Looking to add some bohemian charm to your space while showcasing your favorite plants? Macramé plant hangers are the perfect DIY project to bring natural texture and handcrafted beauty to your home. Even better, you don’t need advanced knotting skills to create something stunning! With just a few basic knots and some helpful tips, you can craft a beautiful plant hanger that looks professional while adding that coveted boho aesthetic to any room.
Why Try DIY Macramé Plant Hangers?
- Budget-friendly: Create custom plant hangers for a fraction of retail prices
- Customizable: Adjust length, pattern, and style to perfectly fit your space
- Therapeutic: Knotting is meditative and relaxing—perfect for unwinding
- Versatile: Works with various pot sizes and plant types
- Space-saving: Elevate plants off surfaces to maximize limited floor space
- Personalized decor: Add a handmade touch that reflects your style
- Skill-building: Master basic knots that transfer to more complex macramé projects
Essential Supplies for Your DIY Plant Hanger
Materials
- Macramé cord (3-5mm thickness is ideal for beginners)
- Cotton: Most popular and beginner-friendly
- Jute: Rustic, natural appearance
- Hemp: Eco-friendly with excellent durability
- Metal ring (2-3 inches in diameter)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape
- Wooden beads (optional for decorative accents)
- Plant pot (that will fit your completed hanger)
DIY supply tip: For your first project, 100% cotton cord is most forgiving and easier to work with than jute or hemp.
Cord Quantity Guidelines
- Small hanger (6-inch pot): 25-30 feet of cord
- Medium hanger (8-inch pot): 40-60 feet of cord
- Large hanger (10-12 inch pot): 80-100 feet of cord
Pro planning tip: Always cut your cord lengths generously—you can trim excess at the end, but you can’t add more if you run short!
Basic Knots You’ll Need to Master
Before starting your project, practice these fundamental knots:
1. Larks Head Knot
The foundation of most macramé projects, used to attach cords to your ring.
- Fold cord in half
- Place folded loop behind the ring
- Pull the loop over the front of the ring
- Pass the cord ends through this loop
- Pull tight to secure
2. Square Knot
Creates a flat, sturdy pattern and is the most common decorative knot.
- Using four cords, identify them as 1, 2, 3, and 4 from left to right
- Cord 1 goes over cords 2 and 3, then under cord 4
- Cord 4 goes under cords 2 and 3, then over cord 1
- Pull tight while keeping cords 2 and 3 straight
- Repeat in reverse (cord 4 over, cord 1 under) to complete one square knot
3. Half Hitch Knot
Creates diagonal lines and is used for many decorative elements.
- Take one cord (working cord) and pass it over a second cord (holding cord)
- Loop the working cord behind the holding cord and pull through the front
- Pull tight while keeping holding cord straight
- Repeat for desired pattern
4. Spiral Knot
Creates a twisted, rope-like pattern.
- Essentially a square knot repeated in the same direction instead of alternating
DIY learning tip: Before starting your plant hanger, create a small practice piece with 4-8 cords to perfect your knots.
Step-by-Step DIY Process
1. Prepare Your Cords
For a medium plant hanger (fits 6-8 inch pots):
- Cut 8 pieces of cord, each 8 feet long
- Fold each cord in half to find the center point
Measurement tip: When in doubt, cut longer cords than you think you’ll need—you can always trim the excess.
2. Attach Cords to the Ring
- Fold each cord in half
- Attach each folded cord to the ring using Larks Head knots
- Arrange evenly around the ring
- You now have 16 cords hanging from your ring
Pro arrangement tip: Count your cords after attaching to ensure you have the correct number and they’re evenly spaced.
3. Create the Gathering Knot
- Measure approximately 4 inches down from the ring
- Take a separate piece of cord (about 2 feet long)
- Place it horizontally behind all hanging cords
- Wrap it around all cords 5-7 times, moving upward
- Thread the end through the loop at the top of your wraps
- Pull both ends tight and trim excess
DIY finishing tip: Apply a tiny dot of fabric glue to the knot ends for extra security.
4. Divide and Conquer
- Separate your 16 cords into 4 groups of 4 cords each
- These will become the four “legs” of your plant hanger
Organization tip: Use clothespins or binder clips to keep unused cord groups tidy while working.
