Easy DIY Plant Hanger Tutorial

You’ve scoured Instagram posts, admiring the many photos of hanging plants in trending hashtags, wondering if you could capture the same look in your house. Fortunately, the boho-looking, knotted hanging pots are simple enough to do yourself. You only need an easy DIY plant hanger tutorial to walk you through the steps. 

Plant Parents Boost Growing Market

If houseplants are your latest obsession, you’re not alone. According to the Floral Marketing Fund’s Consumer Houseplant Purchasing Report 2021, 42.7% of consumers showed extreme interest in purchasing houseplants in 2020 — a trend likely exacerbated by pandemic lockdowns. Overall, 90% reported a desire to own plants.

Another survey found that Oregon, Colorado and Arizona residents had the greatest houseplant obsession, with around 10–15 plants per household — more than any other state. 

It’s little wonder that “plant parenting” became popular during the pandemic — nature has long been regarded as a natural stress reliever with mood-boosting qualities. As such, the flower and ornamental plant market has seen tremendous growth, expected to reach $30.79 billion by 2027 at a rate of 5.85%. 

Create a DIY Plant Hanger in 3 Easy Steps

Suppose you have a healthy pothos you want to display in the kitchen or dining room — or maybe you have a particular corner for a hanging plant in your living room or enclosed patio. You don’t have to spend hours figuring out how to achieve the DIY plant hanger designs you see online. In fact, you can create one in a matter of minutes with these three easy steps.

1. Cut and Tie a Knot

For this DIY plant hanger project, you’ll need an empty pot, plant, potting soil, rope and scotch tape — we’ll save the hanging hardware for later. 

Cut eight equal pieces of rope long enough to come up around the potted plant and have room for hanging at the top. You should also make sure there are a few inches at the bottom. Also, include additional length for tying knots throughout the rope hanger.

Collect your eight strands of rope and tie a knot with several inches left hanging down. However long your rope length is at the bottom of your hanger is a personal preference. You can also trim it afterward if it’s too long.

2. Separate the Strands and Tie More Knots

Separate the strands by two each and center the knot at the bottom of your pot — two strands each should create four groupings. Use scotch tape to secure each set of two strings at the bottom. Then, tie another knot for all four two-string strands at the planter’s bottom edge. 

Take one string from two separate groupings that are next to each other and tie a knot. Do this for each set around the pot until you find yourself at the next level, holding down each new pairing with scotch tape.

Work your way through each level until you reach the top of the planter. The number of levels you end up with depends on how big the pot is — the larger the pot is, the more knots you’ll tie. 

3. Finish the Top Knot

Turn your planter over — now might be a good time to transfer your hanging plant with some potting soil. 

When you’re ready, grab all the rope in your hand and determine the height you want to hang it from the ceiling or planting pole. Ensure the ropes are at an even length — a lopsided planter could result in the plant tipping over. 

Tie the top knot at the appropriate height and trim any excess bottom strings you don’t want to hang below.

How to Hang a DIY Plant Hanger

Hanging your DIY plant hanger from the ceiling is likely the trickiest part — but you need to pick the right location before hammering away. Consider the type of plant you’re hanging. Is it a low-light plant that swoops over the edge of the pot, or are you hanging potted herbs in the kitchen?

Herbs and many other houseplants usually need about six hours of sunlight, so a south-facing window should suffice. 

You’ll need a few supplies for this part of the project, including the following:

• Swag hook and toggle bolt
• Drill bit if using a toggle bolt
• Power drill
• Stud finder
• Ladder
• Chain extender, if necessary

Your DIY plant hanger could weigh between 10 and 15 pounds when full, so be sure you secure it with the proper tools and hardware. Unless you can mount the swag hook into a beam or stud, use a toggle bolt to ensure it doesn’t fall out of the hollow drywall. 

You can drill a hook directly into a beam or stud with a screw. For drilling a swag hook into the ceiling without a stud, a toggle bolt will expand its “wings” to secure it in place. You can then guide the swag hook into the toggle and hang your plant. Don’t forget to remove the scotch tape when done.

Best Plants to Hang Indoors

Plant parents have numerous options for hanging plants in their households. Of course, some are better for inside growing than others, while all have varying requirements to thrive. Some of the most attractive plants are those that hang over the pot, including the following:

• Heart-leaf philodendron
• Golden pothos
• String of pearls
• Staghorn fern
• Fishbone cactus

The staghorn fern is an example of a plant that enjoys a sunny spot but not direct sunlight. Meanwhile, an experienced gardener should care for a string of pearls plant, which tends to be fussy about watering.

Generally, pothos plants are the easiest greenery you can grow, with several varieties and shades to choose from. They’re also excellent plants for vining. Consider a pothos if you need something with medium-to-bright indirect sunlight and is drought-tolerant — particularly helpful for those who forget to water their plants.

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Part of giving back to the planet is incorporating sustainable practices into your everyday life, whether going zero-waste or planting flowers. A DIY plant hanger is an excellent way to bring nature indoors or spruce up your patio. However, there’s so much more for plant parents to learn. Subscribe for more growing and gardening tips to create a greener home.