How to Build a Hanging Plant Ladder

A hanging plant ladder is a unique conversation starter for any home, and a wonderful companion to a plant tree. It will serve as home base for all your hanging indoor plants. Building one is easy and can be completed over a weekend. Follow these easy steps for your new plant hanging system.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 2x4s
• 3/4" or 1" dowels
• Matching size wood drill bit
• Twelve screw hooks
• Chain
• Gloss white paint
• Stud finder
• Pilot drill bit
• Rubber mallet

1. Line up two 2x4s with the flat sides facing one another. Measure five inches in on one of the ends and make a mark in the center of the 2x4. Every 18 inches from here, make another mark. You will be drilling holes for the dowels in the 2x4s based on these marks. If you are making a system larger than eight feet, you can adjust the first hole. The picture above shows a 12 foot ladder. The first hole was nine inches in. Once the measurements are made, double check them. Measure twice and drill once!

2. Drill holes in the 2x4s where you have marked. Use a drill bit with the same diameter as your dowels. If steady and able, you should be able to drill both 2x4s at the same time. If you have clamps, this will aid you. Otherwise, you can simply drill each 2x4 individually.

3. Cut your dowels to your desired length. In the picture above, the dowels are cut to 16" lengths. You can get six dowels from one eight foot section using this length. This is the perfect amount needed if constructing an eight foot ladder.

4. Insert the dowels into the 2x4s. Because the dowels are the same size as the holes you drilled, you will need a rubber mallet to help get the dowels in place. Your goal is for the end of the dowel to reach fully through the 2x4 so it is flush with the other side.

5. Paint your hanging plant ladder. Prime the ladder first and follow up with two coats of your desired color. Gloss white paint was used on the ladder pictured above. You may wish to paint the hanging plant ladder the same color as the room trim it will be hanging in.

6. Insert hanging screw hooks into your ceiling. Using a studfinder, locate the studs or ceiling joists in your ceiling. Your goal is to match the screw hooks in the ceiling to the ladder The ladder will hang off these hooks with a chain. Have a hook in the center for each side of the ladder, and one on each opposing end. Use a pilot drill first to aid in screwing in the screw hooks.

7. Insert the screw hooks into the hanging plant ladder. Start by drilling pilot holes for the screw hooks. Make sure the screw hooks are located the same distance apart as the hooks inserted into the ceiling. Measure twice, and drill once.

8. Hang the ladder using chain. You will need to cut the chain to length unless it was purchased in the proper size. Each chain should be uniform in length.

9. Hang plants on your new hanging plant ladder!

Tips & Warnings

• Hang vining plants on the ladder, and watch the plant grow into the ladder.
• Use white Christmas lights on the ladder for soft evening lighting.
• Use a screwdriver in the screw hooks to aid in tightening.
• Make sure the chain and hooks you are buying are capable of holding enough weight to support both the ladder and plants. Remember, these plants will hold a large quantity of water from time to time. You do not want a hanging plant ladder to fall!
• Always measure twice before cutting. This will save you the aggravation and added cost of a bad cut.

[Hapworth]

on 7/4/2009 This is great. Your directions are awesome. Have to try it.