapping leaves, making the stems look like they are covered in scales.
Known botanically as C. lycopodioides, this species also goes by the common names “club moss crassula,” “lizard’s tail,” “princess pine,” “rattail crassula,” and “zipper plant.”
Plants have a bushy growth habit with spreading stems that reach up to two feet long. The foliage is medium green, lime green, grayish green, or brownish green.
When in bloom, flowers appear all along the stems, and can be yellowish green or brown.
This plant is slow-growing so it will take some time to produce stems long enough to spill luxuriantly from a hanging basket.
This succulent will do well indoors when provided with indirect, bright light, and a little direct sun in the morning to promote blooming.
Outdoors in Zones 8b to 11b, give plants morning sun and dappled shade for the rest of the day.
As a member of the Crassula genus, this species is likely toxic and should be kept out of reach of pets and children.
Flowing Fleshy Foliage Favorites
Despite these abundant options, I’m guessing that by now you have zeroed in on the hanging or trailing succulent that is just right for your home florification plans! (What?! It’s a word, I promise!)
I would love to know which of these succulents or cacti made your short list – and of course, I want to hear your plans for them. Do tell!
And do you have any other personal trailing succulent favorites that didn’t make this list? Let us know in the comments section below.
If you’re like me, even after encountering all of these fantastic options, you probably haven’t maxed out your succulent love. Here are some more articles that will satisfy that craving:
