Crochet Hanging Planter for Small Indoor Pots – Katy Craft Ideas

There is something quietly magical about the moment a handmade piece finds its place in a home. A crocheted hanging planter does exactly that — it adds texture, warmth, and a touch of handcrafted personality to any room, all while putting your favorite small indoor plants at eye level where they can truly be admired. If you have been looking for a project that is beginner-friendly, genuinely useful, and endlessly customizable, this is the one. Welcome to Katy Craft Ideas, where we slow down, pick up our hooks, and make something beautiful.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about making a crochet hanging planter for small indoor pots. We will cover materials, basic stitches, step-by-step instructions, styling tips, and plenty of creative variations so you can adapt the design to suit your space, your skill level, and your personal taste. Whether you are a seasoned crocheter looking for a quick weekend project or a complete beginner eager to try something new, you are in exactly the right place.

Why Crochet Hanging Planters Are Having a Moment

Macramé wall hangings and boho-style decor have been trending for years, but crochet hanging planters bring something that macramé simply cannot — the intricate, lacy texture that only a crochet hook can create. When light filters through an open-stitch planter, it casts delicate shadows on your wall, turning a humble pot of succulents into a piece of living art.

Beyond aesthetics, there are deeply practical reasons to love this project. Hanging planters free up counter space and windowsill real estate, which is especially valuable in apartments and small homes. They also elevate plants to better light positions and create visual interest at different heights throughout a room. Layering plants at various levels — some on shelves, some on the floor, some hanging — is one of the most effective tricks in interior plant styling, and a handmade crochet planter gives you full control over color, size, and design.

There is also the simple satisfaction of making something with your hands. Crochet is meditative, portable, and affordable, and a hanging planter comes together quickly enough that you can finish one in a single afternoon. That ratio of effort to reward is deeply satisfying.

Materials You Will Need

Before you cast on — or rather, make your first chain — let us gather everything you need. The beauty of this project is that it requires very little, and most of what you need is inexpensive and widely available.

Yarn: Cotton yarn is the most popular choice for plant hangers, and for good reason. It is sturdy, moisture-resistant, and holds its shape beautifully. Look for a medium-weight cotton yarn (often labeled as worsted weight, or size 4). Neutral tones like cream, natural, and terracotta are perennially popular, but do not be afraid to go bold — a deep forest green or dusty rose planter can be absolutely stunning. For a more rustic feel, jute twine or a jute-cotton blend works wonderfully and adds that natural, earthy quality.

Crochet Hook: For worsted weight cotton, a 5 mm hook is a reliable starting point. If you prefer a looser, lacier result, go up to a 5.5 mm or 6 mm hook. If you are using jute twine, a slightly larger hook (6 mm to 7 mm) will make the work easier on your hands.

Scissors and a Tapestry Needle: You will need scissors to cut your yarn and a tapestry needle to weave in your ends neatly.

A Metal or Wooden Ring: A ring measuring about 2 to 3 inches in diameter is used at the top of the planter to gather the hanging cords and create a clean, finished look. You can find these at craft stores, or repurpose a shower curtain ring or even a sturdy key ring.

The Pot: For this design, you are working with a small indoor pot — think a 3-inch or 4-inch nursery pot, a small terracotta pot, or a mini ceramic planter. Measure your pot before you begin so you can adjust the pattern if needed.

Optional: A ruler or measuring tape, stitch markers, and a small carabiner or hook for hanging.

Stitches You Will Use

If you are new to crochet, do not let the word “pattern” intimidate you. This project relies on just a handful of fundamental stitches, all of which are easy to learn.

Chain Stitch (ch): The foundation of almost every crochet project. You simply yarn over and pull through the loop on your hook. It creates a flexible, chainlike row of loops.

Slip Stitch (sl st): A very short stitch used mainly to join rounds or move your hook to a new position without adding height.

Single Crochet (sc): The most basic stitch. Insert your hook into a stitch, yarn over, pull through, yarn over again, and pull through both loops on your hook. It creates a tight, dense fabric.

Half Double Crochet (hdc): Slightly taller than a single crochet. Yarn over first, insert your hook, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through all three loops.

Double Crochet (dc): Taller still, and used frequently in open, airy designs. Yarn over, insert your hook, yarn over and pull through, then yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over again and pull through the remaining two loops.

