Hanging Plant Collection Crochet Pattern: Crochet Fern, String of Pearls, Spider Plant

There is something undeniably charming about a home filled with trailing, draping, cascading plants. The way a spider plant sends out its little babies on long arching stems, the way a string of pearls tumbles over the edge of a shelf, the way a fern fans out in every direction with wild, lush fronds — these plants bring a room to life. But if you have ever struggled with a low-light apartment, a black thumb, or simply a schedule that makes consistent watering feel impossible, you already know the frustration of watching a beloved plant slowly decline despite your best intentions.

That is exactly why crocheted hanging plants have become one of the most beloved trends in the fiber arts community. They bring all the visual joy of a thriving indoor garden without a single drop of water, a grow light, or a moment of plant-parent guilt. And when you make them yourself, they carry something extra: the texture, the color choice, the tiny details that make them uniquely yours.

This blog post is your complete guide to crocheting a hanging plant collection featuring three beloved houseplants — a lush fern, a delicate string of pearls, and a cheerful spider plant. Whether you are a confident crocheter looking for a satisfying weekend project or an intermediate maker ready to try something a little more dimensional, this collection has something for you. By the end, you will have three gorgeous hanging plants ready to display on a porch, in a sunny window, or above a bookshelf — no sunlight required.

Why Crochet Hanging Plants?

Before we dive into the patterns themselves, it is worth taking a moment to appreciate just how perfectly suited these three plants are for crochet translation.

The fern is a study in texture. Real ferns have those beautiful pinnate fronds — long central stems lined with symmetrical leaflets — and crochet is absolutely brilliant at recreating that layered, feathery look. With the right yarn and stitch choices, you can make something that from across a room looks genuinely convincing.

The string of pearls is one of those plants that almost seems designed for crochet. Those perfect, uniform spherical beads strung along trailing stems are just begging to be made from small crocheted bobbles or worked in a simple bead stitch. It is also a forgiving project for beginners because the repetition is meditative and the finished effect is dramatic.

The spider plant brings personality. With its arching green and white striped leaves and those characteristic plantlets dangling on long runners, the spider plant is joyful and a little whimsical — exactly the kind of energy you want in a crocheted décor piece.

Together, the three plants create a hanging collection that feels cohesive and intentional. They complement each other beautifully when displayed together, and they each stand equally well on their own.

Materials You Will Need

Before you start any of the three patterns, gather your materials so everything is ready to go.

For yarn, you will want a worsted weight cotton or cotton-blend yarn for the best results. Cotton holds its shape wonderfully, which is important for dimensional pieces like these, and it photographs beautifully if you plan to share your finished work. For the fern, choose a deep forest green or a mix of two greens for visual depth. For the string of pearls, a soft blue-green or classic jade works perfectly, though a light sage or chartreuse can look equally stunning. For the spider plant, you will need a mid-tone green and a cream or white for the variegated leaf effect.

You will also need a 4.0mm or 4.5mm crochet hook, depending on your personal tension. Stitch markers are helpful, especially for the string of pearls where you will be working in continuous rounds. A yarn needle for weaving in ends is essential, and a small amount of polyfill stuffing is useful if you want to give any of the elements a slightly more three-dimensional shape.

For the hanging portion of each plant, you will need a small macramé ring or embroidery hoop in a four-inch or five-inch diameter, along with a length of natural twine or jute cord for hanging. Some crafters prefer to crochet their own hanging basket to hold the pot, and a simple pattern for a basic crochet planter basket is included in the notes at the end of this post.

Pattern One: The Crochet Fern

The crochet fern is built from individual fronds that are assembled together and attached to a simple pot or base. Each frond is worked flat in rows, creating that elongated, slightly curved shape that makes ferns so recognizable.

Gauge: 16 stitches and 18 rows = 4 inches in single crochet with worsted weight cotton.

Abbreviations: ch (chain), sc (single crochet), sl st (slip stitch), dc (double crochet), sp (space).

Making the Fronds

Each fern frond begins with a foundation chain. For a full-sized frond, chain 20. Turn and work back along the chain as follows: slip stitch into the second chain from the hook, then single crochet into the next chain, half double crochet into the next two chains, double crochet into the next four chains, then work back down by doing double crochet into the next four, half double crochet into the next two, single crochet into the next one, and slip stitch into the last. This creates a pointed, leaf-shaped frond with a gentle natural curve.

