DIY Macrame Plant Hanger for Beginners
Learn three simple knots and make a macrame plant hanger that holds a 6-inch pot, using just cotton cord, a wooden ring and an afternoon.
By the HotsBuzz team ·
- Skill levelModerate
- Time1.5 to 2 hours
- Budget$10-$18
- Steps7
A macrame plant hanger lifts your plants off crowded windowsills and adds soft texture to any corner. The good news is that a classic hanger uses only three knots: the gathering knot, the square knot and the alternating square knot that forms the basket net.
This beginner pattern makes a hanger about 36 inches long that holds a 5- to 7-inch pot. Once you’ve made one, you’ll be able to adjust the length and pattern for any plant in your home.
Set aside a couple of unhurried hours for your first one. Knotting goes faster with practice, and mistakes are easy to undo. Expect to spend $10 to $18 on cord and a ring, and you’ll often have enough cord left over for a small second hanger. Choose a spot near a bright window, and make sure the plant you pick likes the light it will get there.
Materials & tools
Tick things off as you gather them. We’ll remember your list on this device.
You’ll need
Tools
Step-by-step instructions
Cut the cord
Cut eight pieces of cord, each 8 feet long, plus one 3-foot piece for wrapping. Wrap a bit of tape around each end to stop fraying while you work. Fold the eight long cords in half and slide them through the ring so the ring sits at the midpoint, giving you 16 working strands.
Tie the top gathering knot
Hang the ring from a hook at about eye level. Take the 3-foot cord, form a loop pointing up along the bundle just under the ring, and wrap the long end tightly downward around the bundle and loop about 8 to 10 times. Thread the end through the bottom of the loop, pull the top tail to draw it under the wraps, then trim both tails.
Divide into four groups
Separate the 16 strands into four groups of four. Each group becomes one arm of the hanger. Use masking tape to keep groups from tangling while you work on one at a time.
Knot the arms
About 4 inches below the gathering knot, tie six square knots in the first group: the two outer cords knot around the two center cords, alternating left and right. Repeat on the other three groups at the same height, measuring so the arms stay even. Add a bead to the center cords if you like.
Make the basket net
Drop down about 4 inches. Take two cords from one group and two from the neighboring group and tie one square knot, working all the way around so the groups join into a circle. Drop another 3 inches and repeat, alternating cords again. This creates the diamond net that cradles the pot.
Gather the bottom
Slip your empty pot into the net to check the fit, then remove it. About 3 inches below the last row, gather all 16 strands and tie a second gathering knot with a fresh 3-foot cord, just like the top.
Trim and fringe
Trim the tails to 6 to 10 inches. For a fluffy fringe, untwist 3-ply cord and brush it out with a comb. Set your plant in place and check that it hangs level.
Tips for success
- Hang the finished planter from a ceiling hook anchored into a joist or with a toggle anchor rated well above the weight of a watered pot.
- Keep each square knot at the same tension so the arms hang evenly.
- Use a plastic grow pot inside a decorative pot to reduce weight and make watering easier.
- Water the plant in the sink and let it drain before rehanging so cotton cord stays dry and clean.
- If you run short on a strand, it usually means the knots are too tight; loosen your tension slightly on the next hanger and add an extra foot to each cord.
Make it your own
Spiral arms
Tie half knots instead of square knots, always starting from the same side, and the arms twist into a spiral.
Double hanger
Double the cord length and repeat the arm and basket sections twice to hang two small pots one above the other.
Colored cord
Dip-dye the fringe in diluted fabric dye, or mix one colored cord into the natural ones for a stripe.
Mini hanger
Halve all the cord lengths and use 3mm cord to make a small hanger for a 3- to 4-inch succulent pot. It’s a quick way to practice your knots and makes a lovely handmade gift.
Frequently asked questions
How much cord do I need for a macrame plant hanger?
For a 36-inch hanger, about 70 feet of 4-5mm cord is enough, including wrapping cords. Longer hangers need cords roughly four times the finished length before folding.
What is the best cord for a plant hanger?
Cotton cord is soft and easy for beginners. For outdoor use, choose a synthetic or poly-cotton blend that resists moisture and mildew.
How heavy a pot can it hold?
A hanger made with 4-5mm cotton cord comfortably holds a small to medium pot. For heavier ceramic pots, use thicker cord and a sturdier ring, and make sure the ceiling hook is properly anchored.
