Hanging Plants
– All your Questions Answered!

Did somebody say hanging plants? You’ve come to the right place!

These suspended mini gardens can zhoosh up your outdoor and indoor spaces. Whether you have a sprawling yard, a small space such as a cosy patio or balcony, or a sunny indoor spot, they’ll elevate your gardening game—literally!

Not sure where to start? Jack’s here to answer all the questions you might have—and the ones you didn’t know to ask. From how to hang your baskets and containers to what you need to do to take care of them, we won’t leave you hanging!

Ready to dig in? Let’s get started with the first question.

Plant hangers or hanging planters are what you use to suspend your potted plants from ceilings, hooks, or other elevated surfaces. They come in lots of different styles, materials and designs.

Here are some of the most popular:

• Metal plant hangers – Metal plant hangers are super durable and work indoors and outdoors. They can be simple hooks, brackets, or decorative designs, like our classy gold Garden Up Air Planter, which is perfect for little air plants.
• Macramé plant hangers – Ideal for indoors, macramé plant hangers have a boho vibe and are massively on trend. They’re made using knotted cords and come in various colours and designs, often with decorative tassels or beads.
• Hanging baskets – Hanging baskets are really versatile and can be made of lots of different materials like plastic, wicker or metal. They come in various shapes and sizes and are great for displaying lots of plants.
• Ceramic or pottery plant pot – Ceramic or pottery pots come in various shapes and colours, from white to terracotta, black and multicolour. They can add a stylish, rustic or arty look to your spaces.
• Wooden plant hangers – Wooden plant hangers can add a natural and rustic touch to your space. They’re also more eco-friendly. They can be either wall or ceiling-mounted.
• Glass terrariums – While not traditional plant hangers, sparkly glass terrariums can be hung from your indoor ceiling and are perfect for displaying small plants, succulents, or air plants.
• DIY plant hangers – If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own plant hangers using materials like rope, twine, or fabric.
• Wall-mounted plant holders – These attach to walls and can hold a single potted plant or a series of them, creating a vertical garden effect. Check out our Garden Up Classic Rail Planters and Mix and Match Classic Pots.

The type of hanging planter you use is really up to you and the look you’re going for. Each has pros and cons. For example, stainless steel and plastic last longer and stand up better against the weather. Meanwhile, macramé and pottery are great for indoor hanging plants.

Here are some of the most common hooks and accessories for hanging plants:

• S hooks – S-hooks are typically made of metal, such as steel or stainless steel, and have a distinctive S shape. One end of the hook is curved upward, while the other is curved down. They’re super versatile, easy to hook on and come in different sizes.
• Brackets – Hanging basket brackets often have a curved or hook-like design that extends away from the mounting surface. They come in different sizes with different weight limits. They’re usually screwed or locked in, like our Garden Up lock-in brick bracket.
• Chains and ropes – Hanging basket chains and ropes are used to suspend hanging baskets or planters from hooks or brackets. They’re easy to install, and many can be adjusted to make them hang at the perfect height.

Forget artificial faux hanging plants! Nothing beats the bright green leaves, beautiful colours and deliciousness of the real thing. Here are some of our top picks for outdoor and indoor plants. Don’t be shy about mixing and matching!

Plants:

• Spider plants
• Sword fern
• String of pearls
• Devils ivy vines
• Philodendron
• Bird’s Nest Fern

Vegies:

• Strawberries
• Compact cherry tomatoes
• Dwarf blueberries
• Radishes
• Herbs
• Peppers

Flowers:

• Geraniums
• Petunias
• Begonias
• Fuchsias
• Alyssum
• Rock daisy

Another option is air plants. These little beauties look great and grow soil-free!

Hanging planters is pretty straightforward. But exactly how you do it depends on where you’re planning to hang and what material you’re drilling into.

The first step is always to measure and mark the spot (or spots) where you want to hang with a pencil or chalk. We’ll come to how to arrange your hanging plants shortly! Think about the lighting, aesthetics and how much space you have.

