Wall Mount Plant Shelf: Sizes and Spacing Guide

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Links marked “Affiliate link” may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Pick by pot size first, wall width second and mounting method third. A wall mount plant shelf lifts pots off the floor and the windowsill, which is the whole appeal in a small room. The three styles compared here differ in size: a pair of small metal holders listed at 8.9 x 7.9 x 6.9 inches, a pair of two-tier wood and metal shelves listed at 7.1 x 15.69 x 15.7 inches, and a three-pack of hexagon wood shelves listed at 3.6 x 13.2 x 14.4 inches. Measure the wall, add up the shelf widths and divide the leftover space into even gaps before you drill anything.

Quick compare: the products in this guide

Sizes come from the Amazon listings as we read them; check the product page for the current details before you buy.

Product	Listed details	Link
LASZOLA Plant Hanger Holder Window Shelf Wall Mounted Indoor, 2 Pcs Black	8.9 x 7.9 x 6.9 in; load capacity 50 pounds	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
iDavosic.ly Wall Plant Holder Set of 2, 2 Tier Indoor Display Shelf, Brown	7.1 x 15.69 x 15.7 in; 4.32 kg	See details on Amazon Affiliate link
3 Pack Hexagon Wall Plant Stands, 9 Inch Wood Shelf, Coffee	3.6 x 13.2 x 14.4 in; load capacity 25 pounds	See details on Amazon Affiliate link

Why put plants on the wall at all

A floor plant stand takes up floor, and in a small apartment floor is the scarcest thing you own. A shelf on the wall uses space that is otherwise empty. It also puts plants at eye level, where you notice them, water them on time and see problems early. For trailing plants the wall is better still, because the stems can hang down without being crushed against the floor.

There are trade-offs. Wall shelves ask you to put holes in a wall, which matters if you rent. They hold less than a floor stand, and a watered pot is heavier than it looks. They also fix the plant in one spot, so the light at that spot has to suit the plant. A shelf is a good answer for small pots, herbs, cuttings and trailing vines. It is a poor answer for a large floor-sized plant.

The three shelves we compare

LASZOLA wall mounted plant holder, 2 pieces, black metal

The LASZOLA listing is for two black metal plant holders, with item dimensions given as 8.9 x 7.9 x 6.9 inches. The listing describes 8 inch trays, a round shape and mounting with two screws per holder, with expansion screws included. Here is a conflict worth knowing about: the structured field gives a load capacity of 50 pounds, while the bullet text talks about 25 pounds for the planter on top and 25 pounds for a hanger below. Those could be the same total described two ways, but the listing does not say so, so we do not rank these by load. Each holder also has a hook for one hanging plant, which the listing says makes room for four plants across the pair. This is the smallest and lightest option here, listed at 1.7 pounds for the set.

iDavosic.ly wall plant holder, set of 2, two tier, brown

The iDavosic.ly set is listed as two double-tier units, with item dimensions of 7.1 x 15.69 x 15.7 inches, brown, made of metal and wood. The listing counts four display levels across the set and says there is a front guard rail to keep pots from sliding off. It also says the wide wooden shelf takes planters up to 6.37 inches (the bullet is cut off after that figure in the listing data, so confirm the exact wording on the page). The listing gives the weight as 4.32 kilograms and includes expansion anchors and extended screws. The guard rail is the feature to look for if you have cats or children.

Rioneta three-pack hexagon wall plant stands, coffee wood

The hexagon set is three solid wood shelves with a metal bracket, listed at 3.6 x 13.2 x 14.4 inches, with a 9 inch shelf in the title and a load capacity of 25 pounds. The listing gives the weight as 5 pounds for the pack, calls the design a boho arch, and says all hardware is included. The listing also says they suit succulents, candles and coffee-station decor, so they are small shelves, not pot shelves for large plants. Three separate shelves also let you stagger the heights, which is the main reason to choose this style.

What the numbers mean

Three measurements decide whether a shelf works.

Width

Width decides how many shelves fit on the wall and how much visual weight they carry. The wide ones, at 13.2 and 15.69 inches, make a clear display. The small LASZOLA holders look like accents. Add up the widths of everything you plan to hang and compare it with the wall.

Projection from the wall

Projection decides how far the pot sticks out and whether a leaf or a vine will touch the wall, a curtain or a passing shoulder. The listings use a length, width, height order for most of these numbers and do not label depth separately, so we cannot name the projection for every model. The hexagon set’s first number, 3.6 inches, looks like the shallow side of a wall bracket, but the listing does not say. Check the product images and the Q and A for the real depth before you buy. A shelf on a hallway wall that sticks out too far becomes an elbow magnet.

Weight rating

Weight rating decides what the shelf can carry once the soil is wet. A listing that gives a rating per shelf, like the 25 pounds on the hexagon set, is easier to use than one that gives a total. Treat the rating as a ceiling and not a goal. A shelf rated for 25 pounds loaded with a full 25 pounds will sag at the screws first.

Worked example: one 60 inch wall section

The wall section between a window frame and a corner is 60 inches wide. We only look at the width direction here, and every gap runs along that same 60 inches. We take the second number in each listing as the width, as in the sections above, and the listings do not label it, so confirm on the page.

