Explore 14 Stunning Trailing Succulent Varieties for Home

Dive into the world of cascading succulent. From String of Pearls to Burros Tail, find the perfect trailing variety for your space. Learn growth habits and care requirements. Create your own hanging garden oasis today!

 

Hey there, plant lovers! Ever seen those cool succulent that look like they’re spilling out of their pots? Those are trailing succulent and let me tell you, they’re taking homes across the USA by storm. Not only do they look awesome, but they’re also super easy to take care of. Today, we’re gonna check out 14 amazing trailing succulents that’ll turn your place into a green paradise.

 

What’s the Deal with Trailing Succulents?

 

So, trailing succulents are these plants that grow long stems that hang down. They’re like nature’s own waterfalls, but made of leaves! They store water in their leaves, stems, or roots, which is why they can handle dry conditions like champs. If you’ve got hanging baskets, wall planters, or high shelves, these plants are perfect for letting their stems cascade down.

 

Why You’ll Love Trailing Succulents

1. They’re a breeze to take care of
2. They save space by growing vertically
3. They add a unique, natural vibe to your home
4. They help clean the air in your living space
5. You can grow them indoors or outdoors

 

1. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

 

Here’s an easy-to-read and verified information chart for String of Pearls:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Senecio rowleyanus
Common Name	String of Pearls
Plant Type	Succulent
Hardiness Zone	Typically Zone 9-11; can tolerate brief periods of frost with protection
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light; can tolerate some direct sunlight but prefers filtered light
Soil Type	Well-draining soil, such as cactus or succulent mix; preferably sandy or gritty
Watering	Allow soil to dry out completely between waterings; water thoroughly but infrequently. Reduce watering in winter
Growth Habit	Trailing or cascading; forms long strands of small, round leaves resembling pearls
Height/Spread	Height: Typically 6-12 inches (15-30 cm) / Spread: 12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
Special Features	Unique, decorative appearance with pearl-like leaves; drought-tolerant; ideal for hanging baskets or containers

This little beauty is probably the poster child for trailing succulents. It’s got these tiny, round leaves that seriously look like green pearls on a string. If you’ve got a hanging basket and a spot with bright, indirect light, this plant will be your new best friend.

How to keep it happy:

• Let the soil dry out completely before watering
• Use soil that drains well
• Keep it out of direct sunlight

 

2. Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Burro’s Tail:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Sedum morganianum
Common Name	Burro’s Tail, Donkey’s Tail
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, gritty or sandy soil
Watering	Minimal watering, allow soil to dry out between waterings
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Unique, trailing foliage, ideal for hanging baskets, drought-tolerant

Also called Donkey’s Tail (I know, weird name for a plant), this succulent has thick, fleshy leaves that overlap to look like, well, a tail. It can grow up to 4 feet long, so it’s perfect if you want something that’ll really make a statement.

How to keep it happy:

• Give it bright, indirect light
• Don’t water it too much – let the soil dry out between waterings
• Be gentle when handling it – the leaves fall off pretty easily

 

3. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the String of Hearts:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Ceropegia woodii
Common Name	String of Hearts, Rosary Vine
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, sandy or gritty soil
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Heart-shaped leaves, attractive trailing vines, drought-tolerant

Don’t let this plant’s delicate looks fool you – it’s a fast grower! It’s got these cute heart-shaped leaves on thin, purple stems. Give it enough time and space, and it can trail up to 13 feet long!

How to keep it happy:

• Bright, indirect light is its best friend
• Water when the soil feels dry to the touch
• Give it a little fertilizer once a month during growing season

 

4. Trailing Jade (Peperomia rotundifolia)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Trailing Jade (Peperomia rotundifolia):

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Peperomia rotundifolia
Common Name	Trailing Jade, Round-Leaf Peperomia
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, sandy or gritty soil
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Round, fleshy leaves, compact growth, ideal for hanging baskets

Despite its name, this little guy isn’t actually related to true jade plants. But don’t hold that against it – it’s just as easy to care for and has these adorable small, round leaves on cascading stems.

