Well-Hung Greenery: 14 Ways to Take Your Plants Off the Ground
From hanging plants to wall-bound beauties and pots on ladders, reinvigorate your home inside and out with a little green in the air
Thanks to the new trend to lift plants off the ground, there may be a way you can accommodate more plants in your home this season. Double the size of your garden and get creative with these ideas to claim back some vertical space and even utilise objects around the home in the process.
2. Utilise the old garden ladder
In a similar vein to a ladder shelf, making use of a simple disused garden ladder can give your garden or balcony an interesting lift. Make use of its steps, and slide a panel of wood across the lower steps for added shelf space and to allow your plants to grow over and around the structure.
The older the ladder the better aesthetically, so keep your eyes open for Council clean-ups and websites that sell second-hand goods to pick up a preloved bargain.
In a similar vein to a ladder shelf, making use of a simple disused garden ladder can give your garden or balcony an interesting lift. Make use of its steps, and slide a panel of wood across the lower steps for added shelf space and to allow your plants to grow over and around the structure.
The older the ladder the better aesthetically, so keep your eyes open for Council clean-ups and websites that sell second-hand goods to pick up a preloved bargain.
3. Set up a horizontal pipeline
This idea is perfect for gardens with plenty of wall space, or for creating an interesting and functional wall divider within your garden zone.
A bit more of a DIY option, this project is perfect for a weekend. Simply suspend half-cut piping, or re-use old guttering (interconnecting each channel), to transform a blank wall space into a vertical garden of succulents, herbs or other vegetation.
This idea is perfect for gardens with plenty of wall space, or for creating an interesting and functional wall divider within your garden zone.
A bit more of a DIY option, this project is perfect for a weekend. Simply suspend half-cut piping, or re-use old guttering (interconnecting each channel), to transform a blank wall space into a vertical garden of succulents, herbs or other vegetation.
4. Hang them in a row
Make that back fence a little more interesting, and practical. With a little rope and a regular plastic plant pot – or a dozen – you can create a very similar hanging row of plants to the one here. It’s a really helpful way to keep smaller plants and herbs at an easily accessible height, and almost doubles the amount of plants you can grow in the one space.
Make that back fence a little more interesting, and practical. With a little rope and a regular plastic plant pot – or a dozen – you can create a very similar hanging row of plants to the one here. It’s a really helpful way to keep smaller plants and herbs at an easily accessible height, and almost doubles the amount of plants you can grow in the one space.
5. Suspend culinary delights
Not just for hanging your beautiful pots and pans, suspended ladders can be brilliant for hanging plants from, too. For dramatic greenery, ferns make a good choice. However, since you’re in the kitchen already, why not hang your favourite herbs?
BONUS TIP: Simple textured hanging baskets carry the rustic aesthetic of a country-style kitchen, but there is no reason you can’t use something more modern. Just remember to choose pots without drainage holes or you’ll be mopping up water.
Not just for hanging your beautiful pots and pans, suspended ladders can be brilliant for hanging plants from, too. For dramatic greenery, ferns make a good choice. However, since you’re in the kitchen already, why not hang your favourite herbs?
BONUS TIP: Simple textured hanging baskets carry the rustic aesthetic of a country-style kitchen, but there is no reason you can’t use something more modern. Just remember to choose pots without drainage holes or you’ll be mopping up water.
6. Set up a purpose-built frame
If you’re DIY savvy and love a good project, then maybe this is for you. Suspending a hanging pot, or a planter box, from a custom-made frame provides a definite focal point in the garden. The height also gives your garden an extra dimension and allows for small and delicate plants to be showcased, such as these colourful succulents.
If you’re DIY savvy and love a good project, then maybe this is for you. Suspending a hanging pot, or a planter box, from a custom-made frame provides a definite focal point in the garden. The height also gives your garden an extra dimension and allows for small and delicate plants to be showcased, such as these colourful succulents.
7. Pop them onto a pegboard
When decorating with indoor plants, you can be as innovative and creative as you like. And the humble pegboard can instantly transform unused wall space into hanging plant space.
Simply hook a wall pot onto a ‘peg’ on the pegboard – you can arrange and rearrange your vertical garden feature as much as you like until you get it just right. It’s easy and cost effective, and perfect for a funky office, or a studio space like this.
When decorating with indoor plants, you can be as innovative and creative as you like. And the humble pegboard can instantly transform unused wall space into hanging plant space.
Simply hook a wall pot onto a ‘peg’ on the pegboard – you can arrange and rearrange your vertical garden feature as much as you like until you get it just right. It’s easy and cost effective, and perfect for a funky office, or a studio space like this.
8. Turn them upside down
For a quirky take on the hanging plant, there’s always upside down planters. These are ideal in the kitchen for hanging herbs, but they can also be incorporated into other areas of the home. Lavender in the bathroom offers a natural alternative to an air freshener, and a cluster of hangers on a balcony or terrace creates a beautiful ceiling to look up to.
Upside down pots can be purchased at specialised garden centres and stores, but you can always make your own by following an online tutorial.
For a quirky take on the hanging plant, there’s always upside down planters. These are ideal in the kitchen for hanging herbs, but they can also be incorporated into other areas of the home. Lavender in the bathroom offers a natural alternative to an air freshener, and a cluster of hangers on a balcony or terrace creates a beautiful ceiling to look up to.
Upside down pots can be purchased at specialised garden centres and stores, but you can always make your own by following an online tutorial.
