If you’re looking to enhance your hanging baskets, this guide is here to provide you with a delightful selection of plants that will thrive in this environment. Let’s dig deep into some of the best choices for your hanging baskets.

Angelonia

Angelonia, often referred to as “summer snapdragon,” is a fantastic choice for hanging baskets due to its upright growth habit combined with cascading foliage. These annuals are known for their stunning spikes of flowers that come in vibrant colors such as purple, pink, and white. They thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant, making them ideal for those hot summer days. Their sturdy stems mean they won’t flop over easily, offering a neat and tidy appearance. Additionally, Angelonia attracts butterflies, enhancing your garden’s ecosystem.

Begonia

Begonias are a classic favorite for hanging baskets, and for good reason. With their lush foliage and impressive blooms, they bring a tropical feel to any outdoor space. There are many varieties of Begonias, such as tuberous and wax begonias, each offering a unique look. They perform best in partial shade, which makes them perfect for areas that do not receive full sunlight. Plus, their ability to bloom continuously throughout the season ensures a consistent splash of color.

Browallia

Browallia, or the bluebell bush, is a charming little plant that’s perfect for those looking to add a touch of elegance to hanging baskets. These plants produce clusters of small, vibrant blue or purple flowers that contrast beautifully with their green foliage. Browallia thrives in partial shade, making it an excellent option for shaded patios or decks. Their compact growth habit allows them to spill gracefully over the edges of the baskets, creating a stunning visual display.

Fuchsia

Fuchsias are beloved for their exquisite, pendulous flowers that come in a range of colors, including pink, purple, and red. These plants thrive in partial shade, making them ideal for hanging baskets that don’t receive direct sunlight all day. The unique teardrop shape of their flowers adds a whimsical touch to your décor. Fuchsias also attract hummingbirds, making your garden a lively and engaging place. When selecting fuchsia varieties, consider those that have a trailing habit for the best cascading effect.

Heliotrope

Heliotrope is not only visually striking but also fabulously fragrant. The small clusters of flowers, available in shades of blue, purple, and white, provide a delightful scent that can enhance the mood of any space. Heliotropes thrive in full sun to partial shade, making them versatile. Their trailing nature allows them to cascade beautifully, perfect for hanging baskets. Additionally, they are known to attract butterflies, creating a dynamic and vibrant atmosphere.

Lantana

If you seek a plant that can withstand the heat and bloom all summer long, Lantana is your answer. These resilient plants feature clusters of small, colorful flowers that bloom in shades of yellow, orange, red, and purple. Known for their ability to thrive in poor soil, Lantanas are perfect for hanging baskets placed in full sun. Moreover, they attract butterflies and hummingbirds, creating a lively pollinator-friendly environment.

Lobelia

Lobelia is a fantastic addition to hanging baskets, providing a burst of blue or purple hues. Its trailing varieties are particularly well-suited for containers, spilling gracefully over the edges. Lobelia thrives in cooler conditions, making it an excellent choice for spring displays. These plants prefer partial shade, which can help prolong their blooming period. Additionally, they can be paired beautifully with brighter flowers or contrasting foliage for an eye-catching mix.

Million Bells

Million Bells (Calibrachoa) has taken the gardening world by storm with its cheerful, petunia-like blooms that come in a variety of colors. These tiny flowers bloom profusely, creating a vibrant display in any hanging basket. They thrive in full sun and prefer well-drained soil, making them easy to care for. Million Bells also have a trailing habit, making them perfect for baskets that need that extra pop of color cascading down.

Impatiens

For those shaded spots that need some color, Impatiens are an unbeatable choice. With their round, bright flowers available in red, pink, purple, and white, these plants can light up even the gloomiest corner. They thrive in full shade to partial sun. Impatiens are incredibly versatile and will fill out a hanging basket beautifully, providing a lush, full appearance in no time. Regular deadheading promotes continuous blooming, ensuring your basket stays vibrant through the season.