How to keep it happy:

• It likes moderate to bright indirect light
• Keep the soil a little moist, but not soggy
• Give it a haircut now and then to keep it bushy

 

5. String of Bananas (Senecio radicans)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the String of Bananas:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Senecio radicans
Common Name	String of Bananas
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, sandy or gritty soil
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Banana-shaped leaves, drought-tolerant, ideal for hanging baskets

Imagine the String of Pearls, but instead of round leaves, you’ve got banana-shaped ones. That’s this plant in a nutshell. It grows pretty fast and can trail up to 3 feet long.

How to keep it happy:

• Bright, indirect light is its jam
• Let the soil dry out completely before watering
• Keep it away from extreme heat and cold

 

6. Fishbone Cactus (Disocactus anguliger)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Fishbone Cactus:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Disocactus anguliger
Common Name	Fishbone Cactus, Zig-Zag Cactus
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, cactus or succulent mix
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Epiphytic cactus, trailing or hanging
Height/Spread	12-24 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Unique, jagged leaf segments, thrives in humid environments, attracts pollinators

Don’t let the name fool you – this isn’t actually a cactus. It’s got these flat, zig-zag stems that look like fishbones. If you treat it right, it might even reward you with some big, sweet-smelling flowers.

How to keep it happy:

• It likes bright, indirect light
• Water when the top inch of soil is dry
• Use a potting mix that drains well

 

7. String of Dolphins (Senecio peregrinus)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the String of Dolphins:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Senecio peregrinus
Common Name	String of Dolphins, Dolphin Necklace
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, sandy or gritty soil
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Dolphin-shaped leaves, unique appearance, ideal for hanging baskets

Okay, this plant is just cool. Its leaves look like tiny dolphins jumping out of the water. It’s actually a mix between the String of Pearls and something called a Candle Plant.

How to keep it happy:

• Bright, indirect light is best
• Let the soil dry out completely before watering
• Make sure it’s got good air flow around it

 

8. Ruby Necklace (Othonna capensis)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Ruby Necklace:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Othonna capensis
Common Name	Ruby Necklace, Red Necklace
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, sandy or gritty soil
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Colorful, bead-like leaves that turn red, ideal for hanging baskets

This plant is like nature’s jewelry. It’s got purple-red stems and small, teardrop-shaped leaves. Put it in bright light and those leaves will turn a gorgeous ruby color.

How to keep it happy:

• It can handle full sun to partial shade
• Water it deeply, but not too often
• Use soil that drains well

 

9. Trailing Stonecrop (Sedum morganianum)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Trailing Stonecrop:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Sedum spurium
Common Name	Trailing Stonecrop, Two-row Stonecrop
Plant Zone	3-9
Sun Exposure	Full sun to partial shade
Soil Type	Well-drained, gritty or sandy soil
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 2 feet
Special Features	Attractive, fleshy foliage, produces clusters of small flowers, drought-tolerant

This plant’s got small, chubby leaves that grow densely along trailing stems. It’s tough as nails when it comes to drought and super easy to care for.

How to keep it happy:

• It’s happy in full sun to partial shade
• Don’t water it too much – let the soil dry out between waterings
• Keep it safe from frost in winter

 

10. String of Nickels (Dischidia nummularia)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the String of Nickels:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Dischidia nummularia
Common Name	String of Nickels, Coin Vine
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, succulent or cactus mix
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Epiphytic, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 2 feet
Special Features	Round, coin-shaped leaves, ideal for hanging baskets, drought-tolerant

This plant’s got round, flat leaves that look like little coins (hence the name). It grows slowly, but give it time and it’ll form long, cascading vines.

How to keep it happy:

• It likes bright, indirect light
• Keep the soil a little moist
• Give it a mist now and then to bump up the humidity

 

11. Mistletoe Cactus (Rhipsalis baccifera)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Mistletoe Cactus:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Rhipsalis baccifera
Common Name	Mistletoe Cactus
Plant Zone	10-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, cactus or succulent mix
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Epiphytic cactus, trailing or hanging
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Unique, segmented stems, ideal for hanging baskets, thrives in humid environments

This plant’s a bit of an oddball. It’s got thin stems that look like pencils and can grow up to 6 feet long. Fun fact: it’s one of the few cacti that naturally grow in rainforests.

