Looking to add a little drama to your indoor jungle? Climbing plants are a great way to breathe life into bare walls or awkward corners without a lot of fuss. They grow up instead of out, which makes them perfect for small spaces with big plant dreams.
Most folks stick with pothos or philodendrons (and for good reason), but there’s a whole world of lesser-known vines just waiting to shine. Some have quirky leaf shapes, others twist and curl in the most unexpected ways.
If you’re ready to move beyond the basics, these underrated climbers might be exactly what your home needs. They’re full of character, and once you get to know them, it’s hard not to fall a little bit in love.
1. Hoya Linearis
Cascading like a waterfall of thin, needle-like leaves, this unusual Hoya creates a striking visual effect when hung from a shelf or bracket. The slender strands can grow several feet long, creating a living curtain in your space.
Unlike its chunkier Hoya cousins, Linearis thrives in cooler temperatures and appreciates higher humidity. My specimen survived a drafty apartment window that killed several other plants.
When happy, it rewards with clusters of tiny white flowers that smell like lemon candy. Just be sure to let it dry out between waterings – wet feet will quickly lead to root rot.
2. Black-Eyed Susan Vine
Bringing cottage garden charm indoors, this cheerful climber produces an abundance of bright yellow, orange, or white flowers with distinctive dark centers. The delicate five-petaled blooms appear year-round with enough light, creating a continuous display that few indoor plants can match.
Give it something to climb – a small trellis or string works perfectly. Morning sun keeps it happiest, though it tolerates average indoor light better than you’d expect.
Growing this beauty from seed is surprisingly easy and rewarding. Within weeks of germination, the vine starts reaching for support, ready to transform a sunny windowsill into a flowering paradise.
3. String Of Turtles
Often overlooked for its more famous cousins (String of Pearls and String of Hearts), this diminutive trailer deserves the spotlight. Each tiny leaf resembles a turtle shell with intricate patterns that look hand-painted.
Perfect for small spaces, it grows slowly and stays compact, making it ideal for desktops or bathroom shelves. The delicate stems trail gracefully without becoming leggy or sparse.
I’ve found it surprisingly resilient to inconsistent watering compared to other string plants. The unique foliage adds textural interest to plant collections and conversation pieces when guests inevitably ask, “What IS that plant?”
4. Cissus Discolor (Rex Begonia Vine)
Velvety leaves painted with silver streaks and burgundy undersides make this climber a showstopper in any plant collection. Unlike typical vines that focus on length, Rex Begonia Vine creates a lush, full appearance as it grows.
Native to tropical jungles, it appreciates higher humidity but adapts surprisingly well to average home conditions. A pebble tray with water nearby helps keep it looking its best.
Training it around a small trellis creates a living sculpture that changes constantly as new leaves unfurl. While somewhat temperamental about watering, the spectacular foliage makes any extra care worthwhile.
5. Diplocyclos Palmatus (Lollipop Climber)
Growing this quirky climber feels like having a botanical curiosity shop in your home. The star attraction appears in fall – marble-sized fruits that start green with white stripes, then transform into brilliant red “lollipops” that hang from the vine for months.
Fast-growing and eager to climb, it quickly covers a trellis or plant pole with lobed, maple-like leaves. The delicate tendrils reach out constantly, searching for something to grasp.
While not commonly sold in garden centers, seeds germinate readily on a warm windowsill. Just one plant trained up a sunny window creates a living curtain that doubles as a conversation starter.
6. Wax Plant (Hoya Carnosa Compacta)
Commonly called Hindu Rope Plant, this curious twisted vine features thick, curled leaves that spiral around the stem like a living rope. The unusual growth habit creates dimension and texture unlike any other houseplant.
Patience pays off with this slow-growing beauty. After a few years, mature plants produce clusters of star-shaped flowers covered in what looks like pink and white frosting, emitting a sweet vanilla scent in the evening.
