Note Your Houseplants’ Position – Then Make a Stand

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Julie Bawden-Davis

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You take the time to nurture your indoor plants – why not show them off?

Antique stepladders make attractive multilevel stands to display decorative collectables and houseplants.

A hanging planter filled with plant, soil and water gets heavy and always requires sturdy support. For security, safety and to prevent potential hazard, always attach them to a ceiling joist or other structurally sound member. Test the security and strength of the hanger and anchor before you leave your plant hanging.

Columns and other risers are another attractive way to position plants high.

This modular plant stand can be built in one weekend and disassembled for flat storage.

Houseplants placed overhead can give height and visual interest to a room, enhance windows and add a vertical complement to otherwise featureless corner spaces. Plants that droop, trail, creep or climb are perfect candidates for hanging baskets or placement on other high perches.

Because hanging plants are frequently quite heavy, it’s important to carefully consider their location. Avoid installing them in high-traffic corridors, where they might pose a hazard to passersby. Also consider hanging plants at eye level, which makes them visible and their care easier. Install a hook and basket to a secure anchor, and check it for safety. (Generally, plastic baskets are best for indoor growing – wire baskets filled with moss tend to be heavy and tend to drip more when watered.)

Plant stands also enable you to elevate and highlight certain plants in your indoor garden. A well-designed stand gives a plant nice height and makes another great spot for trailing and climbing plants. A peace lily sitting on a table always is impressive; place it atop a plant stand and it becomes the focal point of a room. Likewise, a lipstick plant may look good hanging up high, but it also can be especially striking placed on a plant stand at eye level.

A wide variety of plant stands are available, making it possible to choose one that best complements your décor. The best stands are made of waterproof materials and have sink-like top shelves that hold the plants in a basin immune to water draining from the plants, although those that are purely decorative are suited to many uses as well.

With the right materials and a little carpentry skills, you can build an attractive plant stand in one weekend. The stand shown here disassembles easily for flat storage. It can be made of economical particle board or plywood, and painted with latex exterior paint. Just take the easy steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions.

Warnings

A potting table provides a convenient spot to repot houseplants, transplant seedlings, clean containers, mix fertilizer and perform other messy tasks. Building your own is a perfect weekend project.
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Facts

Some plant stands have a waterproof tray on their work surfaces to help prevent water damage.

Tips

Hanging plants are exposed to more heat, lose water more quickly, and need more frequent watering than plants grown at or near floor level. While there are gadgets available for watering elevated plants, sometimes the best method is to just remove the plant from the hook and water it in a nearby sink. Thoroughly drain the plant before returning it to its hanger or ledge for display.
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To maintain the pleasing form of hanging houseplants, prune them regularly. Pruning frequency varies, and some plants grow more quickly than others. Note where growth is out of proportion to the rest of the plant or is unruly. Before pruning, step back and view the plant from various vantage points, then make your cuts. Remember to wash and sterilize your pruning shears before and after use to keep your plants healthy.
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Faqs

Q: Where’s a good place to put a plant stand?
A: That’s entirely up to you, but do make sure it’s in an area where your plants will receive the correct amount of light they require to thrive. And as with placing any piece of furniture, carefully consider where to put your plant stand – it should be kept away from high-traffic areas and in a spot where it won’t cause a falling risk.

Come to The Garden Party and share your houseplant display with the rest of our Learn2Grow community. Post pictures of your plant stand, write a blog, or connect with our gardening experts and other home gardeners nationwide to share more indoor gardening tips and ideas. Have a question about growing or displaying houseplants? Visit the Learn2Grow Forums and post a question for experienced gardeners to answer.

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