Indoor Plants That Look Like Hair: 16 Curly, Trailing & Fun Picks for Head Planters

The Spider Plant is a go-to for giving your head planter a full, flowing “hair” effect. Its long, arching leaves — streaked with green and white — spill over the edge like sleek, layered strands, making it one of the most realistic plants that look like hair.

It’s also incredibly beginner-friendly. Spider Plants thrive in bright, indirect light but can handle lower light too. Water when the soil starts to dry, and enjoy its easygoing, adaptable nature.

String of Pearls brings a playful twist to your planter with its long, trailing vines of perfectly round, bead-like leaves. More like braided strands or beaded curtains than soft curls, this succulent adds a sculptural, stylized “hair” effect that’s both whimsical and elegant.

It prefers bright, indirect light and needs well-draining soil. Water sparingly — allow the soil to dry out fully between drinks to avoid rot.

Soft as silk and endlessly graceful, the Maidenhair Fern brings a hair-like texture to any planter. With its fine, branching stems and fluttery fan-shaped leaves, it mimics the look of wispy curls or freshly cut fringe — a natural fit for stylized head pots.

Thriving in bright, indirect light and humid air, it’s ideal for bathrooms or steamy kitchens. Keep soil evenly moist and mist regularly for full, bouncy growth.

Check out our article for more fern varieties that you can use!

With its wiry stems and tiny round leaves, Maidenhair Vine — also called Angel Vine or Wire Vine — brings a wild, curly texture that mimics a tousled head of hair. Its lively, hair-like growth makes it a fun and fast-growing option for head planters, especially if you’re going for a messy look.

It prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Let the top layer dry slightly between waterings. Regular trims help shape its “hairstyle” and keep the curls in check.

Spanish Moss adds a delicate, dreamlike touch to any planter. Its silver-gray strands hang in soft, flowing tendrils, giving the impression of fine, wispy hair — perfect for creating a light, ethereal “hairdo” on head planters.

This air plant needs no soil. Just mist a few times a week and place it in bright, indirect light to keep it thriving.

If you’re after something bold and a little bizarre, Corkscrew Rush brings the perfect twist. Its tightly wound, upright stems spiral like unruly curls, giving off serious curly hair plant vibes — ideal for quirky head planters that need a wild hairstyle.

This plant loves bright, indirect light and consistently moist soil. Place it in a well-lit bathroom or kitchen, and trim occasionally to shape its signature spirals.

Looking for a plant with hair-like stems that brings a wild, untamed look to your head planter? Mistletoe Cactus delivers. Its long, trailing stems are soft, cylindrical, and lightly bristled — evoking a dramatic, shaggy hairstyle that grows in every direction.

It thrives in bright, indirect light but tolerates some shade, making it a great option for lower-light rooms. Use well-draining soil and water moderately, letting the top layer dry between drinks.

With its plump, overlapping leaves and thick, trailing stems, Burro’s Tail looks like a succulent version of a full, braided ponytail. It’s a standout succulent that looks like hair — especially when draped over a head planter to mimic lush, cascading locks.

This slow-growing plant loves bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Water infrequently and avoid touching the leaves, which can fall off easily.

Don’t let the name fool you — this petite trailing plant can serve serious hair-like charm. Its tiny, rounded leaves form delicate vines that drape softly from pots, creating a gentle, patterned “hairdo” perfect for head planters with a whimsical edge.

String of Turtles prefers bright, indirect light and lightly moist, well-draining soil. Avoid overwatering, as its roots are sensitive to excess moisture.

With arching vines and leaf shapes that mimic leaping dolphins, this succulent brings movement and charm to any planter. The trailing growth creates a whimsical, hair-like silhouette, making it a fun option for head pots that need a bit of bounce and character.

Give it bright, indirect light and allow the soil to dry fully between waterings. It’s a sun-loving plant that thrives on a light touch.

Thick, downward-hanging stems spill over the pot like textured dreadlocks, giving the Moonlight Cactus a bold, untamed charm. Each trailing arm is lined with fine white spines that create a wild, hair-like texture — perfect for head planters with attitude.

This cactus thrives in bright, indirect light and needs well-draining soil. Let the soil dry out completely between waterings, and enjoy its fragrant, night-blooming flowers when they appear.

If you want a plant that literally looks like hair, this one delivers. The Old Man Cactus is instantly recognizable for its shaggy coat of long, white, hair-like spines that give it the look of a wise elder—or a cactus in need of a comb. It adds instant personality to any head planter.

This desert native thrives in bright, direct light and dry conditions. Use well-draining soil and water sparingly, letting the soil dry out completely between soakings.

Baby’s Tears is a gentle, ground-hugging beauty that creates the perfect soft “hair” effect for small head planters. Its dense mat of tiny, round leaves trails slightly over the edge, forming a fine-textured canopy that mimics short, plush curls.

This plant prefers bright, indirect light and steady moisture. Keep the soil consistently damp and mist regularly to maintain its lush, green volume.

With its round, coin-shaped leaves trailing gracefully from every direction, the String of Nickels offers a sleek, modern take on the hair-like plant aesthetic. The dense, flowing vines resemble a thick head of short, shiny hair — ideal for giving your head planter a clean, sculpted look.

This easygoing epiphyte prefers bright, indirect light and well-draining soil. Water when the top layer feels dry, and allow room for its slow, steady sprawl.

Bird’s Nest Fern brings structured softness to your planter, with broad, ruffled fronds that rise like well-styled layers. Its upright, rippling growth gives the illusion of voluminous waves — less like flowing locks, more like a full-bodied blowout.

It enjoys bright, indirect light and high humidity. Keep the soil lightly moist and give it an occasional mist to keep those leafy “layers” looking fresh.

While not exactly hair-like, the Brain Cactus earns a spot for its surreal, sculpted form that brings instant personality to head planters. Its dense, crinkled ridges mimic the folds of a human brain — a fitting twist for a “head” planter that leans into humor or intellect over hairstyling.

This crested cactus loves bright light, minimal water, and excellent drainage. Think of it as the eccentric genius in your collection — low maintenance, high impact.