Best Trailing Succulents for Hanging Baskets | Balcony Garden (2023)

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Ready to add a unique touch to your balcony garden? Trailing succulents are a perfect way to do it! With their cascading foliage, trailing succulents for hanging baskets bring life and movement into any space.

Not only that, but they’re also incredibly low maintenance—even more so than other plants! From Sedum morganianum (Burro’s Tail) to Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts), we’ve rounded up the best trailing succulents for you.

In this article, we detail our top picks that will help create an eye-catching display in your outdoor oasis.

Best Trailing Succulents for Hanging Baskets

You will find some fantastic options among trailing succulents like Sedum morganianum (Burro’s Tail) with its long stems and plump leaves, Senecio rowleyanus (String of Pearls) and its unique pea-shaped foliage, Sansevieria parva (Kenya Hyacinth) with narrow reflexing leaves, Othonna capensis (Ruby Necklace) featuring ruby-red stems, and Ceropegia woodii (String of Hearts) with its wispy heart-shaped stems.

Choosing the right trailing succulents can create a visually stunning hanging basket display that thrives with minimal care.

Sedum Morganianum (Burro’s Tail)

You’ll love watching the plump leaves of Burro’s Tail cascade from your hanging basket as its luxurious stems reach downwards with minimal care.

1. Provide bright light and allow soil to dry between waterings.
2. Mist leaves occasionally to increase humidity.
3. Use well-draining cactus/succulent soil.
4. Prune any dead or damaged leaves/stems.
5. Propagate by taking stem cuttings to allow trailing growth.

Sedum morganianum, also called Burro’s Tail, is an easy-care trailing succulent perfect for hanging baskets. Its long stems with plump leaves propagate readily, requiring only bright light and well-draining soil.

With proper sunlight, occasional misting, quality potting mix, and pruning of damaged foliage, Burro’s Tail will cascade beautifully in your hanging container.

Senecio Rowleyanus (String of Pearls)

Hang your basket on the wall and absolutely mesmerize your guests with the uniquely pea-shaped pearls that seem to cascade endlessly from the String of Pearls. Thriving in bright light, this drought-tolerant succulent propagates easily. Combine it in a decorative pot with Burro’s Tail for a spectacular show of trailing foliage.

With proper light and well-draining soil, grow this stunner indoors as an undemanding houseplant.

Sansevieria Parva (Kenya Hyacinth)

The slow-growing Kenya hyacinth is a succulent with narrow reflexing leaves that produces pinkish flowers. Position this plant in a bright spot with ample air circulation to prevent fungal issues. Although drought tolerant, provide occasional deep watering to sustain its foliage.

Propagate new plants by division or stem cuttings. Appreciate this stunning succulent’s rosette form and arching leaves, ideal for mixed or solitary plantings. With minimal needs, the Kenya hyacinth thrives as a unique low maintenance hanging succulent.

Othonna Capensis (Ruby Necklace)

Fast-growing with ruby-red stems, the Ruby Necklace succulent brings wisdom and cheer to your home when you let its yellow flowers bloom in your hanging basket.

Place this beauty in bright light to see it cascade luxuriously. Water when the succulent’s leaves start to wrinkle and feel soft. Allow the soil to dry between waterings and your Ruby Necklace will reward you with abundant growth as it trails down elegantly.

Misting the succulent often provides ideal humidity. Propagate new Ruby Necklaces by taking stem cuttings to share with friends so they too can enjoy this gorgeous succulent trailing in hanging baskets.

Ceropegia Woodii (String of Hearts)

The wispy stems and heart-shaped leaves of string of hearts will have you smitten as they cascade romantically from your hanging basket.

1. Provide bright, indirect light.
2. Water when top inch of soil is dry.
3. Fertilize monthly during the growing season.

Ceropegia woodii offers delicate foliage and trailing stems up to 3 feet long. Often grown indoors, string of hearts prefers temperatures between 65-75°F and thrives in peaty, well-draining soil. You can propagate by taking cuttings in spring or summer. This trailing succulent lends a whimsical touch to any hanging container.

Ideal Hanging Succulents for Indoor Spaces

When looking for the ideal hanging succulents to decorate your indoor spaces, focus on those with cascading stems that can gracefully spill over the edges of a hanging basket. Look for varieties like Burro’s Tail, String of Pearls, String of Hearts, and Trailing Jade that thrive indoors in bright light with minimal care.

To find the perfect hanging succulents for indoor décor, choose varieties with trailing stems that spill over planter edges, such as Burro’s Tail, String of Pearls, String of Hearts, or Trailing Jade.

These cascade beautifully in hanging baskets while thriving indoors with bright light and easy care.

Dischidia Nummularia (String of Nickels)

You’d adore its coin-shaped leaves cascading down in a hanging basket! Give this unique succulent bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Dischidia Nummularia’s round foliage, resembling coins, stacks along gracefully arching stems.

Propagate new plants from cuttings. Show off the string of nickels in a hanging pot near a bright window. Its lush, pendant growth thrives with careful watering. Dischidia’s low maintenance yet striking form makes an excellent addition to your indoor trailing succulent collection.

Senecio Herreianus (String of Tears)

Dealing with it when your compact Senecio herreianus emits a cinnamon scent with pea-like foliage cascading vertically.

• Provide bright light to encourage growth. Direct sun may scorch the plant.
• Allow the soil to partially dry between waterings. Avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot.
• Fertilize monthly during the growing season to nourish the plant.
• Prune any diseased or dying stems to prevent the spread of disease and pests.

