25 Trailing & Hanging Succulent Plants (with Pictures)

Not all succulents are created equal. Some are tall and spindly, while others are short and squat. Still, others have long, trailing vines that make them perfect for hanging baskets or other vertical spaces.

For gardeners who want a little variety in their succulent collection but don’t have a lot of room to grow more than one plant at a time, these hanging succulent plants offer an easy way to add color and texture to an indoor space without taking up too much space.

They come in all different shapes and sizes—from small clusters of leaves to long vines that snake down from the top of your house onto the ground below. They come in shades of green, red, orange, purple…even black! There are so many varieties available that you’re sure to find one (or several!) that fits your needs.

List of Hanging Succulent Plants For Your Home

There’s a reason that succulents are so popular. They’re easy to care for, and they come in so many varieties that you can find one that fits your exact needs.

If you’re looking for trailing succulents, we’ve got you covered. We’ve picked out 25 of our favorite trailing succulents to help you create the perfect hanging basket garden!

Burros Tail (Sedum morganianum)

Commonly known as the Burro’s Tail, or sometimes Donkey’s Tail, Sedum morganianum is a beautiful trailing succulent that is native to Mexico. Its called the Burro’s Tail because of its long, cascading stems that resemble a donkey’s tail.

The leaves are quite small and silver-green in color. They are densely packed along the stems, which can reach up to 4 feet in length.

The leaves are arranged close together and overlap each other. This is what gives the plant its iconic trailing stem. And coupled with a red hanging basket, the light green leaves immediately attract the eye.

Burro’s tail is a relatively easy plant to care for. It wants filtered sunlight but can tolerate some direct sun on occasion. Wait to water this plant until you’re certain the soil is completely dry.

Overwatering is the chief cause of death for these plants, so be mindful; root rot is no joke. This succulent is also quite tolerant of drought conditions.

Sedum morganianum rarely flowers in cultivation. But since this plant’s main attraction is the shape of its leaves, it’s easy to overlook the lack of flowers.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Rat Tail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis)

The Rat Tail Cactus (Aporocactus flagelliformis) is a cactus native to Mexico and Central America. Its called the Rat Tail Cactus because of its stems, which grow long, thin, and hairy, resembling a rat’s tail.

The plant itself is a versatile cactus that can be grown as a potted plant or in a hanging basket. But only hanging baskets tend to take full advantage of its growing habits.

The Rat Tail Cactus is easily recognizable by its long, thin, green stems. These elongated stems have small spines along their edges. The stems are flexible and bend every which way.

To achieve the best aesthetic possible, we recommend arranging the hanging stems in an attractive pattern. The flowers grow from the stems and are typically red or pink in color. They’re large and showy, adding further interest to the plant.

This cactus does best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun as well. Water it only when you’re certain the soil is dry to avoid root rot. 

The Rat Tail Cactus is not a particularly difficult plant to care for. However, getting it to flower indoors is somewhat tricky. If you want to see the flowers, your best bet is to grow them outdoors in a bright location.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

String of Pearls (Senecio Rowleyanus)

The String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is a beautiful trailing succulent that is native to South Africa. Its called the String of Pearls because of the small, round, bead-like leaves that resemble pearls.

The leaves are actually quite thin and fragile, so they break easily if handled roughly. The stems of this plant can grow up to 3 feet in length and like to hang over the edge of a pot or container.

If grown in a garden bed, as soon as the leaves touch the ground, they tend to take root and propagate themselves. This results in a mat-forming habit that enables the plant to cover a lot of ground quickly. It is suitable as groundcover only if you’re not planning to step on any of the leaves. The delicate leaves will die quickly if that’s the case.

It can also be cultivated in a pot. Gardeners like to loop the stems around themselves, forming a small circle within the circumference of the pot. Regardless, displaying them in hanging baskets is the most common way.

In its native habitat, the String of Pearls is an annual plant that dies after it flowers and sets seeds. However, when grown as a houseplant, it will usually live for several years. It’s not particularly long-lived, but it’s easy to propagate from stem cuttings.

This hanging succulent does best in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct sun as well. Wait to water it until after the soil dries out completely. The String of Pearls is quite tolerant of drought conditions.