Magic Ring: A technique for beginning work in the round that creates a tightly closed center — perfect for the base of a planter. If this is new to you, there are many excellent video tutorials online, and most beginners master it within minutes.

Step-by-Step Pattern: Classic Crochet Hanging Planter

This pattern creates a snug, basket-style planter for a 3.5-inch to 4-inch pot. The finished planter has a solid base, an open-lattice body, and long hanging cords that gather at a ring above.

Gauge: Approximately 14 stitches and 16 rows to 4 inches in single crochet. Gauge is not critical for this project, but it will affect the final size, so swatch if precision matters to you.

Abbreviations used: ch (chain), sl st (slip stitch), sc (single crochet), dc (double crochet), hdc (half double crochet), st (stitch), rnd (round), sp (space).

The Base

Start with a magic ring.

Round 1: Work 6 single crochets into the magic ring. Pull the ring closed. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. (6 sts)

Round 2: Chain 1. Work 2 sc in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch. (12 sts)

Round 3: Chain 1. Work 2 sc in the first stitch, then 1 sc in the next stitch. Repeat from to around. Join. (18 sts)

Round 4: Chain 1. Work 2 sc in the first stitch, then 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches. Repeat around. Join. (24 sts)

Round 5: Chain 1. Work 2 sc in the first stitch, then 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches. Repeat around. Join. (30 sts)

Round 6: Chain 1. Work 2 sc in the first stitch, then 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches. Repeat around. Join. (36 sts)

At this point, your base should measure approximately 3.5 inches in diameter. If you are working with a larger pot, continue increasing in this manner — adding one more sc between each increase point — until the base is wide enough to sit flush with the bottom of your pot.

The Sides

Round 7 (Transition Round): Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around, but this time insert your hook through the back loop only (this creates a neat ridge that marks the transition from base to sides and helps the sides stand upright). Join. (36 sts)

Rounds 8 through 11: Chain 1. Work 1 sc in each stitch around. Join at the end of each round. (36 sts)

These solid rounds form the lower wall of the planter that will hold the base of your pot securely.

The Open Lattice Body

Now comes the part that gives the planter its beautiful, airy look. You will be working a simple mesh pattern using chain spaces and double crochets.

Round 12: Chain 5. Skip 2 stitches. Work 1 dc in the next stitch. Chain 2. Skip 2 stitches. Repeat from to around until you return to the beginning. Join with a slip stitch to the third chain of your beginning chain-5. You should have 12 dc and 12 chain-2 spaces.

Round 13: Slip stitch into the first chain-2 space. Chain 3 (this counts as your first dc). Work 1 dc into the same chain-2 space. Chain 2. Work 2 dc into the next chain-2 space. Chain 2. Repeat around. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the beginning chain-3.

Round 14: Repeat Round 13. Continue working 2 dc into each chain-2 space with a chain-2 between each cluster.

Repeat Round 14 two more times (or until the sides are tall enough to reach the rim of your pot). The number of lattice rounds you need will depend on the height of your pot. For a standard 3.5-inch pot, four to five lattice rounds typically bring you to the rim.

The Top Edging

Once the sides reach the top of your pot, work one final round of single crochets evenly around the top edge to stabilize the rim and give it a tidy finish. Join and fasten off. Weave in your ends with the tapestry needle.

The Hanging Cords

Cut three lengths of yarn, each approximately 36 inches long (you can go longer if you want the planter to hang lower). Fold each length in half so you have six strands, each about 18 inches long.

Thread all six strands through your small ring so that the ring sits at the midpoint of all the cords. Divide the cords into three pairs of two. Using each pair, make an overhand knot about 4 inches below the ring, then attach each pair to the top of the planter by threading through stitches on opposite sides and tying securely. Space the three attachment points evenly around the rim — think of them as being at 12 o’clock, 4 o’clock, and 8 o’clock.

Trim the cord ends to a neat, even length, or leave them slightly longer for a fringed effect.

Blocking and Finishing

Once your planter is assembled, it benefits enormously from a quick blocking session. Simply wet the planter thoroughly with cool water, gently squeeze out the excess (do not wring), and reshape it while it is damp. Place your pot inside to help the planter hold its shape while it dries. Leave it to air dry completely before hanging — this usually takes a few hours. Blocking opens up the lattice stitches, evens out any tension inconsistencies, and gives the finished piece a crisp, polished appearance.

