Last Updated on March 17, 2025 by April
Hanging baskets offer an excellent solution for showcasing challenging flowers that might otherwise struggle in a traditional garden setting. Plants with pendulous, top-heavy, or creeping habits thrive when suspended, while those with delicate blooms or enchanting fragrances become more accessible to your senses when positioned at eye level.
While most hanging basket flowers are planted in spring and treated as annuals, many can perform as perennials in warmer climates. These elevated displays not only add vertical interest to your garden space but can also attract wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds, bringing nature within closer view. Regular feeding is essential, as nutrients tend to wash away with frequent watering.
Begonia, Zones 9-10
Begonias are a beautiful alternative for gardeners who struggle with fuchsias in challenging climates. Begonia boliviensis produces striking tubular, hanging flowers similar to fuchsias but thrives in hot, humid southern environments. The Nonstop ‘Mocca’ series is particularly impressive in hanging baskets, featuring double blooms that resemble roses.
You can find begonias in a rainbow of colors including yellow, red ponk, white, and orange.
Begonias typically spread 6-12 inches and adapt well to various light conditions, from full sun to partial shade. You’ll want to plant them in rich, lightweight soil that remains consistently moist but drains well. Their adaptability makes them perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds where you need reliable color.
Lotus Vine, Zones 10-12
Lotus vine (Lotus berthelotii), commonly called parrot’s beak vine, features delicate feathery foliage with a soft texture despite its needle-like appearance. The striking flame-colored flowers bloom throughout the growing season when provided with proper conditions.
Daily moisture is essential, but avoid waterlogged conditions. You can propagate through seeds or cuttings to expand your collection. The vibrant blooms make this an eye-catching addition to sunny gardens or containers.
Portulaca, Zones 2-11
Moss rose thrives in sunny locations where it can display its vibrant blooms. You’ll notice these flowers close when placed in shaded areas, so choose a spot with maximum sunlight exposure.
Plant your portulaca alongside other heat and drought-resistant varieties like spiderwort to maintain continuous color in your garden. Moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) comes in several attractive colors such as orange, white, rose, yellow and red.
This compact plant spreads only 6-12 inches, making it ideal for borders or containers. You’ll find it grows best in full sun with sandy, well-drained soil. Portulaca demonstrates impressive adaptability, tolerating both moist and dry soil conditions.
Heliotrope, Zones 9-11
Heliotrope delivers both visual charm and a delightful vanilla fragrance despite its modest size. These flowers, native to South America, thrive as perennials in their homeland but are typically cultivated as annuals in other regions.
You’ll find heliotrope performs best in environments with warm days followed by cool nights. The plants struggle when exposed to excessive heat or humidity.
Million Bells, Zones 9-11
Million Bells, scientifically known as Calibrachoa x hybrida, offers remarkable heat tolerance unlike its petunia relatives. These plants continue blooming without requiring deadheading, as they produce minimal seeds.
Million Bells display impressive variety with colors including:
- Pink, yellow, and red shades
- Violet, white, and blue tones
- Magenta, bronze, and various color combinations
Your hanging baskets will benefit from these plants, which typically spread 6 to 24 inches, creating vibrant cascading displays throughout the growing season.
Pelargonium, Zones 10-11
Often mistakenly called geraniums, pelargoniums add bold texture and vibrant colors to garden spaces. These plants thrive as annuals in cooler regions, while genuine geraniums exist as hardy perennials. Pelargoniums excel in hanging baskets due to their trailing habit and eye-catching blooms.
Regular deadheading maintains continuous flowering until frost arrives. You’ll find pelargoniums in stunning color varieties including red, lavender, purple, pink, and white.
You’ll achieve the best results by placing these plants where they receive morning sun and afternoon shade in warmer climates.
Pansies, Zones 7-11
Pansies bring reliable color to both early spring and late fall containers. Their distinctive near-heart-shaped petals overlap to create bright, eye-catching blooms, often featuring characteristic “face” markings in the center. You’ll find the ‘Cool Wave’ series particularly useful for hanging baskets due to their vigorous spreading habit and abundant flowering.
Plant your pansies (Viola × wittrockiana) where they’ll receive adequate light while protecting them from intense afternoon heat in warmer regions.
Browallia, Zones 10-11
Browallia (Browallia speciosa) is a fast-growing tropical plant that thrives with minimal maintenance. You’ll find it performs exceptionally well in partial shade, producing abundant blooms throughout extended warm periods. Its attractive cushion-like growth habit creates a cascading effect, making it particularly suitable for hanging baskets.
This plant naturally attracts hummingbirds with its colorful flowers available in blue, purple, and white varieties.