5. Create the Pattern Section
For each group of 4 cords:
Basic Pattern Option:
- Create 3-5 square knots in succession, about 1 inch apart
- Measure to ensure consistent spacing between knots
Alternative Pattern Option:
- Make 2 square knots
- Create a spiral knot section (4-5 knots in the same direction)
- Return to 2 more square knots
DIY design tip: Keep your pattern consistent across all four sections for a professional look.
6. Form the Cradle
- Measure about 12-15 inches down from your gathering knot (adjust based on your pot size)
- Lay your work flat with the four sections arranged in a plus-sign shape
- Take the rightmost cord from each group
- Join these 4 cords together with a square knot
- Repeat with the leftmost cord from each group
- You should now have 4 diamond shapes forming a cradle
Pro measurement tip: Place your intended plant pot nearby and periodically check that your cradle will be the correct size.
7. Create the Bottom Knot
- Gather all cords together about 3-5 inches below your cradle
- Create another gathering knot using the same technique as step 3
- This forms the bottom of your plant hanger and supports the pot
Balance tip: Ensure that all four sides are equal length so your plant will hang evenly.
8. Add Finishing Touches
- Below the bottom gathering knot, you can:
- Create a tassel by leaving cords hanging free
- Add wooden beads to some or all cords
- Braid remaining cords in various patterns
- Trim ends to a uniform length
DIY style tip: For a clean look, cut the ends at an angle and lightly brush with a stiff brush to create a fluffy tassel.
Creative Variations to Try
Alternating Patterns
Instead of uniform square knots on each section, alternate between square knots, spiral knots, and half hitches for visual interest.
Pattern tip: Create a simple diagram of your intended pattern before starting to keep your design consistent.
Ombré Effect
Use multiple colors of cord or dip-dye your completed hanger for a gradient effect.
DIY color tip: For natural dyes, use turmeric (yellow), avocado pits (pink), or black tea (brown).
Beaded Embellishments
Incorporate wooden, ceramic, or glass beads at key points in your design.
Placement tip: Add beads where sections meet or at the bottom of tassels for maximum impact.
Double-Decker Design
Create a plant hanger with two pot holders—perfect for showcasing trailing plants at different heights.
DIY advanced tip: Use heavier cord for double hangers to support the additional weight.
Troubleshooting Common DIY Macramé Problems
- Uneven tension: Take time to pull each knot with consistent pressure
- Tangled cords: Work on a flat surface and secure unused cords with clips
- Crooked hanger: Measure carefully at each step and adjust before proceeding
- Too small for pot: Always measure your pot’s circumference before starting
- Irregular pattern: Create a simple sketch or follow along with a printed pattern
Pro correction tip: If you notice an error, it’s usually better to untie back to that point rather than trying to compensate later.
Tips for Different Plant Types
- Trailing plants (pothos, philodendron): Longer hangers showcase cascading foliage
- Compact plants (succulents, cacti): Shorter, tighter weave provides stability
- Heavy plants (large ferns): Double or triple your gathering knots for extra support
- Lightweight plants (air plants): Create an open, web-like design
DIY weight tip: For heavier plants, use thicker cord (5-6mm) and tighter, more frequent knots.
Care and Maintenance for Your Macramé
- Cleaning: Most cotton macramé can be hand-washed with mild soap and air-dried
- Dust removal: Use a hair dryer on cool setting to blow away dust
- Reshaping: Dampen and reshape if your hanger stretches over time
- Color preservation: Keep away from direct sunlight to prevent fading
Longevity tip: If using your hanger in a bathroom or humid environment, choose synthetic cord or treat cotton cord with fabric protector.
Perfect Placement Ideas
- Kitchen window: Hang herbs where they’ll receive adequate light
- Bathroom: Elevate humidity-loving plants like ferns
- Reading nook: Create a living canopy with trailing plants
- Empty corners: Transform unused vertical space
- Balcony or porch: Showcase outdoor-friendly plants (use weather-resistant cord)
DIY styling tip: Group hangers at varying heights for a curated, collected look.
Final Thoughts
Creating your own macramé plant hanger is a satisfying project that combines functional purpose with artistic expression. The basic techniques are accessible to beginners, while the design possibilities allow for unlimited creativity as your skills develop.
The beauty of macramé lies in its organic nature—slight irregularities add character and charm to your finished piece. Embrace the learning process, and soon you’ll be creating custom hangers for every plant in your collection.
As you build confidence with these fundamental knots and techniques, you’ll discover that macramé opens the door to countless other DIY home decor projects—from wall hangings to dream catchers and beyond.
