Last week, I crossed something off my to-do list that’s been on there a really long time – hanging a plant from our kitchen ceiling! Because goodness knows I didn’t already have enough plants in our home. Nope, I definitely needed two more hanging from the ceiling in our kitchen. And today I’m teaching you how to hang plants from the ceiling, so you can experience the same joy I do every time I look out my kitchen window now.
The area above the kitchen sink is often overlooked when it comes to home decor. Yet this space presents the perfect opportunity to incorporate hanging plants that add natural beauty, promote wellbeing, and maximize vertical real estate in your kitchen.
When thoughtfully executed, hanging houseplants above the kitchen sink bring numerous benefits that make this simple project well worth doing. Keep reading to learn all about how to create your own indoor hanging garden above the sink.
Why Add Hanging Plants Above Your Kitchen Sink?
Here are some of the top reasons to consider incorporating hanging plants above your kitchen sink:
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Visual Interest and Greenery – Hanging plants provide pleasing pops of vibrant color, interesting textures, and lively foliage to an often empty wall area in the kitchen. Plants with trailing vines like ivy or pothos are ideal for spilling over containers in captivating cascades of greenery.
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Purify Air – Many popular houseplants like snake plants and peace lilies filter out toxins and release oxygen. This air purification effect improves indoor air quality right where you wash dishes and prepare food.
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Convenience – Having herbs and plants within arm’s reach makes it easy to snip off what you need while cooking No more crossing the entire kitchen just to grab a sprig of parsley or rosemary!
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Decor Focal Point – Hanging plants draw the eye upward and provide a living decorative focal element to embellish the typically under-adorned sink area. Plants inject visual excitement.
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Warmth and Character – Thoughtfully selected plants and containers lend personalized character and a welcoming natural element to the heart of your kitchen.
Best Plants for Hanging Above the Kitchen Sink
When selecting plants, consider factors like sunlight exposure, moisture needs, trailing or cascading growth habits, and mature size. Some top options include:
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Ivy – Both English ivy and Swedish ivy do well in hanging planters, gracefully spilling over the edges.
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Philodendron – Heart leaf and lacy leaf philodendron varieties have vining tendencies that look beautiful suspended.
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Pothos – An easy care option, pothos thrives in low light and its trailing vines can reach up to 10 feet long!
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Herbs – Favorites like rosemary, thyme, oregano, and basil provide a lush green look and aromatic quality.
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Ferns – Fabulous fern fronds lend an earthy, woodland vibe. Boston fern and maidenhair ferns are great choices.
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Succulents – Low maintenance succulents like string of pearls or burro’s tail have dangling stems perfect for hanging.
Hanging Methods and Placement for Kitchen Plants
Once you’ve selected plants, it’s time to determine the best method to hang them and find the optimal placement in your kitchen. Here are some options:
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Ceiling Hooks – Secure screw-in hooks directly into ceiling beams or joists for strongest support. Ensure hooks are anchored into solid framing.
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Wall Mounted Planters – Self-watering wall planters that mount directly onto the wall are available. Great for small herb gardens.
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Macramé Hangers – Bohemian chic macramé plant hangers suspend from ceilings, rails, rods, or hooks. Natural and textural.
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S-Hooks – Use s-hooks over cabinet doors or rods running the length of the window to dangle planters. Simple and adjustable.
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Adhesive Hooks – No tools needed. Heavy duty adhesive hooks stick to surfaces securely and work for temporary installations.
Aim to hang plants where they can benefit from natural sunlight but avoid harsh direct sun on delicate leaves. Clustering multiple hung planters creates an artful botanical installation with visual impact.
Caring for Hanging Kitchen Plants
Follow these tips to keep hanging plants above the kitchen sink looking their best:
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Use well-draining containers with drainage holes to prevent root rot from soggy soil. Add pebbles at bottom to improve drainage.
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Check soil moisture frequently. Water when top 1-2 inches become dry. Mist plants occasionally for humidity.
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Apply organic diluted fertilizer monthly during the active growing season according to label directions.
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Prune back unruly, leggy growth to keep plants full and compact. Pinch off spent blooms.
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Rotate plants to ensure all sides get adequate light exposure and promote symmetrical even growth.
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Monitor for pests like whiteflies, aphids or fungus gnats. Isolate and treat any infested plants immediately.
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Wipe dust and grime off of leaves regularly so plants can photosynthesize properly.
