Whether you prefer a bohemian aesthetic, a modern look, or something in between, there are endless possibilities when it comes to hanging plants from the ceiling ideas. Experiment with different plant varieties, containers, and arrangements to create a personalized and enchanting green oasis right in the heart of your home.
Hanging plants from the ceiling is a versatile and stylish way to breathe life into your living spaces. Not only do they add a touch of nature to your living spaces, but they also make for a stunning visual display.
Whether you’re a seasoned plant enthusiast or a budding green thumb, this step-by-step guide will walk you through various creative methods to elevate your plants and your living space. Plus, plenty of tips and a collection of products and inspiration below!
This hanging plants from ceiling article contains affiliate links, but nothing that I wouldn’t recommend wholeheartedly. Read my full disclosure here.
Tips for Hanging Plants from the Ceiling
Choose the Right Plants
Before you start suspending your green companions, consider the type of plants that thrive in hanging conditions. Trailing and cascading plants like pothos, spider plants, and succulents work exceptionally well.
Assess Your Space
Take a good look at the room where you intend to hang your plants. Identify areas near windows or under skylights where your plants can receive the appropriate amount of sunlight. Additionally, consider the overall aesthetic of the room to determine the style of hanging planters that would complement the space.
Decide How You Want to Hang the Plants
There are a lot of different ways to hang plants from the ceiling, with or without drilling!
Here are a few traditional ceiling hook ideas to consider for hanging plants:
- Ceiling Hooks with Screw: Install sturdy ceiling hooks, like this, to hang your plants securely from the ceiling. You definitely will need to position the hooks so they are drilled into a ceiling joist so it can hold the weight of the plant.
- Toggle Bolts: If positioning the hanging plant into a ceiling joist, you can opt for a toggle bolt with a hook, like this. A toggle bolt has a spring clip on it that opens and expands once inserted into the ceiling so it holds the weight of a hanging basket.
- Chains or Ropes: Select durable and aesthetically pleasing materials for securing your planters to the ceiling. Something simple and black, like this, works well. Or if you want something with a bit more boho style, get these macrame rope extenders to hang your plant lower from the ceiling.
But if you’re a renter who can’t put holes in your ceiling (or you just don’t want to), you can still have fun with hanging plants from the ceiling!
Here are some ideas to get the look without drilling holes:
- Tension Rods or a Curtain Rod: Grab some s hooks, like these, and simply hang your indoor plants on the rod!
- Adhesive Hooks: Choose adhesive hooks with the right weight limits and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and removal. For obvious reasons, adhesive hooks typically won’t be able to hold quite as much, so using a faux plant could work well for this type of hook because it won’t ever hold the weight of the extra water in the pot after watering (which adds a lot of weight).
- Magnetic Hooks: These will work if you have metal anywhere on your ceiling – think ceiling tiles,
- Exposed Ceiling Beams: If you’re lucky enough to have an exposed beam in your house, they are the perfect spot to hang your plant pots. Just wrap a rope around the beam and hang your plant!
Choose your Container or Planter
Now for the fun part! Deciding on the type of container for your plants will largely depend on your decor style.
Be sure to consider whether your plant needs drainage holes. Generally, succulents, cacti, and other plants that don’t require much water will do fine in containers without drainage holes. However, other plants that require regular watering may suffer from root rot if the water cannot drain away.
One quick and easy solution that I use for my house plants is to keep them in plastic pots inside the pretty planter (usually whatever they come home from the store in). When it is time to water, I just grab the plastic pot out and put it in the laundry room sink to water. The excess water flows out into the sink and after an hour or two, I put it back in the planter. Easy peasy!
Here are a few planter ideas to consider:
- Macramé Hangers: Choose or create macramé hangers in various styles and lengths.
- Hanging Planters or Baskets: Opt for containers that suit your aesthetic and provide proper drainage for the plants. Or keep the plant in the plastic pot to remove for watering.
- Metal Planters: Hanging metal planters from the ceiling can be a stylish choice. Look for sturdy metal planters with built-in hooks or hangers for easy installation.
Measure and Install Hooks
Measure the distance between the ceiling and where you want your plants to hang. About 5-7 feet from the ground to the bottom of the planter is a good rule of thumb for height.
The best way to find the location of the joists is with a stud finder.
Start by drilling a small pilot hole where the hook screw will go with a drill bit that is slightly smaller than the diameter of the screw on the hook. Then put your screw or ceiling hook into the hole and secure your planter.
Hang and Arrange
Suspend your planters from the installed hooks using your chosen planter hangers, chains, or ropes. Make sure the knots are secure, and the plants are hanging evenly.
After hanging your plants, make any necessary adjustments to ensure everything is just as you like.
Remember to water your hanging plants appropriately, taking care not to overwater.
Get Creative
Feel free to experiment with different arrangements, heights, and plant combinations. Mixing various plant species and using different hanging methods can create a dynamic and visually interesting display.
Keep reading to see my favorite hanging plants from ceiling ideas and choose your favorite!
Best Type of Hanging Houseplants
The best type of hanging houseplants often depends on factors like the amount of sunlight in your space, your care routine, and the aesthetic you’re aiming for. Here are some popular and visually appealing options:
- Spider Plant: Known for its arching green and white striped leaves, the spider plant is resilient and easy to care for as long as you give it enough light. It’s a great choice for beginners and adds a touch of freshness to any room.
- Pothos: Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a versatile hanging plant. Its cascading vines and heart-shaped leaves thrive in various light conditions, and it’s known for its air-purifying qualities. They are super easy to care for and easy to propagate yourself in a propagation station, like this!
- Philodendron: Seriously guys, this is the best plant to get if you’re a newbie plant lover and not sure you can keep something alive. This one is almost impossible to kill and it looks amazing hanging from the ceiling.