9. Store your plants
There’s a great range of kitchen storage systems out there. They are usually designed to hold utensils or keep your readily used foods in order and off the kitchen bench. They are also ideal for ‘storing’ your plants and, in particular, fresh herbs. Just remember to choose water-resistant and rust-resistant holders, or line them with plastic before inserting your plants.
Find out how you can create your own herb garden in the kitchen
There’s a great range of kitchen storage systems out there. They are usually designed to hold utensils or keep your readily used foods in order and off the kitchen bench. They are also ideal for ‘storing’ your plants and, in particular, fresh herbs. Just remember to choose water-resistant and rust-resistant holders, or line them with plastic before inserting your plants.
Find out how you can create your own herb garden in the kitchen
10. Hang them on a wall outside
With limited floor space on balconies and terraces, a suspended planter may be the key to injecting more greenery. The size you choose will be dependant on the space you have available, but something long and narrow along the wall can showcase a beautiful range of plants – lush fernery can work really well. Keeping the width narrow allows the feature to sit within the space instead of dominating the small area. Tier the plants in such a way that hanging plants are at the bottom, and those with more height are kept along the top, to softly frame the feature.
With limited floor space on balconies and terraces, a suspended planter may be the key to injecting more greenery. The size you choose will be dependant on the space you have available, but something long and narrow along the wall can showcase a beautiful range of plants – lush fernery can work really well. Keeping the width narrow allows the feature to sit within the space instead of dominating the small area. Tier the plants in such a way that hanging plants are at the bottom, and those with more height are kept along the top, to softly frame the feature.
12. Create a herb wall
Keeping fresh herbs within easy reach in the kitchen can really add to the enjoyment of your cooking. Repurposing mason jars, or any type of jam jar or small pot, can transform a vacant kitchen wall into an spectacular herb garden like this one.
Simply spritz your herbs with water every day or so to keep the them fresh, and choose a selection that can handle shade and filtered light. Some herbs are annual (only last one season) so you can replenish and keep your herbs up to date with what you need most frequently.
Keeping fresh herbs within easy reach in the kitchen can really add to the enjoyment of your cooking. Repurposing mason jars, or any type of jam jar or small pot, can transform a vacant kitchen wall into an spectacular herb garden like this one.
Simply spritz your herbs with water every day or so to keep the them fresh, and choose a selection that can handle shade and filtered light. Some herbs are annual (only last one season) so you can replenish and keep your herbs up to date with what you need most frequently.
Here is another wonderful example of a green wall in the kitchen, this time featuring leafy greens. It plays with colour and texture, so that it’s almost a piece of art. The planter used is gorgeous, too, but you can use old wooden pallets or shelving to create a similar look.
BONUS TIP: Pick lettuce greens on a regular basis to keep them sprouting fresh leaves and prevent the older leaves from becoming bitter.
BONUS TIP: Pick lettuce greens on a regular basis to keep them sprouting fresh leaves and prevent the older leaves from becoming bitter.
13. Hang terrariums
Not just for the tabletop, terrariums have undergone a resurgence and are now available in suspended form. Clustering a few at different height levels can really add a beautiful dimension to a room.
Avoid using plants, such as succulents and cacti, as these can easily rot and destroy the mini garden you’ve created inside. Instead, plants including spider plant, Selaginella kraussiana (Golden Club Moss) and air plants are perfect for living within terrariums. They provide varied colour and texture for interest and require minimal tending.
Not just for the tabletop, terrariums have undergone a resurgence and are now available in suspended form. Clustering a few at different height levels can really add a beautiful dimension to a room.
Avoid using plants, such as succulents and cacti, as these can easily rot and destroy the mini garden you’ve created inside. Instead, plants including spider plant, Selaginella kraussiana (Golden Club Moss) and air plants are perfect for living within terrariums. They provide varied colour and texture for interest and require minimal tending.
14. Staghorn ferns make a comeback
In a much more refined and delicate way, the traditional staghorn fern is returning as an interesting and exotic wall plant of choice. Because they have evolved to survive in the treetops, and have a very small root system, these hardy and amazing plants simply rely on moisture in the air to stay hydrated. They can also handle indirect light, making them an excellent indoor plant choice.
Staghorns are typically mounted onto a wooden frame or plaque for indoors, which can be made especially or picked up at your local nursery. Large staghorn fern clusters can be divided so you can keep your display relatively small for inside the home.
TELL US
How you have creatively hung your plants to optimise space – we’d love to hear all about it in the comments section.
MORE
From the Pros: Expert Tips on Creating a Vertical Garden
10 Big Ideas for Small Urban Balconies
Our 10 Hottest Indoor Plants
In a much more refined and delicate way, the traditional staghorn fern is returning as an interesting and exotic wall plant of choice. Because they have evolved to survive in the treetops, and have a very small root system, these hardy and amazing plants simply rely on moisture in the air to stay hydrated. They can also handle indirect light, making them an excellent indoor plant choice.
Staghorns are typically mounted onto a wooden frame or plaque for indoors, which can be made especially or picked up at your local nursery. Large staghorn fern clusters can be divided so you can keep your display relatively small for inside the home.
TELL US
How you have creatively hung your plants to optimise space – we’d love to hear all about it in the comments section.
MORE
From the Pros: Expert Tips on Creating a Vertical Garden
10 Big Ideas for Small Urban Balconies
Our 10 Hottest Indoor Plants
Right on trend is the vintage charm of the handmade pot plant holder. These macramé slings are a fun and vibrant way to suspend your favourite indoor plants. Keep them clustered for a dramatic look, or isolate them in the bathroom, kitchen or living area for a burst of colour and interest. They are easy to keep clean; just handwash with mild laundry liquid and air-dry.