How to hang a plant from your ceiling
- Swag hook
- Step ladder
- Stud finder
- Power drill
- 1/2-inch drill bit
- Drill bit that matches diameter of screw shank (if mounting directly to stud or beam)
- Hanging plant
Step 1. Get your materials and tools together.
You need the right tools for the job if you want to hang a plant from the ceiling. You’ll also need a corded or cordless drill. If you want to use a toggle bolt to hang the hook, you’ll need a 1/2-inch drill bit to make a hole in the ceiling. If you want to mount the hook directly into a stud or beam, you’ll need a drill bit with the same diameter as the shank of the pointed screw on the hook, not including its threads.
Think about the container as you gather your supplies. Hanging plant pots can be made of plastic, which is light, or terra cotta, which is heavier. Both will work, but don’t use pots with holes in the bottom because the water will leak out and make a mess below.
Step 2. Choose a swag hook that fits the plant.
Home improvement stores sell swag hook kits. Before buying a plant, weigh it in a pot. Just-watered soil is heavier than unwatered soil. Make sure the hook can support your potted plant’s weight or more.
Consider the ceiling while picking a hook. Choose a hook with a pointed screw tip for a stud or exposed beam. For a hollow ceiling, use a swag hook with a toggle screw.
Step 3: Make a hole for the swag hook with a drill.
If you want to drill into a stud, put a drill bit in the chuck that matches the shank of the pointed screw. Put the drill bit’s tip firmly against the ceiling and turn on the drill’s drive.
If you’re drilling into hollow drywall, you’ll need to make a hole big enough for the toggle bolt to fit through.
To choose the right size bit to drill the hole, look at the size of the toggle anchor. Most toggle bolts need a hole that is about half an inch across.
Step 4: Put the swag hook in place.
Now that you’ve made a hole, you need to put the hook in. If you’re attaching the hook to hollow drywall, put the toggle bolt in the hole by closing the “wings” of the toggle bolt flush against the bolt shaft and then pushing it into the hole. Turning the hook clockwise by hand will make it tighter. Between the flange of the hook and the wings, the bolt will grip the drywall or plaster like a vise.
If you’re attaching the hook to a stud or beam, press the pointed end of the hook’s threaded end against the pilot hole you drilled in the last step and turn it clockwise until the hook’s base is flush with the ceiling.
Step 5: Hang your plant and make any changes you want.
After putting up the hook, all that’s left to do is hang your pot. Put the basket’s rope or chain through the hook, and then take a step back to admire the effect. If the plant isn’t hanging low enough, you can add an S-hook or chain extender to bring it to the right height.
A front porch or covered patio can benefit from the addition of hanging plants, and they can also be used to bring life to interior spaces that may not have enough floor space for earth-bound potted plants.