This plant rarely flowers when grown indoors. However, the flowers are small and not particularly showy.

• Light: Bright
• Water: Infrequently

Variegated Trailing Jade Plant (Crassula Sarmentosa ‘Comet’)

The Variegated Trailing Jade Plant (Crassula sarmentosa ‘Comet’) is a beautiful hanging succulent that is native to South Africa. It’s a member of the Crassulaceae family, which includes well-known succulents like the jade plant (Crassula ovata) and stonecrop (Sedum spp.).

This is a beautiful, low-growing variety of jade-like plants that’s perfect for hanging baskets. It has the same fleshy, water-storing leaves as the common jade plant (Crassula ovata), but the leaves are variegated with creamy-white margins.

The margins are thick, taking up almost half the size of the entire leaf. Both sides of the leaf are colored this way, making for an attractive appearance. A thin red line makes up the serrated margins of the leaves.

This trailing succulent can grow up to 2 feet in length and is often grown in hanging baskets. The stems are thin and fragile, so they break easily if handled roughly. The leaves are also quite delicate and will quickly turn brown if exposed to too much sun. It’s not particularly long-lived, but it’s easy to propagate from stem cuttings.

This plant is tolerant of a wide range of growing conditions and is relatively drought-tolerant once established. Grown in full sun, the leaves of Comet will take on a pinkish hue, but the stress might end up killing the plant. This plant does best in well-drained soil and should be allowed to dry out between watering. Propagate from cuttings or by division.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Infrequently

Trailing Jade Plant (Senecio Jacobsenii)

Trailing jade is a – you guessed it – trailing succulent that’s perfect for hanging baskets. It has beautiful, heart-shaped leaves and can trail down several feet if left unchecked.

The plant originates from South Africa and requires very little care to thrive. Although it shares a part of its common name with Crassula ovata, the Jade Plant, the two species aren’t related. It’s just that Senecio Jacobsenii looks similar to the Jade Plant (thus the name).

 If you’re looking for a plant that’s a little more exotic than your average succulent, the trailing jade is a great choice.

This vining succulent prefers warm temperatures and thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones ten and eleven. If you’re unsure about its care needs, don’t worry—trailing jade is easy to grow indoors and makes a great houseplant.

The trailing jade will grow up to three feet tall, with round, almost teardrop-shaped leaves that are about an inch wide. It forms a dense mat of small, fleshy leaves that trail from a single point, giving the plant its name. The trailing jade plant can be used as ground cover or as a hanging basket.

It does best when planted in soil that drains well but has lots of organic matter added to it.

It wants bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade. Wait to water until after the soil feels dry to the touch. Over-watering will result in root rot, so be sure to err on the side of caution.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Water: When soil is dry

October Daphne (Sedum Sieboldii)

The October Daphne (Sedum sieboldii) is a beautiful succulent that’s perfect for adding some color to your garden in autumn. The plant is also called Siebold’s Sedum and Ice Plant.

It’s a fast-growing succulent that can quickly fill up a hanging basket or wall planter. The leaves are grey-green with red highlights. They hang on thin trailing stems that are light pink to red in color.

The highlight feature of these plants is their flowers. They emerge in the winter – September to October – and steal the show in any garden. Multiple flowers bloom at the same time, and the foliage turns red or purple. When in full bloom, the view is breathtaking and a must-have experience if you’ve never seen it.

Although this plant is succulent, it barely stores any water in its stems as they are thin and delicate. Not so much that a swift breeze might knock them over but delicate enough that a soft tug might pull a stem out entirely. If you have children or curious pets, consider placing the hanging baskets out of reach; the higher, the better.

October Daphne is an evergreen succulent, meaning it will keep its leaves year-round. But it will go dormant in the winter. During this time, the leaves will turn red or purple, and the plant will stop growing.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Dancing Bones (Hatiora salicornioides)

Dancing Bones, also known as Hatiora salicornioides, is a small shrub-like cactus that grows to about 6 inches in height. The plant gets its name from its long, thin, spindly stems that resemble bones. It is also called drunkard’s dream and bottle cactus.

