Climbing houseplants are an excellent way to add lush greenery and vertical interest to any room in your home. These plants not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of your living space but also create a natural, vibrant atmosphere. Whether you’re looking to fill a blank wall, brighten up a dull corner, or simply introduce more greenery into your home, climbing plants are the perfect solution.
From the low-maintenance Pothos to the stunning Swiss Cheese Plant, there’s a climbing plant for every style and level of care commitment. With their cascading vines, air-purifying qualities, and the ability to thrive in a variety of indoor environments, climbing plants are an easy way to bring the outdoors inside. In this post, we’ll explore seven climbing houseplants that are guaranteed to look amazing in any room, offering you beautiful options to transform your space.
1. Pothos (Devil’s Ivy)
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is one of the most popular climbing houseplants due to its ease of care and aesthetic appeal. This trailing plant is known for its heart-shaped leaves that come in a variety of colors, including green, yellow, and white. It thrives in low light and is forgiving if you occasionally forget to water it, making it perfect for both beginners and seasoned plant enthusiasts. Pothos can grow long vines that can either hang down beautifully from a pot or be trained to climb up a trellis or pole, making it a versatile addition to any room. This plant is also known for its air-purifying qualities, absorbing harmful toxins in the environment. Its low maintenance nature and vibrant, trailing vines make it a fantastic choice for brightening up indoor spaces like living rooms, offices, or bathrooms.
Pothos is also a fast-growing plant, and with the right conditions, it can quickly add a touch of lush greenery to your home. To encourage its climbing habit, consider providing a moss pole or a trellis to support its vines. Regular pruning will help to maintain its shape and encourage fuller growth, which can make it even more visually striking. Moreover, this plant adapts to different indoor environments and can tolerate varying humidity levels, further adding to its appeal as a hardy, decorative houseplant.
2. Philodendron
The Philodendron is another climbing houseplant that is perfect for creating a green oasis in your home. Known for its distinctive, glossy, heart-shaped leaves, this plant has a striking appearance and grows with ease. Philodendrons can thrive in indirect light, making them ideal for spaces with less natural sunlight. They are also relatively low-maintenance and tolerant of neglect, as they only need to be watered when the top inch of soil feels dry. The climbing nature of the Philodendron makes it a great option for adding vertical interest to your living space. With a trellis or plant stake, you can train the vines to climb up and create a lush, green focal point.
Beyond its climbing capabilities, Philodendrons are highly adaptable, making them suitable for a range of different environments. They can be placed in a corner of the living room, on a bookshelf, or even in the office to add an element of natural beauty to the space. Some popular varieties include the Philodendron scandens, which has small, heart-shaped leaves, and the larger-leaved Philodendron gloriosum. Both are excellent choices for climbing plants, with their bold foliage and ability to thrive in low light, creating a sophisticated and relaxed ambiance in any room.
3. English Ivy
English Ivy (Hedera helix) is a timeless climbing plant that adds a classic touch to any home. With its iconic, lobed leaves, English Ivy can quickly grow and cover walls, trellises, or hanging baskets, providing a beautiful, cascading effect. It’s particularly great for creating a vintage or cottage-like atmosphere in your home. English Ivy thrives in moderate to bright indirect light, and it can be grown in a variety of conditions, although it does prefer slightly moist soil. Regular watering is necessary, but it’s important to avoid over-watering, as this can lead to root rot. As a climbing plant, English Ivy naturally clings to surfaces, but it can also be trained along supports to grow in any direction.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, English Ivy is also known for its ability to purify the air, making it a great plant for enhancing indoor air quality. It can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but as an indoor plant, it provides a lush, green backdrop to your decor. Whether you’re looking to cover a bare wall or create an eye-catching hanging planter, English Ivy is a reliable and beautiful option for any room. Just be mindful to trim it regularly to prevent it from becoming too invasive, as it tends to grow rapidly and may spread beyond its intended space.
4. Swiss Cheese Plant (Monstera Adansonii)
The Swiss Cheese Plant, also known as Monstera Adansonii, is a stunning climbing houseplant that has gained significant popularity due to its unique and striking appearance. Its leaves are heart-shaped with natural holes, which is why it’s often referred to as the “Swiss Cheese” plant. This plant has a vining growth habit and can easily be trained to climb a moss pole or trellis, creating an eye-catching focal point in any room. The Monstera Adansonii thrives in bright, indirect light and requires regular watering, but it’s essential not to over-water it, as this can cause root rot. Its climbing vines will naturally grow long and elegant, adding a tropical touch to your interior decor.
