How to Crochet a Modern Plant Hanger: Easy Free Pattern

Suspending trailing houseplants near a bright window instantly opens up floor space and adds natural greenery to any room. While traditional macramé requires complex knot-tying and multiple cord lengths, learning how to crochet a modern plant hanger gives you complete control over strap tension, basket depth, and custom pot sizing using basic crochet stitches and sturdy cotton yarn.

Unlike store-bought synthetic plant hangers that stretch out over time, working with 100% natural unmercerized cotton provides firm, reliable support that keeps your pots level. This beginner-friendly project works up in under 45 minutes, using a solid wooden hanging ring, a sturdy circular base, and four clean chain-braid suspension straps that fit planters from 4 to 6 inches in diameter.

Materials & Tools You’ll Need

• Worsted Weight Cotton Yarn: 1 ball (100g / 3.5oz) of Dishie, Lily Sugar ‘n Cream, or Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton. Avoid acrylic yarn as synthetic fibers stretch too much when holding heavy wet potting soil.
• Crochet Hook: 5.0 mm (US H/8). A wooden or ergonomic hook helps maintain even tension on dense cotton yarn.
• Beechwood Ring: 55 mm outer diameter (about 2.2 inches). Natural unfinished wood matches warm neutral decor.
• Tapestry Needle & Sharp Scissors: For weaving in ends securely.
• Measuring Tape: To verify strap lengths match evenly so the planter hangs straight.
• Terracotta or Ceramic Planter: 4 to 6 inches wide, with a healthy houseplant like a pothos or heartleaf philodendron. If you want to root fresh cuttings first, follow our guide on how to propagate houseplants in water.

Crochet Abbreviations Used (US Terms)

• Ch: Chain
• Sl St: Slip Stitch
• SC: Single Crochet
• DC: Double Crochet
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• Sp: Space

Step-by-Step Crochet Plant Hanger Pattern

Part 1: The Wooden Hanging Ring & Top Loop

Working stitches directly over the wooden ring creates a secure anchor that easily slips onto ceiling hooks or wall brackets without fraying.

Step 1: Make a slip knot on your 5.0 mm hook. Insert your hook through the center of the wooden ring, yarn over, and pull up a loop to complete your first Single Crochet (SC) around the ring.

Step 2: Work 16 Single Crochets neatly around one half of the wooden ring. Slide the stitches tightly together with your fingers so the wood ring is covered smoothly across the working area.

Part 2: Hooking the 4 Suspension Straps

Rather than making four loose cords that require sewing, we work the straps directly from the ring stitches in one continuous piece.

Strap 1: Chain 65 (this produces roughly 18 inches of strap length). Skip 1 ch, work 1 slip stitch into the back bump of each chain back toward the ring. Slip stitch into the next SC on the wooden ring to lock the strap in place.

Spacing: Slip stitch across the next 3 SC on the ring.

Strap 2: Chain 65. Work slip stitches back down the chain. Slip stitch into the next SC on the ring.

Spacing: Slip stitch across the next 3 SC on the ring.

Straps 3 & 4: Repeat the same sequence for the remaining two straps. You now have 4 identical, sturdy straps hanging evenly from the wooden ring.

Part 3: The Circular Base Basket

The base needs to be strong enough to support the pot’s base while remaining open enough to allow drainage air circulation.

Round 1 (Magic Ring): Make a magic ring, ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), work 12 Double Crochets (DC) into the ring. Pull the tail firmly to close the center hole. Join with a slip stitch to the first DC. (12 sts)

Round 2 (Expanding the base): Ch 2, work 2 DC in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch to the first DC. (24 sts)

Round 3 (Forming the support loops): Ch 1, *SC in next stitch, chain 8, skip 2 stitches, SC in next stitch*. Repeat from * around 3 more times. You will have 4 evenly spaced chain-8 loops around the edge of the circular base. Fasten off leaving a 12-inch tail.

Part 4: Assembling & Joining the Straps to the Base

Lay the four straps flat on your work table so they do not twist. Using your tapestry needle, take the end of each strap and feed it through one of the four chain-8 loops on the circular base. Secure with two tight whip stitches on the wrong side of the base, then knot firmly and weave the ends into the thick stitches of the circle.

Part 5: Adding the Bottom Tassel (Optional)

To finish the bottom with a clean, classic look, cut twelve 10-inch strands of cotton yarn. Fold them in half, thread the loop through the center hole of the magic ring on the base, pull the cut ends through the loop to form a lark’s head knot, and trim the bottom fringe evenly with sharp scissors.

Best Houseplants for Hanging Planters

Pairing your handmade plant hanger with the right indoor plant creates a relaxed, natural focal point in living rooms, bedrooms, or kitchen nooks:

• Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum): Hardy, fast-growing, and forgiving. Its trailing vines cascade over the cotton straps quickly. Check our list of the best low-light indoor houseplants for more resilient varieties.
• Heartleaf Philodendron: Features delicate, heart-shaped green leaves that look soft against raw terracotta and cream cotton cord.
• String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus): Perfect for south- or west-facing windows that receive direct sun. The round succulent beads drape neatly over the circular crochet base.
• English Ivy (Hedera helix): Crisp, structured foliage that brings timeless cottage charm to apartment windows.

3 Maker Tips for Hanging Planters Safely

1. Always Use 100% Unmercerized Cotton: Synthetic yarns like acrylic stretch significantly under wet soil weight, which can cause your planter to sag unevenly. Sturdy kitchen cotton maintains its shape under regular everyday weight without sagging. For material comparisons, see our review of the best cotton yarns for crochet home projects.

2. Check Ceiling Anchor Weight Ratings: If you are hanging a heavy 6-inch ceramic planter with moist soil, use a drywall anchor rated for at least 15 to 20 pounds (7–9 kg), or screw directly into a ceiling joist.

3. Use a Plastic Saucer Inside Terracotta: To prevent excess water from soaking into your cotton straps during watering, place a thin clear plastic drip saucer under your pot inside the crochet basket, or take the pot down to water it in the sink before rehanging.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I adjust this pattern for larger 8-inch pots?
Yes. To fit an 8-inch planter, add one more round to the circular base (work *1 DC, 2 DC in next* around for 36 stitches), increase the support loop chains from 8 to 12 chains, and increase the strap length from 65 to 80 chains.

How do I wash a crochet plant hanger?
Hand wash in cold water with mild liquid detergent. Squeeze gently in a dry bath towel to remove moisture without wringing, then hang it up to air dry naturally. Avoid machine washing to keep the wooden ring smooth.

Will the cotton hanger stretch over time?
Unmercerized cotton has very low natural stretch (about 1 to 2 inches maximum after holding a pot for several months). That is why we work slip stitches along the back bump of the chain straps to keep them rigid and stable.

Can I use macramé cord with this pattern?
Yes, 3mm single-twist or braided cotton cord works beautifully. Use a 6.0 mm hook instead of 5.0 mm if working with thick cord to keep your stitches manageable.

Save This Pattern on Pinterest

Looking to add more hanging greenery to your living space? Pin this easy crochet plant hanger tutorial to your Pinterest DIY and home decor boards so you can make it this weekend!