Best flowers for hanging planters
10 Best Flowers for Hanging Baskets
Attract Butterflies and Hummingbirds With Hanging Plants
By
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh
Jamie McIntosh has written about gardening and special occasion flowers for the Spruce since 2011. She has more than 20 years of experience caring for flowers and plants. She was a feature writer for Organic Gardening at Suite101, where she won awards for her writing.
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Updated on 05/24/22
Reviewed by
Debra LaGattuta
Reviewed by Debra LaGattuta
Debra LaGattuta is a gardening expert with three decades of experience in perennial and flowering plants, container gardening, and raised bed vegetable gardening. She is a Master Gardener and lead gardener in a Plant-A-Row, which is a program that offers thousands of pounds of organically-grown vegetables to local food banks. Debra is a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
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The Spruce
Do you have a favorite garden flower that always seems to have its head in the dirt, especially after a heavy rain? This flower may be the perfect candidate for planting in a hanging basket. Many flowers suitable for hanging baskets are pendulous, top-heavy, or creeping—characteristics that can be a challenge in a garden but perfect for decorative display in a container at eye level or higher.
Plants with tiny or fragrant flowers also benefit from a lofty perch because it maximizes their proximity to our senses. Some hanging basket flowers even attract butterflies or hummingbirds, giving you a close-up view of wildlife antics on your porch, deck, or patio.
Tip
Flowers in containers typically need extra feeding because frequent watering washes away the soil's nutrients. For many flowering plants, a weekly feeding with half-strength liquid fertilizer keeps them blooming their best.
10 Best Flowers for Hanging Baskets
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01 of 10
strathroy / Getty ImagesFor those who do not have the right climate to grow fussy fuchsias, begonias can act as a plant double. The half-hardy Begonia boliviensis has the same tubular, pendulous flowers as fuchsias, but can handle the heat and humidity of southern summers. Other tuberous begonias that look great in hanging baskets include the Nonstop Mocca series, which are fully double and resemble roses.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Color Varieties: Yellow, red, pink, white, orange
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Rich, light, moist, well-drained
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02 of 10
elenaleonova / Getty ImagesGardeners living in areas with cool, wet summers cannot pass up the opportunity to grow this amazing, shade-loving tender perennial. Although the plants do tend to wither in summer weather, you can look for one of the more heat-tolerant varieties, like 'Astoria', 'Jupiter', or 'Surprise'. A little fuss will prolong the beauty of fuchsias in hanging baskets. The plants respond well to daily misting, regular fertilizing, and diligent deadheading.
- USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
- Color Varieties: White, pink, red, purple, multicolored
- Sun Exposure: Part sun
- Soil Needs: Moist, fertile, loamy
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03 of 10
stockcam / Getty Images
In frost-free areas, common lantana can become somewhat of a thug, growing into a wild woody shrub that scrambles through fences and overtakes flowerbeds. However, the vibrant flower clusters of lantana provide reliable tropical color for a long growing season, attracting butterflies and hummingbirds. Choose a small weeping variety for your hanging baskets, such as 'Patriot Popcorn' or 'Patriot Rainbow. ' If lantana is overly vigorous in your area, choose a sterile variety (like 'Gold Mound' or 'Patriot') that does not grow seed-filled berries.
- USDA Growing Zones: 8 to 11
- Color Varieties: Combinations of red, orange, yellow, white, pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Well-drained; will tolerate poor soils
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04 of 10
bob davis photography / Getty ImagesIt is best to think of Lobelia erinus as a spilling seasonal plant for early spring, as it thrives in moderate temperatures. Your hanging basket will be covered with a mass of electric-blue flowers with contrasting white throats that appeal to butterflies. At the end of June, do not waste any time trying to coddle the plants; replace them with million bells, lantana, or another heat-loving plant.
- USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
- Color Varieties: Purple, blue, red, pink, violet
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Organically rich, well-drained, evenly moist
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05 of 10
Mark R Coons / Getty ImagesThis cousin of the petunia will not tucker out when the temperatures rise. Million bells produce little or no seed and don’t require deadheading to stay in bloom. All they need is moist soil and a full day of sun to keep your hanging baskets vibrant.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Color Varieties: Many shades and combinations of pink, yellow, red, violet, white, blue, magenta, bronze
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Rich, well-drained, slightly acid
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06 of 10
brytta / Getty Images
You may know these plants by the more common name of geranium, but pelargoniums are grown as annuals north of their hardiness zones, while true geraniums are hardy perennials. The bold texture, bright colors, and trailing habit of pelargoniums make them ideal for hanging baskets. Deadheading is necessary to keep the plants blooming until frost.
- USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 11
- Color Varieties: Red, lavender, purple, pink, white
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Well-drained, slightly acid, not too rich
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07 of 10
ANDREA RAPISARDA PHOTOGRAPHY/Getty ImagesPetunias have always been a classic favorite for hanging baskets, but some gardeners are challenged by petal blight in rainy and very humid weather. Try the milliflora variety, which blooms continuously without the need for pinching, or multiflora, which performs in hot, wet summers. Petunias are at their most fragrant in the evening, so add a white variety to a moon garden for extra allure.
- USDA Growing Zones: 9 to 11
- Color Varieties: Many shades and combinations of purple, lavender, yellow, blue magenta, maroon, pink, red, white, bi-colored
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Light, fertile, well-drained, slightly acid
11 Top Varieties of Petunias
How to Care for Planting Petunias in a Hanging Basket
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08 of 10
PeterEtchells / Getty Images
Place portulaca, or moss rose, in a site where it will receive sun for most of the day. When the plant sits in shade, its flowers close up. Pair moss rose with other heat-loving, drought-tolerant plants, like spiderwort, which will provide color between blooming cycles.
- USDA Growing Zones: 2 to 11
- Color Varieties: Orange, white, rose, yellow, red
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Sandy, well-drained, tolerates moist to dry soil
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09 of 10
karayuschij / Getty Images
Sitting near a sweet alyssum hanging basket is like being in the presence of a fragrant cloud. These flowers have a strong honey scent that attracts butterflies and bees. The appealing trailing habit of sweet alyssum can turn shaggy as the season progresses, so do not be afraid to reinvigorate it with a summer haircut.
- USDA Growing Zones: 7 to 11
- Color Varieties: White, pink, purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun to part shade
- Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, neutral pH
Growing Sweet Alyssum Flowers
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10 of 10
Lotus Vine (Lotus berthelotii)
AnjaCibej/Getty ImagesImpress your gardening friends by telling them your garden includes a plant endemic to the Canary Islands. Lotus berthelotii, also known as lotus vine or parrot's beak vine, is in decline in its native habitat, but it is easy to cultivate and propagate from seed and cuttings. Its greenish-gray, needle-like leaves are, in fact, as soft as a feather. Joyful flame-like flowers dot the plant all season when grown in a sunny spot. The Jedi secret to growing this quirky plant is to provide it with daily moisture in a special cactus or orchid potting mix with excellent drainage.
- USDA Growing Zones: 10 to 12
- Color Varieties: Orange, red, yellow
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Soil Needs: Light, well-drained or orchid potting mix
The Best Spiller Plants for Container Gardens
Watch Now: Our Favorite Flowers for Hanging Baskets
20 Best Hanging Basket Flowers
Accessorizing a porch, patio or deck with beautiful hanging basket flowers is a great way to maximize your outdoor space. Combine plants with upright, mounding or trailing habits for a “thriller, spiller, filler” effect. Mix and match varieties with flowers and foliage in different shapes and colors. Move baskets around the yard or switch out new plants for a fresh look all summer long.