It’s a common misconception that Dancing Bones is a succulent plant, but in fact, it is not. This plant has no leaves at all; instead, it only has thin, distinctly segmented stems that look like the joints of a skeleton, hence the name. No spines are present anywhere on the cactus until its well into its maturity.

Dancing Bones is native to Brazil and Argentina and originates from its rainforests, where it grows as an epiphyte. It requires well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and water during the summer months but should be kept dry during winter months when temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius).

This plant blooms during springtime with tiny flowers which appear in clusters at the ends of each stem. They have pale yellow petals with purple centers and last for several weeks before fading away

• Light: Semi-shade
• Water: Moderate

Ruby Necklace (Othonna capensis)

The Ruby Necklace (Othonna capensis) is a trailing succulent with long stems that can grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) in length. It is also known as String of Rubies.

The leaves are small and oval-shaped, with a regular green coloration common in succulents. But what sets this plant apart from all the others is that, under stress, these leaves turn a beautiful ruby red. This drastic change in color happens gradually, but it’s a sight to behold when it does. And it makes for an excellent ice breaker.

The flowers are yellow and daisy-like, appearing in spring and summer. The stems are also red-colored which contrasts with the green of the leaves when the plant isn’t stressed. But fade away into the background when it is.

This plant is perfect for hanging baskets as it trails down beautifully. It’s also considered low-maintenance, as it’s quite tolerant of neglect. Just make sure to give it bright light and well-drained soil, and water it only when the soil is dry.

• Light: Sunny
• Watering: Avoid overwatering

String Of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

The String Of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a hanging succulent with heart-shaped leaves that hails from South Africa. It’s a vining plant that can climb up to 3 feet in length, making it perfect for hanging baskets. This succulent has many common names describing its distinctly shaped leaves. It is called Necklace Vine, Rosary Vine, Hearts Entangled, and Chain of Hearts, among others.

Natively, it grows in rocky cliffs and crevices, climbing on top of other vegetation and rocky outcrops. This is why it’s perfectly adapted to hanging baskets or being cultivated as a climbing vine and doesn’t mind having its roots crowded.

The leaves are fleshy, about 1 inch long, and emerge from the stem in pairs. They’re a deep green color with white marbling. The stems are usually purple-colored, sometimes red.

It produces tiny, tubular flowers that are quite unique. They appear sporadically throughout the year. They don’t have any scent, which is a bit of a disappointment considering how nice they look.

A thin coating of soft hair traps flies that land on the flowers and doesn’t let them go for a time. Then, it withers on its own, and the flies carry the pollen with them. It’s an interesting phenomenon to experience first-hand.

This hanging succulent is easy to care for and doesn’t mind being neglected for long periods of time. It’s an ideal plant for busy people or those who are new to gardening. Just give it a bright spot and water it when the soil is dry.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Only when the soil is dry

String Of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)

Succulents come in all shapes and sizes. And the String Of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia) is certainly one of the more unusual-looking hanging succulents out there.

It’s a trailing plant, so it’s perfect for hanging baskets or as a ground cover. The leaves are small and round, arranged in pairs along the stems. They’re fleshy but flattened, which gives them the appearance of a nickel.

The flowers are tiny and inconspicuous. They appear in summer and are followed by equally small fruits.

This is an easy plant to care for. It tolerates neglect and can even survive in low light conditions. In fact, it prefers shady conditions for optimum growth. Just make sure to plant it somewhere airy. Good ventilation is needed for the roots to have some room to breathe.

These plants natively grow as epiphytes in Asia, India, and Australia. This means that they take up nutrients through the leaves and stems as well as the roots.

• Light: Semi-shade
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)

The Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi) is a hybrid cactus that’s popular during the holiday season, hence its common name. In fact, the entire Schlumbergera genus falls under this category. Plants in this genus make for gorgeous hanging plants.

Don’t let the name fool you; this plant is not a typical cactus. In fact, it’s more closely related to epiphytes like orchids and bromeliads. It has succulent-like stems that are segmented and flat, with each segment having numerous small spines.

The flowers are what give this plant away as something different; they’re large and showy, coming in pink, red, or white. But mostly red. It’s the color of Christmas, after all.

