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What is the best plants for hanging baskets?
Image: Thompson & Morgan’s Nurseryman’s Choice Hanging Basket Mixed Collection
Nothing is more alluring than a tidy entrance flanked by two exuberantly overflowing hanging baskets. Baskets are a wonderful way to spruce up sheds, garages, fences, and patios since they are full of colour, texture, and aroma. It’s really simple to order trays of annual bedding plants and make vibrant themed displays once you’ve made your selection from the large range of hanging basket hardware that’s readily accessible. There are also many choices for perennials, which provide interest over an extended period of time.
In order to help you make a real impression, here are some of our favourite hanging basket plants:
Which hanging plants are the most durable?
Which flowers remain in a hanging basket the longest? In a hanging basket, many beautiful flowers may last the entire summer, and some even into the fall. The greatest plants to take into account include osteospermums, fuchsias, geraniums, calibrachoa, and erigeron karvinskianus.
Which plants thrive when hung?
20 best plants for hanging baskets
- Ferns. Some of the most popular plants for hanging baskets that prefer shade are ferns.
- Petunias. Because they have a tendency to pile up and spill over the sides of the basket, petunias are excellent for hanging baskets.
- Begonias.
- Impatiens.
- Fuchsia.
- Succulents.
- Lantana.
- Pansies.
What kind of hanging plant is the simplest to grow?
The easiest hanging plants to care for are listed below. Perfect for anyone just getting their feet wet in the world of learning!
We’ll discuss each one in more detail later on in the article. However, if you only need the list right away, here it is:
- Satan’s Ivy
- Brooklyn Fern
- Philodendron Heartleaf
- Insect Plant
- British Ivy
- Christmas Cactus
- Necklace of Pearls
- Hearts on a String
- Dawn Glory
You will find it difficult to kill any of the plants on this list, I assure you. But there is a but.
What month do hanging baskets get planted?
It’s okay to plant frosted winter hanging baskets between September and October because the plants should be hardy. Depending on the plants being used, you would typically plant a long-lasting perennial hanging basket starting in April.
Which flowers do hanging pots work best with?
Because of their lovely drooping but big, luxuriant blooms, begonias are the ideal flowers to place in hanging baskets. They produce waxy petals that are tightly packed and will bloom profusely for the duration of their lives if they are placed in a sunny location. They tolerate heat well and are renowned for their vibrant, spectacular blossoms. Begonias come in a variety of hues, including reds, yellows, oranges, and pinks. Although these annuals do not resist frost and would not survive winters outdoors, they will thrive all year long in baskets indoors.
What dangles produce blooms all summer long?
Because they come in so many different colours and kinds, petunias are a perennial favourite in gardens. There are several petunia kinds that work well in pots or as ground cover in addition to the Trailing and Grandiflora varieties, which are excellent choices for hanging baskets.
While petunias will grow in part sun, they prefer to blossom most profusely in full sun, which is why they made this list. It’s crucial to keep the soil from drying out in the direct sun. These plants prefer daily watering, often twice a day in the summer. For optimal results, add fertiliser every two or three weeks.
What hanging plant grows best in direct sunlight?
The following plants on this list all thrive when grown as annuals. The USDA hardiness zone information given is for growing the plant as a perennial in order to make everything simple to grasp. Plants can be brought within in colder locations, cared for throughout the winter, or dumped and planted outdoors again the following spring.
Lantana (Lantana camara)
The bright flower clusters on lantana plants, a member of the verbena family, bloom continuously from spring through fall in Northern climes and almost all year round in water areas. Depending on the species, flowers can range from a single colour to a rainbow of shades. Growing plants in pots prevents them from spreading and encroaching because they are sometimes regarded as invasive.
Petunias (Petuniahybrida)
When utilised to cascade over the sides of hanging baskets, wave petunias are a traditional plant for adding colour. Although some people might think they are overrated, they are actually fantastic if you want bright plants for full sun. They come in practically every hue and have a range of blossom sizes, which is a bonus.
String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
String of Pearls plants thrive in hanging baskets or containers and grow swiftly both indoors and outdoors. On long, trailing stems that extend over the sides of their container, tiny pea-shaped leaves are borne. Every year, plants can add 12 to 15 new leaves, and stem cuttings are an easy way to multiply them. When grown outside, they may provide tiny white blooms with a cinnamon scent.
Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
Dwarf bougainvillaeas, which are typically cultivated as lovely climbing vines, make excellent choices for hanging baskets because they are contained within the container. Although new varieties are now being made available with white, yellow, orange, and apricot blossoms, these well-liked evergreen vines still typically have purple or red blooms. The resilient bougainvillaea puts on a vibrant colour display.
Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)
Small succulent plants called portulacas are regularly produced as annual plants. Long, branching stems on these quickly expanding plants can either grow erect or dangle over the sides of hanging baskets. Bright red, pink, yellow, or white flowers close from sunset to sunrise and don’t bloom when it’s rainy or cloudy.
