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Vining indoor plants are a versatile addition to any home, bringing a touch of nature indoors with their trailing or climbing growth habits. Whether you're looking for low-maintenance options like Heartleaf Philodendron or striking varieties like Swiss Cheese Plant, these vining plants can enhance your decor in various ways. Selecting the right plant depends on your space and care preferences. For those seeking a lush, jungle-like feel, larger plants like Monstera deliciosa on sturdy trellises are ideal. If you prefer something more compact, delicate vines like String of Hearts offer charm in smaller spaces. Here are the top vining plants to consider for your home!

Author

Denine Walters

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Date

August 1, 2024

Category

Health and wellness

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Immunity, Lifestyle, Longevity

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My 13 Best Vining Indoor Plants

Immunity, Lifestyle, Longevity

Page Author

Author

Denine Walters

August 1, 2024

Denine Walters

My granddad’s office had the best selection of lush vining indoor plants. It always reminded me of a jungle, and I loved the contradiction of wildness in a neat and organized workspace.

I remember the waterfall of foliage from the string of hearts on the one bookshelf and the variety of philodendrons and monsteras in the corner that were trained to vine up the trellis. There was also gorgeous English ivy with its flowing tendrils in a hanging basket and begonia rex that cascaded from his desk. I wanted an office like that one day.

Indoor vining plants fit every decor style and room in your house (even the bathroom!), and most of these are easy to care for, making them black-thumb-proof.

So, if you’re ready to add a touch of wild greenery to your living spaces (or vivarium) and train house plant vines to creep, trail, or climb, I’ve got the best vining indoor plants for you.

Spoiler Alert! My Favorite Indoor Vining Plants

There are plenty of indoor vining house plants you can choose from for your indoor spaces, but here are the 13 best ones and why:

Best For

Plant

Reasons

Best low-maintenance indoor vine

Heartleaf philodendron

  • Grows fast and has heart-shaped leaves.

Fastest-growing indoor vine

Golden pothos

  • Variegated leaves add pops of color.

Best variety of indoor vines

Arrowhead plant

  • Comes in green, white, and pink leaf varieties.

Best versatile indoor vine

English ivy

  • Grow English ivy outdoors and mimic the look indoors.

Best for black-thumbs

Grape ivy

  • Won’t die if you’re busy and neglect it.

Best for a wild, jungle look

Monstera deliciosa

  • Large triangular leaves with deep cuts.

Best indoor vine with the coolest leaves

Swiss cheese plant

  • Fenestrated leaves that look awesome when they trail or climb.

Best for any indoor room

Satin pothos

  • Has simple care needs and can be placed almost anywhere in your house.

Most colorful indoor vine

Rex begonia vina

  • Green, silver, and purple leaves that look like stained glass.

Best funky indoor vine

String of bananas

  • Ideal for beginners with banana-shaped succulent leaves.

Most petite indoor vine

String of hearts

  • Small heart-shaped green-gray leaves, perfect for a small space.

Prettiest indoor vine flower

Lipstick vine

  • Stunning red tubular flowers.

Best rarest indoor vine

Watermelon vine

  • Rare, but if you can get one, you can brag about it (and feel special).

The 13 Best Vining Indoor Plants for Your Home

To beautify your home and add a splash of green, choose from these alluring indoor vines:

1. Heartleaf Philodendron

A close-up of a heartleaf philodendron leaf. The leaf is a rich green with darker veins and a slight metallic sheen. It has a distinct heart shape with rounded lobes. The edges of the leaf are smooth and slightly wavy. There are a few small yellow spots visible on the leaf's surface.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Philodendron hederaceum

Other Names

Sweetheart philodendron

Native to

Central and South America

Identifying Feature

Dark green heart-shaped leaves

Mature Size

1-3 feet tall and vines reaching 3-13 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright indirect light

Water: When soil is dry

Soil: Acidic, neutral, well-draining

Toxic?

Yes, humans and pets

The heartleaf philodendron is a plant sweetheart. I like that it grows fast, so you don’t have to wait forever to see it vining. The plant is also low-maintenance, ideal if you’re busy and can’t constantly fuss over it.

Place the heartleaf philodendron anywhere in your home—its elegant charm works whether you leave it on the floor, on a floating shelf, in a hanging basket, trailing up a trellis, or as a moss ball.

