Hanging Plants: How to Choose, Style, and Care for Them Like a Pro

There is something undeniably magical about a room filled with hanging plants. Whether they trail lazily from a macramé hanger near a sun-drenched window, cascade over the edge of a wicker basket suspended from the ceiling, or spill down a bookshelf in dramatic waves of green, hanging plants transform a space in a way that no other décor element quite can. They draw the eye upward, soften hard architectural lines, and bring the quiet vitality of nature indoors without taking up a single inch of floor or surface space.

If you have been thinking about adding hanging plants to your home, workshop, craft room, or outdoor patio, you are in exactly the right place. This guide covers everything from choosing the right plant for your light conditions to crafting your own hangers and planters, caring for your plants through every season, and styling them in ways that feel intentional and beautiful rather than cluttered or accidental.

Why Hanging Plants Deserve a Spot in Every Home

Before diving into the how-to, it is worth pausing to appreciate why hanging plants have become such a beloved feature of interior design, and why that love is not going anywhere.

First, they solve a very practical problem. Many homes, apartments, and studios simply do not have enough horizontal space for the number of plants a person wants to keep. Hanging plants allow you to expand your green collection vertically, using ceiling joists, curtain rods, tension rods, wall-mounted hooks, and even macramé wall hangers to create layered, lush displays that would be impossible to achieve on a windowsill alone.

Second, hanging plants improve air quality and mood. Numerous studies have pointed to the psychological benefits of living with plants — reduced stress, improved focus, and a stronger sense of calm. Plants also filter air pollutants and increase humidity, which can be particularly welcome in dry climates or during winter months when indoor heating tends to parch the air.

Third, and perhaps most compellingly for the crafting community, hanging plants are a canvas for creativity. The hanger itself is part of the display. A hand-knotted macramé hanger, a hand-thrown ceramic pot, a reclaimed wood planter, or a painted terracotta vessel all communicate something about the maker’s aesthetic and personality. Hanging plants invite you to make, not just buy.

Understanding Light Before You Choose a Plant

The single most important factor in choosing a hanging plant is light. Many people fall in love with a plant at the nursery, bring it home, hang it in a beautiful spot, and watch it slowly decline because the light simply was not right. Save yourself that heartbreak by understanding your space first.

Bright, direct light means the spot receives several hours of direct sunlight each day — a south- or west-facing window in most of the Northern Hemisphere, or an uncovered outdoor patio. Plants that thrive here include string of pearls, burro’s tail (sedum morganianum), and most succulents and cacti. These plants love sun and will become leggy or pale if they do not get enough of it.

Bright, indirect light is the sweet spot for the majority of popular houseplants. It means the spot is well-lit but not in the direct path of sunbeams — perhaps a few feet back from a sunny window, or near a window with a sheer curtain. Plants that thrive here include pothos, philodendron, spider plants, tradescantia, and most ferns. This is probably the most common light situation in a typical home, which is good news because the selection of plants suited to it is enormous.

Low light does not mean no light — it means a spot that receives minimal natural light, such as a north-facing window or a room interior. Very few plants actually thrive in genuinely low light, but some tolerate it admirably: certain pothos varieties, heartleaf philodendron, ZZ plants, and cast iron plants are among the most resilient. Be honest with yourself about what “low light” really means in your space; if you need artificial lighting to read comfortably, your plant will struggle too.

The Best Hanging Plants for Indoors

With light in mind, here is a closer look at some of the most rewarding hanging plants for indoor spaces.

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum) is the plant that convinces most people they have a green thumb. It grows quickly, trails beautifully, tolerates irregular watering, and comes in a dazzling range of variegations — golden, marble queen, neon, silver, and more. Hang it near a window with bright indirect light for the most vivid leaf color, or let it adapt to lower light conditions if that is what you have. Pothos can trail several feet, which makes it spectacular in a high-mounted hanger.

Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum) earns its name from the little plantlets — “spiderettes” — it sends out on long stems. Hanging a spider plant is particularly rewarding because those trailing offshoots become a living, moving display. They are extraordinarily easy to care for and are among the most effective air-purifying plants around. They prefer bright indirect light and consistent moisture, though they forgive occasional drought.

String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the most visually striking plants you can hang. Its round, bead-like leaves cascade from the pot in thin, delicate strands that look almost too perfect to be real. It needs bright light, excellent drainage, and relatively infrequent watering — overwatering is its primary enemy. In the right conditions, it grows quickly and puts on a truly showstopping display.

Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata) is a classic for good reason. Its lush, arching fronds spill beautifully from a hanging basket, and it loves the humidity and indirect light that many kitchens and bathrooms offer. It does require more attentive care than some of the others on this list — consistent moisture, regular misting or a humid environment, and protection from dry heat — but the payoff is spectacular fullness and texture.

Tradescantia (Spiderwort) is a fast-growing, easy-care plant that offers some of the most dramatic leaf coloring in the houseplant world. Varieties range from deep purple to striped green-and-white to silvery. It prefers bright indirect light and grows so vigorously that you will regularly have cuttings to share with friends. It is also one of the easiest plants to propagate in water, making it a favorite among plant enthusiasts who love to multiply their collection.

Heartleaf Philodendron (Philodendron hederaceum) is a close cousin of pothos and shares many of its easygoing qualities. Its heart-shaped leaves have a slightly more velvety texture and a deep, rich green that is particularly appealing in dim corners. It trails readily and can grow to impressive lengths, making it ideal for high hangers where you want a dramatic waterfall of foliage.

Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum) is a succulent that creates long, rope-like stems covered in plump, overlapping leaves. It is slow to grow but stunning at maturity, and its trailing form makes it a natural choice for hanging containers. Give it full sun or very bright indirect light, water sparingly, and handle it carefully — the leaves detach easily but can be propagated into new plants.

The Best Hanging Plants for Outdoors

Hanging plants are just as transformative on a porch, balcony, or patio as they are indoors. Outdoor hanging plants tend to be more heat- and sun-tolerant and often produce flowers, which adds another layer of seasonal color.

Petunias are among the most popular hanging basket plants in the world, and for good reason. They cascade beautifully, bloom prolifically from spring through fall, and come in virtually every color and pattern imaginable. They love full sun and regular feeding, and they reward both with nonstop blooms.

Fuchsia is a shade-lover that produces extraordinarily elegant two-toned flowers in shades of pink, red, purple, and white. It prefers cool, moist conditions and is perfect for a shaded porch or a spot that gets morning sun and afternoon shade. Hummingbirds find it irresistible.

Ivy (Hedera helix) is a vigorous, lush trailer that gives any outdoor space a classical, romantic quality. It tolerates a range of light conditions and is exceptionally hardy. Use it to soften the edge of a hanging basket or as a backdrop for more colorful flowering plants in a mixed arrangement.

Calibrachoa looks like a miniature petunia and shares its trailing habit and sun-loving nature. It is sometimes called “million bells” because a healthy plant can be covered with tiny, bell-shaped flowers from spring through frost. It is available in an incredible range of colors and blends beautifully with other trailing and upright annuals in mixed baskets.

Crafting Your Own Hanging Planters

For those who love to make things by hand, the hanger and the planter are just as much a part of the creative project as the plant itself. MakerPlace by Michaels is a wonderful resource for finding the tools, materials, and community support to take your plant displays from purchased to handcrafted.

Macramé plant hangers are one of the most popular and accessible fiber arts projects. With a length of macramé cord, a few basic knots (the square knot and the half-hitch are your primary tools), and an afternoon of focused work, you can create a hanger that is uniquely yours. The beauty of macramé is that it is endlessly customizable — vary the cord thickness, the color, the knot density, and the fringe length to create something that perfectly suits your aesthetic. Classes at MakerPlace can walk you through the basics if you are new to the craft, and the community of makers there is generous with tips and encouragement.

Ceramic and air-dry clay pots allow you to create one-of-a-kind vessels that no nursery carries. Even without a pottery wheel, air-dry clay is incredibly versatile — you can hand-build pots in any shape you like, texture the surface with stamps or tools, carve patterns, and finish them with paint or glaze. Once dry, a simple drainage hole and a saucer make them functional as well as beautiful.

Woven baskets and fiber containers made from seagrass, rattan, or jute bring warmth and texture to a plant display. You can line a woven basket with coco coir or a plastic liner to hold a plant directly, or simply set a nursery pot inside. Many makers enjoy creating their own baskets using weaving techniques that can be learned through workshops and online tutorials.

Reclaimed wood and pipe hangers have an industrial-meets-organic aesthetic that suits modern farmhouse and urban loft styles particularly well. A simple wooden dowel or length of pipe suspended from two lengths of rope or chain creates a horizontal display bar from which multiple plants can hang at different heights, creating a layered, gallery-style arrangement.

