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Bring Any Area in Your Home to Life with Hanging Plants
A home filled with plants makes us feel closer to nature. Plants evoke feelings of comfort, reduce stress and enhance our overall well-being. Hanging plants are visually appealing. They create a cascading, flowing display, making the area lively and vibrant. This guide will tell you how to hang a plant and create your own vertical space of beauty.
Where to Hang a Plant
Before you hang your plant, you need to decide on a suitable place to hang it. Keep in mind the plant’s light requirements. Most houseplants prefer moderate to bright, indirect light, so a spot near a window is usually ideal. This is especially good if the sun’s rays are softened by curtains or blinds. If the light requirements are moderate, or if your home receives less natural light, opt for plants that do well in low light or consider artificial grow lights which mimic the sun’s light spectrum, helping them to help them grow.
Hanging a Plant from a Ceiling Joist or a Beam
Hanging your plant from a ceiling joist or a beam gives you the advantage of screwing hooks directly into the joist or beam. These are points of strength that can hold extra weight if needed.
Step 1: Find the Joist in the Ceiling
Using a stud finder, locate a joist in the ceiling.
Alternatively, locate a spot on a beam where you want to hang the plant.
Step 2: Drill a Pilot Hole
Using a bit slightly narrower than the screw on the hook, drill a small pilot hole.
When drilling into the ceiling, always wear safety glasses to avoid injury.
Step 3: Install the Hook
Screw the screw hook into the joist and ensure that it’s securely fastened. Ensure that it’s strong enough to support the weight of the plant.
Alternatively, for an exposed beam, screw a J-hook directly into the beam.
Step 4: Hang Your Plant
You’re ready to hang your plant.
Make sure that your planter has at least two drainage holes to ensure proper drainage and prevent root rot, promote healthy growth and allow for good air circulation. Always ensure that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the plant’s weight restrictions.
Hanging a Plant from Drywall
Hanging a plant from drywall is safe as long as you do it correctly. Ideally, you’ll use a lightweight plant and planter, along with a stud finder and toggle bolts. For heavier plants, it’s recommended you hang from ceiling joists or beams.
Step 1: Find a Hollow Spot in the Ceiling/Wall
Using a stud finder, locate a hollow point in the ceiling/wall and mark it with a pencil.
Step 2: Drill a Pilot Hole
Drill a pilot hole based on the size of a toggle bolt.
Step 3: Engage the Toggle Bolt Anchor
Push the toggle bolt through the pilot hole. While holding both wings of the toggle bolt together, push the wings through the drilled hole. Once the wings are through the hole, release them. Secure the toggle bolt by tightening the end bolt flush to the ceiling/wall.
Step 4: Secure the Swag Hook
Next, install a swag hook by screwing it in until it’s flush with the ceiling/wall.
Step 5: Hang Your Plant
All that’s left is to double-check that your hook is flush with the ceiling/wall and hang your plant.
An even simpler way to hang a plant is to hook an S-hook over an exposed ceiling beam or pipe. Be mindful of the plant's weight and what the beam or pipe can handle before hanging the plant.
How to Water Hanging Plants
The best time of the day to water hanging plants is in the morning. To avoid making a mess, use a watering can with a long spout. Before you water, check the soil’s moisture level by touching it to see if the top inch or two of soil is dry. If it is, you should water the plant. When watering, do so slowly but thoroughly. Saturate the soil until water begins to drain from the bottom of the plant. Be careful not to overwater as this could lead to root rot. When necessary, place a tray or bowl underneath to catch any overflow.
Hanging Planter Materials
Ideally, hanging planters would be made exclusively of lightweight materials to alleviate the risk of them dropping once they’re filled with wet soil and plants. However, the hardware that’s used for secure mounting is important to provide the right structure to keep the plant safe. Some of the most popular hanging planter materials include:
- most popular planter type
- lightweight, durable and low maintenance
- holds small to medium-size plants
- available in a range of sizes, colors, style and designs
- indoor and outdoor use
Metal Planters with coco coir liner
- second most popular planter type
- range from lightweight to heavy
- holds small to medium-size plants, but can accommodate some large plants
- available in a range of sizes, colors, style and designs
- indoor and outdoor use
- lightweight, durable and low maintenance
- range from lightweight to heavy
- holds small to medium-size plants
- available in a range of sizes, colors, style and designs
- indoor and outdoor use
- more durable than plastic
- dense and heavy, especially when filled with soil and water
- holds small to large-size plants
- available in a range of sizes, colors, style and designs
- indoor and outdoor use
Fabric Planters (Macrame)
- lightweight and durable
- holds small to medium-size plants
- available in a range of designs
- indoor use with some outdoor use (considering the weather conditions)
Wood, stone and terracotta are some other materials that are used when making hanging planters.