The Christmas Cactus is a popular gift plant because it’s easy to care for and blooms around the holiday season. However, it’s not always so easy to get it to bloom. It requires a period of darkness (12 hours or more) and cooler temperatures (around 60 degrees Fahrenheit) in order to set flower buds. Once the buds have set, they’ll open up in about 6-8 weeks.

• Light: Bright, indirect light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Porcelain Flower (Hoya pachyclada)

The Porcelain Flower (Hoya pachyclada) is a beautiful succulent that is native to Thailand and nearby countries. Its called the Porcelain Flower because of the shape of its flower clusters, which resemble porcelain cups.

The Porcelain Flower is an evergreen vine that can grow up to 6 feet (2 m) long. It has thick, glossy leaves that are dark green in color. The leaves sprout in an alternate pattern along the stems. They have a light white vein running throughout the stems that’s only apparent if you look closely enough.

The flowers of this gorgeous succulent are very fragrant, and they bloom throughout the year. They are white and waxy with a yellow highlight in the center. These white flowers bloom in perfectly symmetrical clusters from ‘spurs’ that protrude from the main stems.

These clusters are iconic to the Hoya genus and make species in this genus immediately apparent. When pruning, leave the spurs alone as they’re the focal points from which new flowers emerge year after year.

Although traditionally, these plants are grown as climbing vines with the support of trellis’, they look equally as gorgeous from hanging baskets. You’ll just have to prune more often than you would a vine.

The Porcelain Flower is a fast-growing plant, and it can quickly become overgrown if it’s not pruned regularly. It’s best to prune it after it blooms to avoid removing any of the flowers.

• Light: Dappled sunlight
• Watering: Moderately

Livingstone Daisy Plant (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis)

The Livingstone Daisy Plant (Dorotheanthus bellidiformis) is a succulent native to South Africa. It gets its common name from the way its leaves and stems look as if they’re covered in frost. It is also called the Ice Plant.

This plant is a popular choice for hanging baskets because its trailing habit makes it a perfect fit. It is a versatile plant. At home as a regular houseplant or as a wall cascade, or in a garden bed. The leaves are thick and fleshy, almost like scales, and they have a beautiful bluish-green hue.

White marbling is present on the sides of the leaves. The flowers are small and tubular, usually bright red. The contrasting leaves and flowers are what make this plant such an amazing addition to the garden.

Green and red aren’t new. But there is a reason it’s popular. The combination just works. And you rarely go wrong with the classics.

Although it’s not necessary, you can give your Ice Plant a light trimming after it blooms to encourage new growth. Just be sure not to go overboard with the pruning, as it can harm the plant.

This trailing succulent is one of those plants that you never have to think about. Plant it in your garden or on a patio from a hanging basket and forget about it. Just keep it somewhere bright so that its basic needs are met.

• Light: Bright, direct light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Sedum ‘Little Missy’ (Stonecrop)

The ‘Little Missy’ Sedum is a type of stonecrop that is perfect for planting in hanging baskets. It gets its common name from its small, dainty leaves and flowers.

It’s a fast-growing plant that can quickly fill out a hanging basket or container garden. The leaves are green with a touch of red on the tips. They’re very thick and fleshy, which helps the plant store water in times of drought. The flowers are small and pink, blooming in spring and summer.

This sedum is very easy to grow and care for. It’s tolerant of most conditions, including poor soil, full sun, and partial shade. It’s also resistant to deer and rabbits, making it an ideal choice for gardeners who live in areas where these pests are a nuisance.

It is also highly resistant to frost; capable of tolerating temperatures down to -34°C. It’s hard for gardeners living in colder climates to find a plant that can survive outdoors and look good doing it. But the Little Missy Sedum is here to save the day.

• Light: Full sun to partial shade
• Watering: Light

String Of Bananas (Senecio radicans)

The String of Bananas (Senecio radicans) is a succulent that’s native to South Africa. Its called the String of Bananas because of the shape of its leaves, which are thick, fleshy, curved, and distinctly reminiscent of bananas.

As you might’ve guessed, this hanging succulent is closely related to the String of Pearls, both plants coming from the same genus. However, it is significantly easier to care for in comparison. The chief reason is that the String of Bananas has stronger stems and leaves.