2. Golden Pothos

A close-up of a Golden Pothos plant. The leaves are heart-shaped with a vibrant mix of green and yellow variegation. The edges of the leaves are slightly wavy. The plant is supported by a metal trellis. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plant is part of a larger display.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Epipremnum aureum

Other Names

Devil’s vine, devil’s ivy, ivy arum, marble queen

Native to

Southeastern Asia

Identifying Feature

Variegated or green glossy leaves, cascading stems

Mature Size

6-8 feet groundcover, but vines reach 40 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect to low light

Water: Regular misting of leaves

Soil: Well-draining potting soil

Toxic?

Medium toxicity to people and dogs

The golden pothos is a fast-growing plant famed for long stems that trail beautifully from hanging baskets. The elongated heart-shaped leaves are a deep, glossy green, and the variegated type features bright yellow or white.

3. Arrowhead Plant

A close-up of a Syngonium plant. The leaves are arrow-shaped with a vibrant mix of green and yellow variegation. The edges of the leaves are slightly serrated. The plant is growing in a terracotta pot. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plant is part of a home interior.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Syngonium podophyllum

Other Names

Arrowhead vine, goosefoot, nephthytis, arrowhead philodendron, American evergreen, African evergreen

Native to

Mexico and South America

Identifying Feature

Arrowhead-shaped leaves and small white flowers growing in whorls

Mature Size

3-6 feet tall, and vines reach 1-2 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Once the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry

Soil: Neutral, acidic, well-draining potting soil

Toxic?

Yes, humans, cats, dogs, and horses

For some reason, I think of Robin Hood shooting arrows when I see the arrowhead plant. And that’s pretty apt considering the plant’s arrowhead-shaped leaves that can be dark green with white veins, a neon soft pink, or a whitish light green. The white flowers are just as decorative as the leaves!

The plant is stunning when it vines, so use a hanging macrame planter or bamboo plant trellis.

4. English Ivy

A close-up of several potted ivy plants. The plants have dark green leaves with distinctive lobes. The leaves are arranged in a trailing pattern. The plants are in black plastic pots with soil and small pebbles on top. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plants are in a nursery or garden center.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Hedera helix

Other Names

Algerian ivy

Native to

Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia

Identifying Feature

Thin, broad green leaves with 5 points, clustered on vines or as ground cover

Mature Size

As large as a hand for leaves, vines root and can grow indefinitely

Basic Care Needs

Light: Shade to partial sun

Water: Hardy and requires limited watering when soil is dry

Soil: Roots in most potting mixes

Toxic?

Mild to severely toxic to people and pets

English ivy is one of the most familiar vining plants and is easy to grow. I love the simplicity of this hardy plant, which is ideal as a vining plant in your home or on a porch. Best of all, it doesn’t need much care, though some pruning may be helpful.

When left to grow wild, the English ivy can become quite the “Little Shop of Horrors” plant, so keep it trained in shape and prune back excess vines.

5. Grape Ivy

A close-up of a plant with large, lobed leaves. The leaves are a deep green with lighter-colored veins. The edges of the leaves are serrated and have a slightly fuzzy texture. The plant appears to be growing in a container. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plant is part of a larger arrangement.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Cissus rhombifolia 

Other Names 

N/A 

Native to 

Central and South America 

Identifying Feature

Light bronze green ivy-like leaves with diamond-shaped, toothed leaflets (similar to poison ivy) 

Mature Size 

1-3 feet tall, with vines reaching 1-3 feet 

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light 

Water: Keep soil moist 

Soil: Well-draining, peat-based soil 

Toxic? 

No

If you haven’t had luck keeping plants alive, get a grape ivy. It’s a low-maintenance plant that thrives on some neglect and won’t die because you forgot to water it once or twice. 

The ivy looks beautiful on a counter, bookshelf, or in a plant stand with cascading vines. Use a moss pole or trellis for height and to train it to climb.

6. Monstera Deliciosa

A close-up of a Monstera deliciosa leaf. The leaf is large and dark green with prominent fenestrations (holes) that give it a unique appearance. The leaf has a glossy texture and visible veins. The background is blurred, showing other Monstera leaves and possibly a terracotta pot.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Monstera Deliciosa

Other Names

Mexican breadfruit, (or mistakenly called) split-leaf philodendron and Swiss cheese plant

Native to

Central and South America

Identifying Feature

Shredded leaf with large holes and corn-shaped fruit

Mature Size

Leaves can reach 2 feet each, and plant height depends on vining, but can reach up to 60 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright partial light

Water: Moderate watering when soil is dry

Soil: Well-drained peat soil

Toxic?