Air Plant (Tillandsia spp.)
Although many people don’t think air plants make ideal hanging basket choices, several species actually function fairly well. Because their leaves hold moisture better, species with thicker, fuller leaves can endure intense sunlight. When planted in wire or macrame hangers, an attractive air plant is simple to care for and creates a lovely display.
Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
Although they are typically cultivated indoors as houseplants, spider plants can make stunning hanging plants outdoors in warmer climates. They are simple to cultivate and enjoy the full light. Their sparse foliage is either vivid green or has stripes of green and white. The spiderette “babies that dangle down from long stems” are whence it derives its its name.
Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)
In the spring, summer, and fall, the exquisite white blossoms of the Madagascar jasmine are produced, filling your indoor or outdoor environment with an alluring scent. Many people refer to this lovely hanging plant as a waxflower or bridal wreath. It can be trained as a woody evergreen vine to climb up a trellis or drape from a basket.
Burro’s Tail (Sedum morganianum)
Burro’s tail is a trailing perennial succulent that has stems that can reach a length of two feet. It is also referred to as a “donkey tail plant.” They can withstand prolonged periods of drought thanks to their fleshy, thick leaves, which can hold onto moisture. Pink or crimson flowers emerge in the summer from blue-green foliage.
Purple Heart Plant (Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’)
Purple hearing plants are amazing when added to baskets with plants in neutral colour schemes because they have gorgeous foliage in a vibrant purple and clusters of tiny pink flowers on trailing stalks. When you pinch the plant’s stems back, they love to be in hanging pots where they can get direct sunlight and grow thick and bushy.
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
USDA Zones
In containers, sweet alyssum is frequently used as filler or edging plants. They have long been a favourite among gardeners thanks to their delicate white, cream, pink, or purple flowers. Flowers have a delicate honey perfume that attracts a wide variety of pollinators to your yard. This older cultivar blooms profusely in the spring and fall but withers away in the sweltering summer.
Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Although the sweet potato vine doesn’t yield edible tubers like its relative does, due of its vining habit and lovely leaves, it is sometimes planted as an ornamental plant. The plant is a staple in baskets and containers because of the variety of colours (blue, green, purple, and burgundy) and forms of its leaf. Plants enjoy a lot of heat and sunlight.
Sun Coleus (Solenostemon scutellarioides)
The sun coleus, another wildly popular container plant, has a variety of leaf sizes, hues, and forms. Plants are simple to grow, and their gorgeous foliage is always attractive. The lovely velvety leaves typically have a variety of hues, including contrasting hues on the midrib and leaf margin, including burgundy, bright red, pink, yellows, green, and brown.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
The black-eyed Susan vine, as opposed to the common black-eyed Susan, which forms clumps of upright stems, is a climbing or vining plant that can reach a height of eight feet. All through the growing season, it blooms continuously. Flowers often come in hues of white, yellow, red, or orange and have the recognisable brownish-purple centre disc. From a distance, they resemble daisies virtually.
Mandevilla (Mandevilla spp.)
Mandevilla, often referred to as the rocktrumpet, is a traditional tropical vine with large, eye-catching blooms in pink, red, white, and apricot hues. These easy-to-care-for plants flourish in containers and provide any vertical garden area a dash of vivacious, tropical colour. Although it is sometimes planted as an annual, it is actually a frost-sensitive perennial plant that blooms from late spring until the first frost in the fall.
How do you take care of hanging plants outside?
Observe these guidelines to maintain the health and beauty of hanging basket plants all summer long:
- Drink lots and plenty of water. Generally speaking, plants grown in containers require more frequent watering than those growing in the ground. Because they are exposed to drying breezes, hanging baskets are a case in point. If the pot seems light when you raise it from the bottom and reach up, it definitely needs water. If the soil is dry after sticking your finger an inch into it, water. Most places require daily, if not twice daily, watering of hanging plants. When you water, water should flow from the drainage holes.
- Cut back flowering plants. Remove dying and fading flowers by pinching them off at the stem’s junction. New blooms are encouraged to grow as a result. If not, the plant might direct its energy towards producing seed.
- As necessary, add more plants to a mixed basket. If a plant in a mixed planting has completed blooming, do not be scared to remove it. Replace it with something else after removing it slowly and being mindful of the surrounding plants. Alternately, cover the hole with additional dirt and let the other plants fill it in.
- Fertilize. The nutrients in the potting mix will soon deplete because you’ll be watering constantly. Use a dry slow-release fertiliser or a liquid fertiliser to feed the plants (not both). Follow the recommendations for quantity and repetition. Never fertilise plants while they are wilting and only when the soil is moist.
- Soak, if necessary. Try soaking the pot for up to an hour in a pail of water if water is streaming from the drainage holes but the soil still appears to be dry. This will rewet the soil completely.
