![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Best-Hanging-Succulents-and-Cacti-Pin-800x1200.jpg\")
<\/div>\n<\/p>\n 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<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The visual cue is clear \u2013 our cups are running over with delightful, succulent goodness.<\/p>\n In this guide we\u2019re going to do a meet and greet with 35 different plants, sorting our way through vines of succulent leaves and columns of trailing cacti.<\/p>\n We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy from one of our links,\u00a0<\/em>we may earn a commission<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n For each of these selections, I\u2019ll let you know what to expect in terms of foliage type, flowers, and size at maturity.<\/p>\n I\u2019ll also provide information on any particular light or humidity needs you\u2019ll need to know about, so you can make sure you have the growing conditions it takes to keep them happy.<\/p>\n 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<\/a><\/strong>!<\/p>\n Ready to get on a first name basis with some sensational succulent candidates? Take a quick glimpse at today\u2019s participants:<\/p>\n Burro\u2019s tail is a member of the stonecrop family (Crassulaceae) that grows plump, rounded leaves along long, pendulous strands, which look like animals\u2019 tails.<\/p>\n The leaves of Sedum burrito<\/em> are bluish gray and tightly clustered along the stems.<\/p>\n Strands usually reach one and a half feet long, but can grow longer if not disturbed.<\/p>\n Leaves and stems can break off easily, as with many succulents, but broken off leaves are also easily propagated<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Burro\u2019s tail looks breathtaking in a hanging basket or trailing from a planter.<\/p>\n Also known as \u201cbaby burro\u2019s tail,\u201d \u201cbaby donkey tail,\u201d and my favorite, \u201ctroll necklace,\u201d it produces hot pink flowers on the ends of the stems.<\/p>\n Some also call this plant \u201cdonkey\u2019s tail,\u201d but we\u2019ll soon meet another plant, S. morganianum<\/em>,<\/em> that is more often known by that name.<\/p>\n These two succulents are very similar, and sometimes burro\u2019s tail is classified as a hybrid of S. morganianum<\/em>. We\u2019ll have a look at how to distinguish them a bit later.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Burro\u2019s tail should be grown with plenty of direct sunlight.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Burro\u2019s tail is hardy outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones<\/a><\/strong> 10 to 11 and is considered nontoxic.<\/p>\n Calico kitten has a compact, mat-forming growth habit with trailing stems that can reach up to 12 inches long.<\/p>\n Classified as Crassula pellucida<\/em> \u2018Variegata,\u2019 this variety has heart-shaped leaves that are cream colored with green centers, and margins that are pink to maroon.<\/p>\n Also classified as C. pellucida<\/em> subsp. marginalis <\/em>, bunches of white flowers form at the ends of succulent stems.<\/p>\n Trailing from a planter or spilling from a hanging basket, calico kitten will be a delight.<\/p>\n When caring for this species indoors, bright indirect light is best, and some direct sun is fine as well.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Calico kitten is tolerant of high humidity.<\/p>\n 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<\/em> <\/em>genus.<\/p>\n You can find calico kitten in two- or four-inch pots from the Succulents Box Store via Amazon<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Learn more about growing Crassula<\/em> here<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n One of the floral staples of the winter holiday season, Christmas cactus is known for its showy, bright winter blooms.<\/p>\n Various <\/em>Schlumbergera <\/em>species may be referred to as \u201cThanksgiving cacti,\u201d \u201cEaster cacti,\u201d or \u201cChristmas cacti,\u201d depending on their different bloom times.<\/p>\n And while the members of this genus are known broadly as \u201choliday cacti,\u201d they are often all lumped together as \u201cChristmas cacti.\u201d<\/p>\n Christmas cacti have flat, leafless, succulent, segmented stems called cladodes<\/em> that produce flowers in winter, with blooms in shades of red, pink, purple, yellow, orange, or white.<\/p>\n They spread about two feet but some older specimens can grow larger.<\/p>\n Since the long stems trail down, they work perfectly in hanging baskets.<\/p>\n Caring for the nontoxic Christmas cactus is pretty easy. For starters, make sure to provide it with bright, indirect light when grown indoors.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Outdoors, hang these cacti in part to full shade.<\/p>\n For those in warmer climates, Christmas cactus can spend its time outdoors year round in Zones 10 to 12.<\/p>\n You can read more in our complete guide to growing Christmas cactus<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Also known as \u201clittle cliff bells,\u201d Cotyledon pendens<\/em> bears fabulously showy, pink to red bell-shaped flowers that hang down from the ends of its stems.