How to Make a Hanging Plant Pot Holder

If your windowsills are packed to the brim with young seedlings or you’ve got one houseplant too many, a hanging plant pot holder could be the answer to your plant storage problems.

Page Contents Show

Read on for 7 ways to create stylish hanging plant pot holders to display your gorgeous plants.

1. Macramé plant hanger

Image credit: @craftylifechoices

Macramé is a method of tying knots using string, jute, wool or strings of natural vegetation, which can be used to create a support for plants.

If you are new to macramé, you can start with the simplest knotting technique and as your technique improves, you can try more difficult patterns. This tutorial shows how to make a simple knotted pot holder using 3 strings. If your plant is heavier, you can use 4 strings.

To make a macrame plant hanger you will need string, an empty plant pot and a hook to hang the finished pot holder from.

Measure the length of string you will need. This is as easy as measuring the space between the pot and the hook and adding several inches extra just to allow for the knots you make. Have some string, jute or wool ready and cut 8 lengths to suit the space you want to hang your pot.
Tie a large knot with all 8 strings together, allowing a small tassel at the end to look decorative. This becomes the base of the pot holder.
Place your empty plant pot on top of this knot and divide the strings into 4 sets of 2 so that each edge has 2 strings to work with. Measure to the rim of the pot. Make one knot here, on one of the double strings. Remove the pot and then make a knot at the same spot on each of the other 4 strings.
Now your holder has 4 knots to mark the edge of the pot. At this stage, you can divide the strings to create more intricate knots if you like. If this is your first time trying macrame, tie a second knot at the same distance all around at each of the double strings.
Now try the pot in the holder to check the size. You may need a third set of knots but normally two sets are enough for a small pot.
Next, try the length of the strings by wrapping one set around the hook where you will hang your pot. You need to tie all 4 sets of strings together now to make the holder secure. Tie one large knot to the next set of strings, and then tie the next knot to the next set until you are back where you started.
Finally, you can double the string to make a loop and wrap this around the hook. Do the same with all 4 sets of strings and tidy it up neatly. Some experienced craftspeople do double looping to make a decorative edge but if you are a beginner, take a bow and hang your plant.

Image credit: @foliageandflotsam

If you enjoy macramé, here is a great link for making a diamond macramé pot hanger. You can also use this technique to make gorgeous wall hangings.

2. Crocheted plant hanger

Image credit: @misscraftmad

Crochet uses a hook to loop wool or string around the needle to create textiles. If you are new to the craft, check out the beginner’s videos here.

To make a crocheted plant pot holder, you’ll need to measure your plant pot to determine the diameter of the base and also think about the length of the strings.

You will need: wool or string, a crochet hook, an empty plant pot and a hook to hang the finished pot holder from.

Create 4 strings first, to use as the hanger for the pot.
Make a slip knot to start, and tie this around the crochet hook.
Continue adding stitches to make the string as long as you need for your plant pot. – Make 4 strings and leave these aside while you make the round shape to support the pot.
After this, you will create a round shape inside these strings to support the pot. Cast on stitches and keep going until the line fits comfortably around your plant pot.
After the size is decided, now you can start creating the pot shape. Keep adding rows until the depth is a suitable size to cover your pot.

3. Knitted plant hanger

Image credit: @delectablegardenshop

Along with scarves and jumpers, you can also knit flower pot holders and, if you use a recycled waterproof pot or jar, then it can survive well. You can use any scrap wool (or string) and if you are an accomplished knitter, you can design your own pattern. If you are completely new to knitting, Ryan’s guide is foolproof!

To knit a plant pot you will need: wool, 2 knitting needles and a hook to hang the pot holder.

If you want a tight texture, use smaller needles. If you like a looser knit fabric, then use larger needles. I knitted around a yoghurt pot to decide the size and used this as a watertight container to put my plant pot in.
To start a knitted pot you need to cast stitches onto the needle. If you are new to knitting, try knitting a square or rectangular shape to start and you can just sew up the side around the pot and gather the ends into the circle.
Measure the diameter of the pot and cast on enough stitches to be at least double the diameter of the pot. Knitting stretches well so it is not too important but your trial will be enough to determine how many stitches you need.
After you cast on stitches, knit one plain row until you reach the end of the line. Turn the square around and knit a purl row on the reverse side.
If you want a pattern, you can knit plain and purl rows for six rows, and then do a purl row on the front. Alternate the rows to make any pattern you like. This makes a different curly pattern which can look really good. I did one row of purl, followed by two rows and then three rows.

