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Trailing plant for hanging basket


Best trailing plants for hanging baskets: 12 beautiful ideas

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Choose the best trailing plants for hanging baskets to create a cascading, romantic effect.

Trailing plants are some of the best plants for hanging baskets, and should always be included when deciding how to plant a hanging basket – otherwise your focus will be on the side of the container rather than on the plants.

They are also wonderful cottage garden ideas, offering a charming feel as they tumble over the side of the baskets, adding interest to the vertical space.

Trailing plants make up one of the three core elements of hanging basket design – thriller, spiller and filler. In order for a hanging basket to be successful, it should have plants 'spilling' out over the sides, along with statement 'thriller' plants and more subtle 'filler varieties.

Although, trailing plants can be used on their own to create a stunningly simple hanging basket.

Best trailing plants for hanging baskets

The best trailing plants for hanging baskets will always be those that are suited to their position and your local climate.  

Check your area's USDA plant hardiness zone , and choose trailing plants that will grow well in your location. However, some perennial plants may be grown as annuals in colder climates, or brought indoors over winter.

Ensure you provide the right conditions for your chosen trailing plants for hanging baskets by observing whether the plants require full sun or partial shade. Only combine them with other plants that thrive in the same conditions.

Remember that hanging baskets are not just for the summer. As well as evergreen varieties, there are some wonderful winter hanging basket ideas to brighten up your garden in the coldest months of year.

1. Black-eyed Susan vine

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‘The black-eyed Susan vine is a great quick-growing option when looking to fill a hanging basket in the yard, on a porch or even a sunny balcony,’ says Rebecca Sears, chief gardening guru for heritage seed and plant brand Ferry Morse .

The vine is known for its impressive climbing and lively orange, yellow, buff or white blossoms with dark centers.  

‘An added bonus is that it will attract butterflies to your space throughout its bloom from summer well into fall.’

This tender perennial is usually grown as an annual, though you could overwinter it in a greenhouse. It needs full sun in order to thrive.

2. Ivy

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‘English ivy is a simple, solid choice for hanging baskets, offering lush green and shiny foliage whether indoors or outdoors,’ says Marjory Wildcraft, founder of The Grow Network .

‘It’s nice looking but also doesn’t demand attention – perfect for complementing an existing garden or room aesthetic.’

Happily, ivy is easy to care for: ‘Just don’t overwater it or give it too much sunlight – it doesn’t need much of either.'

However, don't let it spread beyond your baskets to walls and trees, as ivy can be invasive and damage other plants.

3. Lobelia

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Though there are more upright varieties of lobelia available, it is the trailing species that make stunning additions to hanging baskets.

‘Lobelia is a nice blooming trailing option that is commonly available in both purple or white,’ says Lisa Whittlesey, a Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service .

The plants are native to South Africa, and are half-hardy annuals, but are easy to grow from seed if you get a head start on planning your hanging basket.

4. Strawberries

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If you like the idea of an edible trailing hanging basket, then strawberries are ideal. ‘Strawberries make a decent bid for the perfect hanging basket crop,’ says Alex Mitchell, author of Crops in Tight Spots .

One of the main issues when deciding how to grow strawberries in the ground, is protecting them from slugs and snails. So growing them in hanging baskets solves the problem.

‘To have strawberries to pick for as long as possible, why not grow three hanging baskets each planted with varieties that ripen at different times throughout the summer?’ adds Mitchell.

Feed hanging basket strawberries with tomato feed fortnightly once fruits start to form. Make sure you know how to winterize strawberry plants to keep them coming back.

5. Creeping Jenny

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‘Creeping jenny is a great trailing plant that will spill out of the basket with an abundance of lovely lime green foliage,’ says Whittlesey.

It’s also a perennial evergreen plant, adding a splash of color to the garden year round. Though grown for its luscious foliage, the plant also produces small yellow flowers.

Grow creeping Jenny in full sun or partial shade. It is quick growing, and when planted in the garden can take over, so keep it in shape with a yearly prune.

6. Tomatoes

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If you want to add to your vegetable container garden ideas, then tomatoes are one of the best trailing plants for hanging baskets.

You need to choose a suitable trailing cherry variety, such as Tumbling Tom, Tumbler, Cherry Falls or Gartenperle. 

When growing tomatoes in a hanging basket, plant them up in the same fashion as non-edible plants, but feed weekly with liquid tomato food.

'They will soon be laden with fruit, quickly filling the container and trailing prettily over the sides,' says Mitchell. 'They are also much easier to grow than cordon or vine types since you don’t have to take out the sideshoots, simply keep them watered and fed.'