<\/p>\n This species is closely related to another succulent you may have heard of called \u201cbear\u2019s paw.\u201d<\/p>\n Cliff cotyledons are small, mat-forming shrubs with drooping stems, reaching about two feet long at maturity.<\/p>\n This plant is gorgeous with its stems and bell-shaped flowers flowing from a hanging basket or trailing from a planter.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Let the soil dry out between waterings, and use the bottom watering method<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Since other species of the same genus are toxic, this species may not be safe for homes with small children or pets.<\/p>\n Named for its resemblance to certain types of coral, coral cactus (Rhipsalis cereuscula)<\/em> is an epiphyte<\/a><\/strong> that has slender, branching stems.<\/p>\n Members of the Rhipsalis<\/em> genus are also known as \u201cmistletoe cacti,\u201d named for the whitish fruits that develop on the plants, resembling mistletoe berries.<\/p>\n Also known as \u201crice cactus,\u201d this species bears creamy white flowers at the end of cylindrical, pale green jointed stems that arch as they grow longer.<\/p>\n The plants have a shrubby growth habit, growing up to two feet tall and wide, with small, bristle-like spines.<\/p>\n Coral cactus is an easy-care houseplant that is quite tolerant of neglect and will trail beautifully from a hanging basket.<\/p>\n This species needs a bit more soil moisture than its desert relatives \u2013 use an orchid potting medium rather than a pre-mixed medium formulated for cacti.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n It also likes high humidity and medium to bright, indirect light.<\/p>\n This species may be nontoxic, and is hardy in Zone 10.<\/p>\n Dancing bones (Hatiora salicornioides<\/em>) <\/em>is another branching, jointed cactus with a bushy growth habit.<\/p>\n The arching or pendant stems are light green and bear small, bell-shaped flowers in orange to yellow.<\/p>\n Also called \u201cdrunkard\u2019s dream,\u201d \u201cspice cactus,\u201d and \u201cbottle cactus,\u201d 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.<\/p>\n Dancing bones will thrive indoors with indirect, bright light. Outdoors in Zones 9b to 11, locate it in part shade.<\/p>\n Other members of the Hatiora<\/em> genus are toxic, so it would be wise to keep this species out of reach of kids and pets.<\/p>\n Donkey\u2019s tail is a succulent that produces long stems covered with fleshy, crescent-shaped, light green to bluish-gray leaves.<\/p>\n Classified as Sedum morganianum, <\/em>donkey\u2019s tail is similar to burro\u2019s tail, but its leaves are pointy rather than rounded, and they are more spaced out along their stems than those of burro\u2019s tail.<\/p>\n Despite their differences, some sources consider burro\u2019s tail to be a hybrid of S.<\/em> morganianum<\/em> <\/em>rather than a separate species.<\/p>\n Also sometimes called \u201chorse\u2019s tail\u201d or \u201clamb\u2019s tail,\u201d donkey\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n Donkey\u2019s tail is considered nontoxic and will thrive as a houseplant with indirect, bright light, although some direct sun is fine too.<\/p>\n For those who\u2019d like to grow this one outdoors, donkey\u2019s tail can be grown in full sun to partial shade in Zones 10b to 11a.<\/p>\n Indoors or out, as temperatures rise, provide less exposure to direct sunlight.<\/p>\n Read more on how to grow and care for donkey\u2019s tail here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Elephant bush is a bushy, trailing succulent with small, fleshy leaves.<\/p>\n Portulacaria afra <\/em>bears rounded, medium to light green foliage on purplish-red stems and produces clusters of tiny, pink flowers.<\/p>\n Elephant bush looks similar to the widely known houseplant, jade (Crassula ovata<\/em>)<\/strong><\/a>, but it is not related to this member of the Crassula<\/em> genus.<\/p>\n It is also known by the common names \u201cdwarf jade,\u201d \u201cminiature jade\u201d or \u201csmall leaf jade.\u201d<\/p>\n In hanging baskets, elephant bush will create a lovely display of bushy, trailing foliage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n As a houseplant, elephant bush will thrive with direct sun, bright indirect light, or medium indirect light.<\/p>\n Outdoors, grow it in full sun to partial shade, and bring it in for the winter unless you live in Zones 9b to 11.<\/p>\n Also known as \u201celephant food,\u201d \u201celephant plant,\u201d and \u201cporkbush,\u201d this plant is nontoxic, making it a safer succulent alternative to crassula jade for households with pets or small kids.<\/p>\n Find tips on growing elephant bush here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Fishbone cactus (Disocactus anguliger<\/em>) <\/em>is an epiphytic plant that has strap-shaped, flattened, and leafless stems that look like zigzags.<\/p>\n These jungle cacti are known for their large, showy, white and yellow flowers.