Option A, three hexagon shelves, each 13.2 inches wide:

• Total shelf width: 3 times 13.2 in equals 39.6 in.
• Leftover wall: 60 in minus 39.6 in equals 20.4 in in total.
• There are four gaps to share, one at each end and one between each pair of shelves. The 20.4 in is the total for all four gaps, so we divide it: 20.4 in divided by 4 equals 5.1 in per gap.
• Check: 4 times 5.1 in equals 20.4 in, and 39.6 in plus 20.4 in equals 60 in.

Option B, two of the two-tier units, each 15.69 inches wide:

• Total shelf width: 2 times 15.69 in equals 31.38 in.
• Leftover wall: 60 in minus 31.38 in equals 28.62 in in total.
• There are three gaps, one at each end and one between the two units. The 28.62 in is the total for all three, so we divide it: 28.62 in divided by 3 equals 9.54 in per gap.
• Check: 3 times 9.54 in equals 28.62 in, and 31.38 in plus 28.62 in equals 60 in.

Both layouts fit with room to spare. Option A gives tighter spacing and a gallery look. Option B gives more air around fewer, taller units. If you want the shelves to look intentional, equal gaps at the ends and between the shelves are what make it work, which is why we divide the leftover total instead of eyeballing it. Mark the shelf positions on the wall with painter’s tape first and stand back before you drill.

Mounting: where the screws go

The hardware decides whether a shelf stays up. The LASZOLA and iDavosic listings both say they include expansion anchors, which is the kind of fastener for hollow drywall. The hexagon listing says all hardware is included without naming it. A screw in a stud holds far more than an anchor in drywall. If you cannot hit a stud, use the anchors that came with the shelf and keep the load light.

Rental tip: small shelves with two screws leave two small holes, which are easy to fill. Check your lease before you drill, and keep the paperwork if the landlord has a rule on wall damage.

Light, water and the shelf

A plant shelf is a plant stand, and a plant stand needs light. A spot beside a window usually gets the most. A shelf in a dark hallway needs a plant that tolerates low light, or it will stretch and fade. Water is the other risk. A pot that drips will mark the wall and the floor under it. Use a saucer or a tray, and take the plant to the sink to water it if the pot is small enough to carry. A front guard rail, like the one on the iDavosic set, helps keep a pot in place, but it does not catch water.

Placement ideas for small rooms

• Beside a window: a vertical stack of shelves lets light reach every plant and keeps the sill free.
• Above a desk: one or two small holders keep a plant in view without crowding the work surface.
• Over a bed headboard or couch: only use this if the shelf is rated for the weight and the pots have saucers, because a fall would land on someone.
• In a kitchen: herbs on a wall shelf stay out of the way of the counter.
• In a bathroom: a trailing plant on a hexagon shelf suits a bathroom with a window.

Who should buy a wall mount plant shelf

• Apartment residents who have no floor space left.
• Plant owners with small pots, herbs or cuttings.
• People who want a gallery-style display across a blank wall.

Who should skip it

• Anyone who cannot drill and has no removable-fastener option.
• Owners of large heavy pots. A floor stand is a better choice.
• Households where a falling pot would be a hazard.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Counting only the shelf and not the plant. A shelf listed at 13.2 inches wide still needs the leaves to have room.
• Ignoring conflicting figures. The LASZOLA load figures differ between the structured field and the bullets.
• Skipping the stud finder. It takes a minute and saves a fall.
• Forgetting drips. Put a saucer under every pot.
• Hanging a heavy trailing plant on a small holder. Check the weight with the pot full and wet.

Checklist before you buy

• Measure the wall section and write down the width.
• Add the shelf widths and divide the leftover total into even gaps.
• Check the projection from the wall on the product page.
• Check the weight rating per shelf, not just the total.
• Check which fasteners are included and whether they suit your wall.
• Plan a saucer or tray for every pot.

Keep reading

These guides cover related picks and sizing checks for a small space.

• Wall Mounted Plant Shelf: How to Choose
• Wall Mount Heavy Duty Shelf: 3 Options
• Wall Mount Bathroom Shelf: 3 Styles Compared

Frequently asked questions

How much weight can a wall mount plant shelf hold?

It depends on the shelf and on what it is screwed into. The hexagon listing gives 25 pounds per shelf, and the LASZOLA listing shows 50 pounds in one field and 25 pounds in its bullets, so check the page. Keep the load below the rating, because wet soil is heavy.

Do I need to drill into a stud?

A stud holds the most, and a stud finder will show you where one is. If there is no stud where you want the shelf, use the expansion anchors that come with the shelf and keep the plants small.

How far apart should wall plant shelves be?

For shelves on the same wall, divide the leftover wall width by the number of gaps so the spacing is even. In the 60 inch example, three hexagon shelves leave 5.1 inches per gap. For stacked shelves, leave enough height for the tallest plant plus room to water.

Can a wall plant shelf work for trailing plants?

Yes, and it is one of the best uses. A shelf at or above eye level lets vines hang down. Keep the stems away from curtains and walkways.

Will a plant shelf damage my wall?

Screws leave small holes. In a rental, check your lease, and use as few fasteners as the shelf needs.

Products worth checking

We have not tested these products. Sizes and features come from the Amazon listings as we read them; where a listing does not say, we say so.

Specifications come from the Amazon listings as we read them for this guide. Product details and availability can change, so confirm on the product page before you buy.

How we research our guides