Hanging baskets are a delightful addition to any garden or balcony, adding a touch of natural beauty and color to your surroundings. They not only elevate your plants, but they also create a stunning visual display that can transform even the smallest spaces.
Whether you have a green thumb or are just starting out, hanging baskets are a fantastic way to showcase your gardening skills.
In this listicle, we’ll explore 25 plants that are perfect for hanging baskets, ranging from vibrant flowers to cascading foliage. So, get ready to bring some hanging basket magic into your life!
1. Petunias:
Petunias are the vibrant superstars of hanging baskets. With their dazzling array of colors, they make a bold statement wherever they hang.
From fiery reds to sunny yellows and soft pinks, petunias add a burst of life and energy to any space. Their trumpet-shaped blooms create a captivating display that is sure to turn heads.
2. Ivy Geraniums:
If you’re looking for a touch of elegance and grace, ivy geraniums are the perfect choice. Their trailing vines gracefully cascade from the basket, creating a mesmerizing effect.
The delicate flowers, available in shades of red, pink, and white, add a touch of romance to your hanging baskets. With their long blooming period, these beauties will keep your baskets looking stunning all season long.
3. Fuchsias:
Fuchsias are the divas of the hanging basket world. With their stunning pendant flowers in vibrant hues of purple, pink, and red, they demand attention. The unique shape of their blooms, resembling delicate dancers, adds a touch of whimsy to your hanging baskets.
Be prepared for these show-stoppers to steal the spotlight and become the talk of the neighborhood.
4. Lobelia:
For a burst of cool, calming colors, lobelia is an excellent choice. With its delicate, dainty flowers in shades of blue, purple, and white, lobelia creates a serene and peaceful ambiance.
The profusion of blooms forms a dense carpet of color, adding depth and texture to your hanging baskets. It’s like a soft, soothing breeze captured in plant form.
5. Nasturtiums:
If you’re a fan of edible plants, look no further than nasturtiums for your hanging baskets. These vibrant flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red are not only visually appealing but also delicious.
Add their peppery, slightly spicy flavor to your salads or use them as a beautiful garnish. Nasturtiums bring both beauty and flavor to your hanging baskets.
6. Million Bells:
Don’t let their small size fool you; million bells pack a punch of color. These charming flowers, resembling miniature petunias, come in a wide range of hues, from soft pastels to bold and bright shades.
With their profuse blooming, your hanging baskets will be transformed into a cascade of color, attracting attention from every passerby.
7. Verbena:
If you’re looking for a burst of energy and vitality, verbena is the answer. With their clusters of tiny, vibrant flowers, verbena adds a cheerful and lively touch to your hanging baskets.
Available in a range of colors, including purple, pink, and white, these flowers create a dazzling and eye-catching display. Get ready to infuse your space with a burst of positive vibes.
8. Bacopa:
Bacopa is the delicate beauty you need for your hanging baskets. Its small, star-shaped flowers in shades of white, pink, and blue exude a sense of serenity.
With their trailing habit, bacopa creates an elegant and sophisticated look. It’s like a gentle whisper of beauty, adding a touch of refinement to your hanging baskets.
9. Sweet Alyssum:
Sweet alyssum is a fragrance-filled delight for your hanging baskets. With its tiny, delicate flowers in shades of white or pink, it releases a sweet, honey-like scent that lingers in the air.
The low-growing habit of sweet alyssum creates a carpet of blooms, giving your hanging baskets a soft and romantic allure. It’s like having a bouquet of sweetness hanging right outside your door.
10. Pansies:
Pansies are the charming characters that bring a smile to your face. With their “faces” of intricate patterns and vibrant colors, they bring a sense of whimsy and playfulness to your hanging baskets.
These cool-season flowers thrive in fall and spring, adding a cheerful touch during those transitional periods. Let these little personalities brighten up your space with their colorful expressions.
11. Scaevola:
Scaevola, also known as the fan flower, is a unique choice for hanging baskets. With its fan-shaped blooms in shades of blue, purple, or pink, it creates a visual spectacle that is both fascinating and captivating.
The trailing stems spill over the edges of the basket, adding a touch of movement and dynamism. Scaevola is the artist that paints a masterpiece with its graceful strokes.
12. Lantana:
Lantana is the party animal of hanging baskets. With its clusters of small, colorful flowers, it attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, creating a lively and animated atmosphere.
Available in a variety of colors, including red, orange, and yellow, lantana brings a festive spirit to your hanging baskets. Get ready to host a celebration of nature’s vibrant beauty.
13. Dichondra:
If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance and serenity with foliage, dichondra is an excellent choice. Its silver-green leaves spill over the edges of the basket, creating a cascading effect that is both soothing and calming.
The trailing foliage adds a touch of sophistication to your hanging baskets, like a flowing waterfall of greenery.
14. Swedish Ivy:
Swedish ivy is the epitome of classic beauty. With its glossy, green leaves and trailing habit, it brings an air of refinement to your hanging baskets.
The cascading vines create an elegant and timeless look, reminiscent of old-world charm. Swedish ivy is the Audrey Hepburn of hanging basket plants – effortlessly stylish and captivating.
15. Impatiens:
If you have a shady spot for your hanging baskets, impatiens are the perfect choice. These shade-loving plants burst with colorful blooms, brightening up those darker corners of your space.
Available in a wide range of colors, impatiens create a vivid and eye-catching display. Let them bring light to the shadows and inject a dose of joy into your hanging baskets.
16. Sempervivum:
Sempervivums, commonly known as “hen and chicks,” are the hardy succulents that add a touch of toughness to your hanging baskets. With their rosette-shaped leaves in shades of green, red, and purple, they create a visually striking and intriguing display.
Sempervivums thrive in a variety of conditions, making them a reliable and resilient choice for your hanging baskets.