Can cause skin and stomach irritation for people and animals

This low-maintenance vining plant is perfect for double-story volumes where the extra ceiling height can give you space to create a stunning vining display. The mature plant gets quite heavy, so provide strong vine supports such as trellises or mesh columns for the aerial roots to grow onto.

7. Swiss Cheese Plant

A close-up of a Monstera adansonii plant. The leaves are a deep green with numerous small holes, giving them a Swiss cheese-like appearance. The leaves are arranged in a dense, cascading pattern. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plant is part of a larger indoor garden or greenhouse.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Monstera adansonii

Other Names

Five holes plant, Adanson’s monstera, cheese plant, Swiss cheese vine

Native to

Central America and South America

Identifying Feature

Oval heart-shaped leaves with holes

Mature Size

3-8 feet tall, with vines reaching 12 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Medium to bright indirect light

Water: Once the soil is dry

Soil: Acidic, neutral, well-draining soil

Toxic?

Yes, humans and pets

The Swiss cheese plant has some cool leaves, but it’s easily confused with its cousin, monstera deliciosa. The Swiss cheese vine’s leaves are oval-shaped and fenestrated or perforated (reminding me of Swiss cheese), while the monstera’s leaves are more triangular with deep slits.

8. Satin Pothos

A close-up of a Scindapsus pictus, also known as a Silver Pothos. The leaves are heart-shaped with a vibrant mix of dark green and silver-white markings. The edges of the leaves are slightly wavy. The plant is growing in a hanging basket. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plant is part of a larger indoor garden or greenhouse.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Scindapsus pictus

Other Names

Silver pothos, silver philodendron, or silk pothos

Native to

Asia

Identifying Feature

Light green heart-shaped leaves, variegated with silver or white

Mature Size

Vines of 4-10 feet, brush is 4 feet in diameter

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Water deeply when soil is dry up to 2nd knuckle

Soil: Peat moss potting soil

Toxic?

Yes, pets

The thick, velvety leaves of the satin pothos make for a stunning visual display. While it grows a little slower than other vining plants on my list, I love how it catches the light in the late afternoon due to the silver coloring on the variegated leaves.

9. Rex Begonia Vine

A close-up of a Begonia rex plant. The leaves are large and have a striking pattern of deep purple, silver-gray, and green. The veins are prominent and create intricate designs on the leaf surface. The leaves are slightly velvety in texture. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plant is part of a larger indoor garden or greenhouse.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Cissus discolor

Other Names

Fancy leaf begonia, painted-leaf begonia, king begonia

Native to

Southeast Asia and Australia

Identifying Feature

Colorful leaves (green, purple, and silver) with burgundy to deep purple undersides and vines

Mature Size

6-10 feet tall, with vines reaching 6-12 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Once the top 1-2 inches of soil is dry

Soil: Peat-based, well-draining soil

Toxic?

Yes, humans and dogs

The rex begonia, with its colorful stained-glass leaves, is the perfect addition to your home. The leaves are the winning feature for me, and they add a splash of color and inspiration to my home office.

10. String of Bananas

A hanging basket with a trailing succulent plant. The plant has numerous small, round leaves that are a light green color. The leaves are arranged on thin, wiry stems. The plant is growing in a small, black plastic pot. The background is blurred, showing other plants and a wall.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Senecio radicans

Other Names

String of fishhooks

Native to

Southern Africa

Identifying Feature

Delicate bunches of succulent leaves resembling mini green bananas

Mature Size

3 feet long vines

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, direct sunlight (5+ hours per day)

Water: Allow soil to dry, then soak

Soil: Well-draining potting mix

Toxic?

To humans and animals

When planting a succulent vining plant, it’s essential to be more conservative in watering it, but I soak my string of bananas until it drips through the drainage holes. Usually, I’ll hang the basket with the succulent outside, and once it’s stopped dripping, I return it to its indoor home.

The string of bananas doesn’t like to be close to harsh training structures, so a bamboo trellis is ideal to help keep the fleshy leaves in place.

11. String of Hearts

A collection of Ceropegia woodii plants, also known as String of Hearts or Rosary Vine. The plants have trailing vines with heart-shaped leaves that are a mix of green and silver-white. The leaves have a glossy texture and are arranged in pairs along the vines. The plants are growing in small, black plastic pots. The background is blurred, suggesting that the plants are in a nursery or garden center.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Ceropegia woodii

Other Names

Rosary vine, chain of hearts, Chinese lantern

Native to

Africa

Identifying Feature

Heart-shaped, gray-green leaves with a marble pattern and purple vines

Mature Size

24+ inches tall, with vines that grow to 3 feet long

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Once the soil is dry

Soil: Neutral, acidic, well-draining soil

Toxic?