Contributors: Janet Loughrey
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1.PetuniaSupertunia Mini Vista® Pink Star Showy pink and white striped flowers bloom continuously from planting to frost on sturdy stems up to 24” long. This vigorous grower with a full mounding habit can function as a filler or spiller element in a hanging planter or container. Use by itself or in combination with other trailing annuals. Annual except in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 6-12” tall. See All Supertunia Mini Vista®Petunia |
2.CalibrachoaSuperbells®Tropical Sunrise Bring the tropics to your yard with the warm sunset hues of this prolific bloomer. Nonstop color occurs from planting until frost, with self-cleaning flowers on trailing branches up to 18” long. Give plants an occasional shear for better branching and a fuller appearance. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 6-12” tall. See All Superbells® Calibrachoa |
3.BrowalliaEndless™ Illumination Browallia expands the list of options for shade, and Endless® Illumination is a beautiful alternative to Impatiens walleriana. Brilliant violet purple blooms dot the emerald green foliage all season long without deadheading. This flowering annual loves the heat and does not require much fertilization to thrive. Try mixing it with Rockapulco® Double Impatiens and Catalina® Torenia for colorful shade baskets. Annual except in zones 9-11, part shade to shade, 12-16” tall. See All Endless™ Browallia |
4.LobulariaBlushing Princess® Sweetly scented pale lavender flowers of sweet alyssum add a delicate touch to baskets and containers. Mounding plants produce long stems that cascade up to 36” long. Plant by itself in a large basket or combine with other similarly vigorous moisture-loving annuals such as petunia, nemesia or calibrachoa. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 10-16” tall. See All Sweet Alyssum |
5.BegoniaDouble Delight®Primrose Fragrant double yellow flowers with apricot overtones bloom prolifically throughout summer. The full cascading habit makes this a perfect choice for hanging baskets. The Double Delight series is surprisingly sun tolerant in cooler climates, but prefers some shade in the South. Use as a stand-alone accent or in combination with trailing plants such as Silver Falls™ dichondra or wishbone flower. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 8-14” tall. See All Begonia |
6.Double ImpatiensRockapulco® Orange Shades Brighten up a patio or porch with baskets of flowers in tones of brilliant orange, salmon and peach. Charming rosebud flowers are long blooming and self-cleaning. Plant this reliable shade lover alongside brightly hued varieties of coleus, caladium or sweet potato vine for an extra pop of color. Annual except in zones 10-11, part shade to shade, 10-20” tall. See All Rockapulco® Double Impatiens |
7.LobeliaLaguna®Sky Blue Ethereal sky blue flowers go with a wide range of color schemes, complementing cool-hued plants or contrasting bolder colors. This well-branched flowering plant develops a full cascading habit up to 24” long that is perfect for hanging baskets. More heat tolerant than older lobelia varieties, plants can be trimmed back to encourage fresh growth and blooms. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 6-12” tall. See All Laguna® Lobelia |
8.LantanaLuscious® Citrus Blend™ Vibrant flower clusters in warm tones of yellow, orange and red attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other insect pollinators. Place in a sunny spot in a hanging basket by itself or in combination with other heat and drought tolerant plants such as Cuphea, Gaillardia or Salvia. Annual except in zones 9-11, sun, 20-30” tall, deer resistant. See All Luscious® Lantana |
9. Pelargonium Boldly®Dark Red Geraniums are classic bedding plants that make beautiful thrillers and fillers in hanging baskets. Combine the velvety red flowers of this variety with blue lobelia and white bacopa for a patriotic theme. Easy to grow, this variety has a full mounding habit that’s suitable for baskets, by itself or with other moderately vigorous annuals. Deadhead for continuous bloom. Heat and drought tolerant. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 10-12” tall. See All Boldly®Geraniums |
10.BacopaSnowstorm® Giant Snowflake® Snow white flowers lend classic elegance as a spiller element in containers or hanging baskets. Plants trail up to 36” long and bloom continuously from summer until frost. Combine with other full sun annuals such as Supertunia petunia, Superbena verbena or Superbells calibrachoa. Keep plants watered consistently, as drying out can cycle them out of bloom. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 4-8” tall. See All Snowstorm®Bacopa |