Nearly indestructible, it thrives on neglect and grows happily in the same pot for years. Mine has survived multiple moves, occasional forgotten waterings, and even a brief outdoor stint during a renovation.
7. Japanese Climbing Fern
Bringing delicate woodland magic indoors, this unusual climber combines the airy texture of a fern with the vertical growth of a vine. The triangular fronds create a lacy pattern as they climb upward or cascade from a hanging basket.
Unlike typical houseplants, it goes dormant in winter, returning with fresh growth in spring. This natural cycle makes it perfect for plant parents who travel during winter holidays.
A north-facing window provides ideal light conditions without scorching the delicate fronds. Given a moss pole or small trellis, it creates a fairytale-like feature that adds whimsy to any room.
8. Maidenhair Vine
Delicate circular leaves line up along wiry black stems, creating the impression of a string of tiny green buttons. This overlooked gem grows steadily without becoming invasive, perfect for those who want a well-behaved trailer.
Surprisingly tough despite its delicate appearance, it bounces back quickly from occasional neglect. The fine texture contrasts beautifully with broader-leaved plants in mixed arrangements.
Thriving in medium to bright indirect light, it’s perfect for bathroom settings where it adds a touch of woodland charm. I’ve grown one in a north-facing kitchen window for years with minimal fuss and consistent beauty.
9. Passion Flower Vine
Few plants bring drama to indoor spaces like passion flower vines with their alien-like blooms that look straight from a sci-fi film. The intricate flowers feature rings of filaments surrounding a central structure, often in purple, white, or red depending on variety.
Surprisingly adaptable to container life, compact varieties like ‘Blue Bouquet’ or ‘Constance Elliot’ thrive indoors with proper light. Tendrils eagerly grab onto supports, creating a living sculpture as they grow.
Beyond the flowers, the distinctive lobed foliage adds tropical flair year-round. Some varieties even produce small edible fruits after flowering, offering a bonus reward for patient growers.
10. Mistletoe Cactus
Despite its name, this unusual plant is neither mistletoe nor a typical cactus. The pencil-thin stems cascade gracefully from hanging planters, creating a waterfall effect unlike any other succulent.
Native to rainforest environments, it prefers more frequent watering than desert cacti. Small star-shaped flowers appear along the stems, followed by translucent berries that resemble tiny dewdrops.
Versatile in lighting conditions, it thrives in bright indirect light but tolerates lower light situations better than most succulents. The architectural quality of the stems adds modern flair to minimalist spaces while still feeling organic and natural.
11. Stag Horn Fern
Unlike conventional potted plants, this epiphytic oddity grows mounted on boards or in hanging baskets, creating living wall art. The distinctive fronds resemble deer antlers, arching dramatically from a central point.
Growing one feels like having a piece of rainforest at home. The base develops a shield-like structure that turns papery brown with age, adding to its sculptural appeal.
Misting regularly keeps it happy, though it’s more forgiving than its reputation suggests. My specimen has thrived for years mounted on a cedar board in a bathroom, where shower steam provides perfect humidity without any special care routine.
12. Vanilla Orchid
Growing the plant that produces one of the world’s most beloved flavors brings both beauty and botanical intrigue to your home. The thick, succulent vines climb eagerly up moss poles or trellises, creating a tropical backdrop with glossy, elongated leaves.
Patient growers may be rewarded with greenish-yellow flowers after a few years. While home-grown vanilla beans are unlikely without hand pollination, the plant itself is a conversation starter.
Contrary to orchid stereotypes, vanilla vines are surprisingly unfussy about humidity once established. They appreciate bright, filtered light and regular watering when the surface feels dry.
13. Monstera Siltepecana
Often overshadowed by its famous cousin Monstera deliciosa, this slender climber offers silvery, arrow-shaped leaves with a metallic sheen that catches the light beautifully. As it matures and climbs, the foliage transforms dramatically from solid juvenile leaves to fenestrated adult forms.
