Getting Started
Although there are many baskets that are perfect for hanging plants, the rules of container gardening still apply: Use a nutrient-rich soil and be sure to allow for drainage; choose hanging plants that make sense for your climate and for the spot where you plan to leave them; and water often—without much soil to retain water, hanging baskets need vigilance or they'll dry out.
Related: 10 Gardening Mistakes That Are Killing Your Plants
Supertunia Petunias
Able to shed its old blooms on its own, this breed of petunia comes in many rich shades and will draw hummingbirds and butterflies to your porch. Available on Amazon; $34.99 for four plants.
Related: 12 Plants That Are Perfect for Window Boxes
Painted Lady
Gorgeous two-toned foliage makes these little rosettes excellent, drought-resistant hanging plants for containers. Once established, they can tolerate extended dry periods; they generally flower in the warmer months. Available on Etsy; $4.99 for one plant.
Related: 14 of the Best Plants for Your Drought-Tolerant Garden
Dwarf Lavender
Any dwarf lavender will add not only its delicate purple shade to a basket but also its soothing scent. These sun-loving hanging plants will thrive near any window—you can't go wrong! Available from Burpee; $12.99 for one plant.
Related: 12 Plants That Will Make Your Garden Smell Great
Lobelia
The delicate blooms and exquisite blues, purples, and whites of lobelia make it an excellent choice for everything from garden borders and window boxes to hanging plants perfect for your porch. Lobelia does best in part-shade locations. Available from The Home Depot; $34.99 for pack of four.
Related: 25 Plants for Your Easiest Garden Ever
Impatiens
Although many impatiens are falling prey to downy mildew, by putting making them hanging plants, you can get them out of the ground and out of soil that could harbor the aggressive mold. If you plant them in containers, you can still enjoy the beautiful shades of one of America’s favorite annuals. Try ‘Busy Lizzies’ for their abundant flowers. Available from Burpee; $22.99 for 12 plants.
Related: 10 Fast-Growing Plants for (Almost) Instant Curb Appeal
Sedum Morganianum
Commonly known as Donkey’s Tail, this long-trailing succulent with vibrant green leaves will draw instant attention as hanging plants. Best grown in full sunlight with regular, moderate watering throughout the year, except in winter. Available on Amazon; $18.00 for four cuttings.
Related: 14 Totally Free Ways to Start Your Own Garden
Chrysanthemum
A florist favorite, mums bring cold-weather color to your patio as hanging plants. Try ‘Maroon Pride’ for its deep fall shade or the fragrant 'Pink Magnificent.' Available from Etsy; $5.45 per plant.
Related: 8 No-Care Plants for Killer Curb Appeal in Every Season
Fountain Grass
Add dimension and texture to your basket with a dwarf fountain grass, such as ‘Red Riding Hood’. Give it full sun, and these low-maintenance hanging plants will reward you with a bountiful shape all year long! Available from The Home Depot; $14.99 for one quart-sized plant.
Related: 10 of the Best Shrubs for Any Garden
Tradescantia
Also known as spiderwort, this lovely perennial with long-lasting flowers will spread in the garden but stay perfectly contained in a hanging basket. Delightful! Available from Etsy; $6.50 for 12 spiderwort root systems.
Related: 20 Plants That Survive With or Without You
Imagination Verbena
Bright and deep purple-pink, ‘Imagination’ is just one of many verbenas that make perfect hanging plants. Give them full sun and keep the soil moist for best results. Available from The Home Depot; $34.99 for pack of four plants.
Related: 15 No-Effort Plants for a Foolproof Landscape
Trailing Pansies
Relatively new on the scene after more than a decade of breeding, trailing varieties of pansies do well as hanging plants in baskets and containers. Spreading larger and having deeper color than older pansy varieties, they are also extremely cold-resistant—surviving sub-zero temperatures. Available from Burpee; $12.99 for pack of four plants.
Related: 14 Long-Lasting Flowers for Your Yard
Snowtopia
Bacopa ‘Snowtopia’ has cascading evergreen stems that burst with a profusion of white blossoms from June through September. Favoring sun or semi-shade, it’s an ideal choice for a porch or patio. Available from Etsy; $3.46 for one packet of seeds.
Related: 7 Ways to Buy Yourself a Green Thumb for Under $40
Fuchsia
With its showstopping flowers, Fuchsia has been a long-time favorite with gardeners. The brightly colored, lantern-like flowers can attract hummingbirds to your yard and thrive in part to full shade. These plants need lots of nutrients when producing flowers, so tend fertilize them regularly and deadhead spent flowers to maximize their blooms. Available on Etsy; $7.99 for 15-20 seeds.
Related: These 10 Fascinating Garden Flowers Bloom Only at Night
Begonias
Begonias have earned their place as one of the best hanging plants for their showy flowers, free branching habit, and tolerance for heat. Available in a wide range of colors, from yellows, to oranges, to reds and pinks, “non-stop” varieties can give you blooms all year long. Available from Burpee; $23.99 for 12 plants.
Related: The Best Low-Maintenance Ground Covers for Your Garden
Calibrachoa
Calibrachoa is also known as Million Bells for its steady output of tiny petunia-like flowers. The plant flowers at a rapid rate with colorful cascading blooms. Available from The Home Depot; $34.99 for pack of four plants.
Related: Bad Neighbors: 11 Plant Pairs Never to Grow Side by Side
Sweet Alyssum
Don’t be fooled by its dainty flowers, Sweet Alyssum grows in abundance. The plant begins producing blooms in mid-spring, provided the weather is warm. Although its blooms are most commonly white, there are special varieties that bursts with deep purple or light pink flowers. Available from The Home Depot; $34.99 for a pack of four plants.
Related: 10 Plants to Grow for a Pest-Proof Yard
Moss Rose
For a hanging that receives a lot of direct sunlight, Moss Rose is a hardy choice. These colorful flowers may look dainty but they can endure the sun's direct rays even on the brightest of summer days. Available from The Home Depot; $34.99 for a pack of four plants.
Related: 10 Ways to Weather-Proof Your Garden
Lantana
Lantana is a hardy plant that can survive in sunny spots, even with little water. This low-maintenance flower draws pollinators to the yard, so if you plant Lantana, expect to see plenty of bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds feeding on its nectar. Available from The Home Depot; $34.99 for a pack of four plants.
Related: 10 Flowers That Attract Bees to Your Garden
Beautiful Baskets
Whether it's the porch, deck, or even inside the house, these plants will look beautiful in hanging baskets.
Don't Miss!
Give the special gardener in your life a little love this holiday season! Go now to see Bob Vila's best gifts for green thumbs.
