10 Ideas for Hanging, Trailing and Cascading Indoor Plants
No need to get into the garden to exercise those green fingers – create a dramatic display of foliage indoors
Kate Burt
10 July 2018
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
If you don’t have the surface space to pile in the pot plants, but long for more greenery in your interior, look up! Hanging your foliage or mounting planters on walls and letting fronds cascade down can be an extremely stylish way to introduce more leaves into your home. Just see these examples to inspire a trip to the garden centre.
1. Beam it up
If you have exposed wooden ceiling joists, as in this airy kitchen, you have a ready-made spot from which to hang a simple planter for trailing foliage. This can also be a good way to introduce a focal point above a dining table or island if you have recessed spotlights rather than pendants.
If you’re without visible beams, you’ll probably need to locate the joists within the ceiling, hidden – in most cases – under plasterboard, depending on the structure and age of your house.
If you happen to have a builder in, ask them to help you if you’re unsure of how to do this. If not, there are a number of ways, including knocking on the ceiling and listening (have an ear out for a thud rather than a hollow tap).
You can then measure across the ceiling to locate subsequent joists – in Victorian homes, for example, they’re typically 40 centimetres apart. You can also buy an electronic stud finder to help.
If you have exposed wooden ceiling joists, as in this airy kitchen, you have a ready-made spot from which to hang a simple planter for trailing foliage. This can also be a good way to introduce a focal point above a dining table or island if you have recessed spotlights rather than pendants.
If you’re without visible beams, you’ll probably need to locate the joists within the ceiling, hidden – in most cases – under plasterboard, depending on the structure and age of your house.
If you happen to have a builder in, ask them to help you if you’re unsure of how to do this. If not, there are a number of ways, including knocking on the ceiling and listening (have an ear out for a thud rather than a hollow tap).
You can then measure across the ceiling to locate subsequent joists – in Victorian homes, for example, they’re typically 40 centimetres apart. You can also buy an electronic stud finder to help.
2. Create a storm in a teacup
These succulents trail due to the angle at which they’re hung, but you could also plant teeny-tiny danglers, such as string of pearls or string of hearts.
An idea like this takes some creativity and also some skill, as the cups need to be drilled and fishing wire carefully attached to connect them all. This example comes from Egon Walesch, an interior designer with a specialism in plants and flowers.
The good thing about succulents is they need very little watering and are pretty hardy when kept indoors. To water plants like these, pick up a miniature plant mister to swerve drips and drops.
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
These succulents trail due to the angle at which they’re hung, but you could also plant teeny-tiny danglers, such as string of pearls or string of hearts.
An idea like this takes some creativity and also some skill, as the cups need to be drilled and fishing wire carefully attached to connect them all. This example comes from Egon Walesch, an interior designer with a specialism in plants and flowers.
The good thing about succulents is they need very little watering and are pretty hardy when kept indoors. To water plants like these, pick up a miniature plant mister to swerve drips and drops.
A Beginner’s Guide to Growing Succulents
3. Find a designer piece…
For something contemporary to make a statement, look out for ready-made hangers in striking designs, like this one.
If hanging from the ceiling isn’t an option, consider fitting hooks beneath a shelf. Alternatively, attach complementary brackets to a suitably empty wall and suspend plants from one or two of those, as required.
For something contemporary to make a statement, look out for ready-made hangers in striking designs, like this one.
If hanging from the ceiling isn’t an option, consider fitting hooks beneath a shelf. Alternatively, attach complementary brackets to a suitably empty wall and suspend plants from one or two of those, as required.
4. … Or DIY
Designer isn’t the only way to go. You can do a lot with scrap wood, especially pallets. Take a look at these ones, adapted and painted to create a cool corner planter.
It’s best not to plant edibles in scrap wood, as you don’t know what it’s previously been used for. Choose pallets whose origin you can trace. Food transportation pallets may have traces of mould, or wood could be splitting or flaking, which indicates rot, and the pallets should not be used.
Most important of all, check the pallets for a ‘HT’ stamp that’s required by law to confirm they’ve been heat-treated (rather than treated with toxic chemicals). If there’s no stamp, don’t use them.
Planters like these look fairly simple to knock up – and it’s definitely not hard, even for DIY novices – but lining them (to hold the compost) is a bit of a knack.
Designer isn’t the only way to go. You can do a lot with scrap wood, especially pallets. Take a look at these ones, adapted and painted to create a cool corner planter.
It’s best not to plant edibles in scrap wood, as you don’t know what it’s previously been used for. Choose pallets whose origin you can trace. Food transportation pallets may have traces of mould, or wood could be splitting or flaking, which indicates rot, and the pallets should not be used.
Most important of all, check the pallets for a ‘HT’ stamp that’s required by law to confirm they’ve been heat-treated (rather than treated with toxic chemicals). If there’s no stamp, don’t use them.
Planters like these look fairly simple to knock up – and it’s definitely not hard, even for DIY novices – but lining them (to hold the compost) is a bit of a knack.
5. Drape around a shower…
A solid shower wall (rather than a glass screen) is an excellent spot for trailing plants if it stops short of the ceiling.
Here, a simple window box that blends with the white tiles has been placed on top of the wall and filled with a hanging succulent. (Consider screwing the box into the top of the wall if there’s the slightest risk of it toppling off.)
Succulents love a humid environment (though not much watering) and typically fare well in bath or shower rooms. Plant them into soil with plenty of grit and drainage to keep them at their happiest.