Impatiens, Zones 10-12
New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) offer an excellent option for hanging baskets due to their compact growth habit. These plants produce larger blooms than common impatiens varieties and grow quickly after planting. You can expect flowers shortly after the final frost, with some varieties continuing to bloom through autumn.
Angelonia, Zones 9-11
Angelonia features delicate, orchid-like flower clusters that bloom atop sturdy stems lined with slender green foliage. These beautiful plants originate from Mexico, the West Indies, and South America, making them perfectly adapted to withstand hot, humid conditions.
You’ll find these plants perform exceptionally well in full sun locations. The Angelonia angustifolia grows 9 to 12 inches wide, creating an impressive display when planted in groups. For those interested in container gardening, ‘Angelface Cascade Blue’ works wonderfully in hanging baskets.
You’ll want to ensure your Angelonia receives proper drainage while maintaining consistent moisture for optimal flowering performance.
Petunias, Zones 9-11
Petunias are stunning flowering plants perfect for hanging baskets. You’ll find Milliflora varieties bloom continuously without requiring pinching, while Multiflora types excel during hot, humid summers. These plants release their most enchanting fragrance in evening hours, making white petunias an excellent addition to moon gardens.
You can find them in an impressive range of colors including purple, yellow, blue, pink, red, white, and striking bi-colored varieties.
For best results, plant your petunias in locations receiving at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Nasturtium, Zones 9-11
Nasturtium offers a perfect blend of beauty and utility for your garden. The entire plant is edible, with both flowers and leaves providing a delightful peppery flavor that can enhance your salads and dishes.
For hanging baskets, choose compact or dwarf varieties that won’t overwhelm the container. Trailing types like Canary Creeper create a stunning cascading effect that draws the eye.
You’ll find nasturtiums incredibly versatile in your garden planning, whether as colorful ground cover, basket specimens, or culinary additions.
Lantana, Zones 8-11
Lantana produces vibrant flower clusters that bring tropical color throughout the growing season. In warm climates, this plant can become quite aggressive, spreading rapidly through garden spaces. However, its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds makes it worthwhile for many gardeners.
For hanging baskets, look for compact weeping varieties like ‘Patriot Popcorn’ or ‘Patriot Rainbow’ that won’t overwhelm your space. If you’re concerned about invasiveness, choose sterile cultivars such as ‘Gold Mound’ or ‘Patriot’ which don’t produce berries with seeds.
You’ll find lantana thrives with minimal care once established, making it perfect for low-maintenance garden areas.
Fuchsia, Zones 10-11
Fuchsia plants thrive in areas with cool, wet summer conditions and provide stunning beauty in shaded areas. These tender perennials showcase dangling, bell-shaped blooms that capture attention in any garden setting. If you garden in warmer regions, consider heat-resistant varieties like ‘Astoria’, ‘Jupiter’, or ‘Surprise’ for better summer performance.
With proper care, fuchsias can maintain their beauty throughout their growing season. You’ll find these plants respond exceptionally well to:
- Daily misting to increase humidity
- Regular fertilizer application
- Prompt removal of spent blooms
For best results in hanging baskets, place your fuchsia where it receives morning sun but afternoon shade. The soil should remain consistently moist but never waterlogged to prevent root issues.
Lobelia, Zones 10-11
Lobelia erinus serves as an excellent cascading plant for early spring displays. You’ll enjoy masses of vibrant blue flowers with distinctive white centers that butterflies find irresistible. This seasonal beauty performs best in moderate temperatures and will struggle when summer heat intensifies.
When June ends, instead of trying to preserve struggling lobelias, replace them with heat-tolerant options like Million Bells or lantana for continued visual interest.
You can use lobelias in hanging baskets where their trailing habit creates a dramatic waterfall effect of color during the cooler months of spring.
Snapdragon, Zones 7-11
Snapdragons (Antirrhinum majus) offer stunning visual appeal with their colorful blooms in white, yellow, pink, red, orange, and purple varieties.
You can plant snapdragons in areas receiving full or partial sun. These flowers typically spread 6-12 inches and perform best in moist, well-draining soil.
For hanging displays, consider climbing vine varieties of snapdragons. Their adaptability and vibrant colors make them an excellent choice for adding visual interest to your garden or container arrangements.
Morning Glory, Zones 2-11
Morning glory (Ipomoea purpurea) is an excellent flowering vine for hanging baskets. This climbing plant produces vibrant trumpet-shaped blooms that cascade elegantly over the sides of containers, adding vertical interest to your garden space.
These colorful flowers attract both butterflies and hummingbirds, while offering a subtle fragrance. They come in several striking colors:
- Purple
- Pink
- Blue
- White
Be aware that morning glory is toxic to pets, so place your hanging baskets accordingly if you have animals. With proper care, you’ll enjoy this beautiful flowering vine all season long.