What you’ll need:

• Hanging planters with attached hangers or hooks
• Ceiling hooks or eye bolts
• Screwdriver or drill with an appropriate bit
• Anchors (if attaching to gyprock or plaster)
• Chain or sturdy twine (if needed)
• S-hooks (if needed)

1. Install ceiling hooks or eye bolts – For wooden ceilings, pre-drill pilot holes, and then screw eye blots directly into the ceiling. If your ceiling is plaster or gyprock, drill and insert anchors before screwing in the hooks or bolts.
2. Tug and attach your planter – Once installed, give them a gentle tug to check they’re stuck firm. Then, simply attach your planters. Some attach straight on; others are designed to hang on ropes or chains.

What you’ll need

• Hanging planters with attached hangers or hooks
• Wall anchors (if attaching to gyprock or plaster)
• Screws or hooks suitable for your wall type
• Drill and appropriate drill bit (if needed)
• Screwdriver or drill driver
• Level
• Stud finder (optional)

1. Locate wall studs or install anchors – If you’re hanging heavy planters or want extra support, use a stud finder to locate the wall studs. Studs give sturdy support to screws. If you’re not attaching to studs, drill holes and insert wall anchors. Make sure to check they’re strong enough for your planter!
2. Screw in hooks or screws – If you’re attaching hangers to wall studs, just screw in the hooks or screws directly into the wall at the marked spots. Use a drill or screwdriver for this. If using wall anchors, screw the hooks or screws into the anchors. Ensure they’re nice and secure, and then attach your planters.

What you’ll need:

• Hanging planters with attached hangers or hooks
• Brick-friendly masonry anchors (check for weight and size!)
• Masonry drill bit
• Electric drill
• Screwdriver or drill driver
• Level
• S-hooks (if needed)

1. Drill holes in the brick – Attach a masonry drill bit to your electric drill. Position the drill bit on one of the marked spots and start drilling! Be sure to drill deep enough to fit the length of the masonry anchors. Repeat for each marked spot.
2. Insert anchor and screw – After drilling the holes, pop in the masonry anchors. Make sure they’re a snug fit. You can then use a screwdriver or drill driver to screw the hooks or screws into the masonry anchors. As you tighten them, they should securely fasten to the brick.

What you’ll need:

• Hanging planters with attached hangers or hooks
• Screws or nails suitable for outdoor use
• Electric drill or hammer
• Screwdriver (if using screws)
• Level
• S-hooks (if needed)

1. Drill pilot holes (if using screws) – If you’re using screws, it’s a good idea to drill pilot holes to make it easier to insert. Use an electric drill with the right drill bit.
2. Screw in hooks or nails – Attach the hooks or nails to the wooden fence by screwing or hammering them in, depending on what you’re using. Make sure they’re securely fastened, and then attach your hanging planters!

If you’re renting and don’t want to upset your landlord or just don’t want to handle a drill or damage your walls, you’ll be pleased to know hanging is still possible. Hooray!

Here are some great options:

Vertical tension rods – Tension rods can be placed across windows, between walls or from floor to ceiling. You can then use S-hooks or shower curtain rings to hang plants from them. They’re perfect for lightweight hanging plants like small herbs or air plants.
Adhesive or magnetic hooks – These hooks can work well with lightweight planters. Just make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for weight limits and proper use.
Lock-in brick brackets – Our Garden Up Lock-in Brick Brackets cleverly lock into raked mortar channels—no screws required! The weight of your hanging planter is what keeps them securely in place.
Over-railing planters – These are designed to fit over the railing of your deck or balcony. They’re an easy-peasy way to hang and make your outdoor spaces look pretty. Check out our Garden Up Classic Rail Planter, Herb Rail Planter, and Terrace Rail Planter.
Tree branches or limbs – If you have trees in your outdoor space, why not hang plants from sturdy branches or limbs using strong rope or twine? Just ensure the tree is healthy and won’t snap with the weight.

If you’re wondering how to arrange hanging plants, don’t worry, Jack’s got your back. Here are some options for creating hanging displays that will make you look like an interior or landscape designer!