Other suitable crops for hanging baskets include raspberries, herbs and baby salad leaves.

7. Tradescantia zebrina

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'Tradescantia zebrina plants add a fun pop of color to your hanging basket, with a vibrant purple color striped with shimmery silver,' says Erinn Witz, co-founder of Seeds & Spades .

Not only are these striking plants evergreen, but they are also capable of flowering at any time of the year. 

Tradescantia zebrina prefer a sheltered spot, which makes them one of the best trailing plants for hanging baskets, and they are also very easy to care for.

'Put your plant in bright, indirect sunlight, and water when the top 2-3 inches of soil feel dry when you insert your finger into the soil,' adds Witz.  

'Fertilize twice monthly during the spring and summer months.'

8. Fuchsias

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With their exotic-looking flowers, fuchsias are one of the absolute best trailing plants for hanging baskets.

'Alluring flowers bloom through the summer from these fascinating plants,' says says Nikita, founder of Mit City Farm . 'Fuchsias have wonderful trailing varieties like 'Purple Rain' or 'White King' that fill a basket easily with beautiful blooms.

'If you are uncertain of which particular variety to choose then pre-selected mixes are also available like the Fuchsia 'Gian Flowered Collection' with some really splendid flowers.'

Fuchsias are semi-hardy, tough hanging basket plants that can be placed in a frost free area during winters and will grow again the next year. In cold climates you will need to know how to overwinter fuchsias.

9. Trailing geraniums

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Trailing geraniums, such as ivy leaf varieties, are perfect for hanging baskets as they will cascade over the edge of the container, offering a beautiful display of color.

Hardy perennials, geraniums are easy to look after. They are closely related to pelargoniums, which are more tender, so usually grown as annuals. However, they are easy to propagate if you know how to take plant cuttings.

As well as classic red, geraniums are available in a wide range of colors, including white, pink and purple.

Position trailing geraniums in a sunny spot, and keep on top of watering in hot weather.

10. Spider plant

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'With a mass of thin leaves, spider plants create a lovely, rounded shape to your hanging basket, and they also produces miniature plantlets that look just like spiders – hence the name!' says Witz

Spider plants are low-maintenance tropical plants that can be grown either outdoors in USDA zones 9-11 or indoors as houseplants to offer a range of spider plant benefits.

'This is a plant that thrives on neglect,' adds Witz. 'Water once the top 2-3 inches of soil is dried out, and place your plant in bright, indirect light. If all you have is partial shade, your spider plant will grow more slowly but still look great.'

Fertilize 1-2 times per month during the spring and summer.

11. Petunias

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'Petunias are beautiful annuals that are widely available in white, yellow, pink, purple, and red selections,' says Whittlesey. 'They are also available as both single and double petal types.'

Petunias are tender plants, so they are not at all frost tolerant. You can grow your own from seed, or invest in plug plants – but make sure you choose a trailing, rather than upright, variety.

While these joyful flowers are not difficult to care for, you do need to know how to deadhead petunias to maximize blooms.

They require full sun and fertile potting mix in order to thrive.

12. Burro's tail

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For something a bit different, try a succulent such as burro's tail, which has distinctive trailing stems that are best displayed in a hanging basket.

'Burros tail is a vining succulent that requires very little maintenance,' says Nikita.

'It has a sturdy stem that is surrounded by leaves that appear to be braided around it.'

This Mexican native plant thrives in full sun and is drought resistant, so is perfectly happy if you only water them sparingly.

How do you make a trailing hanging basket?

To make a trailing hanging basket, you need to plant the trailing plants around the edge, so that they will grow outwards and spill over the side of the basket.

If you are lining your basket with a liner, made out of natural materials such as coir, then it's a good idea to cut holes in the liner, and insert the plants so that they can grow through them.

Use a sharp knife, and make two tiers of holes in larger baskets. Fill the compost up to the bottom of the holes and then gently insert the plants. Firmly pack in compost around them to ensure they stay safely in place. You can then plant up the top layer of your hanging basket.

As editor of Period Living, Britain's best-selling period homes magazine, Melanie loves the charm of older properties. I live in a rural village just outside the Cotswolds in England, so am lucky to be surrounded by beautiful homes and countryside, where I enjoy exploring. Having worked in the industry for almost two decades, Melanie is interested in all aspects of homes and gardens. Her previous roles include working on Real Homes and Homebuilding & Renovating, and she has also contributed to Gardening Etc. She has an English degree and has also studied interior design. Melanie frequently writes for Homes & Gardens about property restoration and gardening.