In addition to its stunning leaves, the Swiss Cheese Plant is relatively low-maintenance and can tolerate varying levels of humidity, making it a great choice for homes with different environmental conditions. As a fast-growing plant, it will quickly fill in space with its vibrant foliage, providing a lush, green atmosphere. This plant is ideal for adding texture and intrigue to any space, whether displayed in a hanging pot or allowed to climb up a support structure. It’s also known for being air-purifying, which makes it not only a beautiful plant but also one that contributes to a healthier indoor environment.
5. Hoya (Wax Plant)
The Hoya, commonly known as the Wax Plant, is a stunning climbing houseplant that is adored for its thick, waxy leaves and fragrant, star-shaped flowers. It’s a slower-growing plant compared to others on this list, but its longevity and unique blooms make it a favorite among plant lovers. Hoyas thrive in bright, indirect light and are relatively drought-tolerant, meaning they can go longer between waterings compared to other climbing plants. This plant’s vines can be trained to climb up supports or allowed to cascade from hanging baskets, creating a dramatic effect when the plant starts to bloom.
One of the most appealing features of the Hoya is its ability to produce clusters of small, fragrant flowers, which add an extra layer of beauty to its already attractive leaves. Some varieties, like the Hoya carnosa, even have variegated foliage, offering an additional dimension of color. This plant is perfect for those who want a low-maintenance climbing plant that will reward them with beautiful blooms over time. Whether you’re looking to fill a high shelf, create a hanging display, or add a touch of elegance to your decor, the Hoya will thrive in almost any indoor setting.
6. Jasmine
Jasmine (Jasminum) is a fragrant climbing plant that brings both beauty and a delightful scent to your home. Its glossy green leaves and delicate, white or yellow flowers make it an ideal choice for creating a romantic, fragrant atmosphere in any room. Jasmine plants are particularly well-suited for sunny spots, as they require a good amount of direct sunlight to thrive and produce flowers. When cared for properly, Jasmine can grow quickly and climb up trellises, walls, or arches, adding vertical interest to your living space.
What sets Jasmine apart from other climbing plants is its intoxicating fragrance, which can fill an entire room or even drift into adjacent areas of your home. The scent is especially potent when the plant is in full bloom, making it a perfect addition to bedrooms or living areas where you spend time relaxing. Jasmine prefers well-draining soil and regular watering, although it should not be overwatered. This plant is ideal for those who want a climbing plant that offers both visual beauty and a sensory experience through its enchanting fragrance.
7. String of Hearts
The String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii) is a charming and unique climbing houseplant that is perfect for adding a touch of whimsy and elegance to your home. Known for its delicate, heart-shaped leaves and trailing vines, the String of Hearts is a slow-growing plant that can be trained to climb or allowed to cascade down a shelf or hanging basket. The plant thrives in bright, indirect light and is drought-tolerant, requiring only occasional watering once the soil has dried out. Its attractive foliage, which can come in various shades of green, purple, and silver, makes it a versatile plant for any decor style.
Beyond its beauty, the String of Hearts is also known for its ability to thrive in dry conditions, making it a great choice for homes with fluctuating humidity or for those who are new to plant care. This plant’s unique appearance, with its trailing vines and dainty leaves, adds a playful and elegant touch to living rooms, bedrooms, or even kitchens. It’s also an ideal choice for small spaces, as it can be displayed in hanging planters or allowed to climb up a trellis to create a stunning vertical garden effect. The String of Hearts is a perfect combination of beauty, ease of care, and charm.
Bottom Line:
Climbing houseplants are a fantastic way to bring life and texture to your home. With their ability to thrive in different lighting conditions and their minimal maintenance needs, they’re ideal for both beginners and experienced plant enthusiasts. Whether you’re drawn to the easy-going Pothos or the fragrant Jasmine, these plants can enhance your decor while improving indoor air quality. Their versatility in growing up trellises, shelves, or hanging baskets makes them a perfect addition to any room. Add one (or more) of these climbing beauties to your space and enjoy the calming benefits of nature indoors.
FAQs
What are the best climbing plants for beginners?
Pothos and Philodendron are excellent options for beginners due to their low-maintenance nature and ability to thrive in low light.
How do I train my climbing plants to grow vertically?
You can use a moss pole or trellis to support your climbing plants and gently tie the vines as they grow to encourage vertical growth.
Can climbing plants grow in low light?
Yes, plants like Pothos and Philodendron are well-suited for low-light conditions, though most climbing plants prefer bright, indirect light.
How often should I water climbing houseplants?
Water your climbing plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Over-watering can lead to root rot, so always ensure proper drainage.