A solid shower wall (rather than a glass screen) is an excellent spot for trailing plants if it stops short of the ceiling.
Here, a simple window box that blends with the white tiles has been placed on top of the wall and filled with a hanging succulent. (Consider screwing the box into the top of the wall if there’s the slightest risk of it toppling off.)
Succulents love a humid environment (though not much watering) and typically fare well in bath or shower rooms. Plant them into soil with plenty of grit and drainage to keep them at their happiest.
6. … Or hang over the bath
Not many of us will have a ready-made ledge and light source above our baths, but this example shows how wonderful plants can look dangling over a tub, bathed in sunshine.
If you do have an inset window in a suitable spot, see whether it’s possible to add a strip of wood so you can simply hook hanging planters over the edge of it.
See more spaces designed for plant lovers
Not many of us will have a ready-made ledge and light source above our baths, but this example shows how wonderful plants can look dangling over a tub, bathed in sunshine.
If you do have an inset window in a suitable spot, see whether it’s possible to add a strip of wood so you can simply hook hanging planters over the edge of it.
See more spaces designed for plant lovers
A window isn’t the only way, though. Here, the homeowner has located a joist in her ceiling from which to hang a trio of plants with tumbling leaves.
To boost the greenhouse vibe, add as many plants as you can comfortably fit in. If you have a separate shower and only use the bath once in a while, why not use the edges of your tub as another spot from which to let a plant trail?
To boost the greenhouse vibe, add as many plants as you can comfortably fit in. If you have a separate shower and only use the bath once in a while, why not use the edges of your tub as another spot from which to let a plant trail?
7. Be boxing clever
As just seen, a window box is not just for outside. Here, a series of wooden containers have been wall-mounted to allow plants to spill out over the edges.
You could also try reversing the idea (especially if you can’t be bothered to fix your boxes to a wall): place one or more on the floor with a good blank wall above them and plant with climbing foliage instead. You’ll need to attach wires to train the plants along – perhaps to a discreet row of hooks in the wall.
A landing with a skylight above, or a bright kitchen extension with lots of glass, are both good positions for a greenhouse style. Ask at your local garden centre which climbing plants will best suit the position you have.
As just seen, a window box is not just for outside. Here, a series of wooden containers have been wall-mounted to allow plants to spill out over the edges.
You could also try reversing the idea (especially if you can’t be bothered to fix your boxes to a wall): place one or more on the floor with a good blank wall above them and plant with climbing foliage instead. You’ll need to attach wires to train the plants along – perhaps to a discreet row of hooks in the wall.
A landing with a skylight above, or a bright kitchen extension with lots of glass, are both good positions for a greenhouse style. Ask at your local garden centre which climbing plants will best suit the position you have.
8. Repeat, repeat, repeat
For drama without clutter, get hold of a number of identical trailing plants and pile them onto adjacent surfaces to create a unified green feature.
Repeating a limited number of plant types is a gardener’s trick to steal for indoors.
How Do I… Display Indoor Plants?
For drama without clutter, get hold of a number of identical trailing plants and pile them onto adjacent surfaces to create a unified green feature.
Repeating a limited number of plant types is a gardener’s trick to steal for indoors.
How Do I… Display Indoor Plants?
9. Design it in
A lighting soffit above a kitchen island is a common sight in contemporary homes – but this hanging garden with lights takes the concept to a whole new level.
Designers Cooley & Rose explain how it came about. “As the property had little outdoor space, we were asked to create a green area within. With creative freedom and an open mind, we designed a hanging garden, above an impressive dining area, that is self-maintaining via a simple but effective irrigation system.
“It’s an ever-changing formation, as the plants will grow and weave together and the copper finish on the underside will change over time, giving it even more character.”
A lighting soffit above a kitchen island is a common sight in contemporary homes – but this hanging garden with lights takes the concept to a whole new level.
Designers Cooley & Rose explain how it came about. “As the property had little outdoor space, we were asked to create a green area within. With creative freedom and an open mind, we designed a hanging garden, above an impressive dining area, that is self-maintaining via a simple but effective irrigation system.
“It’s an ever-changing formation, as the plants will grow and weave together and the copper finish on the underside will change over time, giving it even more character.”
10. Put a high ledge to good use
Got space on top of a high cupboard or shelf? Such a spot is perfect for storing things you use infrequently, but on the downside, how attractive will that bread maker/rice cooker/portable steam cleaner look out on display?
Far better – if you can sacrifice the storage space – is to adorn the area with something decorative, such as trailing plants, which will also enjoy the drop for unfurling their growing foliage.
Tell us
What indoor gardening tips can you share with others in the Houzz community? Post tips or photos in the Comments section. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find a landscape and garden supply professional
Got space on top of a high cupboard or shelf? Such a spot is perfect for storing things you use infrequently, but on the downside, how attractive will that bread maker/rice cooker/portable steam cleaner look out on display?
Far better – if you can sacrifice the storage space – is to adorn the area with something decorative, such as trailing plants, which will also enjoy the drop for unfurling their growing foliage.
Tell us
What indoor gardening tips can you share with others in the Houzz community? Post tips or photos in the Comments section. And if you enjoyed this story, don’t forget to like, share or save this story. Join the conversation.
More
Find a landscape and garden supply professional
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Thank you for charing, so much inspiration, love to see plants in different ways
Pictures no 4 and no 8 I think should have a warning: do not sit too long here as these plants may consume you (and I don't think you would feel it!) actually some of the others look hungry too!
how do you water them?