How to keep it happy:

• Bright, indirect light is best
• Water when the top inch of soil is dry
• It likes high humidity

 

12. Hindu Rope Plant (Hoya carnosa ‘Compacta’)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Hindu Rope Plant:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Hoya carnosa
Common Name	Hindu Rope Plant, Wax Plant
Plant Zone	10-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, cactus or succulent mix
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing or climbing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing vines up to 4 feet
Special Features	Thick, waxy leaves with a unique rope-like appearance, produces fragrant flowers, ideal for hanging baskets

This plant’s got thick, waxy leaves that curl and twist along the stem, making it look like a rope. It grows slow, but with good care, it can live for decades.

How to keep it happy:

• It likes bright, indirect light
• Let the soil dry out between waterings
• Be patient – it takes its sweet time growing

 

13. String of Turtles(Peperomia prostrata)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the String of Turtles:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Peperomia prostrata
Common Name	String of Turtles
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect light
Soil Type	Well-drained, succulent or cactus mix
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Succulent, trailing
Height/Spread	6-12 inches in height, trailing stems up to 3 feet
Special Features	Small, round, patterned leaves resembling turtle shells, ideal for hanging baskets, drought-tolerant

This little cutie gets its name from its small, round leaves that look like turtle shells. It’s perfect for terrariums or small hanging baskets.

How to keep it happy:

• It likes moderate to bright indirect light
• Keep the soil a little moist
• It’s a fan of high humidity

 

14. Monkey’s Tail Cactus (Hildewintera colademononis)

 

Here’s a chart with information about the Monkey’s Tail Cactus:

Category	Details
Botanical Name	Cleistocactus winteri
Common Name	Monkey’s Tail Cactus
Plant Zone	9-11
Sun Exposure	Bright, indirect to direct light
Soil Type	Well-drained, cactus or succulent mix
Watering	Allow soil to dry out between waterings, minimal watering
Growth Habit	Columnar cactus, trailing or upright
Height/Spread	1-3 feet in height, up to 1-2 feet spread
Special Features	Long, spiny stems with a distinctive, fuzzy appearance, ideal for indoor gardens, drought-tolerant

This cactus is a real conversation starter. It’s got long, trailing stems covered in soft, white hairs. It can grow up to 6 feet long and looks amazing in a hanging basket.

How to keep it happy:

• It can handle full sun to partial shade
• Don’t water it too much – let the soil dry out between waterings
• Use a cactus mix that drains well

 

General Tips for Keeping Your Trailing Succulents Happy

1. Light: Most of these guys like bright light, but not direct sun. Too much sun can give them a nasty sunburn.
2. Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings. Most succulents hate having wet feet.
3. Soil: Use a soil mix made for succulents and cacti. It needs to drain well.
4. Temperature: Most succulents are happiest when it’s between 60-80°F (15-27°C).
5. Food: During growing season, give them a little fertilizer (about half as much as the package says) every now and then.
6. Making more: Many of these plants are super easy to propagate from cuttings or fallen leaves.

If you want to geek out more on succulent care, check out the Succulent Care Guide from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.

 

Wrapping It Up

Trailing succulents are a fantastic way to green up your space. They’re unique, easy to care for, and perfect whether you’re just starting out with plants or you’re a seasoned pro. Whether you go for the classic String of Pearls or the quirky Monkey’s Tail Cactus, these plants are sure to be a hit in your home.

Remember, every plant’s a little different. Pay attention to what your plant’s telling you and adjust how you care for it if needed. With a little love and attention, your trailing succulents will thrive and create a gorgeous, cascading garden right in your home.

Want to learn more about plant care and gardening? The USDA has some great resources. Happy planting!