For the pinnate detail — those small leaflets branching off the central stem — you can add a second pass. After completing the base frond shape, do not cut your yarn. Instead, chain 6, and slip stitch back down the chain to create a small side leaflet. Attach this to one side of the frond, skip two stitches, and repeat on the other side. Continue alternating small side leaflets along both sides of the central frond until you reach the tip. This pinnate frond takes a little more time but produces an incredibly realistic result.

Make between 8 and 12 fronds of varying sizes — chain 12 for small fronds, chain 16 for medium, and chain 20 or even 24 for the longest, most dramatic ones. Having a variety of lengths gives the finished plant that natural, wild-growing look.

Assembly

Gather all your fronds and hold them together at the base, with the smaller ones toward the outside and the larger ones in the center, fanning outward. Use your yarn and needle to bind them tightly at the base, wrapping several times and then securing firmly. Tuck this bundle into your chosen pot — either a small crocheted pot, a terracotta pot if you prefer a mixed-media approach, or a small plastic nursery pot wrapped in twine. The bound base of the fronds sits in the pot and can be stabilized with a little polyfill or even a small amount of sand in the bottom of the pot.

Fluff and arrange the fronds, gently curving them in different directions. A gentle steam from an iron held a few inches away can help the cotton fronds hold a curve if you want them to drape more naturally.

Pattern Two: The Crochet String of Pearls

The string of pearls is one of those patterns that is simultaneously simple and breathtaking. The finished piece features multiple trailing strands of crocheted pearl beads that cascade from a small hanging pot, mimicking the way the real plant spills over and falls toward the floor.

Making the Pearl Strands

Each strand begins with a slip knot. Chain 4, then join into a ring with a slip stitch. Work 6 single crochets into the ring. You are now going to work in the round without joining — place a stitch marker to note the beginning of each round.

Round 1: Work 2 single crochets into each stitch around — 12 stitches total.
Round 2: Single crochet around, working one stitch into each stitch — 12 stitches.
Round 3: Single crochet 2 together around — 6 stitches total.

At this point you have a small sphere. If you want fully stuffed pearls, add a tiny pinch of polyfill before closing. Pull the yarn tail through all remaining stitches and close. You have one pearl.

Now chain 4, and begin the next pearl with a chain-4 ring again. Repeat until your strand has as many pearls as you like. A typical strand for a hanging plant display looks wonderful with 8 to 12 pearls, spaced along a strand that reaches 10 to 16 inches in length.

Make between 6 and 10 strands for a full, lush display. Vary the lengths so some strands are shorter and some are dramatically long — this creates that beautiful uneven cascade that makes the real string of pearls so appealing.

Assembling the String of Pearls

Gather all the strand tops together and attach them to the rim of your pot, distributing them evenly around the edge so they drape outward and downward in every direction. Use your yarn needle to secure each strand to the pot’s top edge, or if you are using a crocheted pot, weave the strand ends directly into the crocheted fabric.

The finished piece is best displayed somewhere it can truly hang — a high shelf, a ceiling hook, or a wall-mounted planter bracket — so the strands can fall freely and show off all that beautiful cascading texture.

Pattern Three: The Crochet Spider Plant

The spider plant is the most characterful of the three. Its long, arching, strap-like leaves grow from a central rosette, and the most distinctive feature — those long trailing runners with baby plantlets at the end — gives it an irresistible sense of movement and life.

Making the Leaves

Spider plant leaves are worked in i-cord or flat single crochet strips, with a stripe detail worked in the contrasting cream or white yarn to recreate the characteristic variegation.

For each leaf, chain 3. Row 1: single crochet into the second and third chains from the hook — 2 stitches. Row 2: chain 1, turn, single crochet in each stitch — 2 stitches. Continue in this way for 20 to 30 rows depending on the length of leaf you want. For the stripe, switch to your cream yarn every 3 to 4 rows for one row, then switch back to green. This gives you that lovely elongated variegated stripe that makes the spider plant instantly recognizable.