This is among the easiest trailing succulents to care for, which makes it a great choice for beginners. It isn’t really finicky about lighting conditions as some of its cousins.

It does just as well in shade as it does in direct sunlight. It’s also drought-tolerant and doesn’t need much water to survive.

In fact, too much water is detrimental to the plant. If the leaves start to yellow or soften, it’s an indication that you’re watering them too often. You want to allow the soil to dry out completely between watering.

It is not frost-tolerant, however, and requires warmer weather to grow. Gardeners living in colder climates can grow them indoors in temperature-controlled rooms.

• Light: Full sun
• Watering: Drought-Tolerant

Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra)

The Elephant Bush (Portulacaria afra) is a native of South Africa that has become a very popular houseplant in recent years. It’s an easy plant to care for, and it can tolerate a wide range of growing conditions. It is a perennial shrub that is best displayed as a hanging succulent.

Its leaves are quite similar to that of the Jade Plant (Crassula ovata), though the two plants aren’t related in any way. They are a light green color with an almost transparent center, completely flat. They’re also fleshy and have a slightly glossy appearance. In addition, they’re edible. Locals in South Africa often add them to salads. They’re also used as medicine in some regions.

As the name might suggest, these plants are essentially Elephant food. The large beasts eat the stems and the leaves, spilling parts of them on the ground. The spillage forms new plants quite readily, continuing the cycle.

When the Elephant Bush is young, it grows like trailing succulents. But as it matures, it can become quite bushy if it’s not pruned regularly. If you want to keep it compact, give it a heavy pruning once or twice a year.

This plant is very drought tolerant and can go long periods without water. But it will produce more flowers and foliage if it’s watered on a regular basis.

• Light: Bright light
• Watering: Moderately, in well-drained soil

String Of Tears (Senecio herreianus)

Native to South Africa, the String Of Tears (Senecio herreianus) is a unique-looking plant that’s perfect for hanging baskets. It gets its common name from the fact that its leaves resemble teardrops. The leaves are like little green beads with a sharp point hanging onto a thin green stem.

The String Of Tears is among the faster-growing hanging succulents you can find and can quickly fill up a hanging basket or trail down from a shelf. Because it’s such a vigorous plant, it’s best to give it some space to grow. Don’t overcrowd it in the pot, or it will start to look leggy.

It’s not particularly fussy about light or water, but it does prefer bright, indirect light and moderate watering. Be careful not to overwater it, as too much water will cause the leaves to fall off.

This plant isn’t frost-hardy. It can tolerate temperatures as low as 5°C but no lower. This makes it hard for it to grow in colder climates. Unless you plan to hang this one in a temperature-regulated area, it’s best to look elsewhere for your new trailing succulent.

• Light: Full sun to part shade
• Watering: Infrequently

Calico Kitten Succulent (Crassula pellucida Variegata)

This is one of the most popular hanging succulents around. It’s often used in vertical gardens because it cascades over the edge of a pot or basket so beautifully.

The Calico Kitten Succulent (Crassula pellucida Variegata) is a small, shrubby hanging succulent that gets its common name from its leaves, which are variegated with spots that resemble a calico cat.

This plant is native to South Africa, where it grows in dry, rocky areas. It’s tolerant of drought and heat, making it an ideal choice for those who live in warm climates. Its frost tolerance only goes down to 7°C.

The leaves steal the show on this one. They have a creamy white interior with green highlights, but when stressed, they start turning pink. They keep turning pinker and pinker until they’ve completely changed their color.

In average room conditions, you’ll find some of the leaves are creamy white while others are completely pink. This interesting contrast, coupled with their nature as hanging succulents, makes them perfect for interior display. Hanging baskets never looked so colorful!

The flowers are small and white and appear in clusters. They bloom in winter and early spring. They are overshadowed by the leaves and aren’t the focus even when in full bloom.

• Light: Dappled sunlight 
• Water: Light

Lantern Flower (Ceropegia haygarthii)

The Lantern Flower, also called the parachute flower and the bushman’s pipe, is native to South Africa and gets its common name from its lantern-like flowers. It’s related to the Ceropegia woodii, which we’ve mentioned earlier.

