hanging plants at home: old ways vs. new tricks
When I was a child, I would hang her spider plants in macramé holders, drilling hooks into the ceiling with no second thought. Today, things aren’t so simple—especially if you rent or live in a community with strict rules. I often find myself torn between the freedom of my childhood garden and the modern need to keep walls pristine for landlords or HOA boards.
But that doesn’t mean we have to give up on bringing greenery indoors. I’ve found creative ways to hang plants without making a single hole. Tension rods in window frames remind me of the old curtain rods in my parents’ house, but now they’re holding lush pothos instead of dusty drapes. My daughter laughs at my nostalgia, preferring sleek C-clamps for her industrial loft—her plants dangle from arches and open doorways, a far cry from my mother’s lace curtains.
In our North American climate, sunlight can be precious, especially in winter. Suction cup pots on south-facing windows make the most of every ray, but I’ll admit, I worry about them falling—my neighbor’s fern once crashed onto her kitchen floor, soil everywhere. She blames newfangled gadgets; I say it’s just part of learning.
Then there’s the debate: should we prioritize aesthetics or the environment? My community frowns on command hooks, fearing damage to paint, while others argue for the right to decorate freely. Some lean trellises against the wall, refusing to stick anything up, while others use over-the-door hooks on rarely-used doors, sparking arguments about privacy and shared spaces.
As the seasons change, so do our solutions. In spring, I love hanging lightweight planters from skylights, filling the room with fresh green after a long winter. But come summer, the heat can dry out plants too quickly, and I remember my grandfather’s advice: sometimes, the simplest way is best—just set the pot on a sturdy table and let it be.
Whether you’re clinging to tradition or embracing new methods, the way we hang our plants says a lot about who we are—and sometimes, about the rules we’re willing to break. What’s your favorite way to bring nature inside? Do you stick to the old ways, or have you found a new trick that works for you?
#plantparenthood #nostalgia #modernliving #Gardening
