Out of Reach: 3 Pet-Safe Succulents for Hanging Planters

If you love the look of trailing plants but don’t want something that will require a lot of attention, consider trailing succulent varieties. There are many types of succulent that you can grow in hanging planters either from the ceiling or on the wall that will spill over the sides to create a lush, jungly look for any room. The best part is, they’re just as easy to care for as other succulents. Here we’ll go over some of the top picks for trailing succulents to hang indoors.

String of Hearts

You might also find a string of hearts called rosary vine. It has heart-shaped leaves that grow on long slender vines. Besides the leaf shape, the colors of this succulent are unique and striking. The leaves are typically a silvery green while the vines are shades of purple. String of hearts can flower in the right conditions, producing small but eye-catching blooms in pink or white that look very similar to tiny cotton balls.

This succulent makes a brilliant choice if you want something long, delicate and unique. Like all succulents, it thrives when the soil dries out completely before you water it again. Hang it somewhere with bright but indirect light and in the event some vines or leaves end up in reach of your pets or children you can rest easy knowing the plant is non-toxic.

Donkey’s Tail

Donkey’s tail or burro’s tail is a thicker, bushier variety of succulent that works very well in hanging planters. This variety grows slowly but can reach lengths up to four feet long if not pruned. The leaves are rounded and teardrop-shaped, clustered together in a pleated pattern along the vines. This gives the plant a thick and bushy appearance, like its namesake. It’s much more likely to bloom when planted outdoors, but even indoors you might see red, white or yellow flowers on the ends of vines in late summer.

While donkey’s tail can grow very large, it is a slow grower. In the perfect environment, it can take up to 5 years for long vines to form and at least a year before it will start spilling over the edge of a planter or basket. You can buy more mature plants or grow from babies—just be patient! This succulent does best in direct sunlight and is non-toxic to pets and humans if ingested.

Holiday Cactus

Don’t forget that cacti are succulents too. Holiday cactus is a broad term that includes Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter cactus varieties, all named for the times of year they bloom. The thing that makes holiday cactus such a great idea for indoor hanging planters is that they thrive in cooler temperatures and partial shade. Their deep green leaves are smooth or have ridges depending on the variety all of them produce vivid red or pink flowers. If the plant is happy, it can keep flowering throughout its “holiday season” and the flowers will last at least a week.

A holiday cactus is another hanging variety of succulent that’s easy to care for. While it has different light and temperature needs than most succulents and cacti, its preference for shade and cooler temperatures might make it a great option for an indoor plant. It’s also non-toxic to pets and humans, but can lead to an upset stomach if eaten. It’s a good idea to hang them up high out of reach to avoid accidental ingestion.

If you want to add hanging plants to your indoor spaces but don’t have time to keep up with demanding watering schedules, these succulent options are worth considering.