Best Flowers for Hanging Baskets: A Complete List
Choosing the best flowers for hanging baskets is quite a challenging task. You have to pick those that will look good together but also perform well in the limited space they are given. Fortunately, there are many types of flowers you can go for that thrive in such conditions.
In the sections that follow, you’ll find a list of the 15 best flowers for hanging baskets that are known for being extremely aesthetically pleasing and easy to care for.
The Best Flowers for Hanging Baskets
1. Ferns
Since flowers in hanging baskets rarely get the same amount of sun as those growing in gardens, they have to be shade-loving plants to at least some extent. No plants fit into that category as well as ferns.
If you water and care for ferns properly, they will grow to be quite large and bushy. That will help them fill out the basket easily and make it look rich and elegant.
While you can indeed plant other flowers in a basket alongside ferns, doing so might be futile. That is because ferns can grow so large and spread around so quickly that they drown out all other flowers next to them. Thus, it might be best to plant them in a single hanging basket by themselves.
2. Petunias
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When imagining hanging baskets, most people think about those with petunias pouring softly over the basket rims. As they grow and bloom, petunias mold to the rims and spill over gently, creating a cascading effect. It is exactly this quality that makes petunias so perfect for baskets in general.
Petunias are also a great choice because they are quite low-maintenance, as they require no deadheading. Their colors are also varied and visually appealing, so you can find something you’ll like regardless of your usual taste.
The only thing you should be careful about is not overcrowding the basket. If you do so, you risk them not having enough space to develop fully. That will, in turn, make your basket look lumpy.
3. Begonias
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If your main requirement for hanging basket flowers is that they do not require too much care, you should definitely go with begonias. They can thrive both in places with a lot of sun coverage and in the shade. All you’ll really need to do is water them around two times a week.
Begonias are another flower species that droops over baskets in a visually appealing way, although not as readily as petunias. Begonias have wide leaves that bring some rich greenery into the mix as well. If you don’t want your basket to be only flowery and would rather see some foliage and leaves as well, they are a much better choice than petunias.
4. Impatiens
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This beautiful perennial prefers growing in the shade, which makes it a perfect choice for hanging baskets. The flowers come in bright variations of pink, red, purple, and violet. Dark green leaves contrast with the colorful petals beautifully and complete the package.
However, you shouldn’t plant these flowers if the area where you live is too humid. In such conditions, impatiens can often develop Downy Mildew disease. If your area is indeed prone to excess humidity, going with any of the other picks on this list will be a better idea.
5. Fuchsias
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Fuchsias are some of the most adaptable flowers for hanging baskets. If they are exposed to too much sunlight, they’ll simply require more water to stay alive. If they are put in the shade, they’ll need less water and thrive just the same. Thus, they are a great choice for baskets, no matter where you put them.
What draws most people to these flowers are their vivid colors. They are multicolored, meaning that you can find up to four shades in a single flower. In the case of fuchsias, these colors are purple, pink, violet, reddish, white, yellowish, and orange. The hues contrast with forest green leaves to make an unconventional but pleasing image.
6. Succulents
Different types of succulents are an excellent choice for flower baskets mainly due to how low-maintenance they are. Most of them require watering only a few times a month and can withstand extreme heat quite well.
The most popular succulents include cactuses, agave, and different types of aloe. These plants will make your hanging basket look sophisticated and elegant. You won’t have to worry about overcrowding, and caring for them will be the easiest thing you’ve ever done.
All you have to do is browse through all the different varieties and see which one fits your needs and preferences most.
7. Lantana
Lantana flowers grow in colorful clusters. You can find them in pink, orange, yellow, purple, and red. These flowers also have a draping nature, just like petunias. Thus, they are perfect for hanging baskets.
This plant’s foliage is deep green and a bit bushy. In essence, lantana is an evergreen shrub, meaning that it will look good even during winter when there are no flowers on it at all.
The only requirement this plant has is to get as much sun as possible. While it can still develop in the shade, it won’t grow as many flowers or look as grandiose. So, try to plant it in a basket that will get at least some sun during the day.
Just like succulents, lantana do not need too much water to thrive. You will have to water it once a week or even every ten days, which is as low-maintenance as it can get.
8. Pansies
If you want your baskets to be at their most beautiful during spring and fall, you should go for pansies. These flowers can sustain cold temperatures easily and still look as rich and appealing as ever. You can also plant these pansies if you live in an area with mild summers. In such conditions, they can thrive for a bit longer every year.
Pansies are usually blue or violet. However, you can also find varieties that are pink, red, or even bicolored. In the case of bicolored pansies, you can expect combinations such as white and blue, white and yellow, and white and violet.
9. Verbena
Verbena is another flower that can cascade down a basket and make it look aesthetically pleasing. This plant produces flowers abundantly and vigorously, so your basket will always look rich and colorful.
As far as colors go, you can expect many variations of purple, blue, and violet. The foliage is light green, which contrasts with the petals beautifully.
10. Sweet Alyssum
This plant blooms from early spring until early winter when the first frosts appear. That makes them some of the longest blooming options on this list, which is why most people love them. Aside from that, many are drawn to how fragrant these flowers are.
Sweet alyssum is a great flower for making basket combinations. You can plant it near the edges of the basket and put some other flowers in the middle to create a layered and colorful effect.
Most gardeners choose to plant this flower in its white variant. It is easy to see why, as white fits well with other colors and adds some neutrality and brightness. However, the flower is also available in shades of pink, apricot, red, and purple.
11. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Lots of people love planting calibrachoas in hanging baskets because of their ability to spread around quickly. In fact, you only need three of these plants to fill out an entire large hanging basket.
The plant will grow fast, covering all the empty space with deep green leaves and a dizzying amount of flowers and colors. You can find them in yellow, red, blue, purple, violet, orange, white, and pink. Certain variants are even multicolored, although those might be a bit harder to come by.
12. Lobelia
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Lobelia has tiny flowers that can help fill out any basket effortlessly. The flowers come in blue, white, and red, and they are paired with bushy green foliage. The plant is quite low-maintenance and won’t need too much of your time and effort.
13. Portulaca
This plant has flowers in a wide range of colors, from white and yellow to deep red and purple. The accompanying vines are succulent in nature and help fill out a hanging basket rather nicely. Apart from hanging baskets, portulacas are also great for pathways and other garden borders.
14. Sweet Potato Vines
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Every basket needs plants that will spill out at the bottoms and make the whole thing look rich and rounded. If that is what you want, you should go for sweet potato vines. They come in light green, brown, or black and can complement any flower nicely.
15. Herbs
Herbs are another type of plant that can thrive in hanging baskets. Apart from growing them for teas or food, you can do it just because they will look and smell good wherever you hang their basket.
Traditionally, people go for herbs such as mint, oregano, thyme, chives, and so on. However, you can plant pretty much any other herb you like and would love to have around.
