Hanging plants outdoors is fairly simple, as there are countless systems made for it. Things change 180 degrees when it comes to indoor floral arrangements, though. Sure, it may seem a bit unusual to hang hanging plants indoors, but it’s an excellent way to add greenery and colour without losing space.
Now, compared to outdoor systems, indoor hanging often involves damaging ceilings. And in some cases, ceilings are so thin that they can’t even hold plants without risking a structural collapse. That being said, let’s find out how to hang hanging plants indoors without breaking or ruining anything in your home.
Tension Rods
This is an excellent option for those who rent. After all, there aren’t too many options in terms of what you can do in a rental place, especially when it comes to drilling and using nails. Tension rods give you the opportunity to hang natural or artificial hanging plants without causing any damage at all.
The strength of the tension rod depends on the weight of your plants. To keep it simple, artificial plants are way lighter than natural plants, since they don’t require any soil, moist potting mixes, or heavy glazed ceramic containers. They’re easy to look after too, so there’s no need to trim them or deal with dirt or water.
All in all, get a solid curtain or shower tension rod. Fit it horizontally inside the window frame and use it as support for your hanging plants. You can also use a tension plant pole. Make sure it goes from floor to ceiling and it’s solid enough for your plants.
S-Hooks
S-hooks follow the exact same principles. Besides, just like tension rods, S-hooks won’t require any drilling or nails. In other words, this option is also suitable for those who rent their homes and need quick, repositionable setups. S-hooks are available in all sizes, shapes, materials and colours.
You can get metallic hooks, as well as plastic hooks.
As for the fitting solution, simply hang or clip them directly onto your curtain rods. They work well on pretty much any type of overhead fixture. S-hooks are also the easiest option if you’re working with hanging baskets instead of single pots. So, if you live in a nice traditional barn, you may find other similar fixtures around walls or ceilings. Just make sure that they’re sturdy enough for plants before letting go of the pot.
Adhesive Hooks
Adhesive hooks represent a last resort if you’re learning how to hang hanging plants without drilling or nailing anything. While they can be quite strong, they won’t be as sturdy and solid as S-hooks or rods. Besides, make sure to invest in high-strength hooks.
Double-check the adhesive to avoid damaging walls or ceilings. Other than that, keep in mind that adhesive hooks won’t be able to hold very heavy plants. This means that artificial plants make a better choice if you haven’t purchased your hanging plants yet.
Now, learning how to hang hanging plants when you don’t want to drill, nail or damage anything may seem relatively limited. After all, you only have a few options. They’re not permanent, but they don’t feel sturdy or solid enough either.
Your best bet in this situation is to rely on artificial plants due to their lightweight profile and zero-maintenance structure.
However, if you own the place, or you’re allowed to drill and nail, you can come up with a pretty nice setup without damaging anything. Of course, you’ll need a bit of experience and a proper DIY spirit. But if you’re willing to drill and make the structure more permanent, here are the steps to follow.
Toggle Bolts and Hollow Ceilings
Learning how to hang hanging plants with toggle bolts requires extra attention. There’s a fine line between a successful job and a damaged ceiling, so be careful. Here are the steps to follow:
- Mark the location. First, you’ll have to decide on the spot and mark it. Make sure it’s not close to the walls. The plant may swing and hit walls, especially if it’s relatively low and can be touched by people. Besides, it may grow too, so you’ll need to ensure that there’s plenty of space there.
- Drill the main hole. You’ll have to use a professional drill and come up with a pilot hole. This hole should be large enough to take the folded toggle wings. If it’s too big, your installation will be flimsy. If it’s too small, you risk damaging the surroundings during the installation by forcing hardware through drywall.
- Get the hardware in. Fold the toggle wings and get the system in. Make sure that the wings are flat before pushing them through the hole. Once they’re in, they’ll spring open and provide some security across the hidden upper surface of the ceiling board.
- Secure the system. Last, but not least, secure the system. The hook should be twisted clockwise. At some point, the spring wings will grip the upper side of the plasterboard. It’s a pretty firm installation that can support some decent weight.
Bottom line, learning how to hang hanging plants without damaging walls and ceilings can go in more directions. You can use renter-suitable solutions, but you can also come up with a proper installation. Either way, the weight of the plant is one of the most important considerations in the process. Once they’re up, it’s worth thinking about how they fit in with the rest of your room.