10 Best Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets add long-lasting colour, height and interest to patios, doorways and balconies. The best plants for hanging baskets are tender perennials and annuals that have been bred to flower for a long time, providing a splash of colour all summer long.

Include a mix of upright and trailing plants for a generous, blowsy look. Trailing plants are often called 'spillers' as they trail over the edge of a hanging basket or pot.

How to create a hanging basket at home

There are many styles of hanging basket to choose from. Use a lightweight, peat-free potting compost and mix in slow-release fertiliser granules and water-retaining gel, before planting. Plant it up with a mixture of upright and trailing plants, in complementary colours, for a complete, co-ordinated look. Put your hanging basket up in late spring, after all risk of frost has passed, for a long-lasting summer display.

More on planting hanging baskets:

10 trailing plants for hanging baskets

1

Calibrachoa (million bells)

10 plants for hanging baskets - calibrachoa

Calibrachoa (million bells) are tender perennials, usually grown as annuals. Their trumpet-like flowers come in a wide range of colours, including purple, pink, red, yellow, orange and white. There is no need to deadhead calibrachoa.

2

Lobelia

10 plants for hanging baskets - lobelia

Lobelia erinus is a popular bedding plant for hanging baskets and summer containers. It comes in a range of colours, including white, purple, pink and brilliant shades of blue. Grow in full sun, don't let the compost dry out, and feed regularly. There's no need to deadhead.

3

Bacopa

10 trailing plants for hanging baskets – bacopa

This pretty trailing plant has masses of small, white, pink or purple flowers that last for months on end. There's no need to deadhead.

4

Fuchsia

10 trailing plants for hanging baskets – fuchsia

Fuchsias are much-loved for their hanging, bell-shaped, bi-coloured flowers that look like colourful, dancing skirts. The flowers last all summer long. Look out for trailing varieties in shades of white, pink, purple or red.

More like this

5

Begonia

10 trailing plants for hanging baskets - Begonia 'Inferno'

Begonias are a great choice for a hanging basket in a shady spot. 'Inferno' is especially spectacular, and is worthy of being grown on its own in a basket for long-lasting colour.

6

Verbena

10 trailing plants for hanging baskets – verbena

Bedding verbenas are a hanging basket staple, bearing small flowers in a range of colours, including purple and red.

7

Petunia

10 plants for hanging baskets - petunia

Petunias are popular bedding plants and are particularly popular in hanging baskets. They come in a wide range of colours, from white to dark purple – some are bi-coloured. The 'Tumbelina' series (pictured) has double, ruffled blooms.

8

Tomatoes

10 plants for hanging baskets - tomatoes

Edible plants add an additional wow factor to hanging baskets. Cherry tomatoes (bush varieties) grow well in hanging baskets – try 'Losetto', which has the advantage of being tomato blight-resistant, or 'Hundreds and Thousands'. Grow in a sunny spot and feed regularly.

9

Strawberries

Strawberries look lovely in hanging baskets as an alternative to strawberry planters – pretty white or pink flowers give way to luscious red fruits. Growing strawberries in hanging baskets means they aren't attacked by slugs or snails. Feed them regularly and grow in a sunny spot.

10

Creeping Jenny

10 plants for hanging baskets - creeping Jenny

Lysimachia nummularia 'Aurea' (creeping Jenny) has small, yellow flowers but is mostly grown for its golden foliage, which trails over the edge of hanging baskets and sets off other, more showy flowering plants. Grow in sun or part shade.

Other hanging basket plants to try

Osteospermum, petunia and verbena hanging basket

Hanging plants for pots - how to choose

Hanging plants are flowers, berries and vegetables that are intended for planting in hanging flower vases. With their help, experienced flower growers successfully decorate the upper tiers of arbors, fences and mansions. There was even a separate class of flowering crops - ampelous flowers. Usually this group includes ornamental annuals like petunias or lobelias.

Hanging gardens, however, have much more to offer than just a variety of colors. In hanging containers, semi-shrubs have a special expressiveness. With their help, in a room or on a balcony, you can create compositions similar to those that are usually found in stationary gardens. nine0003


Semi-shrubs and perennials in pots

For example, in the gardens of the southern region, summer residents are often delighted with roses adjacent to or even wrapping around thuja or juniper. A similar composition in the style of the enduring English classics can be created in a flower pot. Only in it the function of stormy dense thickets, contrasting with flowers, will be performed by ivy.