With minimal care, this petite trailing succulent thrives indoors, emitting an alluring aroma as delicate teardrops dangle delicately.

Senecio Radicans (String of Bananas)

Check out those cascading stems looking like bananas when you hang this succulent. With easy care tips, propagation’s a snap by planting in free draining mix within a hanging basket in medium to bright light.

Keep evenly moist, allowing it to dry between waterings to prevent overwatering the string of bananas, a fun trailing succulent for indoor plant spaces.

Crassula Pellucida Variegata (Calico Kitten)

Watch as the calico kitten’s variegated fur unfurls down the climbing post, a mosaic of pink, cream, and green blending softly together.

1. Bright, indirect light
2. Well-draining soil
3. Allowing the soil to dry between waterings

The Calico Kitten’s variegated leaves make it a standout succulent for hanging baskets and indoor plantings.

Hoya Carnosa Compacta (Hindu Rope)

You’ll love the way Hindu Rope Hoya’s thick, curled leaves in rope formation cascade down from hanging baskets. Display its braided foliage in a bright spot. Water when the top inch of potting mix feels dry—about once a week.

Feed monthly spring through fall. Repot every 2-3 years in a well-draining mix, such as orchid bark and perlite. An airy basket shows off its unique cascading stems. With proper care, it will thrive for years.

Unique Trailing Succulents for Hanging Baskets

You enjoy the novelty and versatility of trailing succulents for their unconventional growth patterns. The rattail cactus, elephant bush, and trailing jade are three unique trailing succulents perfect for hanging baskets, with their decorative stems and leaves that gracefully spill over the sides.

Trailing succulents like the rattail cactus, elephant bush, and trailing jade offer a novel and versatile option for hanging baskets. Their decorative stems and leaves spill gracefully over the edges, adding beautiful texture.

Their unconventional growth patterns make these plants ideal for casual, whimsical planters.

Aporocactus Flagelliformis (Rattail Cactus)

Experience fascinating crimson-pink flowers blooming from the versatile rattail cactus’s long, trailing stems when you include it in your unique hanging succulent display. This adaptable cactus features trailing stems perfect for hanging baskets. Its crimson-pink blooms and carefree growth make the rattail cactus an ideal choice.

Portulacaria Afra (Elephant Bush)

You are intrigued by the brown stems and small green leaves of the Portulacaria afra, also known as the elephant bush. Enjoy this succulent’s suitability for hot climates and trailing habit in your hanging basket designs.

Care for it like other succulents – bright light, well-draining soil, and careful watering. Propagate new plants from cuttings, and prune as needed. Its versatility and low maintenance make the elephant bush a fun addition to your succulent collection.

Senecio Jacobsenii (Trailing Jade)

We’re spreading joy with our Senecio Jacobsenii’s beautiful orange flowers and frost-hardy ability to cascade elegantly for you in partial shade or full sun.

• Thrives with morning sun and afternoon shade
• Propagate from cuttings in spring or summer
• Allow soil to dry between waterings

Trailing Jade is such a gratifying trailing succulent. With proper care, its cascading stems will spill abundantly from your hanging baskets.

Schlumbergera Bridgesii (Christmas Cactus)

Your holiday cheer blossoms as the flattened stems and colorful flowers of the Christmas cactus bloom in late fall. With proper care, this festive succulent will reward you with its holiday season blooms.

Provide bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry between waterings for your Christmas cactus to thrive.

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Allow soil to dry between waterings

Soil: Well-draining potting mix

Feed: Balanced fertilizer monthly in spring/summer

Prune: Light pruning to encourage branching

As an experienced horticulturist, I recommend the charming Christmas cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii) for hanging succulent displays. This epiphytic cactus boasts flattened, segmented stems adorned with colorful blooms in festive shades of red, orange, pink or white just in time for the holidays.

To cultivate a thriving Christmas cactus, provide bright but indirect light to mimic its native forest habitat. Allow the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings to prevent root rot. Use a well-draining cactus potting mix amended with perlite or pumice for proper drainage.

Feed monthly with a balanced fertilizer diluted to half-strength during active growth in spring and summer.

Light pruning after flowering removes spent blooms and shapes the plant, encouraging branching for more abundant blooms the following season. With proper Christmas cactus care, these exotic houseplants offer unique holiday decor and cheer.

Their trailing stems cascade gracefully in hanging baskets and make festive living gifts.

You crave more soul-nourishing succulents to liberally festoon your home? Let the Christmas cactus unfurl its vivid holiday blooms across your walls. Its flattened stems burst with your favorite festive hues – sizzling oranges, passionate pinks, luscious reds.

This exotic forest-dweller thrives in your care, rewarding you with flower power.

Give it bright light without scorching sun rays. Let the soil dry between waterings. Use free-draining soil for its airy roots. Feed it monthly plant food when leaves grow actively. Remove spent blooms when they fade to promote branchy growth. With this radiant succulent, your holiday spirit can shine and overflow abundantly.

Hatiora Salicornioides (Dancing Bones Cactus)

Witness the distinctly contorted stems and petite yellow blooms of Hatiora salicornioides, dancing with uncommon grace. This succulent cactus’s wavy stems wave gracefully as they dangle freely in a hanging basket, adding quirky charm to any space.

To cultivate, situate it in bright indirect light, allowing the soil to dry between waterings. Clip off spent blossoms to encourage repeat blooming of these dainty flowers. With its dancing bones, this trailing cactus captivates with dynamic beauty.