How to Hang Plants Safely

Before you hang anything, it is worth taking a moment to think about structural safety. A mature hanging plant in a ceramic pot with wet soil can weigh considerably more than it looks.

Always anchor hooks into ceiling joists or studs — not just drywall — using a stud finder to locate them. Use hooks rated for at least twice the weight you expect to hang, and choose swag hooks or eye hooks with a weight rating clearly marked on the packaging. For very heavy arrangements, a toggle bolt rated for ceiling use is more reliable than a simple screw in drywall.

For renters or those who prefer not to drill into the ceiling, tension rods, curtain rods, ladder shelves, and freestanding plant stands with hanging arms all offer excellent alternatives that create the same layered, vertical effect without permanent installation.

Watering Hanging Plants

One of the practical challenges of hanging plants is watering. Plants in hanging baskets dry out significantly faster than those in ground-level pots, for a few reasons: they are exposed to air circulation on all sides, they tend to be planted in smaller volumes of soil, and they are often in brighter, warmer spots near windows.

Get into the habit of checking your hanging plants more frequently than your tabletop plants. Push a finger about an inch into the soil; if it feels dry, it is time to water. When you do water, do so thoroughly — let water flow through the drainage hole and out the bottom — and make sure the pot is draining properly to avoid root rot.

A watering can with a long, slender spout makes it much easier to reach hanging pots without splashing. Some people prefer to take hanging plants down to water them in the sink, let them drain completely, and then rehang them — this works well for smaller or lighter pots and ensures thorough watering.

Self-watering pots with built-in reservoirs are a genuinely useful option for anyone who travels regularly or finds frequent watering difficult to maintain. Many of these are designed specifically for hanging baskets.

Feeding, Pruning, and General Care

Most hanging plants benefit from regular feeding during the growing season (spring through early fall). A balanced liquid fertilizer applied every two to four weeks encourages healthy growth and, in flowering plants, prolific blooms. Reduce or eliminate feeding in winter, when most plants naturally slow their growth.

Pruning is especially important for trailing plants, not just to keep them looking tidy but to encourage bushier, fuller growth. Pinching back the tips of a pothos, tradescantia, or philodendron redirects the plant’s energy and results in more branching. Save your cuttings — most trailing plants root easily in water or moist potting mix, giving you free plants to expand your collection or share with friends.

Remove dead or yellowing leaves promptly to keep your plants looking their best and to prevent any spread of disease. Wipe leaves with a damp cloth occasionally to remove dust, which can interfere with photosynthesis.

Styling Hanging Plants in Your Space

There is an art to displaying hanging plants in a way that feels curated rather than chaotic. A few principles go a long way.

Vary the heights at which plants hang to create depth and visual interest. A cluster of three plants hung at slightly different levels is far more dynamic than three plants lined up at the same height. Think of it as arranging a composition rather than simply filling space.

Consider the relationship between the plant’s habit and its position. A dramatically trailing plant like string of pearls or burro’s tail is most impactful when hung high, where its length has room to fully express itself. A compact, bushy plant like a spider plant or fern works beautifully at a more accessible height where you can appreciate its texture and form up close.

Mix textures — a lush, leafy fern next to a delicate string succulent, framed by the geometric pattern of a macramé hanger — creates the kind of layered, thoughtful display that makes a room feel truly alive. Do not be afraid to combine plants with different leaf shapes, sizes, and colors; nature herself is rarely monotonous.

Finally, let the hanger be part of the story. A hand-knotted macramé hanger, a beautifully thrown ceramic pot, a woven rattan basket, or a painted vintage colander all speak to your personal aesthetic and make the display feel genuinely yours. When you make the hanger yourself, that connection is even deeper — every knot and every curve is a small act of creative ownership.

Getting Started at MakerPlace by Michaels

If you are ready to move from inspiration to action, MakerPlace by Michaels is one of the best places to start. Whether you want to learn macramé, try your hand at pottery, explore weaving, or simply find the right supplies to put together your first hanging basket, MakerPlace brings together the tools, the classes, and the community of makers who will cheer you on every step of the way.

Hanging plants are not just décor. They are a practice of paying attention — noticing what your plants need, learning their rhythms, and tending to something living with care and consistency. When you make the hangers and pots yourself, that practice deepens into something genuinely rewarding. You are not just filling a corner of your home with greenery; you are building a relationship with the living, growing world, one knot and one leaf at a time.

Start small. Pick one plant and one hanger. Find a spot with good light. And then watch what grows.