- English Ivy: A great option that doesn’t need a lot of light but will also grow in brighter light.
- String of Pearls: This unique succulent has trailing stems adorned with small, bead-like leaves, resembling a string of pearls. It’s an eye-catching choice for those who appreciate distinctive and low-maintenance plants.
- Ferns: Boston Ferns or other varieties of ferns are classic choices for hanging baskets. They thrive in high humidity and indirect light, making them suitable for hanging in bathrooms or kitchens. To keep it from drying out, be sure to keep it watered and you can spray it with water to give it an extra boost of humidity.
- Hoya: Also known as the wax plant, Hoyas feature waxy, succulent leaves and produce fragrant flowers. They are well-suited for hanging baskets and can tolerate various light conditions.
- Burro’s Tail: This type of sedum is easy to grow and since it is technically a succulent, it doesn’t need much water. It looks great when hanging from the ceiling because the stems can trail down from the planter.
- Air Plants: These unique plants don’t require soil and absorb nutrients from the air. They can be placed in hanging terrariums or mounted on decorative hangers, adding a modern and artistic touch to your space.
- Lipstick Plant: With glossy, dark green leaves and tubular, red flowers resembling lipstick tubes, this plant is both charming and low-maintenance.
Remember to consider your specific living conditions and preferences when choosing hanging houseplants, and don’t hesitate to mix and match them for a diverse and visually appealing display.
Ok, let’s hop into some specific hanging plants from the ceiling ideas! There are both DIY ideas and some products that you can buy and hang right away.
Hanging Plants from the Ceiling Ideas
Hanging Plant Shelf Made with Scrap Wood
Here is a simple way to make a hanging plant shelf for your home using a piece of scrap wood! Hanging a plant from the ceiling adds vertical interest to your home and is a great way to display trailing plants and show off their length.
DIY Basketball Planter
If you have an old basketball at home that no one is using anymore, why not turn it into a pretty plant pot that you can hang from the ceiling to free up some floor space?
This DIY basketball planter is so easy to make...So easy that you can make it in less than 1 hour!
Simple to Make DIY Hanging Air Plant Holder
For less than $20, you can make this unique triple triangle plant holder to hold air plants, which are one of my favorite plants! The good news is that they are super easy to care for, so no worries if you're not good at taking care of plants with air plants!
Complete with instructions, this tutorial will walk you through from start to finish. This is a great option for beginners!
Clay Plant Holder
Learn how to make a simple clay plant holder to hang in any room of your home. It is perfect for holding all your air plants. This is a really small one, so it works well in a small apartment or any small space!
Indoor Plant Hanger for less than $20!
Make this indoor plant hanger for less than $20! This wooden plant hanger could be used as an outdoor plant hanger, too!
Size it up or down to fit your space or the weight of your planter and have fun with it. This easy project is an excellent option for beginners!
Hanging Moss Ball Planter (Kokedama)
Learn how to make a hanging moss ball planter, called kokedama, to display your favorite houseplant in a floating green ball!
This is such a fun way to display your own plants in your living room or any room of your home!
Hanging Planter with Embroidery Hoops
I just love the modern look of this embroidery hoop hanging planter. All you need for this great idea is two large hoops, one small hoop, and some macrame cording.
DIY Hanging Planter Project with Dollar Tree Supplies
On a budget? Try making these indoor hanging planters using supplies from the Dollar Store!
She used faux succulents because she doesn't have a green thumb and they are really lightweight, which is great for these hanging pots.
Make a Hanging Planter Out of An Embroidery Hoop
Here's another project with embroidery hoops! This time the hoop is paired with a bowl (from Dollar Tree) that is used for the planter and fits perfectly inside the embroidery hoop. This is one of the easiest DIY projects on this list!
Stainless Steel Bowl Hanging Planter
To bring in a little glam and shine to your room, try making this stainless steel bowl turned into a planter for hanging beautiful plants from the ceiling.
Hanging Plants to Buy
Don't want to DIY something? Here are some great easy options to buy and hang your plants right away!
Hanging Resin Flower Head Planters
This hanging swing face planter is so cute, with its distinctive face-shaped design and smiling expression that adds a touch of fun and charm to your room and garden. It comes with a swing and planter so it is ready to hang right away!
Metal Mid Century Hanging Plant Pot
This classic hanging planter is made of iron, with anti-rust high-temperature paint, which makes it durable, sturdy, and lightweight. It is easy to clean and works for indoor and outdoor use.
Macrame Plant Hangers
Show your plants some love with this set of 3 macrame plant hangers! Sturdy and meticulously hand-crafted, these plant holders would display all your cute pots and plants and enable you to create the space you love.
They are perfect for hanging together in front of a sunny window, like this! But be sure to choose plants to love the sun in you hang them from the ceiling in front of a window in direct light.
Round Hanging Plant Shelf
This unique rustic planter is perfect for hanging multiple plants at once. Easily remove the plants from the hanging planter to water, repot, etc.
Make the rope hang lower from the ceiling so that it lines up with the side of your chair, couch or bedside to make this a little table too!
Boho Hanging Planter in Gold
These hanging planters are a mix of boho and modern. You can easily mount these from the ceiling or on the wall for a stylish display of your houseplants.
Hanging plants from the ceiling is a great way to incorporate nature into your living space. By carefully choosing your plants, considering your space, and following these steps, you can create a suspended garden that adds life, color, and a touch of whimsy to any room.
Experiment with different materials, styles, and arrangements to find the perfect suspended garden that reflects your personality and brings a breath of fresh air to your surroundings.
So, pick up those plant hangers and ceiling hooks, and let your creativity flourish as you elevate your plants to new heights!
Which of these hanging plants from the ceiling ideas was your favorite?
