Let’s be honest: vining plants are the be-all and end-all for most houseplant lovers. They just have a certain allure, which I personally think originates from the thrilling possibility that they might take over your entire house—what a dream, right? On the other hand, they also seem minimalistic when you consider that one singular plant can have a significant impact on the overall look and feel of your space. Let’s take a look at the best indoor vining plants, as well as how to care for and style them.
Why Choose Vining Houseplants?
Aesthetic appeal - It’s no news that vining plants are aesthetically pleasing. There’s just something mystical and otherworldly about a plant, trailing effortlessly over a piece of furniture. Depending on how you choose to make them climb, they can also make a space seem larger by drawing the eye upwards. Whether you let them climb your wall, cascade from hanging planters, or drape over your bookshelf, they are bound to make a space feel well-thought-out and complete.
Versatility - Vining plants are an interior plant stylist's dream plants to style a space with. The main reason being that the possibilities are endless. They are very adaptable to the design and layout of your home. Don’t have any surface space? Hang them from the ceiling or a curtain rod. Is your bookshelf looking a little lackluster? A vining plant cascading over your books will result in a very eclectic look and feel. Want to emphasize an archway or wall without necessarily painting it or spending thousands? Train a vining plant to grow around the arch in an interesting pattern. The options truly are endless!
Ease of care - Believe it or not, most vining plants fall under the novice category when it comes to plant care. They tend not to mind occasional neglect, and being vining plants, they also don’t need much upkeep in terms of excessive pruning. You can just let them be, and they will most likely grow wild, especially if the lighting conditions are sufficient.
Top Vining Houseplants for Your Home
There are hundreds of vining plants to choose from when it comes to styling your indoor jungle. But a few vine plants have gained popularity among the houseplant community for good reasons. Let's take a look at some of these vining plants to, hopefully, help you choose the right plant for your space.
Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum)
Also known as the heart leaf philodendron, the philodendron hederaceum is known for its heart-shaped leaves and ease of care which makes it perfect for beginners. This plant thrives in low to bright indirect light and can tolerate occasional watering omission. Its vines can grow impressively long, making it ideal for trailing over shelves or climbing up supports.
Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is a favorite for low-light conditions with its trailing vines and hardy nature. This plant is exceptionally forgiving and can thrive even in less-than-ideal conditions. Its leaves come in a variety of colors and patterns, adding a splash of greenery to any room. Pothos is also known for its air-purifying qualities, making it a practical and beautiful addition to your home.
String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
Delicate and charming, the String of Hearts adds a whimsical touch with its tiny heart-shaped leaves. This plant prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Its trailing vines can grow several feet long, making it perfect for hanging planters or high shelves. The String of Hearts is relatively low-maintenance and only needs occasional watering.
English Ivy (Hedera helix)
A classic choice, English Ivy is versatile and can be grown in hanging baskets or as a climbing plant. It thrives in medium to bright light and prefers a bit of humidity. English Ivy's dense, green foliage makes it an excellent choice for creating a lush, green backdrop in your home. It's also known for its air-purifying properties, helping to improve indoor air quality.
Hoya Carnosa (Wax Plant)
The Hoya Carnosa, commonly known as the Wax Plant, is admired for its thick, waxy leaves and sweetly scented, star-shaped flowers. This hardy plant prefers bright, indirect light and does well in well-draining soil. It can tolerate periods of drought, making it perfect for those who may forget to water occasionally. Its trailing vines can grow quite long, making it perfect for hanging baskets or training around a trellis.
Read my blog post "The Complete Guide to Hoya Carnosa: Care, Styling, and Beyond" for a detailed review of the Hoya plant.
Philodendron Micans
Philodendron Micans is a stunning variety known for its velvety, heart-shaped leaves that display a beautiful range of colors from deep green to bronze. This plant thrives in low to bright indirect light and prefers regular watering, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Its trailing vines add a touch of elegance to any space, making it perfect for hanging planters or shelves. The Philodendron Micans is also relatively easy to care for, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced plant enthusiasts.
Read my blog post "Philodendron Micans: A Closer Look at Nature's Velvet Masterpiece" for a detailed review of the Philodendron micans.
Monstera Adansonii (Swiss Cheese Plant)
The Monstera Adansonii, also known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, is admired for its unique, perforated leaves. This vining plant thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers to dry out slightly between waterings. Its intriguing leaf patterns and rapid growth make it a standout choice for adding visual interest to your home. Monstera Adansonii can be trained to climb up a moss pole or trellis, enhancing its dramatic appearance.
Scindapsus (Scindapsus pictus)
Scindapsus, also known as Satin Pothos or Silver Pothos, is a stunning vining plant known for its silvery, satin-like leaves with beautiful variegation. It thrives in low to bright indirect light and prefers to dry out slightly between waterings. Scindapsus can be trained to climb up a trellis or allowed to trail from a hanging basket, adding a touch of elegance and shimmer to any room.
Caring for Vining Houseplants
Light Requirements
Different vining plants have their own lighting preferences, so it's essential to match the plant to the light conditions in your home. Some, like Pothos and Philodendron, are easygoing and thrive in anything from low to bright indirect light, making them adaptable to various spaces. Others, like the String of Hearts and Hoya Carnosa, enjoy basking in bright, indirect light to keep their vibrant growth and beautiful foliage. Give your plants the right amount of light to keep them happy and prevent issues like leggy growth or faded leaves.