<\/p>\n Formerly classified as Epiphyllum anguliger<\/em>, this species is also known as \u201cz<\/em>igzag\u201d or \u201crickrack cactus\u201d for its ribbon-shaped leaves.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n As a houseplant, fishbone cactus will thrive with medium to bright, indirect light \u2013 avoid direct sun.<\/p>\n Outdoors, place this species in part shade \u2013 it can overwinter outdoors in Zones 10b to 11b.<\/p>\n This cactus is considered nontoxic. In fact, it produces edible fruit similar to the pitaya, the fruit of one of its close relatives<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n There are at least two very similar-looking cacti species that go by the common name \u201cfishbone cactus.\u201d<\/p>\n The other fishbone cactus is botanically classified as Selenicereus anthonyanus. <\/em>These two species can be very difficult to tell apart, but unfortunately, their care needs differ.<\/p>\n \u201cHens and chicks\u201d 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<\/em>, also known as the common houseleek.<\/p>\n S. tectorum<\/em> grows in lovely rosettes with pale green or greenish-gray leaves that often have reddish-purple tips.<\/p>\n Flower stalks rise up from the rosettes, producing reddish-purple blooms.<\/p>\n This mat-forming succulent produces small offsets (the \u201cchicks\u201d) from a central rosette (the \u201chen\u201d).<\/p>\n Offsets can spill over the sides of pots or the edges of hanging baskets, creating a delightful trailing effect.<\/p>\n This succulent prefers full sun and it can be cultivated outdoors in Zones 3 to 8 if adequate light is available.<\/p>\n S. tectorum<\/em> is considered nontoxic, making it safe for households with pets and small kids, as well as for a children\u2019s garden<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n This species won the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.<\/p>\n Learn more about growing these cute succulents in our guide to growing hens and chicks<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Many different succulent plants go by the common name \u201cice plant\u201d but most of these are grown more often as garden annuals or perennials rather than houseplants.<\/p>\n The ice plant we\u2019re recommending here is Delosperma lehmannii <\/em>and you won\u2019t find it in the average flower bed.<\/p>\n A member of the Aizoaceae or fig marigold family which includes lithops<\/strong><\/a>, D. lehmannii<\/em> has chunky, wedge-shaped leaves that are green to bluish-gray, with bright yellow blooms that resemble strawflowers<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Ice plant has sprawling, succulent stems with a spreading growth habit, reaching eight inches tall and 12 inches wide.<\/p>\n Grown in a hanging basket, the chunky stems will create a funky visual vibe.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Most sources consider this plant to be nontoxic like other members of the fig marigold family.<\/p>\n Learn more about growing ice plant here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Jade necklace (Crassula rupestris <\/em>subsp. <\/em>marnieriana<\/em>) <\/em>has trailing stems with leaves packed close together, giving them the appearance of chunky strands of gemstones.<\/p>\n This succulent is a subspecies of C. rupestris<\/em> <\/em>that is also sometimes called \u201cChinese pagoda.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The trailing, succulent stems reach six to 12 inches long and will spill nicely out of a hanging basket.<\/p>\n They cascade down and then rise up, creating a snakelike appearance that no doubt inspired one of the plant\u2019s other common names, \u201cworm plant.\u201d<\/p>\n This slow-growing Crassula<\/em> is easy to care for.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n For indoor plants, provide bright, indirect light to a few hours of direct sun.<\/p>\n Outdoors, avoid too much direct sun, especially in the heat of the day, and overwinter indoors unless you are in Zones 9b to 11b.<\/p>\n As many species in the Crassula<\/em> genus are toxic, this succulent is likely best kept out of reach of pets and small children.<\/p>\n Jelly bean plant is a type of succulent with small, glossy green leaves growing on stems that trail downward before turning upright.<\/p>\n Classified as Sedum <\/em>x rubrotinctum or S. rubrotinctum<\/em>, the small, rounded, bean shaped leaves will take on a pink to red tint when stressed by sun or drought.<\/p>\n Also known as \u201cChristmas cheer\u201d and \u201cpork and beans,\u201d this succulent bears yellow, star-shaped flowers.<\/p>\n The colorful clusters of foliage tumble nicely over the edges of hanging baskets.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n While many sedum species are considered nontoxic, S. rubrotinctum<\/em> may cause skin irritation as well as stomach irritation if ingested.<\/p>\n Jelly bean plant won the Royal Horticultural Society\u2019s Award of Garden Merit in 2012.<\/p>\n Our guide to growing jelly bean plants<\/a><\/strong> has more information.<\/p>\n Lantern flower is quite unique among our selections.