Sweet Alyssum, Zones 7-11
Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima) creates a delightful sensory experience with its strong honey scent that draws pollinators like bees and butterflies. This trailing plant develops a somewhat shaggy appearance as the growing season progresses, making a mid-summer trim beneficial for rejuvenation.
When planting Sweet Alyssum, ensure you provide well-draining soil to prevent root issues and maximize their flowering potential.
Annual Vinca, Zones 9-11
Annual vinca (Catharanthus roseus) is a perfect choice for gardeners seeking drought-resistant plants with colorful blooms. This versatile flower thrives in full sunlight, making it ideal for hanging baskets positioned in sunny locations. You’ll find annual vinca available in several attractive colors including white, pink, and red.
This butterfly-attracting plant grows best in sandy or loamy soil conditions. Annual vinca has a modest spread of 6-18 inches, allowing it to fit well in various garden arrangements.
You can easily incorporate this low-maintenance annual into your garden design for reliable summer color.
Bacopa, Zones 9-11
Bacopa serves as an excellent filler plant and performs wonderfully in hanging baskets. You’ll find this plant adaptable and easy to maintain in various soil conditions, though it flourishes best in consistently moist, fertile soil.
When growing Bacopa in containers or hanging baskets, regular watering is essential. Never let the soil dry out completely.
You can use Bacopa to add cascading color to your garden arrangements or to fill spaces between larger plants. Its trailing habit makes it particularly attractive when allowed to spill over the edges of containers.
Verbena, Zones 8-11
Annual verbena, commonly known as vervain, offers trailing growth with distinctive dark green elongated foliage. These plants bloom continuously from spring through fall, displaying a range of colors including white, red, purple, pink, lavender, and bi-colored varieties.
For optimal growth, plant your verbena where it will receive 8-10 hours of full sunlight daily. You’ll achieve best results in moderately moist, well-drained soil, and should space plants to allow proper air circulation.
The ‘Lanai Twister Pink’ cultivar makes an excellent choice for hanging baskets with its light pink blooms featuring deep pink centers.
Wishbone Flower, Zones 2-11
The wishbone flower (Torenia fournieri) brings elegance and cheer to shaded garden spaces. This annual blooms continuously throughout summer, even in full shade conditions. You’ll appreciate its heat tolerance and minimal maintenance requirements.
In warmer regions, provide some protection from intense afternoon sun. These compact plants typically spread 6 to 9 inches and create a lovely trailing effect, making them perfect candidates for hanging baskets and container gardens.
You’ll find wishbone flowers particularly valuable in those challenging shaded spots where few other plants flower reliably. Their trailing habit adds dimension to container arrangements while their continuous blooming provides season-long color.
Black-Eyed Susan Vine, Zones 10-11
The Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata) is a stunning tropical perennial typically grown as an ornamental climbing plant. This versatile vine can extend up to 6 feet in length, making it an excellent choice for hanging baskets and vertical gardens.
For optimal growth, plant your Black-Eyed Susan Vine in a location that receives plenty of sunlight. Regular fertilization is essential to maintain its vigorous growth and abundant flowering.
When incorporating this vine into hanging baskets, timing is important. For summer displays, you can prepare your baskets in April or May, but wait until all frost danger has passed before moving them outdoors.
You can create visually striking hanging arrangements by pairing Black-Eyed Susan Vine with complementary plants. Consider using it as a trailing element alongside taller center plants and appropriate fillers for a balanced composition with dimensional appeal.
The bright blooms with their distinctive dark centers provide a cheerful accent to porches, patios, and garden trellises throughout the growing season.
Scaevola, Zones 10-11
Fan flower thrives as an excellent hanging basket option in warm climates. You’ll find this resilient plant blooming continuously through summer heat without dropping flowers, making it exceptionally low-maintenance.
Scientifically known as Scaevola aemula, this plant flourishes in full sunlight but tolerates partial shade well. It grows 1-2 feet wide and displays vibrant purple, blue, or pink blossoms.
Candytuft, Zones 3-9
Candytuft (Iberis sempervirens) is a charming woody subshrub that produces delightful blooms in various colors. You can find this versatile plant flowering in white, pink, purple, and red varieties.
This hardy plant prefers full to partial sun exposure. While it can tolerate some shade, you’ll get the best flowering results by planting it in sunny locations.
You should ensure proper drainage when planting candytuft to prevent root rot and other moisture-related issues. Its compact spreading habit makes it excellent for borders, rock gardens, and ground cover applications.
African Daisy, Zones 10-11
African daisies resemble traditional daisies in shape but stand out with their vibrant petals. These perennials shine brightest from late spring through early summer. During hot weather, they typically pause their blooming cycle.
For best results, plant African daisies alongside other flowers to maintain visual interest throughout the season. They thrive in full sun conditions and prefer soil that retains moisture while draining well.