With consistent care, hanging plants can thrive in the kitchen above the sink, creating a beautiful botanical feature.
Creative Ideas for Hanging Kitchen Plants and Planters
Take inspiration from these innovative ways to artistically suspend plants above the kitchen sink area:
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Display trailing ivy, philodendrons, or succulents in natural fiber macramé netting or rope holders for bohemian style.
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Hang air plants from pieces of weathered driftwood, antlers, or decorative hooks for an eclectic look.
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Use decorative chains to hang braided wicker baskets or glass terrariums housing lush ferns or prayer plants.
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Upcycle vintage tea cups, mugs, or pans as quirky DIY hanging planters for succulents and herbs.
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Incorporate rustic wood crates, galvanized buckets, or metal wire baskets as earthy planter containers.
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Mix hanging plants with pendant lights across the sink area to intersperse greenery with brilliant illumination.
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Create an entire hanging succulent wall garden for a dramatic statement.
Let your personality and style shine through in your kitchen by getting creative with hanging plants above the sink. The options are endless!
Helpful Tips for Installing Hanging Plants in the Kitchen
Follow this advice to ensure your hanging plant installation goes smoothly:
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Select sturdy hooks and anchors able to hold the weight of pots, soil, and mature plants. Do not skimp on hardware quality.
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Position hooks precisely before drilling or driving anchors. Use a level to ensure even alignment.
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Reinforce drywall with blocking by driving wood shims into stud spaces if you need more anchor points.
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Check for hidden electrical wiring before drilling into walls to avoid accidents. Use a stud finder tool.
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Pre-assemble hangers and test plant placement before permanently installing hardware into walls or ceilings.
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Gradually increase light exposure for plants not used to direct sun to avoid scorching leaves.
With smart planning and quality materials, installing hanging plants above your kitchen sink can be simple. Then you’ll be ready to enjoy their wonderful benefits!
Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging Kitchen Plants
What are the best plants to hang above a kitchen sink?
Ivy, philodendron, pothos, herbs, ferns, and succulents are ideal. Look for plants with trailing vines or cascading stems.
Where should I hang plants in my kitchen?
Good spots include above the sink, in front of windows, from curtain rods, or over doorways. Avoid hanging directly over stovetops.
How do I hang plants from my ceiling?
Use sturdy screw-in ceiling hooks anchored into wood joists or beams. S-hooks and macramé hangers work on rods or rails. Adhesive hooks can hold lighter plants.
How often should I water hanging kitchen plants?
Check soil daily and water when the top 1-2 inches become dry. Plants may need more frequent watering in hot kitchens or when actively growing.
What kind of planters should I use for hanging kitchen plants?
Opt for planters with drainage holes and saucers to prevent leaks. Cachepots add decorative flair. Choose lightweight pots for ceiling mounts.
Hanging plants above the kitchen sink is an easy, affordable way to infuse natural beauty and vibrancy into your home’s heart. Once you witness the wonderful transformation, you may find yourself looking for new spots to hang plants throughout your entire home! Let your plants take flight in the kitchen.
how to hang plants from the ceiling
This is a really quick and easy project, and everything you need can be found at your local hardware store. Start to finish, it only took me about 15 minutes. Doesn’t get much better than that!
Here’s what you’ll need:
Assemble the swag hook
Next, you need to figure out if you have a stud where you want to hang the plant. If you’re hanging your plant outdoors on a patio or covered porch, you can simply screw your ceiling hook into an exposed beam and you’re good to go! If you’re hanging the plant indoors, a few more steps are required.
Use a 1/8″ drill bit to drill a small pilot hole in the ceiling. If you hit a ceiling joist after you’re through the ceiling drywall, great! You don’t need to use any sort of anchor and you’re good to go. You can use the smaller rod-shaped screw that comes with your hook. Just attach it to the hook, and use your hand to screw it right into the ceiling.
You can also use a stud finder for this process, but I find a pilot hole to be more reliable!
If, however, you hit hollow spot when you drill the pilot hole, you’ll need to use the toggle bolt anchor that comes with the kit. Grab a 1/2″ or 5/8″ drill bit and drill a (much) larger hole. It will feel very intimidating. Even terrifying. Don’t worry it’ll be okay.
Once you’ve drilled your larger hole, you’re almost done. Assemble the hook as shown in the photo above. Start with the longer bolt, then screw the toggle bolt onto it until it’s about 1/4 of the way down. Add the hook to the bottom.