Living a block away from a wholesale flower shop is dangerous for my wallet—especially in spring. Last week I couldn’t resist buying a few bundles to start preparing for Easter. I came home with garden roses, white hellebores, anemones, and a sprig of lavender, and I wanted to make something playful and unexpected.
While experimenting, I realized these flowers would pair perfectly with some leftover hanging air plant pods I had on hand. The pods resemble Easter eggs, so I turned them into small hanging arrangements that nod to the season without being overly themed. They’re simple, elegant, and work well anywhere you want a soft, upside-down floral display.
Below is a clear step-by-step guide to making your own upside-down hanging floral arrangements using air plant pods and a few common floral supplies.
Materials
- Fresh flowers (I used O’Hara garden roses, white hellebores, anemones, and lavender)
- Hanging air plant pods with attached string
- Floral foam rounds (around 3 inches)
- A knife for trimming the foam
- Floral wire for reinforcing delicate stems
Instructions
1. Soak the floral foam in a shallow container of water. Place the foam on the water’s surface and allow it to sink naturally as it absorbs moisture—this typically takes one to two minutes.
2. Trim the foam to fit the opening of the air pod. I cut the foam slightly larger at the bottom and a bit narrower at the top, then inserted it wider-end first so it would sit securely while covering the opening.
3. Press the foam gently into the pod, larger side first, so it fills the interior enough to hold stems firmly.
4. Prepare your flowers by removing excess leaves and trimming stems to roughly 2–3 inches. For thin or fragile stems—such as hellebores, anemones, and lavender—wrap a short length of floral wire around the stem to stiffen it. This makes it easier to push the stem into the foam and keeps the bloom positioned where you want it.
5. Begin inserting stems into the foam, arranging as you go. Fill the foam so the design looks lush when the pod is turned upside down. Rotate and check the arrangement from below, adding smaller blooms or foliage to the sides to balance the composition.
6. Once satisfied, hang the pod by its attached string. The arrangement will appear upside down, creating a charming floating bouquet that catches the eye without taking up table or shelf space.
Photography and styling by Brittni Mehlhoff
Assisted by Rachel Brewer
This project is versatile: use a single focal flower like a garden rose for a classic look, or combine tiny blooms and textured foliage for a cottage-style cluster. Sturdier stems such as spray roses, ranunculus, or small carnations also work well, while trailing elements like eucalyptus or small ivy tendrils add movement.
If you enjoy seasonal floral projects, consider experimenting with color palettes and textures to match different holidays or room decor. These upside-down arrangements are compact, eye-catching, and a lovely way to bring fresh blooms into small spaces.
Will you try making one of these hanging floral pods? Which flowers would you choose for your arrangement?