Indoor climbing plants
These indoor climbing plants were born to reach the stars. Taking greenery to new heights, the likes of Devil’s Ivy, English Ivy, Philodendrons and Monsteras are natural climbers that bring flowing foliage to unexpected places. Often found growing up the trunks of trees in the wild, they’ll love being twined around a moss pole, trained to scale a bookcase or wrapped along a bannister.
Climbing houseplants for every space
Want to maximise on indoor jungle vibes? Upscale your greenery with indoor climbing plants. A great option for homes that are short on space, climbing plants such as Ivy, Philodendrons and Pothos bring flowing foliage without taking up too much room. These plants are not only quick growers but also extremely easy to care for, making them a great option for those wanting the jungle look without the hassle.
In the wild, you’ll find a lot of these plants growing around the trunks or branches of other trees. Unlike a climbing vine, such as a rose or jasmine, these plants use aerial roots to latch onto the surface. In your homes, you’ll need to give your plants a little helping hand to get the climber look – Pothos and Philodendrons will quite happily twirl around a bannister or furniture leg, but you can also use a moss pole or indoor trellis to help them grow vertically. We’d also recommend using a moss pole for Monsteras, which have larger, heavier leaves and so need additional support to grow upwards. Mist your moss pole regularly to keep it moist, as this will encourage aerial roots to latch on.
Climbing plants for different light levels
As many climbing houseplants grow around trees in the wild, they’re typically used to living in dappled light under the canopy of much bigger leaves. This means that lots of indoor climbers are pretty relaxed about light levels. Devil’s Ivy, for example, is one of our (almost) unkillable plants and will be quite happy living in anything from low to bright light, while English Ivy is used to the grey skies of the UK and so will tolerate a shadier spot. Monsteras are also very chilled and will be happy in almost any light condition. Placing them in a brighter spot will help them grow faster.
Pet-friendly vining plants
Those with four-legged friends who are seeking pet-friendly climbing plants are sadly a little limited with their choices. Most Pothos, Monsteras and Ivies, which are the most popular indoor climbers, are unfortunately toxic if ingested, and therefore can’t be classed as pet-safe. While technically not a climber, you could take a pet-friendly hanging plant like Peggy, our String of Hearts plant, and train her vines to grow vertically – but she won’t do it without any help. If you have your heart set on a true climber that isn’t pet-safe, don’t fret – one of the great things about climbing plants is that they work best at a height, meaning you can easily keep them out of chewing range.
Low-maintenance and beginner-friendly climbers
For those who want leafy foliage with minimal effort, we have good news: many climbing indoor plants are low-maintenance and great for first-time plant parents. Rapunzel our Devil’s Ivy is a great starter plant – it’s virtually unkillable, quick to grow and will thrive in most conditions. English Ivy is also very laid-back and doesn’t require much attention at all – though typically considered an outdoor plant, it works just as well as a houseplant because its needs are so simple.
Choosing the right climbing plant
The right climbing plant for you will depend on the conditions in your home and the plant’s care requirements. Make sure you factor in light conditions, how often the plant needs watering and humidity levels, and marry this up with your home – a sunny, south-facing room won’t be a great spot for a String of Nickels plant, for example, as it prefers lower light. If you’re on the hunt for an easier option, try the likes of Devil’s Ivy or English Ivy, which are both classic climbers and are (almost) unkillable.
Training and styling indoor climbers
When thinking about how to train your indoor climbing plant, there are two things to consider: how much space you have, and the look that you would like. If you’re short on floor space, Pothos or Philodendrons are good options as they will work well on a shelf or side table, placed off the floor and trained around furniture – use some horticultural wire or plant clips to help it grow in the direction you would like. If you’d like your plant to climb up a wall, we’d recommend installing an indoor trellis, or alternatively looking for a decorative ladder to get the wall look in a rental home or space you might not want to drill into. For those who want a bigger, leafy option, it has to be a Monstera deliciosa – with wide, luscious foliage, it’s an impactful plant to have in your home. This is a fast grower and can get really big, so you’ll need a moss pole and lots of space around it to give it room to thrive.
