Trailing Houseplants: A Green Waterfall That Livens Up Any Shelf or Cabinet
Do you have a small flat with no floor space left for large ficus trees or palms? Or do you just want to "soften" the sharp edges of furniture and make a space feel cozier? The solution is trailing houseplants.
These "living curtains" add depth and natural elegance to an interior. They look stunning in macramé hangers, on tall bookcases, or in stylish pot covers on the edge of a cabinet. We've picked species for you that are not only beautiful, but most of them also surprisingly hardy.
Tip from Míša (houseplant specialist): With trailing plants on a wardrobe or shelf, the most common mistakes are watering and light. Once a week take the plants down, put them in the bathtub, soak them thoroughly (or shower them) and let them drain, and only then put them back up. And now and then move them into the light so they do not go bare at the top.
Top Picks: From Indestructible to Flowering Beauties
1. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum)
The absolute king of trailing plants. If you're just starting out, this is choice number one and one of the most rewarding low-maintenance houseplants there is.
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Looks: Deep green, heart-shaped leaves, often with yellow or white variegation.
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Why you'll want it: It's nearly indestructible. It grows incredibly fast (up to a meter a year) and tolerates shadier corners too.
Choose your green waterfall online:
Choose your green waterfall online: (We'll deliver it carefully packed so the long vines don't get damaged)
2. Spider Plant
A retro classic you know from schools and offices — and rightly so!
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Looks: Long, narrow leaves with a white stripe. It grows small baby plantlets ("spiderettes") on long runners.
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Why you'll want it: It's safe for pets and survives the occasional missed watering. In summer, you can take it outside as an accent among your outdoor plants on a shady balcony.
3. String of Pearls
The Instagram hit of recent years.
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Looks: Looks like strings threaded with green peas or pearls.
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Care: Watch out, botanically it's a succulent! It needs plenty of light (a spot near a window is best) and little water. Overwater it and the little "pearls" will burst.
4. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
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Looks: Tiny, heart-shaped leaves on thin, wire-like stems.
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Why you'll want it: It looks very delicate and romantic. It grows fast and forms long, airy curtains.
5. Lipstick Plant and Wax Plant (Hoya)
Want your "curtain" to flower too? Reach for flowering houseplants that can handle trailing.
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Wax plant (Hoya): It has fleshy leaves and gorgeous, intensely fragrant flower clusters that look like porcelain.
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Lipstick plant (Aeschynanthus): It has striking tubular flowers (often red) that push out of the calyx like a tube of lipstick.
We'll deliver it carefully packed so the long vines don't get damaged.
Trailing plants for the balcony and terrace
Trailing plants do not have to stay indoors. Three varieties from our range suit a balcony, a terrace or a gazebo:
Trailing fuchsia: a seasonal plant that blooms continuously from spring to autumn. Its two-tone, skirt-shaped flowers come in shades from pink to purple. It likes partial shade to shade, regular watering (the substrate should stay slightly moist) and feeding once a week. We deliver it in a hanging pot 25 cm in diameter.
Trailing rosemary XL: a fragrant trailing variety (Rosmarinus officinalis “Prostratus”) with shoots about 50 cm long. It belongs in a sunny spot with air flowing around it and loves the heat in summer. You can also use it in the kitchen for grilling, baking or herb oils.
Ivy: undemanding and evergreen, it suits hanging pots and also works as a climber on a pergola or wall. It likes partial shade or diffused light without direct sun, and the shoots are pinched out for denser growth.
You will find the plant cards below, and more plants for the garden and balcony in the Outdoor plants category.
3 Golden Rules for Caring for Plants "Up High"
Growing plants on top of cabinets has its own quirks. What should you watch out for?
1. Light on the "Bald Spot"
We often place plants on tall cabinets. While the vines trail down toward the light, the top of the pot (the plant's crown) often sits in the dark near the ceiling.
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The result: The plant goes "bald" up top (drops its leaves) and is only green from the middle down.
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The fix: Take the plant down into the light every so often, or place it so light reaches even the top of the pot.
2. Watering Without Disasters
Watering a plant near the ceiling is a tricky business. Water often runs off the leaves past the pot and leaves a stain on the wall or furniture.
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Florist's tip: "Don't try to balance on a chair with a watering can. Once a week, take the plants down, put them in the bathtub, water them thoroughly (or shower them), and let them drain. Only then put them back up."
3. Pruning for Fullness
Don't be afraid of scissors! If a vine gets too long and sparse, feel free to trim it back. It will encourage the plant to branch out and become fuller.
Trailing houseplants are the best way to bring greenery even into a small flat. Pick your favorite at KvětinyExpres.cz and let nature into your home.
Frequently asked questions about trailing plants
Which trailing plant is best for beginners?
Golden pothos (Epipremnum). It is almost indestructible, grows incredibly fast (easily a metre a year) and tolerates shadier corners. You will find more among the easy-care houseplants.
How do I water trailing plants on top of a wardrobe?
Once a week take the plants down, put them in the bathtub, soak them thoroughly (or shower them) and let them drain. Only then put them back up.
Why does a trailing plant lose leaves at the top?
The top of the pot is often in the dark near the ceiling while the vines hang down toward the light, so the plant goes bare (drops leaves) at the top. Now and then take it down into the light, or place it so that light also reaches the top of the pot.
Is spider plant safe for pets?
Yes, it is safe for pets and survives the occasional forgotten watering.
How do I make sparse vines fuller?
If a vine is too long and sparse, simply shorten it with scissors. The plant will branch out and become fuller.
Team KvětinyExpres.cz
