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
- They’re a breeze to take care of
- They save space by growing vertically
- They add a unique, natural vibe to your home
- They help clean the air in your living space
- 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
- Light: Most of these guys like bright light, but not direct sun. Too much sun can give them a nasty sunburn.
- Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings. Most succulents hate having wet feet.
- Soil: Use a soil mix made for succulents and cacti. It needs to drain well.
- Temperature: Most succulents are happiest when it’s between 60-80°F (15-27°C).
- Food: During growing season, give them a little fertilizer (about half as much as the package says) every now and then.
- 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!
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