Growing happily in average home humidity, it’s less demanding than many tropical vines. The slender stems can be trained around a small trellis or allowed to trail from a shelf.
Watching the plant’s metamorphosis as it grows is like having a living science experiment at home. Few houseplants demonstrate such a striking transition from juvenile to adult form so clearly.
14. Purple Passion Vine
Covered in fine purple hairs that give the entire plant a velvety texture and distinctive color, this easy-growing vine adds a unique tactile element to houseplant collections. The fuzzy coating creates an almost iridescent purple glow when backlit.
Despite its exotic appearance, it’s remarkably easy to grow in average home conditions. Regular pinching promotes bushier growth and prevents the legginess that can develop over time.
Beyond its striking appearance, it’s one of the easiest plants to propagate. Stem cuttings root readily in water, making it perfect for sharing with friends or expanding your collection without additional cost.
15. Creeping Fig
Tiny heart-shaped leaves create a delicate texture as this versatile vine climbs or cascades with equal enthusiasm. Unlike many houseplants that merely tolerate indoor conditions, creeping fig actively thrives inside, often growing more vigorously than expected.
Given something to climb, it develops a self-supporting woody structure over time. The aerial roots naturally attach to surfaces, creating a living wallpaper effect that can transform plain walls into green features.
Perfect for terrariums and dish gardens, its diminutive scale works beautifully in miniature landscapes. The resilient nature makes it ideal for beginners or busy plant owners who occasionally forget to water.
16. Fishbone Cactus
Resembling the skeleton of a fish or a flattened antler, this architectural oddity creates instant visual interest with its zigzagging stems. Originally from Mexican rainforests, it’s nothing like desert cacti in care or appearance.
The flattened segments grow in alternating directions, creating a distinctive herringbone pattern that looks stunning trailing from a hanging basket. When mature, it produces spectacular night-blooming flowers with a sweet fragrance.
Unlike fussy tropical plants, it adapts well to average home humidity and temperatures. I’ve found it particularly well-suited to bathrooms, where it thrives in the steamy environment and requires minimal maintenance.
17. Bolivian Jew
Glistening heart-shaped leaves in metallic purple-green cascade dramatically from hanging baskets, catching light from every angle. Less common than its cousin Wandering Jew, this variety offers more intense color and a more compact growth habit.
The undersides of the leaves reveal a striking purple that creates a two-toned effect as the stems trail downward. Surprisingly drought-tolerant, it bounces back quickly even after completely wilting from neglect.
Placed near a window where sunlight can illuminate the foliage, it creates a magical effect as the metallic sheen shifts throughout the day. Regular pruning keeps it full and prevents the bare stems that can develop over time.
18. Kangaroo Vine
Featuring unusual three-lobed leaves that indeed resemble kangaroo paws, this Australian native brings unique foliage form to indoor spaces. The compact growth habit makes it perfect for small spaces where other vines might quickly become overwhelming.
Unlike many climbing plants that require constant management, kangaroo vine grows at a moderate pace that suits busy lifestyles. The woody stems develop an attractive pattern as they mature, adding winter interest when growth slows.
Remarkably adaptable to different light conditions, it performs well even in north-facing windows where many vines would stretch and become leggy. Its drought tolerance makes it forgiving of occasional forgotten waterings.
19. Lipstick Plant
Named for the bright red flowers that emerge from dark tubular buds like lipstick from a tube, this trailing beauty offers months of colorful blooms that many houseplants can’t match. The glossy, slightly succulent foliage remains attractive even when not flowering.
Cascading dramatically from hanging baskets, the stems can reach several feet long when happy. Various cultivars offer different leaf patterns, including variegated and miniature forms for collectors.
Morning sun in an east-facing window typically produces the most abundant flowering. The plant signals thirst by slightly folding its leaves, making it easy to establish a watering routine without guesswork.