Interior designers have been using hanging plants to establish the mood indoors for decades. They can help create an artificial space for observing nature, drawing anyone's attention to the juxtaposition of nonliving elements and the lush greenery.
If you are thrilled to achieve this setting or are already planning to hang your dangling plants, we invite you to continue reading this blog. We will cover the basics of how to hang plants from ceiling, what supplies to prepare, the clever ways to hang plants indoors, and the alternatives for suspending weeping plants.
Supplies
Before starting a home project of plants hanging from the ceiling, you must prepare the appropriate materials. In the following, we've listed needed supplies:
- Ceiling hooks with a toggle bolt. Sometimes referred to as a swag hook, this type of hook works in drywalls or studless ceilings. Consider the plant's weight before purchase, as this kind of hook has a wide array of load limits.
- Screw hooks. Probably the most common type found in many hardware sections, hooked screws are also an indispensable tool for hanging plants. They are available in many shapes, designs, and weight limits, suited for installing wooden beams, frames, or studs in the drywalls.
- Swivel ceiling hook. This is a modified version of the screw hooks, with a rotating or swinging axle that allows you to turn the plants in different directions.
- Other pieces of equipment. Handy tools, including an electric drill, stud finder, measuring tape, and pencil, should be readily available when installing hanging plants.
What Are the Best Ways to Hang Plants From the Ceiling?
There is no perfect solution for everybody. What suits your house might be unusable for your friends and vice-versa. We listed some of the most popular ways to hang plants from the ceiling for you to find a perfect match:
- Screw hooks. These types of pinning devices are easy to install. Using a stud finder, locate the densest part of the ceiling where the frames or beams are. Exposed ceiling joists on the porch are also the perfect spot for installing screw hooks.
- Ceiling hooks with toggle bolts. Do not be stressed out if you cannot find a solid place to screw the hooks. Toggle bolted hooks are here to solve the problem, allowing you to install them in less dense, hollow ceilings. The spring-loaded "wings" are folded, inserted into the drilled hole, and once inside, they spring open so that it doesn't pull free from the ceiling.
- Swivel ceiling hooks. Not all homes are blessed with large bright windows, often having a single light source. For this reason, plants should be rotated periodically so the foliage can grow on all sides. Installing a modified screw hook with a swivel aids you in swiftly turning the plants to the other side.
Steps of Hanging Plants From Ceiling
Hanging plants from the ceiling is not a complicated task. If you have no experience, roll up your sleeves and follow the detailed procedures below on:
- Prepare the needed materials. Before starting any home DIY project, gathering the appropriate materials is a prerequisite to successfully completing the job. You will need a stud finder for locating the suitable spot, a pencil for marking, and a drill.
- Select the suitable hook. The best hook depends on the plant's weight and the ceiling's maximum load. Stud hooks, which have screw tips, are ideal for wooden beams or unexposed studs in the walls, while ceiling hooks with toggle bolts are the alternative for hollow ceilings. The style also matters–choose one that matches your taste and the house's interior.
- Drill the hole for the hook installation. When drilling a stud, select the drill bit that matches the length of the screw hook. Press it firmly against the wall and pull the drill trigger to bore the hole. On the other hand, toggle bolts only require holes large enough to fit into the wall, about half an inch in diameter (1.27 cm).
- Install the right hook. Simply drive the screw hooks in with a finger or use vise grip pliers for added leverage. For mounting ceiling hooks with toggle bolts, insert it into the hole by closing the "flaps" of the toggle bolt and tighten it by turning it clockwise.
- Hang your plant of choice. Now that you have successfully installed the holders, it is time to hang your favorite plants. If the plants are slightly elevated, you can add supplementary S-hooks to lower the plant to the desired level.
How to Hang Plants From Ceiling Without Drilling
We understand the inconvenience of drilling holes to hang plants which might also cause a dispute between landlords and tenants. Hence, we bring you alternative steps on how to hang plants from the ceiling without drilling:
- Assess the location. Planning and inspecting the site beforehand is crucial for knowing which method is feasible, whether or not you have a metal or wooden beam, smooth or rough walls, or two adjacent walls.
- Install magnetic hooks. If you have a decorative metal beam indoors, typical in some apartments, going with magnetic hooks is the best way to hang plants without drilling. However, if you can't find any, look for hidden metal framings inside the wall by sliding a magnet over the surface or a magnetic stud finder.
- Fill the space with tension rods. Using a tension rod is another drill-free method to fix up hanging plants between two walls, window frames, or gaps with open space. The most common tension rods are spring curtain rods**.** It can support more than one lightweight plant when installed properly, perfect for displaying macrame plant hangers.
- Clasp it with a carpenters' clamp. This method may be the least decorative, but this is the strongest improvised hook to hang plants, well-suited to install in a protruding stub wall dividing space in your kitchen or bookshelves. The clamp utilizes a squeezing trigger; the tighter it is, the heavier load it can take. The plants are hung at the distal end jut of the clamp bar.
- Stick adhesive hooks. Using an adhesive plant holder is an excellent option for a simple and easy installation. Choose the hook that can bear the maximum load of your plant, and before sticking it, make sure that the walls are smooth and dust-free. Adhesive stickers often must be set for at least 24 hours before holding the hanging plant.
- Use suction cups for plants. Explicitly designed suction cups are available to hang lightweight plants like succulents in small pots**.** However, this is suitable for suspending plants in glass walls or windows and may not work on cement or rough house panels.
Best Hanging Plants From Ceiling Ideas
If you're looking for inspiration on how to hang plants indoors or what plants to pick, we've listed some hanging plants from ceiling ideas:
- Pothos. If you are a beginner, Pothos is the right hanging plant to install at home. They are easy to maintain indoors and can tolerate various environmental conditions. Hang plants from the ceiling or a balcony with a porch, and its vines–studded with variegated leaves–can grow infinitely.
- Burro's Tail. Known for its weeping herbaceous stem whorled with pointy leaves, Burro's Tail is the perfect hanging plant to add drama to a dull living space. Because it is a succulent plant, water it less frequently than typical plants.
- String of Hearts. Admired for its gorgeous heart-shaped foliage, this trailing succulent vine would be happy to flaunt its beauty indoors. Keep it next to the light source, regularly watered like succulents but less frequent in colder months when they go dormant.
- Christmas Cactus. Unlike its desert cousins, it is naturally an aerial plant in the wild prized for its dangling stems that pop out brightly colored flowers. This tropical plant needs to be in humid places, such as in the bathroom or kitchen, with bright, indirect sunlight.
- Ferns. As full-grown ferns have bushy circular shapes, this houseplant, including Boston or Bird's Nest ferns, is a great addition to fill an empty space. Plant it in a suitable medium (sphagnum moss with perlite) and keep it moist to avoid water-related wilt.
FAQ
What Types of Plant Hooks Are There?
Screw or stud hooks and ceiling hooks with toggle bolts are the common types. The former should be installed in a solid stud or exposed wooden beams, while the latter is suitable for hollow walls.
What Hooks to Use to Hang Plants From the Ceiling?
The most typical hooks to hang plants from the ceiling are screw hooks because they are cheap, easy to install, and available in many sizes and weight limits.
Can I Use Command Hooks to Hang Plants From the Ceiling?
You can use command hooks to hang plants from the ceiling. The only thing to remember is the proper installation and weight limit of the hooks you pick.
How to Water Hanging Plants?
The most practical way to water hanging plants is to take them out and water them in the basin, like regular plants. Alternatively, you can install a detachable saucer at the bottom of the hanging pot.