- Retrim lanky plants. Do not be reluctant to prune the plants back if they begin to look straggly. Verbena, petunias, and impatiens, which are the most popular hanging plants, will have denser new growth.
Are hanging plants no longer in vogue?
It can be challenging to stay on top of the most recent trends in the dynamic world of interior design.
It’s very obvious that houseplants are dominating the stylish world! The spotlight is being stolen by houseplants, which range from traditional palms, asparagus ferns, and air plants to extra-large fiddle leaf figs.
So those wondering whether hanging plants are out of fashion shouldn’t be shocked. You may bring out your inner style guru by adding hanging plants to your indoor areas to provide a touch of modern greenery. Hanging plants are relaxing and restful.
Let’s get the quick response for you so that we can get started right away by establishing a relaxing indoor plant refuge to offer a little restorative tranquilly to your home and workplace places.
The practise of hanging plants from walls and ceilings is still common. Only the plant itself undergoes progressive modification over time. To add a unified, modern splash of nature to your interiors, hang greenery from porches and anywhere with a beautiful high ceiling. You can also style indoor plants using Plant Hangers and Plant Shelves.
Now that we know for sure that hanging plants are in no way out of style, let’s find out why you would hang plants to create a green haven in your home.
What is the lifespan of hanging plants?
Even while hanging baskets have many benefits, there are always a few typical issues you could encounter. But don’t worry! I’ll do everything I can to assist you.
This section is jam-packed with good maintenance advice that will help you keep your hanging basket not just alive but utterly luxuriant all season long.
Why do my hanging baskets die?
Typically, annuals—plants that live for only one season and then need to be replaced—are used to fill hanging baskets. After one season, even perennial plants that reseed themselves need to be replaced or severely clipped in order to continue growing in a hanging basket.
A hanging basket is a short-term planter that is used for decoration; it is not designed to produce for many years without care.
The likelihood that the hanging basket will perish can be decreased by having a basic understanding of the growing circumstances.
How often should you water a hanging basket?
The growing season requires regular watering of hanging baskets. There is typically much less room for the soil to hold water because there are numerous plants vying for limited root space in the soil. This, along with the drainage that occurs from a hanging basket, means that you need water your hanging basket considerably more frequently than you would an in-ground garden.
If your hanging basket is in a sunny spot, you should water it at least once a day and sometimes twice during the hot summer months. However, if the hanging basket is in a more shaded area, you might be able to skip watering for a few days.
How to Check if Your Hanging Basket Needs to Be Watered
By inserting your finger into the earth’s surface, you may determine whether the soil is dry. The soil should be watered if it feels warm and dry; if it feels cool, it can wait another day.
Watering should ideally be done gradually to allow the soil to absorb the water. Pour the water over the top of the basket so that it sparkles but does not pool on the ground. The soil is saturated when water begins to leak out of the bottom of the basket.
The soil needs to be rehydrated if it has become dry by soaking it in water for a few hours.
Set up a kiddie pool or large tub with a few inches of water and place your hanging baskets in them before you leave if you’re going on vacation or won’t be able to water them for a few days. By doing this, you may take a break from watering your hanging baskets every day while they continue to keep hydrated.
Should you line a hanging basket with plastic?
Your baskets’ correct drainage will prevent over-watering and root damage. If you’re lining the basket with something to keep in water, though, it might be a concern.
Although some hanging baskets have plastic liners to keep moisture in, most annual plants need free-draining soil to maintain strong roots. Additionally, there are hanging baskets that automatically water themselves by holding a small reservoir of water below the basket that the roots can access as needed.
In order to assist in gathering the water and holding it below, you can also use transparent plastic trays that hang on a hanging basket.
All of these methods may allow you to skip watering for a few longer days, but they all call for extra care to prevent the roots from sitting in standing water, which might destroy them.
What is the best fertilizer for hanging baskets?
A handmade mixture from my book Garden Alchemy is my prefered fertiliser mixture for hanging baskets.
This soil mixture has great moisture retention and is very nutrient-rich for the flowers in your hanging baskets. If you do this every two weeks, your flowers should flourish.
In the recipe card at the bottom of this post, you can find the instructions for my fertiliser mixture.
How do you revive a hanging flower basket?
It can start to look a little overgrown, brown, and straggly for hanging baskets that you hung up at the start of the season. The solution is quite simple.
Pruning basics should be followed to tidy up the basket. Any plant material that is dead, ill, injured, or dying should be removed using scissors. Even if doing so necessitates chopping off half of the planter, you are still removing plant material that is consuming energy from growing healthy plant material, which will quickly bounce back.
To give the plants a good drink, refer back to my holiday rehydration advice and fill a kiddie pool or a tub with water. Leave the basket submerged for an hour or two.
Add a couple handfuls of high-quality compost to the basket’s top and a little extra hanging basket fertiliser mix.