The Lantern Flower is a climbing or trailing succulent with egg-shaped, semi-ovate leaves that are light green in color and appear in pairs on opposite sides of the stem.

Their flowers are quite unique and serve as the main distinguishing feature of these hanging succulents. They’re tube-shaped, flaring just before the end of the tube and then closing in at the mouth. The result is a lantern-shaped cage that’s unlike else you’re likely to see.

The flowers serve the function of trapping the insects that are attracted by them to help with pollination. They release these insects after a short period, but if you manage to catch a glimpse of a trapped fly or bee, it’s quite astonishing.

The Ceropegia Haygarthii is not difficult to care for and makes an excellent houseplant. It prefers bright indirect light but can tolerate lower light levels. Water frequently and fertilize during the growing season.

• Light: Filtered Sunlight
• Water: Regularly, and keep the soil consistently moist

String Of Buttons (Crassula Perforata)

String Of Buttons (Crassula Perforata) is a trailing succulent. It’s a native of South Africa, and it gets its common name from the shape of its leaves, which are round and flat stacked on top of each other to form tiny columns.

The String Of Buttons is a fast-growing succulent that can quickly fill up a pot or hanging basket. The stems can get long and leggy, so it’s best to give them some kind of support to climb on. A trellis or something similar will do the trick perfectly.

You can go one of two ways with this plant. If pruned regularly, the stack of buttons remains upright and tall. Displayed in a potted plant, these look like they belong. But if allowed to grow tall and unpruned, the upright column will eventually fall under its own weight, giving it a trailing habit.

The plant produces small pale-yellow flowers that appear in the summertime. They’re not particularly showy or spectacular, but they do add a touch of charm to the plant.

• Light: Bright light
• Watering: Avoid overwatering

Hindu Rope Plant (Hoya carnosa ‘Compacta’)

The Hindu Rope Plant (‘Krinkle Kurl’) is a succulent native to Asia that’s a variety of the wax plant (Hoya carnosa). It gets its common name from the thick, rope-like stems that cascade over the edge of a pot or hanging basket.

The Hindu Rope has dark green leaves with light green veins running through them. The margins of the leaves are often curled under, giving them a cupped appearance.

Like other Hoya plants, the flowers are small and white with a yellow center, borne in clusters at the leaf axils. These clusters are perfectly spherical and symmetrical to an unbelievable degree. They have a sweet fragrance that attracts bees and other pollinators.

This plant can be grown as a vine or as a hanging succulent. The trailing habit is best displayed in a hanging basket, but it’s up to the gardener to make the final choice.

When grown as a vine, this plant would require careful pruning. Be careful not to prune away the ‘spurs.’ These are the focal points from which new flowers emerge, and you don’t want to miss out on those gorgeous blooms.

This plant wants bright, indirect light but can tolerate some shade. Water it moderately, allowing the soil to dry out between watering. It’s fairly drought tolerant but will appreciate a little extra water during the warmer months.

• Light: Dappled sunlight
• Water: Moderate

Peanut Cactus (Echinopsis chamaecereus)

The Peanut Cactus is a native of Bolivia and Argentina. It’s one of the smallest members of the Echinopsis species, only reaching about 6 inches (15 cm) in height.

Its called the Peanut Cactus because of the shape of its stems, which are quite small, resembling peanuts. But don’t eat them! They’re not edible. The flowers are also quite small and unimpressive, so it’s best to appreciate this plant for its overall form rather than its individual parts.

When allowed to grow unrestrained, the individual finger-like stems develop a trailing habit, climbing over one another and forming a sort of mini-cascading effect that looks quite impressive from afar.

Begin by planting a Peanut Cactus in a small pot. When it grows large enough, it will start giving off offsets and small branches that begin to spill over the sides of the container. Put the pot up as a hanging basket or repot into a more appropriate pot, and you’ll have a hanging succulent.

The Peanut Cactus is a globular cactus that can reach up to 6 inches (15 cm) in diameter. Its skin is covered in short, brown spines that give it a hairy appearance. This plant is slow-growing and can live for many years with proper care.

