It’s not a secret around here. I absolutely love having plants tucked in every corner of my home – just check out my indoor plants that are hard to kill for a few tips on the best ones. Because I am beyond obsessed with house plants and you loved that post – I pieced together something similar: hanging plants that do not need sunlight.
Well, technically all plants need some level of light, but the ones I’ve curated don’t require full sun or even bright light to flourish. Which I know is a need for lots of us in our spaces. Some of these hanging plants like partial shade, whereas others prefer full shade. It varies from plant to plant, so make sure to read the details carefully so you can pick out the perfect plant for your home.
No need to beat around the bush, (see what I did there?) Here are my nine favorite hanging plants that do not need sunlight to thrive.
My Favorite Hanging Plants That Do Not Need Sunlight
Tastes can vary, as do the aesthetic needs of each room. With that in mind, I’ve tried to select plants that should cover a variety of visual requirements. Enjoy!
Bird’s Nest Fern (Asplenium nidus)
Isn’t the name the cutest? The Bird’s Nest Ferns are great potted or hanging plants that do not need sunlight or, at least, don’t need much. Direct sunlight even harm their beautiful leaves. So these plants are best placed in an area with partial or full shade.
The wavy fronds of this plant look great when hanging over the sides of a hanging pot. Placing your plant in the bathroom is a good choice as it’s sure to love the humidity and warmth, though other rooms will work as well.
It’s not the easiest plant to grow, but it’s definitely not the hardest either. You’ll eventually be rewarded with a plant that spans up to 3 ft. wide and 5 ft. tall! Fortunately, these plants grow fairly slowly, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the hanging look before needing to place it in a pot.
Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
This classic plant is another option that will look perfect in your favorite hanging planter! Thriving with indirect sunlight, you should have plenty of places around your home to put this little guy.
However, given enough time, your Boston Fern can grow up to 3 ft. wide and 3 ft. tall. Fortunately, this can take a bit of time so you should have plenty of time to adjust your home accordingly.
One thing to remember is that the Boston Fern prefers warm and humid climates. If you’re keeping it inside, you’ll want to keep it away from both heating and cooling sources, as sources of either could damage your planted pal.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Personally, I love the look of these plants! With long, slender leaves that often feature green and white stripes, these are—in my opinion—one of the best indoor hanging plants. Unlike some of the other options on our list, they rarely grow over 2 ft. tall, so you won’t need to worry about them outgrowing your hanging planters.
The Spider Plant does best in light shade (i.e., indirect sun). It can grow in heavy shade, but it will require a bit more time to reach its full potential. Still, if that’s your only option, the Spider Plant should manage just fine.
There are actually a few different types of Spider Plants, each with its own unique look. I’d recommend comparing the different options if you’re after a specific leaf design.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
Love the feeling of being in the great outdoors? If so, then English Ivy is definitely a perennial you’ll want to add to your home! Being a vine, it looks great when placed in a hanging planter, and its non-distracting leaves should pair perfectly with any other shade-loving plants o DIYr kitchen planter herbs you have around your home.
As far as hanging plants that do not need sunlight go, this one is definitely the perfect pick if you really don’t have direct sunlight in your home as it prefers partial to full shade anyway. If you have windows, place it near a north, east, or west-facing window for lighting.
If you don’t have windows, English Ivy can even be grown with artificial light. However, remember that it does need at least some light. Without light, your plant will lose its color!
Has this particular plant caught your eye? If so, you can pick up your very own on Amazon by clicking here!
Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
The Golden Pothos is a beautiful, vined plant that—when left to its own devices—can grow up to 30 feet, even in an indoor setting! Of course, most people keep them trimmed to a much shorter length, but it’s good to know that you could use this plant for an archway.
Although this beautiful plant generally prefers indirect bright light, I’ve included it on this list for a good reason: it can successfully grow from fluorescent lighting alone! It prefers high humidity levels, although it can tolerate lower humidity as well.
The main thing to remember about this plant is that it doesn’t like moist soil. You should let the soil dry completely between waterings. As long as you can meet these few simple requirements, it’s very easy to grow a Golden Pothos in your home!
Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Complete with cute, heart-shaped dark green leaves, what’s not to love about this plant!? These tropical plants are a great choice for beginners since they’re extremely easy to care for. Indirect, natural light from a window is more than enough to grow these plants in a hanging basket.
As tropical plants, it’s important to keep temperature requirements in mind. The plant does best with a 40% humidity level, but you will have some wiggle room there. However, temperatures below 60°F are a no-go.
You’ll also want to avoid the cold when it comes to watering. Use room temperature water instead (to avoid shocking the plant’s root system). You shouldn’t need to water this plant more than once a week. To keep things simple, just water it once the soil’s dried out!
Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Plant)
You’ve probably seen this plant suggested for your indoor space before: it’s the Swiss Cheese Plant! Although potting them is quite popular, I think they’re also one of the best hanging plants due to their interesting leaf design.
As one of the many hanging plants that do not need sunlight directly, your best bet is to place your Monstera adansonii in the kitchen or in a bathroom. These locations should meet the temperature and humidity level requirements.
It does climb quite aggressively, but you can easily limit its reach—or hang—using a set of pruners. Unlike a few of the other options on this list, this plant really loves its water, so you’ll need to keep up with that.
