There are lots of reasons why you’d want hanging planters—to highlight your favorite plant, to maximize space, or to keep your plant away from curious pets. Additionally, there are lots of excellent plants you can grow in hanging planters, some of which we list in Best Plants for Hanging Planters. But when it comes to actually hanging your plants, we recommend a single, straightforward strategy to ensure your safety and success.
Here are a couple of things to keep in mind before we get into the step-by-step of hanging our planters.
Weight
As you probably know from personal experience, planters can get heavy fast. A large portion of this weight is the potting medium itself, which tends to be water-retentive and therefore on the heavy side. Consider finding a lighter potting medium, or mixing your own with extra perlite. Choosing a lightweight planter for your hanging plant will also be easier on your ceiling, and potentially easier on you as well when it comes time to water.
Water
Because hot air rises indoors, hanging plants be thirsty. Make sure when picking the right spot to hang your plant that you take into account regular watering. Check out our article Hanging Plants: Choosing the Right Planter for a list of different styles, each with its pros and cons.
Light
Plants need light, whether they’re playing it safe on the ground, or defying gravity. Make sure they have adequate light access wherever you hang them!
Hanging your Planter
When hanging a planter from the ceiling, never mount a hook in non-reinforced drywall or plaster. The improper hanging technique can spell disaster for your plant and your living space. Instead, make sure that your hook is going into a ceiling joist or wooden stud. Using a stud-finder is the easiest way to make sure that you’re hanging in the right place, and are generally affordable at any hardware store.
Hardware
- Stud-finder
- Pencil
- Drill
- Drill bit
- Hook, eye-bolt, or hook kit
- Step stool (or ladder)
- Friend
- Hanging a plant is most safely done with a friend! It’s hard to keep your balance up there, and having someone to help out is recommended. This is a great opportunity to test that one somebody you’ve been trying to find a covert reason to invite over. See how they are with tools and such. (Hold my ladder, hold my drill, hold me.)
- Once you’ve found and marked the spot where you want your plant to hang, drill a pilot hole using a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the hook you’ll be inserting. The pilot hole will ensure that your hook is straight, and is gentler on you and the drywall.
- Insert the hook! Or, if you’re using a hook kit or ceiling anchor, follow the directions on the packaging, or find a video online to make sure you insert the anchor the correct way.
- Test the hook to make sure that it will hold the weight of your plant, and then hang it! Adjust the string or chain if necessary to achieve the optimal height. Then stand back and marvel at your handiwork.
And that’s it! Please share your plant-hanging adventures and results with us @houseofplantlovers. Happy planting!