• Light: Sunny
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

Monkey’s Tail Cactus (Cleistocactus colademononis)

The Monkey’s Tail (Cleistocactus colademononis) is a succulent native to Bolivia and a part of the cactus family. It was previously known as Hildewintera colademononis. This plant is called the Monkey’s Tail because of its long, tail-like stems that can grow up to 3 feet in length.

If you’ve seen the Rat Tail Cactus, the Monkey tail will look quite similar. Consider it a bushier, thicker version of the rattail cactus with longer stems. Other than that, if you’ve successfully cultivated a rat tail cactus, Cleistocactus colademononis won’t give you any trouble. These two cacti aren’t related, but we group them together because of their similar growing habits.

The Monkey’s Tail is a fast-growing cactus that can quickly fill up a pot or hanging basket. Its stems are green and have small spines along their length. Flowers bloom in spring and summer, appearing as clusters of small, red blooms. But they fade quickly and add little interest to the hanging cactus.

In the beginning, the stems of this cactus grow upright, like a regular cactus. But if left to their devices, they keep growing and eventually fall sideways under their own weight. If kept in a hanging pot, these hanging stems fall off the sides of the pot, giving the appearance of a monkey tail.

This plant wants bright, indirect sunlight. It’s tolerant of low light but will grow more slowly in these conditions. Water sparingly, and give the soil some time to dry out before a new session.

• Light: Direct sunlight
• Water: Infrequently, when dry

Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense)

The Ghost Plant (Graptopetalum paraguayense) is a succulent that’s native to Mexico. Its called the Ghost Plant because of the pale coloration of its leaves, which are gray-green with a hint of blue. The plant also goes by the name Mother-of-Pearl Plant.

When starting out, this plant has a rosette-forming habit. These rosettes emerge from the central stem. As the stem elongates, the placement of new rosettes gets further and further away from the central plant. This results in a sort of cascading effect that looks amazing on a hanging basket.

So while this plant isn’t counted among traditional hanging succulents, it can be used in that way without a problem. Of course, you can also keep it closer to the ground as a potted houseplant. But that’s up to you.

Keep in mind that this is a slow-grower, meaning getting to the stage where it will display its trailing growth habit will take time. But if you have the patience, you’ll have a trailing succulent that’s quite rarely grown in that manner.

Like most succulents, this is one of those plants that are easy to care for. It’s very sensitive to overwatering and will rot if given too much water, but other than that, cultivating it should be smooth sailing. However, it’s just as susceptible to the occasional pest, but no more than others.

To avoid any problems with watering, make sure the soil is well-draining and only water when the top few inches are dry. The best way to tell if a Graptopetalum paraguayense is overwatered is to check the leaves. If they’re soft and mushy, it’s too wet. If they’re shriveled and dry, it’s too dry.

• Light: Full sun or filtered sunlight
• Watering: Wait for the soil to dry

Kitten Ears (Cyanotis somaliensis)

The Kitten Ears (Cyanotis somaliensis) is a small, low-growing, or hanging succulent that’s perfect for hanging baskets. It has a mat-forming and trailing habit. If you pot it up in a container, it will quickly spread and fill out the crevices until it covers every inch.

Its called the Kitten Ears Plant because of the shape of its leaves. They’re oblong and curved into themselves. They also have long, white hairs coming out from the margins of the leaves, much like that of a cat. The result is a mat of green cat-ear-like leaves that exhibit a trailing habit.

It grows quickly, and filling up a container happens practically overnight. The Kitten Ears produces small, blue, or purple flowers that bloom in the summertime (these are fuzzy as well).

The Kitten Ears are drought-tolerant and can go long periods without water. However, it will produce more flowers if it’s given regular watering during the growing season. Wait for the soil to dry before a new watering session.

• Light: Bright, direct light
• Watering: Moderately, when the soil is dry

25 Trailing & Hanging Succulent Plants

Summary

When it comes to planting succulents in hanging baskets, you can’t go wrong with any of these 25 options. That being said, you could also try to incorporate trailing plants that aren’t succulents if you like. Just remember that not all succulents are drought-tolerant, so choose your hanging basket plants accordingly.