Home DIY 15 Creative Ways to Use an Old Ladder for Indoor Houseplants

15 Creative Ways to Use an Old Ladder for Indoor Houseplants

by Marry Dell

If you’ve got an old ladder lying around, don’t let it go to waste; it might just be the perfect solution to display your favorite houseplants.

With a little creativity, you can turn a simple ladder into a stunning vertical garden or a cozy plant corner that breathes life into your room.

These ladder ideas aren’t just space-saving, they’re full of personality and charm. Some styles add a rustic farmhouse vibe, while others feel modern and minimal, depending on how you style them.

You can tuck one in a bright kitchen corner, hang one over your bathtub, or even suspend it from the ceiling. No matter your style or space, there’s a ladder planter idea here that will inspire you to start decorating.

#1 An Old Ladder For Herbs

This old wooden ladder is doing double duty as a charming herb and flower stand, and it couldn’t be more inviting. Each step is filled with terra cotta pots of rosemary, mint, oregano, and a few blooming surprises that spill over with color.

It’s a great way to keep your favorite herbs within reach while adding a fresh, green focal point to your patio or kitchen wall. Just lean the ladder against a sturdy surface, and make sure the steps are wide enough to hold your pots securely.

Water lightly to avoid spills, and rotate the plants now and then for even growth. You’ll love the blend of rustic character and everyday usefulness this setup brings.

#2 A-Shaped ladder For Plants

This A-frame ladder shelf brings a sleek, airy look to any modern space, and it’s perfect for showcasing your trailing houseplants.

The open design gives your plants room to breathe while letting vines like pothos or philodendron cascade freely from the top shelves. It doubles as stylish storage too, with room for candles, books, and watering cans.

To recreate this look, use smooth pine boards for shelves and secure them evenly across a freestanding wooden ladder. Add a few hooks along the side if you want to hang smaller planters.

#3 Hanging Ladder On Ceiling With String Light

This hanging ladder display turns your ceiling into a dreamy plant haven. Suspended with sturdy hooks and draped in twinkling fairy lights, it’s the perfect way to show off macramé hangers and trailing greenery.

You can easily mix in different basket styles or let your favorite vines spill over the edges. To set it up, choose a lightweight wooden ladder and secure it horizontally with strong ceiling anchors.

Wrap the frame with string lights before hanging your planters at different heights. The soft glow at night makes the whole space feel warm, cozy, and full of life.

#4 Hanging Ladder For Bathroom

This ladder display over the bathtub adds a spa-like touch to your daily routine. The plants hang beautifully from an old wooden ladder, giving the space a fresh, calming vibe.

To recreate this look, secure a ladder to the ceiling using metal chains and make sure it’s stable. Choose moisture-loving plants like ferns or pothos to thrive in the humidity.

The gentle swaying of plants while you soak makes it feel like you’re bathing in a peaceful indoor jungle.

#5 Hanging Ladder Trellis

This rustic ladder quietly brings the corner of your kitchen to life. Draped in vibrant pothos vines, it transforms an old wooden frame into a vertical green accent that feels both relaxed and intentional.

The warm tones of the ladder pair beautifully with the natural textures of the brick wall and open shelves.

To create this at home, simply lean an old ladder against the wall and train a climbing plant like pothos or philodendron to wrap around the rungs. Water regularly and rotate the vines for even growth.

#6 Hanging Ladder By A Window

This creative setup turns an old ladder into a unique ceiling-mounted plant rack that brightens up the whole hallway. Hanging by sturdy hooks, it becomes the perfect spot for macrame plant holders and small trailing pots.

The natural light from the windows keeps your plants happy while adding a cozy greenhouse feel to the space.

You can screw large eye hooks into the ladder’s rungs and attach S-hooks or rings to suspend your planters. Try mixing spider plants, pothos, or air-purifying greenery for both beauty and function.

#7 Hanging Ladder With Mason Jar Display

This horizontal ladder display is a clever way to turn propagation into art. Mounted on a clean white wall, it becomes an airy shelf for water jars and plant cuttings, all soaking up indirect light.