A great solution - white smart roses and ivy. This combination is somewhat reminiscent of mountain peaks: the snow-delicate purity of silk petals is in perfect harmony with the lush cascade of clearly defined leaves on long falling lashes. nine0003

Such compositions, when bright terry ampelous flowers dominate over a dense mass of greenery, are quite spectacular.

There are other options for combinations with curly - more complex or unusual:

All variants are expressive in their own way. At the same time, each of them creates a feeling of freshness and comfort.


What kind of plants can grow in ampelous ensembles

Compositions of ampelous flowers for planters solve two problems:

Hanging pot plants have a special habit. The following species can be successfully grown in hanging containers:

Increasingly popular are unusual ampelous plants . Tropical exotics are no longer a rarity. Vertical gardens are becoming more beautiful and functional every day. Recently, another trend has appeared - to use garden plants in complex compositions. nine0003


New types of plants that are used in ampelous gardening

It can be said that vertical gardening expands horizons - both literally and figuratively. Flower shops expand their assortment and delight customers with new types and varieties of ampelous flowers. We will introduce you to some of them.

  1. Ivy Pelargonium - lush caps with bright - pink or scarlet inflorescences, very similar to geraniums. nine0023
  2. Bolivian begonia - drooping well leafy stems, densely dotted with red-purple or yellow-orange corollas.
  3. Fuchsia - cascades of purple-white or purple-crimson gypsy earrings. Keep decorative for 2-3 months.
  4. Verbena - numerous flowers in dense clusters. There are thin-leaved or leaf-dissected species.
  5. Monetary loosestrife, nummularia - flexible falling lashes, studded with a scattering of small flowers, similar to coins. nine0023
  6. Ferulophyllous succession - a scattering of bright star-shaped corollas on curly long stems. Looks like a firework burst.
  7. Diascia. Its flowers resemble snapdragon curls. Refined soft stems form lush sprawling bushes, abundantly covered with many bright flowers. Looks like a contrast cloud.
  8. Saponaria. There are many varieties of SAPONARIA. The most common is the soapwort basil-leaved, it is often grown to decorate flower beds, borders, as well as rock gardens. Very decorative creeping plant with bright pink flowers. nine0023
  9. Phlox subulate - forms an avalanche of flowing bright colored streams in a flowerpot.
  10. Ipomoea - (yam), dissected with lettuce or cordifolia.
  11. Plectranthus 1.5 m - with a strong lemon mint aroma forms a cascade.
  12. Capitate Highlander - long lashes, forming a pillow, multi-colored leaves
  13. Mandevilla - a tropical plant. Elegant lashes with leaves collected in star-shaped groups and the same red five-petal raspberry or white flowers resembling bells. nine0023
  14. Tradescantia, many varieties and varieties, leaves of various colors.
  15. Chlorophytum - forms stolons with air rosettes.

The list of original and rare flowers will be complemented by beautiful fruit-bearing berries and vegetables. Among them:

You can decide for yourself which vegetable can get the high rank of a strawberry. If the plant crawls across the lawn, if it climbs a pole or hangs with a whip on the balcony, if it has compact fruits, it may well be placed in a hanging container. nine0003


Caring for ampelous plants

Plants should be planted in thick-walled containers to reduce the risk of overheating of the root system. It is better to choose double-walled planters - today there are already containers with built-in water tanks and automatic watering.

Pot plants often need weekly feeding. They should be watered daily, sometimes twice a day.

Monitor the condition of the earthen clod. If it dries out, then water will not flow to the roots. It will appear in the bottom drain hole, but not because it has nourished the soil. It simply flowed along the walls, and the ground near the roots remained dry. nine0003

Follow these simple rules and your garden will delight you with lush flowering for a long time. And for those who love flowers, ready to learn all the intricacies of care and cultivation, in our section "Floriculture" you will always find the most relevant tips on flower cultivation for both beginners and experienced flower growers, articles on garden decoration, sowing features, as well as many other very useful materials.

Published: 24 Feb 2021

Views: 5497

(Votes: 1, Rating: 5.0) 919 photos You can decorate gazebos, verandas or hang them at the front door of a country house with bright lush flower beds.

Natalya Chebakova

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To design the right flower garden in a hanging basket, you need to correctly select the basket and plants, as well as provide appropriate care for them. nine0003

Contents of the article

What are hanging baskets

Hanging baskets are special containers for growing decorative flowers. As a rule, they are hung on walls, cornices or railings to give a special style to a suburban area. They produce hanging planters made of plastic, metal or wood. Some gardeners make them themselves from improvised materials - this is also exciting.