11.EuphorbiaDiamond Frost® This low maintenance plant blooms with clouds of airy white flowers all season. Combines easily with many kinds of plants, weaving its wiry stems in and out, poking its airy white flowers throughout the combination similar to baby's breath in a bouquet. Annual except in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 12-18” tall. See All Euphorbias |
12.NemesiaSunsatia®Lemon Pale yellow orchid-like flowers pair well with other hanging basket plants such as lobelia, calibrachoa, verbena and sweet potato vine. Provide good drainage and an occasional light trim to keep plants perky. Blooms best in spring and fall when weather is cooler but is more heat tolerant than many nemesias. Annual except in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 6-10” tall. See All Sunsatia® Nemesia |
13.ScaevolaWhirlwind®Blue If you're looking for a flower that performs well in heat, blooms well all season without deadheading, and attracts pollinators, then this unfussy fan flower is a good choice. Pair it with other heat and drought tolerant plants such as lantana, Texas primrose and gomphrena in container recipes where it will act primarily as a spiller. Annual except in zones 10-11, sun, 8-14" tall. See All Whirlwind® Scaevola |
14.AngeloniaAngelface® Cascade Snow The cascading habit of the Angelface® Cascade angelonia makes it perfectly suited for hanging baskets and combinations where it functions as both a filler and spiller. The plants have height on the top of the pot, but then cascade over the edge to 20" long. Their heat tolerance makes them an excellent choice for gardeners who live in climates with hot summers. Annual except in zones 10-11, sun, 8-14” tall. See all Angelface® Cascade Angelonia |
15.Double CalibrachoaSuperbells®Double Twilight™ Similar to single-flowered calibrachoa, this gorgeous double-flowered variety is an ideal plant for growing in hanging baskets where it will act as a filler and spiller. It blooms from planting time until frost with no need to remove the spent flowers to keep the flowers coming. Try pairing it with Angelface Cascade angelonia, Luscious lantana and Diamond Frost euphorbia. Annual except in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 6-12” tall. See all Superbells® Double Calibrachoa |
16.JamesbritteniaSafari™Sky This relative of Bacopa acts as a filler in hanging baskets paired with other heat loving plants like sweet potato vine and Superbena verbena. It blooms through the heat and humidity without cycling out of flower and holds up well through summer thunderstorms. Annual except in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 6-12 tall. See All Safari™ Jamesbrittenia |
17.Verbena rigidaCake Pops® Purple We are excited to introduce this series of durable Verbena rigida hybrids that make great fillers for low maintenance container recipes. These mounded trailing plants are perfect for growing in hot, humid climates since they won’t cycle out of bloom in the extreme heat of summer and are drought tolerant. Hummingbirds and butterflies will flock to the blossoms clustered at the tips of each branch all summer. Annual except in zones 7-10, sun, 10-18” tall. See All Cake Pops®Verbena rigida |
18.PetuniaSupertunia® Lovie Dovie™ Supertunia petunias are one of the best hanging basket plants around. They come in a rainbow of colors, including fun patterns and flowers with prominent veins that add even more color. Supertunias don't need deadheading. They bloom nonstop as they trail over the edges of their pots and provide months of color. Superbells® Calibrachoa, Superbena® Verbena and Supertunia® Petunias are a classic trio to create fantastic hanging baskets. Annual except in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 4-12” tall. See All Supertunia® Petunias |
19.CalylophusLadybird®Sunglow This unique flower with native Texas roots thrives in hot, humid or dry conditions and is drought tolerant once established. Cooler nights enhance its flowering performance. Pair this mounded trailing filler plant with other heat tolerant annuals like Blue My Mind evolvulus, Cake Pops verbena and Superbells calibrachoa. Annual except in zones 8-10, sun, 4-8” tall. See All Ladybird®Calylophyus |
20.VerbenaSuperbena® Imperial Blue™ It's hard to pass up the deep blue-purple flowers of this amazing Superbena. The clear, vivid color is easy to coordinate with your other favorite flowers such as Supertunia petunia and sweet alyssum in combinations. Like all our Superbena verbenas, it produces large flower clusters all season without deadheading and is exceptionally resistant to powdery mildew. Annual except in zones 8-11, part sun to sun, 6-12” tall. See All Superbena®Verbena |
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Learn more:
Petunia Hanging Baskets
Hanging Basket Recipes
Yellow Flowers
Hanging Basket Watering & Care
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Plants for hanging pots in the garden. How to choose and plant
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