Finish each leaf with a slip stitch at the tip and leave a long tail for attaching. Gently flatten and press each finished leaf. Make 8 to 10 leaves of varying lengths for the central rosette.

Making the Runners and Plantlets

This is the detail that truly brings the spider plant to life. Each runner is a long single crochet chain — simply chain 20 to 30 stitches loosely, then work a slip stitch back along the chain for a slightly thicker, rounder cord effect. At the end of the runner, make a small miniature plant by working a tiny version of the leaf cluster: chain 3, single crochet back, and make 4 to 5 of these tiny leaves, bundling them together at the base and securing firmly.

Make 3 to 4 runners of varying lengths, each with its own little plantlet at the end. These runners should arch away from the central plant and drape slightly, just like the real thing.

Assembly

Arrange your central leaves in a fan shape, with the longest leaves on the outside and the shorter ones toward the center. Bundle them at the base and secure into your pot. Attach the runners to the base of the plant or to the rim of the pot, letting them arch up and over the edge before cascading downward.

Putting the Collection Together

Once all three plants are complete, the real magic happens in the display. There are a few approaches that look especially beautiful.

A staggered vertical display works wonderfully in a corner or against a blank wall. Hang the spider plant highest, the fern at mid-level, and the string of pearls lowest, so the pearls have maximum room to cascade. Use different lengths of jute cord to create that tiered look.

Alternatively, display all three at the same height along a curtain rod or a piece of driftwood suspended horizontally from the ceiling. This creates a garden-wall effect that is deeply satisfying and makes a stunning focal point in any room.

You can also cluster them together on a macramé wall hanging, weaving the pots directly into the design and letting the plants spill out from their woven pockets. The combination of the macramé texture and the crocheted plants creates a wonderfully layered, bohemian display.

Tips for Making Your Crochet Plants Look Their Best

Cotton yarn benefits from a light blocking before assembly. Wet each finished frond or leaf lightly and pin it into shape on a blocking mat, then allow it to dry completely. This smooths the stitches and sets any curves you have worked into the pieces, giving everything a polished, professional finish.

For the most realistic coloring, do not be afraid to mix yarn weights or use multiple strands held together. A single strand of forest green alongside a single strand of olive can create a depth of color that reads as genuinely plant-like from across a room.

Finishing work matters enormously in dimensional crochet. Take the time to weave in all your ends carefully, and trim them close but not so close that they work free over time.

If you plan to gift these or sell them, consider a light coating of starch spray to help the fronds and leaves hold their shape permanently. This is especially helpful for the fern fronds, which can droop slightly in humid conditions without a little extra support.

A Note on Customization

One of the greatest joys of crocheting your own plant collection is the freedom to make it entirely your own. You are not limited to the three plants here — once you understand the basic construction principles, you can apply them to a trailing pothos, a monstera, a cactus, or virtually any plant that speaks to you.

Experiment with pot designs too. A simple round base worked in continuous rounds with a few increase rounds creates a clean, modern planter. A hexagonal pot shape has a more geometric, contemporary feel. A pot worked in a textured stitch like the crocodile stitch or the puff stitch adds wonderful visual interest.

The collection also makes a deeply thoughtful handmade gift. A set of three hanging plants, displayed in coordinating pots with a length of natural jute and a handwritten tag, is the kind of gift that feels luxurious and personal without requiring an enormous investment of time or money.

Final Thoughts

There is a quiet kind of satisfaction in finishing a crocheted plant that has come together exactly as you imagined. The moment you hang it up and step back and see how the fronds drape, how the pearls cascade, how the spider plant’s little babies swing gently in the air — that is what handcraft is all about. You made something beautiful from nothing more than a ball of yarn and a hook, and it is going to bring texture, color, and warmth to your home for years to come.

This hanging plant collection is the kind of project that draws people in. People who do not crochet will pick up the fern fronds and turn them over, genuinely impressed. People who do crochet will immediately start planning their own version. That combination of accessibility and artistry is what makes projects like this so enduringly popular in the fiber arts world.

So gather your yarn, find your best hook, and start with whichever plant calls to you most. The whole collection is waiting, and your home is about to get a whole lot greener.