Lush bright flower beds in hanging baskets look very original and do not require special care. The main thing is to choose the right plants and arrange the planting so that they delight you with their flowering throughout the summer. nine0003

Rules for designing hanging flower beds

Choosing a pot

For planting, it is recommended to choose plastic pots that have solid walls. They are lighter and more durable, water does not leak out of them, and there is also a large selection of shapes and colors. Minus - they do not breathe and do not pass water.

It is also possible to use baskets with holes, which will allow the cultivation of ampelous plants. For such baskets, linings are needed so that the earth does not spill out. nine0003

The weight of the basket is between 5 and 8 kilograms and this must be taken into account when selecting the attachment.

Sphagnum Lining

Place a light drainage layer on the bottom of the hanging wicker basket, ideally sphagnum or coir. Then a regular newspaper is added as a barrier between the moss and compost. This will prevent the soil from falling out initially, and as the paper rots, the roots will sprout and hold the soil in the container.

Soil

For a flower basket, choose a light and nutritious soil mixture that will fully absorb moisture. The soil can be bought ready-made or prepared independently from peat, humus and sand. The presence of a small amount of inorganic substances in the substrate is also important, it can be vermiculite or perlite.

Watering

Because plants in hanging baskets are in a limited space, they need to be watered regularly. The thinner and smaller the pot, the more often you need to moisten the soil. In summer, about 1-2 times a day. nine0003

But you need to pay attention to the weather conditions. For example, in hot weather, the earth dries up a lot. Watering should be done in the morning and evening. If once a day, then it is better in the evening, because at night the moisture does not evaporate, and the flowers manage to absorb it as much as possible.

Top dressing

Plants in baskets need frequent top dressing with complex mineral fertilizers. 1 st. l. without a top, fertilizers are diluted in a liter of water and watered the soil in a flower garden. You need to do this about once a week. nine0003

Pruning

To prolong flowering, experienced gardeners recommend removing faded buds in a timely manner. It is equally important to do shaping pruning so that the crops grow beautiful greenery of the correct form.

Plants

The type of plant for the hanging basket is also very important. Since not all flowers can tolerate such growing conditions.

What to plant in a hanging basket

Plants can be planted individually, or they can be used to create colorful studies. Upright flowers are planted in the center, and ampelous ones along the edges, which will hang down, forming incredible compositions. nine0003

Fuchsia

Fuchsia hybrida is most commonly grown in hanging baskets. This plant has long thin shoots and oval green leaves with pointed tips. The flowers are simple or double in various colors. Blooms profusely and for a long time. Unpretentious in care.

Garden geranium

Beautiful lush compact shrub - is a herbaceous perennial. The height of the plant is varied: there are both undersized and tall species. The leaves are dense, carved, lacy. There are various sizes and shapes. The buds of the plant reach a diameter of up to 5 cm, red, white, pink, and purple. They exude a pleasant aroma. nine0003

Begonia

There are many hybrid begonia varieties that are grown in pots and used for landscaping. For hanging flowerpots, an ampelous begonia variety is chosen. The plant resembles a bush, on which small flowers of different colors are scattered. Lush flowering ends in late autumn.

Alyssum

Annual low-growing plants with semi-woody shoots. This annual begins to bloom from the first summer month and continues until late autumn with many white, pink or purple flowers. The flowers of the plant emit a pleasant smell with a honey note, which attracts bees and other insects beneficial to plants. nine0003

Petunia

Annual flowers are very good for growing in hanging baskets. A huge selection of petunia varieties makes it easy to create multi-colored mosaics that bloom profusely from May until the first frost

Creeping ivy

Evergreen climbing plant, known for its flowers and common in gardens around the world. The flowers are very small, but the plant itself is famous for its vibrant green color and ability to climb just about anywhere, making them ideal for hanging baskets. nine0003

Immortelle

A perennial herbaceous plant quite widespread in landscape design and floristry. Its stems branch strongly and form a beautiful openwork crown. The flowers are tubular in shape, yellow or light orange in different shades.

Pansies

Wittrock Violet, or pansies, is a perennial plant grown as a biennial or annual. The flowers are large, solitary, from 4 to 10 cm in diameter, of various colors, often tricolor. Wittrock violet hybrids are widely used for container and pot growing. By choosing the right varieties, you can achieve flowering violets in the garden from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. nine0003

Lobelia

Herbaceous plant that blooms in the shade.

Learn more