The glass containers create a floating garden feel while letting you watch roots grow in real time.

To recreate this look, attach a vintage ladder horizontally using sturdy wall brackets, then line it with mason jars or recycled glasses. Start with easy propagators like pothos, philodendron, or monstera.

#8 Ladder Pot Rack Rustic Pot and Pan Holder

This hanging ladder planter adds fresh, vibrant life to a bright room without taking up floor space. Suspended from the ceiling with chains, it holds a lush mix of ferns, spider plants, and trailing vines that cascade beautifully.

The setup feels modern yet natural, especially with the clean white backdrop. Use sturdy hooks to anchor the ladder securely, then space out the pots evenly to balance the weight.

Pick lightweight pots and rotate them occasionally for even growth. It’s an easy way to bring greenery indoors while keeping things open and airy.

#9 A Blue Ladder

This cheerful blue ladder makes such a fun focal point for any plant-loving corner. With wide boards added across each step, you’ve got a tiered setup that’s perfect for grouping plants by height and light needs.

The pop of color from the painted frame and the variety of pots brings playful energy to the room. You can easily recreate this by sanding down an old ladder, giving it a coat of bright paint, and screwing on wooden planks for shelves.

Make sure to place the tallest plants up top where they can catch the sunlight, and keep your watering can nearby for easy care. It’s an easy way to brighten your space and turn your houseplants into decor.

#10 A Ladder For Different Houseplants

This wooden ladder shelf brings a cozy, earthy feel to your plant display. Its rich stain and simple design work beautifully in any room, especially near a window where plants can soak up some sun.

Each tier gives you just enough room to mix and match foliage shapes and pot textures without feeling cluttered.

To recreate this, grab a compact step ladder or plant stand, give it a dark wood finish, and arrange your pots by size from top to bottom. Water gently to avoid splashing, and rotate your plants every couple of weeks for even growth.

#11 A Ladder In The Corner

This corner setup proves that even the most forgotten spaces can become charming plant nooks. An old metal ladder leans perfectly into the brick walls, offering a rustic frame for a pair of dainty white hanging planters.

You can hang the pots with lightweight chains or rope and hook them onto the rungs, no drilling required. Choose trailing plants like ivy or string of hearts to add movement.

Place a few leafy companions nearby on the windowsill or floor to round out the look. It’s a simple idea that adds life and texture without taking up much room.

#12 Hanging Ladder In Bedroom

A wooden ladder suspended above the window instantly becomes a creative hanging garden. With plenty of sunlight pouring in, this setup lets you show off a mix of leafy vines and compact potted plants right in front of the glass.

Just attach sturdy hooks to the ceiling and use macrame or twine to hang your favorite pots. It’s a fun way to turn vertical space into something green and beautiful.

Pairing it with a floor mirror nearby brings in even more natural light and makes the plants pop. This idea feels light, airy, and refreshingly cozy.

#13 Ladder For Macrame Planters

This cozy hanging garden is all about charm and creativity. A wooden ladder frame becomes the base for a dreamy collection of macramé plant hangers, creating a lush indoor canopy by the window.

Each pot adds its own touch of texture, from glossy leaves to trailing tendrils, making the whole setup feel layered and full of life.

You can hang the ladder from ceiling hooks using chains or strong rope, then loop in your favorite macramé holders. Try mixing heights and pot shapes for a playful, lived-in look.

#14 A Ladder With Mental Hook With Potted Plants

This overhead ladder planter brings the jungle vibes indoors in the best way. A sturdy wooden ladder is mounted to the ceiling using metal hooks and chains, making the perfect framework for hanging leafy plants like pothos, ferns, and spider plants.

The arrangement gives your room an instant lift and creates a cozy, green-filled canopy overhead. Just screw eye hooks securely into your ceiling studs and use S-hooks to hang planters from the ladder rungs.

You can rotate your plants every few weeks to make sure they get even light. It’s a practical setup with a bold, natural look that feels fresh and full of life.

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