Best Plants for a Crochet Hanging Planter

Choosing the right plant makes all the difference. Small, lightweight plants in pots no larger than 4 inches are ideal. Here are some wonderful options.

Succulents and cacti are obvious favorites — they are light, rarely need watering, and their sculptural forms look spectacular against the lacy backdrop of the crochet. Echeveria, haworthia, and small aloe varieties all work beautifully.

Trailing plants are perhaps the most visually dramatic choice for a hanging planter. String of pearls, string of hearts, and baby’s tears will cascade over the edges of the planter and grow more beautiful with every passing week.

Air plants (tillandsia) require no soil at all and can simply be nestled inside the planter, making them a wonderfully low-maintenance option. They also come in fascinating shapes and textures.

Small pothos cuttings or a compact nerve plant (fittonia) add lush green color, and their relatively forgiving care requirements make them perfect for beginners.

Creative Variations to Try

Once you have made one planter and feel comfortable with the basic structure, the possibilities multiply quickly. Here are some ideas to spark your creativity.

Color blocking: Work the base and lower sides in one color, then switch to a contrasting color for the lattice section. Cream and terracotta, sage green and cream, or charcoal and blush are particularly beautiful combinations.

Stripes: Alternate colors every two rounds for a playful, graphic result. This works especially well for a child’s room or a brightly decorated kitchen.

Textured stitches: Replace the simple double-crochet lattice with a shell stitch, a puff stitch pattern, or a bobble stitch for a more three-dimensional effect.

Jute and cotton combo: Crochet the base and sides in natural cotton for structural stability, then switch to jute twine for the lattice rounds. The contrast in texture is striking, and the result has a wonderfully rustic, bohemian quality.

Group of three: Make three planters in graduated sizes — a small one for a 3-inch pot, a medium for a 4-inch pot, and a larger one for a 5-inch pot — and hang them at different heights from a single wooden dowel for a stunning clustered display.

Seasonal colors: Swap your neutral cotton for warm amber, burnt orange, and deep red in autumn, icy blue and white in winter, or soft pastels in spring. A handmade planter is an easy, inexpensive way to refresh your decor with the seasons.

How to Style Your Crochet Hanging Planters

Placement is everything. A crochet hanging planter shines brightest when it is given enough space to be seen and enough light to keep the plant inside it thriving.

Near a window is always a strong choice, especially for succulents and trailing plants that love bright, indirect light. The natural light also shows off the openwork stitches beautifully throughout the day.

In a corner of the kitchen, a small hanging planter filled with a pot of fresh herbs — compact basil, a tiny thyme, or a small mint — combines form and function in the most satisfying way.

Above a reading nook or beside a bed, a softly hanging planter adds a sense of enclosure and coziness. Pair it with a trailing plant that drapes toward the pillow and the result feels genuinely lush and layered.

In a bathroom with good light, ferns, orchids, or air plants thrive in the humidity and create a spa-like atmosphere that feels genuinely luxurious.

When hanging multiple planters in the same space, keep them at different heights to create movement and depth. Odd numbers — three, five — tend to look more natural and balanced than even groupings.

Caring for Your Crochet Planter

A crochet planter made from cotton yarn is surprisingly durable, but a little care will keep it looking its best for years.

When watering plants that live in a crochet planter, remove the pot from the planter, water it thoroughly in the sink, let it drain completely, and return it once no water is dripping. This prevents moisture from sitting in the yarn and causing discoloration or mildew over time. If you use a nursery pot inside a decorative ceramic pot, the two-pot system makes this process even easier.

If the planter becomes dusty or discolored, hand-washing in cool water with a small amount of gentle dish soap will restore it beautifully. Reshape it while damp and allow it to air dry completely.

A Few Tips for Crochet Beginners

If this is one of your first crochet projects, a few small habits will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

Tension matters more than speed. Try to keep your yarn tension consistent throughout — not so tight that it is difficult to insert your hook, and not so loose that the stitches look sloppy. If your base is curling upward, your tension may be too tight; try going up a hook size.

Count your stitches at the end of each round during the base section. It is easy to accidentally add or skip a stitch, and catching it early saves a lot of frustration.

Use stitch markers to mark the first stitch of each round. A simple piece of contrasting yarn looped through the stitch works perfectly.

Do not rush the finishing. Weaving in your ends