Mini Command Hooks Are the Secret to Rental-Friendly Decor

Taylor Fuller sitting holding a large houseplant By
Taylor Fuller
Taylor Fuller sitting holding a large houseplant
Taylor Fuller
Taylor Fuller has been writing about houseplants for The Spruce since winter 2020. She has a collection of over 75 plants in her London flat. She authored the book "The Rainbow Atlas" and her writing has appeared on Bustle and BuzzFeed.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Published on 01/30/23

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more.

command hooks for plants

The Spruce / Photo Illustration by Amy Sheehan / Taylor Fuller

A couple of years ago I got lost in a TikTok rabbit hole, watching people draping plants over doorways in their homes. Because I lived in a rental and didn't want to damage anything, I thought that there was no way I would be able to do that. Determined to make it happen, I purchased a Raphidophora tetrasperma, or mini monstera. And while it was growing, I brainstormed. 

Because the stems of the mini monstera are substantial and even quite thick in certain areas, the only hooks I could find stuck directly to the wall with a really thick adhesive and didn’t look like they’d be able to come off without peeling off the paint in our home. Our landlord is pretty generous with what we’re allowed to do, but I didn’t want to have to repaint or touch up the walls when we decided to move. 

And then one day it hit me, why not try Command hooks?

Command Clear Mini Hooks, 6 Pack

Command Clear Mini Hooks Six Pack

Amazon
View On Amazon

To start, I used some little trellises that I bought off of Amazon to support the bottom of the plant. Then, as the vines started to grow, I would strategically place the Clear Mini Command Hooks. In some cases I was unable to place the actual stem inside the hook as it was too thick. Instead, I put the stem of the leaf inside of it. I found that as long as I was staying on top of things, and making sure the plant was properly supported, it would still stay on the wall this way. 

The tricky part came when it was time to curve the vines over the doorway. Some vines I could hang vertically or horizontally but when I got to the corner, I had to start hanging them at an angle so they could help train the plant to bend, without breaking it. My Raphidophora tetrasperma’s longest vine is now roughly seven feet long and drapes beautifully over the  doorway leading to my kitchen from the living room. It looks amazing and is a great statement piece in our London flat. 

If you’re looking to achieve something similar or just want your vining plants to look as if they’re climbing up the wall, these are a few tips on what to look for when picking out your Command strips.

  1. Make sure the size of the hook is correct. Command hooks and strips come in a variety of sizes. I like the small clear ones so you can't see them unless you’re looking at the wall really closely.
  2. Check the weight that the hook can support. A half pound is the minimum weight for this project, so it can really hold your plant up. I’ve used smaller ones before and they just don’t last. You may find yourself replacing them pretty frequently as they’ll fall off the wall.
  3. If you do have the option to get the clips, that’s even better. Your plant’s stem will fit in really well and won’t be damaged or scraped when you’re attaching it to the wall.
  4. Make sure you’re removing them properly. Heat the strip before pulling it off easily with a hairdryer to avoid damaging your walls.

I love using plants as wall decor, and I couldn’t do it without my Command strips. We use them for our plants, to hang things on the walls, when Christmas decorating, and more. They will always be a staple in our home. 

How to Hang Plants From the Ceiling Without Holes