Are you a plant person and are wondering how to hang plants from ceiling areas? or do you want to explore the idea and see how it will come out but you don't know the procedure? Hanging things from the ceiling may seem so intimidating since there is always a fear of things coming from above and falling. However, if you hang plants the right way, the latter might not happen.
Take the proper approach when hanging plants and use the right hardware approach to avoid your plants descending right after you have mounted them. In this article, you will get the right direction on hanging plants and the tips you need to consider when hanging plants on the ceiling. Let us walk you through the process.
1. Choose Your Plant
You can hang most green plants from the ceiling but not all plants can be hung. You have to choose wisely which plant you are going to hang. You do not want to hang plants that are too heavy or grow fast because they may break the pot or even fall from the ceiling.
The best plants for hanging on the ceiling are trailing houseplants as they tend to be the best for hanging pots and they grow a dramatic trail of leaves. We shall discuss some of the best indoor plants that you can hang up your ceiling. The following are some of the examples of indoor plants to try out.
The string of pearls: These are bead-like succulents that grow by spilling over the edge of hanging baskets. They are good for an indoor garden since they require low maintenance and allow you to hang them in different house locations.
Burro's tail: The burro's tail is also referred to as the donkey's tail plant, The burro's tail plant is known to thrive in minimal water since it is succulent. The plant grows best when exposed to bright light that is why it is best when you hang it close to a sunny window.
Pothos Plants: The pothos plant is known for growing long vines when put in a small hanging basket. If you properly water this plant, its capacity to grow will leave you in shock. It is also easily available as you can find it in any supermarket or any local hardware store around you.
Satin Philodendron: The satin philodendron is sometimes called the philodendron silver and is sometimes confused to be the glamorous version of the pothos plant. It hangs glamorously and grows well on low light thus saving you some space near the window for another plant.
Hoya Obovata: The hoya obovata is a semi-succulent plant, meaning it has some waxy leaves that can store moisture thus classified as an indoor plant. It grows well in hanging pots as well as wall planters that are attached vertically rather than from the ceiling.
Spider Plants: Try the spider plants if you are looking for the best plants for hanging baskets. When the spider plants are mature, they spill over the sides of the pot and can also obscure the pot in the process. These plants look great when hooked to a handmade macrame hanger.
Air Plants: The air plants emerge from the genus Tillandsia which consists of small plants that absorb moisture from the air. These plants do not need soil to flourish that is why they are best when suspended. Instead of watering these plants, you can just moist them with a spray bottle and they are good to go.
2. Choose Your Pot
If you are going to hang your plant high up, then you have to choose a pot that has a drainage hole that allows for water to come out. If you leave water in your pot without an outlet, the soil will rot. If your pot does not have a hole you can keep your plant on its plastic pot and place it inside your pot as a decorative one.
If you have plants that are slower to grow you can reserve small decorative pots since they don't require a lot of water, these plants may include air plants, jade plants or succulents. The argument is if the pot is smaller, it will hold less soil so you will also need less water. Most cascading plants can survive for up to two weeks without water and that will be okay. You only need to do a little maintenance like spraying them with neem oil-water.
On the other hand, if you have a bigger vine you will need a large pot that can store water and boost the growth of your vine.
3. Choose Your Location
You will want to choose the best location for your hanging plant so that it can get proper lighting.
Spots To Go For: If you place plants on your window, your space will feel more private, but it will lead to a golden light shadowing. However, when the beams of sunlight come in, the leaves will create shadow patterns on the wall thus making your home feel comfortable and lush. Also if you are trying to create a visual impact in your space, the hanging plant staggered couples or trios will be a good idea.
Spots To Avoid: Do not put hanging planters above furniture that people sit on. When plants hang above people's heads it creates a fear of something above them that maybe could fall, this makes people uncomfortable. The best place to put a hanging planter is in corners or in front of the windows.
4. A Strong Anchor In Your Ceiling
If you are going to hang houseplants in your ceiling, make sure you have a strong anchor. There are weight limits to what you can hang on the ceiling, light plants that weigh up to two pounds are fine hanging from a small hook and screw while if you have heavier plants that weigh up to fifty pounds you will need a larger anchor.
Generally, an 8-inch hanging basket can weigh at least 8 pounds, but the basket may weigh heavier when the plants start to grow. If you don't want to screw your ceiling, there are other options you can explore. You can hang your plant from fixtures such as ceiling rods, a wooden beam.
Assemble Your Hanging Materials: To hang your plant on the ceiling, you will need ceiling hooks (swag hook or s-hooks), a hinged clip, a hanging chain, a drill and a potted plant.
Find The Right Location: The best way to hang house plants is by mounting them into a stud of solid wood or a ceiling joist. If you have a stud finder you can use it to locate the closest ceiling joist. If you don't have a stud finder you can install your hanging planter into ordinary ceiling drywall. You should be successful in the hanging process if you use a swag hook with a hinged clip that opens up once you push it through the drywall.
Drill A Hole In The Ceiling: Using your drill bit, press the drill onto your ceiling, the same diameter as your s-hook. If you are drilling into a solid stud, you can get the process done real quick, but if you drilling into sheetrock without a stud behind you will have to widen your hole to fit into the hinged clip. The clip should expand once it's past the drywall. This procedure makes it hard to remove the hooks without damaging the ceiling so you should ensure you drill a hole at the right spot.
Using Ceiling Hooks To Install Hanging Plants: Hanging plants can get heavier when filled with soil and water. You should purchase a hook that will carry the weight of your plant and more when you add soil and water. To install a ceiling hook in the ceiling, you need a stud finder so as to locate where the ceiling joist is. If you don't own a stud finder you can as well knock the ceiling and listen for a short firm sound, that is where the ceiling joist is.
Hanging A Plant From Drywall: You will need a hook screw, a toggle bolt with a hook. Use a stud finder and locate a hollow spot in the ceiling. You can not screw a toggle bolt into a wall stud, so you have to drill a hole the same size as the toggle bolt. Use your hook screw to tighten the bolt in the hole and ensure the wings are secure in the hole. Finally, suspend your plant from the hanging hook.
Install The Hook: Screw the swag hook into the hole you were drilling earlier if you are doing a solid wood installation. If you install your plant into drywall, thread your hook into the hinged clip, then push it into the ceiling until the clip expands and holds it into place. The hole you drilled is supposed to fit the clip, and you will cover it with the base of a swag hook. If you don't cover it, you will need to patch the ceiling.
Hang Your Plant: put your potted plant in your plant hanger and prepare it for hanging. You can choose the type of plant hangers you want.
