DIY Hanging Plant Holder Using Old Cotton T-Shirts

Got a drawer of stretched-out tees you'll never wear again? Before they hit the donation bag — or worse, the bin — turn one into a hanging plant holder that looks like it came from a boutique plant shop. Working with old cotton t-shirts means zero cost, zero sewing, and a soft t-shirt yarn that's secretly perfect for knotting.

In an afternoon you'll have a macramé-style hanger cradling your favorite pothos, and one less shirt in the landfill. Best of all, it's genuinely beginner-friendly — the thick yarn hides wobbly knots.

Why t-shirt yarn beats store-bought cord

• It's free — one old tee makes a whole hanger.
• It's thick, so your knots go fast and the project's done in an hour.
• Jersey doesn't fray, unlike cut rope, so raw ends stay tidy.
• It's forgiving — soft and stretchy hides beginner mistakes that stiff cord would show.

What you'll need

• 1 old cotton t-shirt (jersey works best; side-seam-free is easiest)
• Sharp fabric scissors or a rotary cutter
• A metal or wooden ring for hanging (a sturdy key ring or curtain ring works)
• A potted plant, in a pot sized to sit in the cradle
• A tape measure
• Optional: a few wooden beads

Step 1: Make your t-shirt yarn

1. Lay the shirt flat and cut off the bottom hem and the top section just below the armpits. You're keeping the tube of the body.
2. Cut the tube into strips about 1 inch wide, cutting across the body.
3. Stretch each strip firmly — it curls in on itself into a rounded, rope-like cord. That's your yarn.
4. You'll need 4 strands, each about 5 feet long. One t-shirt usually gives you plenty.

Step 2: Knot the hanger

1. Gather all 4 strands and fold them in half together. Push the folded loop through your ring, then pull the loose ends through the loop and tighten. You now have 8 strands hanging from the ring.
2. Tie one overhand knot with all 8 strands, about 2 inches below the ring. This is the neck of your hanger.
3. Split the strands into 4 pairs. On each pair, tie an overhand knot roughly 8 inches down. Keep the four knots level.
4. Build the cradle: take one strand from a pair and one from the neighboring pair, and knot them together about 3 inches lower. Work around all four sides — this creates the net that holds the pot.
5. Gather all 8 strands at the bottom, about 2 inches below the net, and tie one firm overhand knot.
6. Trim the tails into an even tassel. Slide on a wooden bead before that last knot if you want a finishing touch.

Step 3: Hang and pot up

1. Nestle your potted plant into the cradle and adjust the knots so it sits level.
2. Hang it from a ceiling hook, bracket, or curtain rod rated for the weight — wet soil is heavier than it looks, so use a proper anchor, not a thumbtack.
3. Start with a light, easygoing plant: pothos, spider plant, or a small fern are ideal first passengers.

Styling and care tips

• Trailing plants shine here — their leaves spill through the net beautifully.
• Water smart: lift the pot out to water over a sink and let it drain, or use a pot with a saucer.
• Mix your colors by making yarn from two different shirts for a striped hanger.
• Double up strands for a chunkier, more dramatic hanger if your plant is on the heavier side.

Give that old tee a second life

There's something quietly satisfying about a plant hanging in a holder you knotted yourself from a shirt you used to wear. It costs nothing, looks like a shop-bought splurge, and keeps one more thing out of the waste stream.

Made one? Post a photo or your favorite plant-and-color combo in the comments at ecoxee.com — we'd love to see which tee got a second life.