Learning how to hang plants from the ceiling offers multiple benefits, from air purifying properties to aesthetics.
“Hanging plants are a great way to add green to your home without losing any valuable floor space,” says Tara Hebel of botanical brand Sprout Home. It can also add dimension to a space by having foliage at different heights.
It is one of the ways to decorate with plants that offers many benefits, especially if you have pets or small children in your home. ‘Many common houseplants such as pothos, peace lilies, philodendrons, ZZ plants, and English ivy contain toxic chemical compounds that can cause very unpleasant symptoms if ingested by a pet or young child,’ explains Andrew Gaumond, horticulturist and managing editor at Petal Republic. . . Keeping these plants out of reach is the easiest way to mitigate potential problems.
“Hanging plants are also great for small or restricted living spaces, allowing you to maximize available space that might otherwise be empty,” adds Andrew. They also provide a unique aesthetic and can help filter dust and purify the air.
How to hang plants from the ceiling
(Image credit: Garden Trade)
“Hanging plants from the ceiling or wall is a great idea for a small apartment—a great way to use vertical space to display and enjoy plants,” says Erin Marino, managing editor of The Sill. (Opens in a new tab). “It can also be aesthetically pleasing, filling an empty, negative space with some extravagant greenery.”
Whether you hang one or a group of planters for a coordinated, on-trend look, this step-by-step guide will show you how.
1. Consider the factory and location
There are a few basics to consider when hanging plants in the home.
“First, consider the plant you’re hanging and its inherent care needs in terms of exposure, watering requirements, drainage, and temperature tolerance before hanging,” advises Petal Republic. (Opens in a new tab)Andrew Gumond. “This will help you determine the best rooms and locations in your home.”
Tara Hebel of Sprout Home adds: (Opens in a new tab). “Be mindful of how the plant you choose will grow so that you can leave enough room for it from walls and windows.”
2. Think about your choice of hanging ceiling planter
“Choosing an appropriate hanging plant pot is also key,” says Andrew. Plants need excellent drainage systems to avoid standing water in the pot (which can lead to disease and rot if left unchecked), so make sure you use a system that allows water to flow freely from the potting soil into a collection saucer attached to the planter. A better strategy is to separate the hanging plant and the water in the tub before allowing it to dry out and then rehanging it.
3. Evaluate the roof material
Checking your ceiling material will ensure you have everything you need—and the right tools—to install a hanging plant pot.
In terms of installing a ceiling hook, you’ll want to evaluate the type of material you’re drilling into (whether it’s brick, hardwood, plasterboard, concrete, etc.), as each will require a slightly different drill bit and bit, says Andrew Gumond. “The type and size of the plant you want to hang will also determine the load capacity you need to consider for the hook you are installing.”
“To drill directly into the drywall without supporting beams behind it, anchors and screws are recommended so that they can support the weight of the plant,” adds Tara Hebel. “If you are drilling directly into drywall that has a support beam behind it, or if you are drilling directly into wood, you can just use a screw.”
4. Choose your plant hook
You should also make sure that you use the correct hardware to get a professional look. One of the most popular choices for indoor hanging planters is the screw hook, where one side has a hook to hang from, and the other has an anchor to attach to ceiling joists or a stud. You’ll find all kinds of specialty plant hooks on sites like Amazon (Opens in a new tab)and the like, in a variety of ways.
“There are so many options to choose from with different finishes and trim levels,” says Tara. We love this pendant ring from Bijou (Opens in a new tab) Simple yet perfect.
5. Install your plant hook
To install your plant hook, you will need:
- Plant hook
- stud finder
- Electric drill and drill
- Pencil to locate the hook
- Step ladder to reach it
Decide where you want to place the plant hook and mark the spot with a pencil.
“Mounting a plant hook directly into a stud or joist is a good way to get a solid grip,” say the style experts at Wayfair. (Opens in a new tab). To do this, use a drill bit the same diameter as the shank (the pointed end) of the hook, not the threads.
Drill your pilot hole a little deeper than the length of the threaded shaft. Push the screw into the hole and turn it until it is tight and the base of the hook is snug against the ceiling.
Now you are ready to hang your plant and create an urban jungle.
What Plants Are Good for a Ceiling Planter?
(Image credit: Ivyline)
“Any plant can be a hanging plant, but we recommend focusing on hanging plants that grace the vines so that the cascading effect creates some drama and fills in a space,” says Tara Hebel of Sprout Home.
Depending on your light, there are a plethora of options available. Some low light, no direct sun. Trustworthy recommendations would be Scindapsus and Pothos varieties that grow quickly and aren’t picky, making them great houseplants for beginners.
For partial sun, we’re big fans of the Hoya – although it can take a while for them to bloom, it’s well worth the wait and they like to be kept tight and so avoid constant repotting.
“One of my favorite direct sun plants for hanging would be the Senecio family such as String of Pearls.”
Andrew Gaumond also shares some of his favorite plants for a hanging planter below:
red prayer plants: These are ideal for ceiling hanging plants as they grow low, wide and are easy to maintain.
Philodendron Brazil: Aside from its easy-to-grow and carefree nature, the vining plant’s attractive foliage makes it a lovely choice for a hanging planter. The heart-shaped, dark green leaves have a yellow coloring in the middle, and they help purify the air.
Boston fern: Boston fern is one of the easiest types of fern to grow indoors and displays stunning sword-shaped leaves that arch and can grow nearly 3 feet tall.
pitcher plant: These carnivorous plants are an excellent choice for a unique plant feature in your home. They feature shiny, glossy green leaves and selective traps to suck out any pesky insects.
A String of Pearls (Senesio Rulianus): A perfect vine plant favorite for indoor hanging planters. The vines are fast growers, which also display small white flowers that smell like cinnamon.
Can I hang a plant from the ceiling without digging?
Yes, you can hang a plant from the ceiling without drilling if you have an exposed beam or pipe hanging from it.
You can use an S-hook, which allows one side to hang over the beam or pipe, and the other side to hold the planter.
Top tips for plants in hanging planters
(Image credit: Ivyline)
threshold (Opens in a new tab)Erin shares her top general tips for hanging planters below:
1. Consider light, water, humidity and environment Just as you would a tabletop or floor plant. Depending on where you hang your hanging plant, you’ll want to choose a plant that thrives in the light that spot receives: whether it’s bright, medium, or low. Choose your plant accordingly.
2. in terms of irrigation, Consider how easy (or not easy) it is to access the hanging plant pot. If you are able to hop on a chair and reach the pot easily, you might not mind choosing a plant that requires weekly watering. Just think about how often you should water the plant. If getting into this kind of trouble is difficult, you may want to choose a plant with succulent qualities, which may only need to be watered once a month.
Although a watering can with a long neck helps you reach hanging planters with ease, it is important for you to check the plant pot mix before watering, so that you don’t accidentally overwater your plant.
3. Remember that most houseplants prefer stable environments. Do not hang it in front of air conditioners, heating units, or open windows that may cause drafts.
4. Most hanging planters do not have drainage holes. Create your own drainage by lining the bottom of the pot with an inch or so of lava rock or similar before adding the potting mix.
