The Lab / Creative Labs
DIY: A Hanging Plant Shelf
Give trailing plants pride of place in a window with a simple rope-hung shelf. It takes an afternoon and very few tools.
You'll need
- 2 wooden boards, about 60 × 15 cm and at least 18 mm thick (offcuts from a timber merchant are often free or cheap)
- About 6 metres of strong natural rope, 8–10 mm thick (jute or cotton)
- A drill with a bit slightly wider than your rope
- 2 ceiling hooks rated for the weight, plus suitable fixings
- Sandpaper, a pencil, a tape measure and scissors
- Optional: natural wood oil or wax
Safety first: watered plants are heavy. Screw your hooks into a ceiling joist or a solid lintel, not plasterboard alone. If you're not sure what's above your ceiling, use a stud finder or ask someone experienced. Keep the shelf clear of radiators.
Step 1: Prepare the boards
Sand the boards until smooth, rounding the corners slightly. Oil or wax them if you like; it helps protect against water marks.
Step 2: Drill the holes
Mark a hole 3 cm in from each corner of both boards. Drill straight through. Line the boards up and check the holes match, so the shelves will hang level.
Step 3: Cut and thread the rope
Cut the rope into two equal lengths of about 3 metres. Take one length and thread each end down through the two holes on the left side of the top board, so the rope forms a loop above. Repeat with the second rope on the right side.
Step 4: Set the gap and knot
Tie a large knot under each corner of the top board so it rests on the knots. Measure about 35 cm down (more for taller plants), tie four more knots, then thread on the lower board. Tie a final knot under each corner of the bottom board. Use a spirit level or a phone app to check both shelves sit level before pulling the knots tight.
Step 5: Hang and style
Hang the two rope loops on your ceiling hooks. Start with light plants in plastic nursery pots placed inside decorative pots, then add more once you're happy it's secure. Trailing plants look best: try a Spider Plant, Golden Pothos or Heartleaf Philodendron.
Watering tip: take plants down to water them in the sink, let them drain, then put them back. It saves your floor and keeps the wood dry.