Watering Schedule
Understanding the watering needs of each vining plant is key to keeping them healthy and happy. Most vining plants prefer their soil to dry out slightly between waterings. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause wilting and leaf drop. For instance, Pothos and Philodendrons are quite forgiving and can handle the occasional forgotten watering, whereas the Hoya Carnosa prefers to dry out more thoroughly. Always check the soil moisture before watering and adjust based on the plant's specific needs. A little neglect can sometimes be better than too much love!
Soil and Potting Tips
Well-draining soil is vital for the health of vining houseplants. A mix designed for indoor plants, often containing ingredients like perlite, peat moss, and vermiculite, works well for most species. When repotting, choose a pot with drainage holes to prevent water from accumulating at the bottom. Repotting should be done every 1-2 years or when the plant outgrows its current container. This ensures healthy root growth and gives your plant plenty of room to stretch out and thrive.
Pruning and Maintenance
Pruning is an essential part of maintaining the shape and health of your vining houseplants. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and prevents the plant from becoming too leggy. Trim back long vines to promote new growth at the base and remove any yellowing or dead leaves to keep the plant looking its best. For plants like English Ivy, which can grow quite aggressively, regular pruning helps control their size and shape. Don't be afraid to give your plants a little haircut to keep them manageable and looking their best.
Styling Vining Houseplants in Your Home
Creating Vertical Gardens
Vertical gardens are a great way to occupy large, empty walls by creating a lush green focal point. Make use of trellises, moss poles, or vine hooks to secure the vines of the plants to the wall. You can experiment with different patterns and placements of the plants to create extra visual interest. Vining plants have a natural need to grow upwards, and when you give them something to climb on, their leaves tend to get much bigger than when left cascading down with nothing to grasp onto.
Hanging Planters and Baskets
Hanging planters and baskets can be hung on ceiling hooks, wall brackets, curtain rods, clothing rails, and just about anywhere else, in my opinion. Placing a vining plant in a hanging basket and letting it drape down is the epitome of effortless beauty. This method of plant styling is often seen in spaces with high ceilings that have lots of vertical negative space to work with.
Mixing and Matching with Other Plants
I love pairing vining plants with smaller, bushier plants, as the contrast draws even more attention to the vining plant, making it look even bigger in scale. Pairing your vining plants with other plant species creates a lush, layered look that comes across as very intentional and makes a space look complete.
Using Vining Plants as Room Dividers
Making use of vining plants as room dividers is a very effective method of subtly separating different areas in a home. This can be achieved through the use of trellises or arranging hanging baskets in such a way that the cascading plants create a visual wall of greenery. This is a great option for homes where you want to section off areas but have limited space.
Accentuating Architectural Features
Making use of vining plants to enhance certain architectural characteristics of a home is a very popular way of incorporating greenery into a space. Train the vines to grow along an interestingly shaped archway or let them cascade down an intricately designed pillar. Architectural elements like stair railings are the perfect ready-made trellises for your plants to climb on, all while adding to an ethereal, castle-like feel in your home.
Vining Plants Common Problems and Solutions
Yellowing Leaves
Yellowing leaves can be a sign of several issues, including overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiencies. To address this, first check the soil moisture. If it's too wet, allow the soil to dry out before watering again. If it's too dry, give your plant a good soak. Additionally, consider using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer to ensure your plant is getting all the necessary nutrients.
Leggy Growth
Leggy growth occurs when plants don't receive enough light, causing them to stretch out in search of better conditions. To fix this, move your plant to a brighter location with more indirect light. You can also trim back the leggy parts to encourage bushier growth. If natural light is limited, consider using a grow light to supplement the plant’s light needs.
Pests
Common pests for vining houseplants include spider mites, aphids, and mealybugs. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of pests, such as webbing, tiny insects, or sticky residue. To treat infestations, wipe down the leaves with a mixture of water and mild dish soap, or use insecticidal soap. For severe infestations, neem oil or horticultural oil can be effective solutions.
Root Rot
Root rot is typically caused by overwatering and poor drainage, leading to soggy soil and decaying roots. To prevent root rot, ensure your plant is in well-draining soil and a pot with drainage holes. If you suspect root rot, gently remove the plant from its pot, trim away any mushy or blackened roots, and repot it in fresh, dry soil. Adjust your watering schedule to prevent future issues.
Brown Leaf Tips
Brown leaf tips can result from several factors, including low humidity, underwatering, or a build-up of salts from fertilizers. To remedy this, increase the humidity around your plant by misting the leaves regularly, using a humidifier, or placing a tray of water nearby. Ensure you are watering adequately, and flush the soil occasionally to remove any salt build-up by watering thoroughly and letting excess water drain out completely.
Slow Growth
If your vining houseplant is growing slowly, it might be due to insufficient light, poor soil quality, or inadequate nutrients. Make sure your plant is getting the right amount of light for its species. Refresh the soil annually and use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer during the growing season to give your plant a nutrient boost.
I hope that after reading this article, you are as enamored with vining houseplants as I am. They truly are the perfect plants to start out with, as there are so many varieties to choose from. Vining houseplants are moderately easy to care for, and they offer great opportunities for experimenting with trimming and propagation. Their versatility in styling, combined with their ability to thrive in various light conditions, makes them ideal for any indoor space. Whether you're looking to create a lush vertical garden, add a touch of greenery to a high shelf, or simply enjoy the beauty of cascading vines, vining houseplants are a fantastic choice. Happy planting!