To check, simply stick your finger about an inch down into the soil. If it’s nearly dry then it’s time to water the plant! However, you’ll want to reduce its water consumption if the leaves start to turn yellow, as this means you’re over-watering it.
Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
Sculptural spacious, and often hung on the wall, Staghorn Ferns make for a great addition to your home. Here’s how to DIY your own staghorn fern Its name comes from the unique shape of the fern itself, which is said to somewhat resemble the antlers of a stag.
The Staghorn Fern prefers bright, indirect light so it’s important to avoid direct sunlight, as this can scorch its leaves. However, that brings us to an interesting point: brown leaves! Known as shield fronds, these tiny leaves protect the root ball and help the plant gather nutrients.
They’re vital to the health of your plant, so please don’t remove them! Despite being dry and brown, your Staghorn needs these to survive.
As I mentioned, these plants require a bit more work than some of the other options on this list. If you won’t have the time then it may be worth considering an artificial Staghorn instead. However, if you’re willing to put in the effort or take on the challenge, you can pick up a live Staghorn Fern
String of Pearls (Curio rowleyanus)
If you’re looking for a great way to add some greenery to the dark corner of your room then a String of Pearls is a perfect choice!
Complete with long, trailing vines that are adorned with small, pearl-like leaves, this plant can even flower if given enough sunlight. That said, the String of Pearls will be perfectly content with only limited light from a nearby window (although you’ll likely never see it blossom).
Its unique shape and relatively small size make it a perfect addition to nearly any potted plant collection! Whether you grow the String of Pearls in a hanging planter or let it trail down from a shelf, this plant will surely add a touch of natural beauty to nearly any indoor space.
Things to Consider About Hanging Plants That Do Not Need Sunlight
Now that we’ve gone over the options, let’s just briefly go over the various factors you’ll want to consider when picking out a plant. Remember, you’ll need to take good care of your plant if you want it to look its best!
Lighting Needs
While many hanging plants that do not need sunlight directly can tolerate low light conditions—or even full shade—with ease, that doesn’t mean you’ll be able to grow them in a dark room that’s blackout dark 100% of the time. If a room receives no light whatsoever then you’ll need to find a source of artificial light so your plants can flourish.
Alternatively, if your room has too much light, you’ll need to move the plant(s) or invest in a quality set of affordable lined-inspired drapes. Blinds are another option, so check out my post if you’re unsure which would be better for your space.
Watering Needs
In a perfect world, all of your indoor plants would follow the same watering schedule. Unfortunately, that’s simply not the case! Some will require more, others will require less. Even something as simple as the location of the plant can affect its watering needs!
If possible, I would suggest grouping your plants together (such as having all of your watered-weekly plants in the living room, and bi-weekly plants in another). This should reduce the likelihood of your forgetting to water your plants.
Environmental Needs
Location will largely affect the temperature and humidity that your plant is exposed to. You should always place your place accordingly if possible, but sometimes, it just can’t be done! If that’s the case, You may need to heat a room individually or invest in a humidifier/dehumidifier to keep your plants happy.
Growth Potential
While your plant will likely be small when you pick it up, that won’t always stay the case. If your plant outgrows its current pot, you may need to take it outside or even set up a greenhouse for your potted friend. Let’s face it: large indoor plants take up a lot of space!
On the other hand, if your plant is likely to stay small forever, then you have a few more options when it comes to location. One alternative I love is placing plants on top of a standing bookcase like mine, which adds a dash of nature to the display!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging Plants That Do Not Need Sunlight
Are there any plants that don’t need any sunlight?
All plants need some level of light to survive. However, in this list of hanging plants that do not need sunlight, we’ve seen plants that only require partial, indirect sunlight. Some can even be grown using fluorescent lights alone! If your home has absolutely no sunlight then you can simply use a grow lamp for your plants.
Are there any flowering plants that do well in shade?
The Bleeding Heart is a beautiful flowering plant that actually needs to be hung in the shade (at least if you want the flower to last!). Although the flowers don’t last for more than a few weeks, this plant could be a beautiful addition to your collection if you have the space.
What can I grow on a shady balcony?
From vines and mini trees to ferns and flowers, you have many options for growing plants on your shady balcony! Simply look for plants that require “partial” or “full” shade, and then place them on your balcony accordingly. Pots are a classic option, but you can use metal plant hangers if you need to save on floor space.
What is the fastest growing plant in shade?
There isn’t a crowned winner when it comes to this category, but there are a few different plants that are well-known for flourishing in the shade. A few fast-growing options include Aloe vera, the split leaf philodendron, and the spider plant.
What flowers are best for pots in shade?
Butterfly Peas, Bleeding Hearts, and Clematis are all beautiful flowering vines that can be grown in the shade.
So, Find Something You Like?
I hope you did! As you can see, you have many different options when it comes to hanging plants that do not need sunlight around your home. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a beginner, there’s a hanging plant out there for you.
With so many options, you don’t need to feel limited by your lighting. From the graceful Bird’s Nest Fern to the unique String of Pearls, there’s a plant to suit every taste and aesthetic. Just make sure to place them perfectly if you want to really make them pop – and check out my post on decorating disasters you’ll want to avoid!).
Did you end up picking one of these potted pals up for yourself? If so, let me know in the comments! I love reading them and seeing what y’all have been up to lately! Well, until next time…
Happy planting!
