How to Make a Hanging Plant Holder
Back in the day, we all had macrame plant hangers. Those clever knotted cord planters may have gone the way of love beads and leisure suits, but hanging plants will never go out of style. You can still buy hanging plant holders, but they are also very easy to make. Doing it yourself is not only fun, it ensures that you get the exact size and style you want, and once you get good at it, handmade pot hangers make fabulous gifts. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Empty vegetable cans
- Isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover
- 20-gauge galvanized wire
- Wire cutters
- Pliers
- Power drill or hammer and nail
- Pebbles or gravel
- Potting soil
- Optional:
- Beads
- Decorative trim
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Exterior paint
- Brushes
- Spray sealer or acrylic floor wax
Instructions
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1
Wash the can or cans thoroughly. The labels should come off easily, but if there is any stubborn glue, a little isopropyl alcohol or nail polish remover should loosen it enough to be scraped off.
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2
Use the drill or hammer and nails to poke half a dozen holes in the bottom of the cans, so that water can drain out.
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3
Poke at least three holes about 1 inch down from the top lip of the cans. Use the measuring tape to make sure that they are spaced evenly around the can, or your plant will hang crooked.
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4
Measure the space where the plants will hang, and cut three pieces of galvanized wire to the proper length, plus 8 to 10 inches.
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5
Slide one end of a length of galvanized wire into one of the holes you poked in the side of the can, and pull it through so that there's a 2-inch tail. Wrap this tail around the longer part to secure it, at least three times. Cut off the excess. Repeat with the other two wires. If you want to add beads to the wires, slide them down from the top of the wires.
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6
Set the can on a flat surface and pull all three wires together at the top. Make a large loop of the wires, and then wrap the tail around its base, at least six or seven times. Either use the entire length of the tail, or trim any excess.
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7
Put about 1/2 cup of pebbles in the bottom of the can, add your potting soil, and your hanging planter is ready for its plant.
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Tips & Warnings
Once your cans are clean, you can decorate them with hot glue and trim, paint them or both.
To space beads out along the wires, either use pliers to put a kink in the wire beneath the bead, or slide the bead onto a dot of hot glue.
Acrylic floor wax makes a great sealer for painted crafts that will be outside.