17. Spider Plants:
Spider plants are the adaptable superheroes of hanging baskets. Not only do they thrive in these suspended environments, but they also work wonders as indoor plants. Their arching foliage, adorned with tiny plantlets hanging from the ends, creates a captivating and unique display.
Spider plants are the cool and laid-back friends that effortlessly bring life to your hanging baskets.
18. Creeping Jenny:
If you’re looking to add a splash of vibrant color and whimsy, creeping Jenny is the way to go. With its chartreuse foliage that seems to glow, it adds a playful and cheerful touch to your hanging baskets.
The trailing habit of creeping Jenny creates a lively and dynamic look, as if it’s dancing with joy. Get ready to infuse your space with a sense of fun and excitement.
19. English Ivy:
English ivy is the timeless classic that never goes out of style. With its vigorous trailing growth and evergreen leaves, it brings a touch of elegance and sophistication to your hanging baskets.
English ivy can create a stunning display on its own or serve as a beautiful backdrop for other plants. Let it lend a touch of timeless beauty to your space.
20. Geraniums:
Geraniums are the versatile stars that come in a range of colors and patterns. Their cascading growth habit and vibrant flowers make them a popular choice for hanging baskets.
From solid hues to intricate patterns, geraniums offer endless possibilities for creating stunning displays. Whether you prefer bold and bright or soft and pastel, geraniums will make your hanging baskets shine.
21. String of Pearls:
If you’re looking for something truly unique and eye-catching, string of pearls is the answer. This succulent features trailing stems adorned with small, bead-like leaves that resemble, you guessed it, a string of pearls.
The string of pearls adds a captivating and mesmerizing touch to your hanging baskets, like nature’s own delicate jewelry.
22. Strawberries:
Who says hanging baskets are just for flowers? You can also grow delicious strawberries in them! Picture plump, juicy fruits cascading from the sides of your basket, like a sweet and edible waterfall.
Not only do they provide a stunning visual display, but they also offer a tasty treat. Enjoy the satisfaction of growing your own fruits and indulge in the flavors of summer.
23. Portulaca:
Portulaca, also known as moss rose, is a drought-tolerant plant that thrives in hanging baskets. With its vibrant, cup-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange, it adds a burst of color to your space.
Portulaca is a low-maintenance choice that can withstand hot and dry conditions, making it perfect for those with busy schedules or limited watering capabilities.
24. Boston Fern:
Boston ferns are the green queens that bring a touch of lushness to your hanging baskets. With their feathery fronds and graceful arching growth, they create a sense of tranquility and relaxation.
Boston ferns thrive in shaded areas, making them ideal for hanging baskets on porches or under trees. Let them transport you to a peaceful oasis with their soothing presence.
25. Wandering Jew:
Wandering Jew, or Tradescantia, is a trailing plant with captivating purple and green foliage. Its striking colors and cascading vines create a sense of drama and intrigue in your hanging baskets.
Wandering Jew adds a touch of mystery and allure, like a secret garden hanging right outside your window. Let it weave its enchanting spell and transform your space into a haven of botanical beauty.
Tips for Maintaining Hanging Baskets
Choose the right-sized basket:
To ensure the best growth and visual impact, select a hanging basket that is large enough to accommodate the plants you choose.
A basket that is too small may restrict root growth and lead to inadequate drainage. Consider the size and vigor of the plants you want to include and choose a basket accordingly.
Use a good-quality potting mix:
The success of your hanging baskets depends on the quality of the potting mix. Select a well-draining mix specifically formulated for containers. This will provide essential nutrients and allow proper water flow, preventing waterlogging and root rot.
Water regularly:
Hanging baskets tend to dry out faster than plants in the ground, so it’s important to water them regularly.
Check the moisture level of the soil daily, especially during hot and dry periods. Water thoroughly until you see water coming out of the drainage holes, but avoid overwatering, as it can lead to root rot.
Fertilize wisely:
Hanging basket plants have high nutrient requirements due to their confined growing space. Use a slow-release fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength to provide your plants with essential nutrients.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application rates and frequency. Regular fertilization will promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms.
Deadhead spent blooms:
To encourage continuous blooming and maintain the overall appearance of your hanging baskets, remove faded flowers regularly.
This process, known as deadheading, redirects the plant’s energy to producing new blooms. Use your fingers or small pruning shears to snip off the faded flowers just above a set of healthy leaves.
Consider the sun exposure:
Different plants have varying light requirements. Before selecting plants for your hanging baskets, consider the amount of sun or shade the location receives.
Choose plants that thrive in the specific lighting conditions of your space to ensure their health and vitality. Read the plant tags or do some research to determine their ideal light levels.
Rotate your baskets:
To ensure even growth and prevent one side from becoming dominant, rotate your hanging baskets every few weeks.
This will allow all sides of the basket to receive equal sunlight and prevent the plants from leaning towards one direction. Simply remove the basket from its hook, give it a quarter turn, and hang it back up.
Prune as needed:
Keep an eye on your hanging basket plants and trim back overgrown or straggly stems as needed. Regular pruning will help maintain a compact and balanced shape.
Use sharp pruning shears to trim back any wayward growth, ensuring that you don’t remove more than one-third of the plant’s overall foliage at a time.
Hanging baskets offer a world of possibilities to showcase the beauty of plants in a unique and captivating way. From the vibrant blooms of petunias and fuchsias to the trailing foliage of ivy geraniums and Swedish ivy, each plant brings its own charm and personality.
By choosing the right plants, providing proper care, and incorporating some creative flair, you can create stunning hanging basket displays that will turn heads and bring joy to your surroundings.
So, unleash your creativity, embrace the beauty of nature, and let your hanging baskets become the centerpiece of your outdoor oasis.