If you’re anything like us, you just love pretty hanging baskets – they are just so welcoming and inviting, like bringing a little bit of nature that much closer to your humble abode.
They’re perfect for an entrance into a building, or as the first thing you see when you enter a backyard or garden.
Some flowers tend to suit hanging baskets better than others, which is why we’ve put together a round-up of our favorite flowers for hanging baskets for you to browse through and enjoy.
Photos are provided, of course, and a little detail on how best to care for them.
Let’s get straight to it!
1. Supertunia Petunias (Petunia Hybrid)
Petunias are very popular flowers for hanging baskets. It’s a genus of 20 different species that originate from South America.
Most of the varieties you see are hybrids. They come in a wide variety of colors and sizes, not just the ones you see here.
According to New Age folklore, petunias only grow where there is positive energy. The Inca and the Maya believed that the scent of petunias had the power to ward off underworld monsters and spirits, and they used the flower buds for magical drinks.
They will need a minimum of 5 hours of sunlight every day and relatively low humidity. But they do need watering about once a week.
Although they can tolerate certain harsh conditions such as hot climates, they need moist soil and are not frost hardy.
2. Geranium (Pelargonium x Hortorum)
Geraniums, often called “mums”, originate from South Africa, are ornamental flowers that are easy to find. They are long bloomers that will flower from spring to the end of autumn.
Pelargonium × hortorum is a hybrid between Pelargonium zonale and Pelargonium inquinans, and they bring beautiful bright balls of colorful tight flowers that are usually red, pink, or white, and they come in different shades. And they have a wonderful inflorescence.
While it can tolerate room temperature, they do need strong light, so the best places to have them would be on a veranda or a patio. If you do keep them indoors, you’ll need to water them up to 3 times a week come summer. They prefer low humidity, and peat or loam soil is best.
3. Begonia (Begonia Boliviensis)
Begonia boliviensis originates from montane cloud forests on the eastern side of the Andes in Bolivia and Argentina.
It’s excellent for hanging baskets because the flowers droop downward where they can be better observed.
The flowers are bell shaped and bright orange/pink in color, made up of four pointed segments.
They begin to bloom in late spring and remain in bloom throughout the summer.
They prefer locations with sun or partial shade, but they can tolerate full shade, though this will produce less growth. They like rich, moist soil, so long as it’s well-drained. And they have to be protected from storing winds.
4. Fuchsia (Fuchsia Spp)
Fuchsias are beautiful flowers that were first discovered in the Caribbean Islands in the 1600s. Now, there are 110 known species of fuchsias. And their pretty teardrop shape makes them a perfect option for hanging baskets.
They come in a wide array of colors, including white to dark red, purple-blue, and orange, designed to attract the hummingbirds that pollinate them.
They are a relatively hardy species that like their roots to be moist but not soggy. The ideal watering schedule would be to water them at least once a day, or potentially twice a day in warm, dry weather. And they can come back year after year.
5. Lobelia (Lobelia Erinus)
Lobelia erinus, also known as edging lobelia, garden lobelia or trailing lobelia is a perennial species of flowering plant native to south Africa.
They can be blue to violet and the color of the crown can vary in color between white, blue, purple, pink or red, while the center is generally yellow or white.
Lobelia erinus cultivars can be found, usually with a bushy or a trailing habit that make them an excellent choice for hanging baskets.
It’s a half-hardy annual in that they like to be outside in the spring and summer months such as May and June, but you should always bring them indoors whenever there’s a chance of frost.
6. Lantana (Lantana Camara)
Latanas are perennials that were native to the American tropics, but have since spread to around 50 countries, and can be considered an invasive species.
Their flowers come in many different colors, including red, yellow, white, pink and orange. And they have the most delightful tutti-frutti aroma.
They do bear fruit, but their fruit is inedible to both humans and animals alike. But they’re great for attracting the likes of birds and butterflies.
They can survive in a wide range of climatic conditions, including drought, different soil types, heat, humidity and salt. And it’s very quick to establish itself after a fire.
It also has medicinal value, thanks to its antimicrobial, fungicidal and insecticidal properties.
7. Impatiens (Impatiens Walleriana)
Impatiens walleriana, also known as busy Lizzie, balsam, or sultana, or simply impatiens, is native to eastern Africa and looks great in hanging baskets.
The various versions that are deliberately cultivated can come in a wide array of colors, from white through to purple, and have names like “blackberry ice” and “lipstick”.
It has been known to be used in herbal remedies to treat the likes of insect bites and such.
It’s a half-hardy annual, but if kept in frost free conditions, they will bloom year after year. They will need to be watered regularly whenever the weather gets dry, in order to keep the soil consistently moist. They prefer partial shade, and can grow when kept indoors.
8. Trailing Pansy (Viola x Wittrockiana)
The Viola x wittrockiana, also known as Lady’s delight, is a trailing version of the pansy, and it looks amazing in hanging baskets. They have the most beautiful blooms, and they can come in a variety of colors and patterns, including the likes of white blue, pink, and purple.
They are a hybrid plant, and there are up to 30 species of violas native throughout the Pacific northwest. They like moist woods and grasslands, but can also grow in rocky areas, too.
You should water it often enough to keep the soil moist and ensure that the soil is well drained. Don’t let them dry out, and bear in mind that if the weather gets too hot this could cause the colors to fade. You should also deadhead certain blooms in order for fresher blooms to flourish.
9. String Of Pearls (Curio Rowleyanus)
It’s pretty clear why this particular flowering plant is nicknamed string of pearls. It’s a vine with small peas along its trailing stems that are reminiscent of strings of beads. It’s a simple plant that’s perfect for bringing nature vibes into an otherwise sterile or neglected space.
It’s a succulent plant and as such it needs very little watering. The odd shape of the leaves is an adaptation to arid environments and allows for the storage of water while exposing a minimum amount of surface area per volume to the dry desert air.
If you do decide to get yourself a hanging basket for this plant, please remember that the peas are somewhat poisonous and can bring about minor illness if consumed by humans or animals. (Even though it does smell like cinnamon!)
10. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Calibrachoa is part of the nightshade family and is often found in South America.
They are evergreen short-lived perennials with small petunia-type flowers, and they like to sprawl. They can feature purple, red, pink or whitish petals, and they can bear fruit.
They look great in hanging baskets, and they can help to attract hummingbirds, as well.
They are half-hardy annuals, and they can tolerate light frost and thrive in both sun and partial shade. You only need to water them when the soil starts to feel dry.
11. African Daisies (Osteospermum)
Osteospermum, also known as daisy bushes or African daisies, is one of the smaller tribes of the sunflower/daisy family Asteraceae.
They have a daisy-like flower with disc florets that can come in blue, yellow and purple, and ray florets that can come in anything from white and cream, all the way through to pink, purple, and mauve.
They prefer a warm and sunny position, rich soil, some watering, and no deadheading is necessary.
12. Blutopia Bacopa
Bacopa is a perennial trailing plant that spreads quickly and widely, sprouting dainty snowflake-shaped lavender flowers that are a treat to behold. Perfect for a hanging basket or two.
You should water the seedlings regularly until they are established, and apply a liquid fertilizer every 3 to 4 weeks.
Wrap Up
We hope you’ve enjoyed browsing through our round-up of the most beautiful flowers for hanging baskets. You’re sure to have some great looking hanging baskets in no time at all.
I love sharing my experiences with individuals in this community, and I enjoy sharing some of the best tips I have learned over the years caring for my own garden at home.
In my articles, you will find the best flowers, most fragrant flowers you can plant in your garden, how to care for your favorite plants, informative guides and how-tos so you can have the best backyard in town!
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