Nasturtium

Nasturtiums are not only beautiful; they are also edible! Known for their vibrant flowers in shades of orange, yellow, and red, these plants are a fantastic choice for both aesthetics and culinary use. Their leaves and flowers are peppery and can enhance salads or garnish dishes. Nasturtiums thrive in full sun and are relatively drought-tolerant. They have a trailing habit, creating lovely draping foliage perfect for hanging baskets.

Nemesia

Nemesia adds a unique touch with its delicate flowers that come in various colors, including pink, lavender, and white. These plants are great for adding color to your hanging baskets from spring until the first frost. Nemesia does well in cooler weather, making it ideal for spring and early summer displays. Its compact growth habit allows it to fill out a basket beautifully, providing a lush, colorful arrangement.

Pansy

Pansies are well-known for their cheerful faces and rich colors, perfect for hanging baskets, especially in the cooler months. They thrive in cooler temperatures and can handle light frosts, making them an excellent choice for early spring and fall displays. Pansies enjoy partial sun and bring a playful charm to any garden. With their bouncy blooms, they can complement other trailing plants wonderfully.

Pelargonium

Often mistaken for geraniums, Pelargoniums are incredibly popular for their vibrant blooms and aromatic foliage. They come in various colors, including red, pink, and white. These plants thrive in full sun and are drought-tolerant, making them an easy-care option for hanging baskets. Pelargoniums also add texture with their rounded leaves, contributing to a well-rounded appearance in your arrangements.

Petunia

Petunias are a staple in hanging baskets due to their resilience and vibrant colors. Available in a wide array of colors and patterns, these plants can thrive in full sun to light shade. Trailing varieties of petunias are particularly popular, as they create stunning cascades of color. Regular deadheading promotes ongoing blooming throughout the season, ensuring your hanging baskets remain spectacular.

Portulaca

For those who seek a low-maintenance option that thrives in full sun, Portulaca (or moss rose) is an excellent choice. This colorful succulent-like plant produces vibrant blooms in yellow, red, pink, and orange. Portulaca loves dry conditions and can handle poor soil, making it an ideal candidate for hanging baskets that may not get daily attention. Its creeping nature creates a beautiful cascading effect, adding vibrant bursts of color at various levels.

Scaevola

Scaevola, also known as fan flower, is a unique plant that blooms profuse, fan-shaped flowers in shades of blue and purple. This drought-tolerant plant thrives in full sun or partial shade, creating an attractive addition to any hanging basket. Scaevola has a trailing habit, making it perfect for cascading over the sides. Its durable nature means it can bring beauty and color, even in challenging conditions.

Sweet Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum is cherished for its delicate white and purple flowers and a delightful honey-like fragrance. This versatile plant thrives in both sun and partial shade, making it a lovely addition to hanging baskets in various locations. Its trailing nature allows it to drape gracefully over the basket, while it promotes a soothing visual display. Often used to complement other brighter flowers, Sweet Alyssum brings layers and depth to your arrangements.

Wishbone Flower

Wishbone Flower, or Torenia, is known for its cute, tubular blooms that often feature striking shades of blue, purple, and white. These plants thrive in partial shade, making them an excellent choice for low-light areas. Their trailing habit ensures that they cascade beautifully in hanging baskets. Torenia also attracts butterflies, enhancing the pollinator diversity in your garden.

Verbena

Verbena is a hardy plant that produces clusters of small flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, and white. Known for their ability to tolerate heat and poor soil, verbenas make an excellent addition to hanging baskets. They thrive in full sun and are perfect for creating a vibrant, colorful display. Their trailing nature ensures they spill beautifully over the edges, making them a favorite for more dynamic arrangements.

Snapdragon

Snapdragons are known for their unique floral shape and come in a variety of colors, perfect for adding height and whimsy to your hanging basket displays. While typically grown in upright forms, there are trailing varieties available that work beautifully in containers. Snapdragons prefer cooler temperatures, often blooming in early spring and fall. Regular deadheading encourages a longer flowering period, enhancing your hanging presentation.