4. Wire plant pot holder

Hooks made of metal can be used as support to create a pot holder using chicken wire, craft or copper wire.

You will need: wire leftover from a craft project, or chicken wire and something to cut it with, such as scissors or wire cutters. You also need the plant pot and the hook to hang the pot holder from.

The wire can be used as a structure for modelling to add natural fillings such as straw or moss. Both of these will retain moisture for the plant you place inside. Use the same method as for making a string pot holder using macramé and use the wire instead of the string.

5. Plastic bottle plant holder

Image credit: @diywithkanchan

Re-purpose old plastic bottles and turn them into stylish, hanging plant pots.

You will need old plastic bottles, a soldering gun to make holes and some string or wire to support the bottles (or you can combine this idea with inner tyre tubes, see more below).

Cut off the bottle top first. To make the holes for the strings, hold a soldering gun close to the surface to burn a hole in seconds. Do not inhale the fumes and be sure to wear eye protection.
The bottles can be decorated with paint or stickers or left plain.
You can simply thread string through the holes or make a hanger using some of the ideas above.

You might also like: 17 DIY flower pot ideas

6. Wine cooler plant holder

Image credit: @astrids_vintage_pasttimes_etsy

A metal wine cooler can be adapted to hold a plant using strong rope or twine. The metallic finish goes well with green foliage or brightly coloured flowers.

You will need: a Champagne cooler, some thick rope cut into 4 equal lengths, some extra pieces to make the base, some thinner string to add decorative touches, a glue gun and a strong hook to hang the pot holder from. This heavy type of plant pot holder is best supported using a hook fitting connected to a solid surface like a wall or shed.

Clean the holder and cut your rope into 4 lengths allowing some extra for knotting.
Tie a knot with all 4 lengths to support the base, as described for macramé pot holders.
You can use the coloured string to secure this knot and use the glue gun to ensure the string and knots are firmly attached because the cooler will be heavy, and with soil, even heavier.
Plait the base with several layers of extra rope to strengthen it and make sure you test the weight first before placing your precious plant in there.
Next, knot the hanging rope to guide the shape of the pot. You can tie a circular string around the tip of the plant pot edge. Knot this in place and make sure the base ropes are firmly attached by tying secure knots. If you use a different colour to the rope, this adds a colourful string design to the pot holder.
Tidy up loose ends at the base by stapling or gluing.

7. Bicycle inner tube plant pot holder

Bicycle inner tubes can be utilised in many ways. Patched tubes are usually just chucked away, however, they’re flexible and strong and could be used to make a quirky plant pot holder. Save the tubes until you have a few to work with, at least three is recommended.

You will need 3 inner tubes, gloves and a hook to hang your inner tube plant hanger from.

Wear gloves because the tubes are generally oily, dirty and greasy. Wipe down the rubber, and allow it to dry before starting.
The idea is to use at least 2 inner tubes, doubling one of them over to create an X, which will support the base of your plant pot. The second tube will become the loop that you hang it from.
Take 2 whole tubes and cross them so that you make an X, which will support the base of the plant pot. You can staple these strips to a plastic plant pot. I found my stapler worked well, as the rubber is quite thin.
So now you have 2 tubes doubled into 8 loops, with a plant pot stapled to the lower part. Time to make sure the neck of the structure can hold the weight!
Wind the tube around the hook and tie, plait or staple it to ensure that the pot has support at the base and at the top.
Cut the extra tubes to create long, similar length strips. I used these to weave a pot shape and you can punch holes in them and tie or staple them but test the weight before you hang one of your favourite plants.
Place your plant pot in the centre of these and secure 2 more strips to make a circle to fit your plant pot shape.
The strips of rubber can be stapled and glued to the plant pot in any way you choose.
Plait and staple the new strips to secure them to the 4 vertical supports, to make a pot holder that suits your plant. This video shows you one technique and how you can be creative using this fantastic material!
Finally, make sure that at least 4 strips cross under the plant pot in an X shape to secure the pot. We’d love to see pictures of your makes!

Tina’s Tips

A wire flower pot holder can double up as a straw-filled Easter nest for egg hunting! Fill the wire with straw or shredded paper and place chocolate eggs inside.
Try using a range of different materials to create hanging planters, from coconut shells and birdcages to tin cans and old solar lights.