What plants to put in a macramé plant hanger (and which pot to use)
The plants that hang best, the light and watering each one needs, which pot to choose and how to hang them safely.
A macramé plant hanger changes the way you see a plant: it lifts it off the floor or windowsill and brings it up to eye level, with the leaves falling freely. But not every plant likes being hung, and the pot you choose matters just as much as the plant. This guide brings together the plants that look best in our plant hangers and the care needed to keep the cotton lasting.
What makes a plant good for hanging
The best ones are those with trailing or climbing leaves: they grow downwards and make the most of the hanger's height. Very tall, upright plants, like an adult Swiss cheese plant, end up unbalanced and heavy.
Also think about the light in the spot where you'll hang it. There's less light near the ceiling than on a windowsill, so a full-sun plant needs to be kept close to a window.
The plants we recommend
| Plant | Light | Watering | Why it hangs well |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pothos | Indirect; tolerates low light | When the soil dries out on the surface | The leaves trail easily over a metre long. It's the easiest of them all. |
| Hera | Indirect and bright; likes cool spots | Slightly moist soil | A dense cascade of small leaves, lovely by a window. |
| Spider plant | Indirect | Regular, without waterlogging | Sends out little baby plants hanging from the ends of its stems. |
| Climbing philodendron | Indirect | When the soil dries out on the surface | Heart-shaped leaves that trail down in long strands. |
| String of pearls | Plenty of light, near the window | Little; it's a succulent | Strings of small green beads, delicate and different. |
| Rhipsalis | Indirect | Moderate | A forest cactus, spineless, with thin stems that cascade like hair. |
| Boston fern | Indirect; likes humidity | Soil that's always moist | Ideal for a bathroom with a window. |
| Aromatic herbs | Direct sun | Frequent in summer | Basil, mint or parsley at arm's reach for watering, on a kitchen windowsill. |
Pothos, ivy and string-of-pearls are toxic to dogs and cats if chewed. Hanging them in a plant hanger, out of reach, is one of the best ways to keep them in a home with pets. Spider plant is a safe alternative.
Which plant hanger for each plant
- Plants with long, trailing leaves, like pothos or philodendron, need a long plant hanger that gives them room to trail down: the Jasmin (140 cm) or the Herbal (130 cm).
- Compact plants or plants with fine leaves, like spider plant, look lovely in a plant hanger that wraps around the pot, such as the Agave, or a simple plant hanger like the Iris (100 cm).
- Against a wall, with no ceiling to hang from, the Jade and the Hera attach to a branch on the wall: the plant rests against it and the leaves fall over the macramé.
Which pot to use
The pot is what weighs the most and what can damage the cotton the most.
- Choose light pots, made of plastic or fibre. Terracotta is lovely, but it's heavier and, being porous, it passes moisture through to the macramé.
- Use a pot with no drainage holes on the outside (a cachepot) with the plant's plastic pot inside, or a pot with a built-in saucer. That way, any water that drains doesn't wet the cotton.
- Check the diameter before ordering. Our plant hangers hold common indoor pots; if you're unsure about yours, send us the measurement and we'll let you know if it fits.
How to hang safely
A pot with wet soil weighs more than it looks. On the ceiling, use a proper hook with the right wall plug for the material: a plasterboard ceiling needs a spring toggle, not a nail. On a wall, a hook or bracket holds the plant away from the wall and prevents damp marks.
As for length: on a ceiling of 2,60 m, a 100 cm plant hanger leaves the pot at roughly eye level. For higher ceilings, or to have the plant sit in the middle of a large window, choose one of 130 or 140 cm.
Caring for your plant hanger
The main rule is to water the plant outside the plant hanger, or let it drain well before hanging it back up. Cotton left damp for too long gets stained and loses its shape. For the rest of the cleaning, see the guide how to wash and care for macramé.
Quick questions
Which plants look best in a macramé plant hanger?
Trailing or climbing plants, such as pothos, ivy, spider plant, climbing philodendron, string-of-pearls and rhipsalis. They grow downwards and make the most of the plant hanger's height.
Which pot should I use in a macramé plant hanger?
A light pot, made of plastic or fibre, inside a cachepot with no drainage holes or with a built-in saucer, so the water doesn't wet the cotton.
Can I water the plant without taking it out of the plant hanger?
Yes, if the pot has no holes underneath. If it does, water it outside the plant hanger and let it drain before hanging it back up.
What length of plant hanger should I choose?
On a ceiling of 2,60 m, 100 cm leaves the pot at eye level. For high ceilings or plants with very long leaves, 130 to 140 cm.