Texas Primrose ‘Ladybird’

Texas Primrose, or Oenothera, is an incredibly charming plant with bright yellow flowers that bloom in late afternoon and evening, offering unique nighttime beauty. It thrives in full sun, is drought-tolerant, and prefers well-draining soil. The compact growth habit of ‘Ladybird’ makes it perfect for hanging baskets, cascading with delightful blooms that attract evening pollinators like moths and bats.

Morning Glory

Morning Glories are known for their fast-growing vines and stunning, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in the morning sun. While not a traditional hanging basket plant, they can be trained to climb a trellis or support in a hanging basket for extra visual interest. Morning Glories thrive in full sun and can grow vigorously, bringing a bold statement to your garden with enchanting colors.

Sweet Potato Vine

The Sweet Potato Vine is an excellent choice for trailing in hanging baskets, known for its strikingly beautiful foliage in colors ranging from deep green to purple. This plant thrives in full sun and is remarkably easy to cultivate. The cascading nature of Sweet Potato Vines adds depth and a lush feel to your hanging arrangements. Although non-flowering, the vibrant foliage provides substantial visual interest throughout the growing season.

Bacopa

Bacopa is a beloved choice for hanging containers, yielding delicate little white, blue, or purple flowers with soft, trailing growth. Known for being a great filler plant, Bacopa blooms prolifically throughout the growing season, providing vibrant color and texture. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers evenly moist soil, making it an ideal plant to keep looking fresh in your hanging baskets.

Euphorbia

Euphorbia offers an interesting texture and form to hanging baskets with its unique spiky blooms and vibrant green foliage. This plant is drought-tolerant and thrives in full sun, preferring well-draining soil. Its drought resistance makes it perfect for low-maintenance gardens, while its unusual structure provides contrast alongside softer, trailing plants in your arrangements.

African Daisy

African Daisies, or Osteospermum, are known for their vibrant, daisy-like flowers that come in a myriad of colors. They are hardy, drought-tolerant, and can thrive in full sun. Their bushy growth habit lends well to hanging baskets, creating a lively show of colorful blooms throughout summer. Deadheading will encourage continued blooming, ensuring that your hanging baskets remain a bright accent in your garden.

Annual Vinca

Annual Vinca is a dependable choice for gardeners looking to add a dash of color to their hanging baskets. With its vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white, Vinca thrives in full sun and prefers well-draining soil. This plant is exceptionally heat-tolerant and resistant, making it ideal for warm climates. Its upright habit may require some pinching to encourage bushiness, but overall, it provides vibrant, long-lasting color.

Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavendar’

Plectranthus ‘Mona Lavender’ is a stunning option for those seeking something a bit different in their hanging baskets. This plant features purple flowers and aromatic leaves, offering both visual appeal and sensory delight. It prefers partial shade to full shade, making it perfect for low-light areas. The cascading form of ‘Mona Lavendar’ creates a beautiful display while attracting hummingbirds and butterflies, adding life to your garden.

Spiderwort

Spiderworts are a unique option for hanging baskets, featuring long, arching leaves and brilliant blue, purple, or white flowers. They thrive in partial shade and are excellent in providing a lush appearance. The tender foliage looks stunning when draping over the sides of a hanging basket. This plant demands little attention, making it perfect for those busy gardeners looking to add greenery effortlessly.

Candytuft

Candytuft is a beautiful choice for adding a pop of delightful white flowers to your hanging baskets. It prefers full sun and produces dense clusters of blooms, which stand out beautifully against its rich green foliage. Candytuft is a low-growing plant, making it ideal for trailing over the edges of baskets, providing a charming, cascading effect. Its long bloom period throughout spring creates a stunning visual display that will brighten any outdoor space.

Black-Eyed Susan Vine

Black-Eyed Susan Vine is a vigorous climber that brings cheerful yellow-orange blooms with dark centers to your hanging baskets. These plants prefer full sunlight and can add a fresh burst of color during the growing season. While they can grow upright, they can also trail and spill over sides, offering a lovely sense of movement. Additionally, their flowers attract pollinators, such as butterflies, enhancing your garden’s biodiversity.