When most people think of ivy, they picture its graceful vines climbing outside walls or draping down garden trellises.
But hanging ivy plants indoor brings that same classic charm into your home — with the added bonus of air-purifying green vines that elegantly spill out of baskets or hangers.
Why Choose Hanging Ivy for Your Indoor Space
- Versatile Design: Ivy (especially Hedera helix) is flexible — it can climb, but it’s also incredible as a trailing plant in a hanging basket.
- Good for Air Quality: English Ivy has been shown to help filter some indoor pollutants, making it a practical and beautiful addition to your space.
- Adaptable Light Needs: While it thrives in bright, indirect light, certain ivy varieties tolerate lower light conditions, which is great for hanging ivy in indoor corners or shaded nooks.
- Elegant Appeal: With so many cultivars — variegated, deeply lobed, curly, or silver-edged — you can match the style of your ivy to the vibe of your room.
Top Hanging Ivy Plants Indoor
If you want indoor house hanging plants that grow fast, clean the air, and trail beautifully, ivy is one of the best choices. But not all ivies grow the same. Some stay compact, some grow long vines, and some have stunning variegation that makes your hanging planters look high-end with zero effort.
Below are the most popular and real ivy varieties proven to thrive indoors, especially in hanging pots.
1. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is the classic trailing ivy used worldwide. It grows long, elegant vines that spill over hanging pots and adapt well to indoor conditions.
Why it’s great for hanging baskets:
- Very fast-growing
- Works well in low to medium light
- Cleans indoor air
- Trails beautifully for dramatic effect
Typical growth length indoors: 6–9 feet
Best for: Bathrooms, bedrooms, living rooms
2. Algerian Ivy (Hedera canariensis)
A bolder, bigger-leaf ivy compared to English ivy. It’s a common choice for people who want fuller-looking hanging plants.
Why it works indoors:
- Bigger leaves give a lush, tropical vibe.
- Thrives in medium to bright indirect light
- Trails fast in hanging baskets
Leaf size: 4–6 inches
Growth speed: Moderate to fast
3. Irish Ivy (Hedera hibernica)
Often confused with English ivy, but it has broader leaves and is more vigorous.
Why it’s perfect for hanging pots:
- Creates thick, cascading vines
- Tolerates cooler indoor rooms well
- Very low maintenance
Best for: Entryways, shaded rooms, offices
4. Glacier Ivy (Variegated English Ivy Variety)
This is one of the most beautiful ivies for hanging planters. Its green-white variegation reflects light and brightens dark corners.
Why it stands out:
- Stunning variegated leaves
- Compact, controlled growth
- Adds color contrast to indoor hanging pots
Ideal for: Modern interiors, minimalistic décor
5. Needlepoint Ivy
This ivy has uniquely shaped, star-like leaves — perfect if you want something different from classic ivy.
What makes it special:
- Decorative leaf shape
- Dense growth makes hanging pots look full.
- Great for smaller spaces
Growth habit: Compact trailing
6. Persian Ivy (Hedera colchica)
One of the largest ivy varieties. Indoors, it grows more slowly but still creates striking, elegant vines.
Why it works indoors:
- Larger, leathery leaves
- Handles dry indoor air better than other ivies
- Very durable and long-lasting
Best for: Large hanging baskets
7. Buttercup Ivy
Known for its lively lime-green leaves that brighten the darkest corners of your home.
Why it’s amazing for hanging planters:
- Beautiful, bright yellow-green leaves
- Grows well even in low-light rooms
- Supports long, soft trailing vines
Best placement: Bedroom windows, home offices
8. Gold Child Ivy
A favorite for premium indoor décor due to its golden variegated edges.
Why it’s perfect for indoor hanging plants:
- Luxurious gold-edged foliage
- Slow, manageable growth
- Adds elegance to wall-mounted planters and hanging pots
Ideal light: Bright indirect
9. Manda’s Crested Ivy
This ivy is unique because of its textured, crinkled leaves.
Why people love it:
- Highly ornamental foliage
- Thick trailing vines
- Gives a “fuller” look to hanging baskets
Maintenance: Moderate
10. Ivalace Ivy
A curled-leaf variety that looks very premium in hanging planters.
Why it works beautifully:
- Glossy, ruffled leaves
- Slow and controlled growth
- Adds volume without taking over
Great for: Small apartments, shelves, hanging wall planters
11. Variegated Algerian Ivy
If you love big leaves and variegation, this variety gives the best of both worlds.
Why it’s great for hanging pots:
- Larger leaves with creamy edges
- Fast-growing vines
- Adds movement and color to indoor spaces
12. Shamrock Ivy (Hedera helix ‘Shamrock’)
A compact ivy with charming, rounded leaves.
Benefits:
- Very easy to care for
- Best for small hanging pots
- Fits perfectly in kitchen windows or bathroom shelves
How to Care for Hanging Ivy Indoors
To keep your indoor ivy trailing beautifully and staying healthy, here’s a practical care guide.
Light
- Ivy prefers bright, indirect light, but wide plain-green varieties tolerate moderate to lower light.
- Variegated ivies (like “Glacier” or “White Wonder”) require more light to maintain their color, or else their variegation may fade.
- If natural light is limited, you can supplement with a grow light (LED or fluorescent works well).
Watering & Soil
- Use a well-draining potting mix — a blend of potting soil, perlite, and peat or coir is a good choice.
- Water when the top ~1 inch (about 2.5 cm) of soil is dry. Avoid waterlogging — ivy dislikes “feet in water.”
- During the growing season (spring/summer), water more regularly. In fall and winter, reduce watering since growth slows.
Humidity & Temperature
- Ivy does best with moderate to high humidity, ideally between 40–60%.
- To increase humidity: mist the leaves, use a pebble tray, or run a humidifier nearby.
- Optimal temperature range: 50–70°F (10–21°C).
Fertilizing
- Feed with a diluted balanced liquid fertilizer about once a month in spring and summer.
- Avoid over-fertilizing; too much can cause weak, leggy growth.
Pruning & Repotting
- Prune regularly to encourage bushier growth and to control trailing stems.
- Repot every 1–2 years when the plant becomes root-bound, using a fresh, well-draining potting mix.
Common Problems & How to Fix Them
Even though ivy is resilient, indoor hanging ivy has some common issues — here’s how to address them:
Spider Mites
Ivy is especially vulnerable to spider mites, especially when the humidity is low.
Fix: Mist the plant regularly, rinse leaves during watering, or treat with insecticidal soap.
Leggy Growth
If stems are long but sparse, it might not be getting enough light.
Fix: Move to brighter indirect light, rotate the pot, and prune back to encourage fuller growth.
Leaf Discoloration
Brown or crispy leaf tips can be a sign of low humidity.
Fix: Increase humidity via misting, a humidifier, or a pebble tray.
Final Thoughts
Hanging ivy plants indoor — especially English Ivy (Hedera helix) — is a beautiful way to introduce graceful, trailing green into your space. With proper light, humidity, and care, they can thrive, purify your air, and bring a classic touch to your décor.
Whether you pick a silvery ‘Glacier’, a curly ‘Ivalace’, or a bold Persian Ivy, there’s a variety that suits your style. Keep the soil just moist, mist for humidity, prune for shape — and you’ll have a lush hanging ivy that feels elegant and alive.
Start small, observe how the plant reacts to your environment, and adjust care as needed. Done right, hanging ivy can be a real show-stopping companion in your home.