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n The succulent stems of Ceropegia haygarthii <\/em>feature flat, pale green leaves \u2013 and the real kicker, flowers that have to be seen to be believed.<\/p>\n As its common name suggests, the white or cream-speckled with burgundy flowers, may be described as looking like lanterns.<\/p>\n But I would suggest, perhaps it would be more apt to describe them as lanterns designed by extraterrestrials<\/em>. Or rather, extraterrestrial lanterns that are secretly ray guns<\/em>.<\/p>\n C. haygarthii<\/em> has many other common names, including \u201cwine-glass vine,\u201d \u201cparasol flower,\u201d \u201cbushman\u2019s pipe,\u201d and \u201csnake creeper.\u201d<\/p>\n And its latest nickname, coined here by me, \u201cMartian ray gun flower.\u201d (Yes, I may have watched too many episodes of \u201cThe Twilight Zone\u201d throughout my life.)<\/p>\n Whatever its mind-boggling blooms look like to you, this unusual succulent species is easy to care for.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n When grown as a houseplant, C. haygarthii<\/em> will thrive with medium to bright indirect light.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n This succulent prefers a potting medium that is rich but well-draining, and regular watering during the growing season \u2013 avoid letting plants dry out between waterings.<\/p>\n A month-long, dry dormancy period is also recommended in late winter.<\/p>\n Medusa\u2019s head is a type of Euphorbia<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, a genus which includes both gopher plants<\/a><\/strong> and poinsettias<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n This succulent looks as you would imagine, based on its Greek myth-inspired common name \u2013 it has a central \u201chead\u201d with stems radiating out from it like snakes.<\/p>\n Classified as Euphorbia caput-medusae<\/em> (syn. E. flanaganii)<\/em>, the succulent stems reach up to two and a half feet long and are bluish-green with scales, producing yellow flowers at their ends.<\/p>\n These snakelike stems are perfect for streaming out over the sides of hanging baskets.<\/p>\n Also known as \u201cgreen crown\u201d and \u201cjellyfish head euphorbia,\u201d this species can grow in full sun or bright, indirect light. Outdoors, it is hardy in Zones 9 to 12.<\/p>\n Euphorbias contains sap that can cause contact dermatitis so handle medusa\u2019s head with gloves \u2013 and it may be toxic, so keep this plant out of reach of kids and curious pets.<\/p>\n Million hearts (Dischidia ruscifolia<\/em>) <\/em>is an epiphytic vine that has very small, heart-shaped, succulent leaves growing on long, trailing stems that can reach six feet in length.<\/p>\n![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Best-Trailing-Succulents-Feature.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n35 Succulents and Cacti for Hanging Baskets<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
1. Burro\u2019s Tail<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Burros-Tail-Succulent-Plants-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n2. Calico Kitten<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Calico-Kitten.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n3. Christmas Cactus<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Christmas-Cactus-800x1200.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. Cliff Cotyledon<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Cotyledon-Pendens.jpeg\")
5. Coral Cactus<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Coral-Cactus-Plant.jpeg\")
6. Dancing Bones<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Dancing-Bones-Cactus.jpg\")
7. Donkey\u2019s Tail<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Donkeys-Tail-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n8. Elephant Bush<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Elephant-Bush-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n9. Fishbone Cactus<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Fishbone-Cactus-1024x683.jpeg\")
10. Hens and Chicks<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Hens-and-Chicks-in-a-Hanging-Pot-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n11. Ice Plant<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Ice-Plant-Foliage.jpeg\")
12. Jade Necklace<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Jade-Necklace-Plant-1024x683.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n13. Jelly Bean Plant<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Jelly-Bean-Sedum-800x1200.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n14. Lantern Flower<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Lantern-Flower-1024x683.jpeg\")
15. Medusa\u2019s Head<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Medusa-Head-800x1200.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n16. Million Hearts<\/h2>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Million-Hearts-Plant-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/Mistletoe-Cactus-Growing-in-a-Hanging-Pot-1024x683.jpg\")
![\"A](\"https:\/\/gardenerspath.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Monkeys-Tail-Cactus.jpg\")