How To Stack Terracotta Pots To Save Garden Space

Displaying multiple terracotta pots in your backyard can take up a lot of space. Whether you have them lined up against the fence, sprinkled around different areas, or in a designated pot station, you'll soon run out of places to put them. However, to maximize the space and fill your garden with abundant plants, stack them on top of each other and hang them from a patio's ceiling. Stacked terracotta plants can also be placed indoors if you live in an apartment or studio without a patio. You can hang them near a window to give them enough natural light. However, if you have a patio connected to your apartment, they'll save space when hung vertically.

Stacking lightweight plants, such as herbs, is best to prevent the pots from being too heavy. If they're larger and heavier, they'll end up falling from the ceiling, breaking or sliding right on top of each other, crushing the plant beneath them. Using smaller terracotta pots is best to keep them on the lighter side. You'll need four terracotta pots, a drill, heavy-duty wire, and a hanger.

There are a couple of ways you can stack your pots. The first is by using stackable macramé hangers to show off your favorite plants. You can purchase a three-tier hanger for $10 on Amazon. There are different tier options to fit however many pots you have. The macrame hanger has a metal ring at the top, so all you'd need to do is install a hook and hang the plants.

Another way is DIYing your own stack by using the materials we mentioned. First, decide where to hang your terracotta pots and install a sturdy hook to hold them. Then, drill two holes in the terracotta pot's base. Next, use the heavy-duty wire, insert it through both holes, and tightly twist it to secure it in place. Some heavy-duty wires have a hook at the end to hang another pot from. Repeat the steps for the additional terracotta pots. Finally, fill your pots with soil and your desired plant to grow.

For a sturdier option, use metal threaded eyebolts that attach to metal rods to hold the pot's weight. SkyPots has an excellent pot hanging kit with everything you need for any sized pot. They have a drainage plug that allows the water to flow through the center and fall onto the following plant, collecting it into a small metal holder. It's ideal for indoor vertical hanging pots, but the water can fall freely if you place them outside.

If you enjoy having your pots on the ground or don't have a place to hang them, create a vertical stack for the floor. Stack them vertically straight, or create a fun tipsy pot plant tower. You only need a few terracotta pots with drainage holes and a 66-inch piece of metal rebar. You'll want your base pot larger than the others for this project. For example, you could use a 12-inch pot for the base and four 10-inch pots for the tower.

First, clear a spot in your garden where you'll place the tipsy pots, and then secure the rebar 2 feet into the soil. Once the rebar is firmly rooted, put the 12-inch terracotta pot over the bar through the drainage hole and fill it with soil. Leave about 1 to 2 inches at the top to water it properly. Then, stack the 10-inch pot over the bar and angle it on top of the base pot. You want one side of the pot's base to dig into the soil while the other side is floating. Fill the pot with soil, leaving 2 inches at the top. Repeat the steps but ensure you tilt the pots in opposite directions as you place a new one over the bottom one. The last pot should hide the top of the rebar with the last bit of soil. Finally, plant the pots with your choice of herbs or flowers, add a thin layer of soil, and water each pot.