Plant wall gallery – Simply hang different plants at different heights and in different types of containers. Mix and match plant sizes, leaf shapes, and pot styles for a wow display. You could also create a different type of green wall using our Mix and Match Mesh Grid.
Space divider – Use your hanging plants to create a natural indoor or outdoor divider or screen. Hang several plants in a row to define a space while adding a touch of greenery.
Corner garden – Arrange several hanging plants in a corner of your room or outdoor space. Mix up the heights and types of plants to make the corner feel like a mini oasis. Use macramé planters if you want to go a bit boho.
Vertical garden – Short on space or have a bare outdoor wall you want to pretty up with beautiful flowers or plants? Creating a vertical garden is incredibly easy using products from our Garden Up range, which includes brackets and holders, lock-in brackets, hooks and pot holders.
Balcony jungle – If you have a balcony, hang plants from the railing and ceiling to transform it into a lush jungle oasis. One way to do this easily is with our range of rail planters.

Once you’ve hung your hanging plants in the right spot (with the right amount of sun and shade for your chosen plantlings), give them lots of love and care to keep them happy and healthy.

Here, we’ve answered some of the key care questions you might have:

If you choose wire hanging baskets, you’ll need to line them to keep the plants and potting mix in place. Liners can be made of natural fibres like coir and burlap and synthetic materials like plastic. We love natural. It looks great and is eco-friendly.

Lining hanging baskets also offers other benefits, including helping to retain H2o, meaning you have to water less, preventing the soil from washing out and protecting roots from harsh weather.

Plus, they can make your planters look neater and more aesthetically pleasing. Beauty as well as function, we always say!

Hanging baskets are like any other type of container. You can’t just fill them with garden soil. Instead, you need a quality potting mix that provides good drainage, aeration and holds water.

Commercial potting mixes contain a mix of peat moss, perlite, vermiculite, and other additives and are a great choice. If you want something more earth-friendly, opt for coconut coir-based mixes.

You can also choose specific mixes suitable for the plants and flowers you’re hanging, such as orchid mix and cactus and succulent mix.

Hanging planters need fertilising, so make sure you’re on the ball with your feeding game. Regular nutrients should keep the soil and hanging plants happy.

On top of this, replacing or refreshing your soil mix once a year is also a good idea. We recommend it at the start of the growing season. Spring is the perfect time!

Plants grown in containers need more watering than those grown in the soil. This is truer for hanging plants as the wind can dry them out even more, so we wouldn’t exactly call them low maintenance. When it gets really hot in summer, we suggest checking and watering them daily. You can extend this a little in winter.

Yes! Every plant will have different water needs, so make sure you adjust accordingly. What’s a refreshing daily drink for one could kill another. And we’re not here to kill plants! Just spiders, maybe!

Our Garden Up Mix and Match Classic Pot features a water-smart design with an integrated saucer to prevent overwatering. It also saves extra water.

As well as watering your hanging babies regularly, here are some other tips to keep them nice and moist:

• Use a quality potting mix
• Water to a regular schedule
• Mist them to increase humidity
• Group plants together to create a microclimate
• Use watering aids to check moisture levels

Good drainage is a must for healthy hanging plants. It ensures any excess water can escape, preventing root rot and soaked soil. Some of the best baskets and containers for drainage include:

• Wire baskets
• Coconut coir-lined baskets
• Plastic containers with pre-drilled holes
• Special water-saving pots like our Mix and Match Classic Pot – see above!

While an indoor hanging plant will be well protected, there are plenty of things you can do to keep your outdoor hanging plant babies safe from wind and storms, including:

• Hanging them in sheltered spots
• Using sturdy hanging hardware
• Doubling on your hanging chains or ropes
• Creating windbreaks, e.g., trees, plants, fences or screens
• Grouping hanging baskets to reduce impact

If the forecast looks really bad, it’s best to bring them indoors. You don’t want to be crying over spilt or broken hanging baskets!

Now we’ve answered all of your hanging garden questions, the final question is, are you ready to elevate your garden game?

If the answer is yes (of course it is), don’t hang around! Head to your nearest local supplier to pick up your tools, materials and Jack products.

Had fun getting creative and want to show off your stunning hanging display? Why not share your images on socials, tagging @meetdiyjack? Even if you’ve gone with artificial hanging plants, we won’t judge!