No

The string of hearts is an evergreen succulent with purple vines that trail or climb. If you want a fuller appearance, prune the vine for a bushy look. You can also twist the vines around a heart shape, like I have, and then let them trail for an extra-special look.

The marbled leaves add a classic touch to your home, and the long-living string of hearts is easy to grow.

12. Lipstick Vine

A close-up of a plant with small, oval-shaped leaves. The leaves are a dark green color with a glossy texture. The plant appears to be trailing over a metal trellis. The background is blurred, showing other plants and a wall.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Aeschynanthus radicans

Other Names

Basket vine

Native to

China and Malaysia

Identifying Feature

Dark green leaves with bright red tube-shaped flowers

Mature Size

3-foot-long vines

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Only mist the leaves

Soil: Well-draining potting mix

Toxic?

Non-toxic

If you’re a plant person but also a dog person, the lipstick vine is an ideal choice. It’s non-toxic and won’t harm your fur babies if they happen to snap up a leaf. The dark green, waxy leaves are rubbery, and most pets won’t bother with them.

13. Watermelon Vine

A hanging basket with a trailing plant. The plant has small, round leaves with a metallic sheen and reddish-brown stems. The leaves are arranged in clusters along the stems. The plant is growing in a black plastic pot. The background is blurred, showing other plants and a greenhouse structure.

Photo by Denine

Scientific Name

Pellionia pulchra

Other Names

Watermelon begonia, Polynesian ivy, rainbow vine, satin vine

Native to

Southeast Asia

Identifying Feature

Small long, oval leaves with dark and light green variegation with red succulent-like stems

Mature Size

3 inches tall, with vines that grow to 2 feet

Basic Care Needs

Light: Bright, indirect light

Water: Keep the soil moist

Soil: Well-draining potting soil

Toxic?

Yes

The watermelon vine reminds me of summer and the rind of a watermelon, so just that thought brightens my days when I see the pretty house plant climbing up the trellis.

The plant is a shingler, meaning the vines wrap around a trellis, driftwood, or other supporting structures. So you can have fun with how you want the watermelon vine to grow.

My Best Hacks for Choosing, Growing, Training, and Decorating with an Indoor Vining Plant

With so many unique vining plants, knowing which to choose, how to use them best, and what look to create with your selection can be challenging. My grandfather was a pro at vining plants, and I learned a lot from him. Such as:

  • Create a Feature: Use a collection of vining plants to create a stunning feature, but place them near each other instead of spreading them out to create that urban jungle look and feel.
  • Hide Architectural Defects: You can use ranking and vining plants to help hide ugly spots like radiators and electrical outlets.
  • Liven a Plant with Trained Vines: Add some wow for friends and family with a trained vine that spreads from the plant container, drawing the eye across your space like a living beast.
  • Choose Trailing or Training Vines: Vines can trail downward like pretty green skirts or climb upward to draw the eye to the ceiling or a stunning feature like a skylight.
  • Provide Structure for Training Vines: A trellis, netted, or mesh structure is needed to support vines, and keep in mind that as the plant grows, the vines get heavier. So, ensure the structure can support a mature plant.

FAQs

What is meant by vining plants?

A vining plant is a plant that has a soft and flexible stem (or stems) that grows with support, either upward or downward. Tendrils or twining creepers attach the main plant to a supporting trellis or frame.

What are the three types of vines?

The three types of vines are (1) clinging vines, which often develop smaller roots to attach the vine to a wall or other plant’ (2) twiners, which attach to objects or plants by wrapping around them; and (3) tendrilled climbers, which have smaller tendrils that keep a larger vine in place around the supporting structure.

Where is the best place to plant a vine?

Most upward vining plants require loads of sunlight as the vines grow toward light. Creeping vining plants need enough space, light, and fertilizer to ensure the downward vines have the right conditions to spread.

My Final Thoughts about Indoor Vining Plants

Are you ready to dive into the beautiful, lush world of indoor vining plants? If you’ve selected your favorite plant, it’s time to invest in a quality trellis to help your vining plant reach its full potential.

Why not start with our garden trellises as a starter, or opt for a natural look to suit your vine height?

Page Author

Author

Denine Walters

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