Best Plants For A Hanging Basket – Top Picks & Guide

Do you dream of vibrant, overflowing baskets that spill color onto your porch or patio? Imagine stepping outside to a cascade of beautiful blooms and lush greenery, instantly boosting your home’s curb appeal. Many gardeners, however, find choosing the perfect plants for hanging baskets a real puzzle. Which ones thrive in the sun? Which ones handle the wind? It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by all the choices and end up with a basket that droops instead of dazzles.

This guide cuts through the confusion! We will show you exactly which plants work best together and how to create stunning, long-lasting displays. You will learn the secrets to choosing the right mix of “thrillers, fillers, and spillers.” By the end of this post, you will have the confidence to select plants that will turn your ordinary baskets into neighborhood showstoppers.

Top Plants For A Hanging Basket Recommendations

No. 1
LaLaGreen Hanging Planters for Outdoor Plants (2 Pack, 12 Inch) Hanging Baskets with Coco Liner...
  • 2-PACK SET: 12 inch, medium size. Pick the right size for your plants to prevent unpleasant experience and potential wastage on resources. Flowers and Plants are NOT included. These metal wire hanging flower pots are ready to hang with coco liners, metal hanging chain and hook. Assembly not required
  • STRONG AND LIGHTWEIGHT: This outdoor hanging planter is coated with PVC which prevents it from rusting and suitable for indoor & outdoor. It is sturdy and suitable to hold real live plants or artificial (fake or faux) plants for home decorations
  • MATERIAL FROM COCONUT: This hanging basket is filled with coco coir liners, which is excellent planting material for plants as it holds a good deal of water, provides superior drainage and good air ventilation for the roots
No. 2
UOUZ 13 Inch 2 Pack Large Self Watering Hanging Planters for Indoor Outdoor Plants, Hanging Plant...
  • 【7-14 Days Watering-Free】13 inch extra large self watering hanging planters (2 Pack) allow your plants to thrive for 7–14 days without frequent watering, making plant care effortless even during short trips or busy schedules. Perfect for hanging pots for plants indoor and outdoor, these planters support all house hanging plants and flowers, including pothos, spider Plants, Baby's tears, herbs, Boston fern, string of pearls, ivy, and Baby Breath, offering convenience and healthy growth.
  • 【Upgraded Self-Watering System】Our self watering hanging pots for indoor plants feature a wick and reservoir system that transfers water from the reservoir evenly into the soil through capillary action, ensuring consistent moisture and promoting healthy roots. The Watering Lip design makes refilling the reservoir simple and spill-free. Ideal for busy plant owners, frequent travelers, and gardening beginners, this planter lets you enjoy thriving plants with minimal effort.
  • 【Efficient Drainage & 50 Oz Reservoir】Designed as reliable hanging flower pots, each planter includes a mesh bottom for proper airflow and uniform drainage, combined with a removable 50 Oz reservoir that is easy to clean. It also comes with an instruction manual, ensuring each planter can be easily installed as a versatile hanging plant holder.
No. 3
Shappy 2 Pack Jute Crochet Long Plant Hanger for 3 Inch to 12 Inch Pots, Macrame Plant Holder Rope...
  • Planters and Hooks: each package includes 2 boho-style plant hangers, with a total length of about 105 cm ( 41.34 inches) and a middle basket length of approx. 17.78 cm ( 7 inches), weighing 100g; It also comes with 2 S-shaped hooks ( 10g each); This thoughtful combination meets your needs perfectly
  • Not Easy to Break: made of quality twine, the wall hanging baskets are strong and sturdy, enough to hold the weight of the pot, not easy to break, you can take them home for your plants with confidence
  • Good Hand Made Workmanship: the plant hanging baskets are hand made, tightly woven together with thread, they can provide better support for your plants, the whole star edge design makes them befitting for indoor hanging flowerpots and plant racks
No. 4
Mkono Fake Hanging Plant with Pot, Artificial Plants for Home Spring Decor Indoor Macrame Plant...
  • Add Greenery to Your Home: Lifelike fake hanging plant with pot is a great way to add decorative touch and some natural greenery to your living space without worry of overwatering and underwatering. Perfect Gift for who want to easily enjoy the beauty of nature but don't have a green thumb
  • Rewarding Artificial Hanging Plant Set: Comes with two approx. 2.5ft pothos faux plants, a 29"L macrame hanger, a plastic pot with 6.3" in opening diameter, 5.9" in height, and a plant hook in a set. This hanging fake plant can be easily assembled, just put the pot in the macrame plant hanger and put the fake plants in the planter, then hang it up
  • Durable Material: Made of high quality plastic, each leaf of our fake pothos plant has many stems and clear textures that make it looks realistic and vivid, also it will always maintain a bright fresh-looking green. Combined with plastic pot and cotton macrame hanger, it is ideal for indoor environments and will withstand the test of time
No. 5
Mkono Macrame Plant Hanger Indoor Hanging Planter Basket with Wood Beads Decorative Flower Pot...
  • Pots and plants are not included!!
  • STYLISH AND UNIQUE: The modern, vintage-inspired plant hanger adds the perfect touch to your room and living room. This beauty would be gracing your home or balcony garden, or brightening up an office. Easily add some special to your beautiful bohemian home decor, sweet farmhouse decor, or modern minimalist style
  • ORIGINAL DESIGN AND DISTINCTIVE CRAFT: Handmade by our talented artisans, this plant holder is made of cotton cord. Mkono hanging plant stand has a strong flexible woven design that can accommodate various shapes and sizes of planters. At 35 inches long, it is perfect for planters up to 9 inches in diameter. (POTS NOT INCLUDED)
No. 6
ZeeDix 2 Pack 14 Inch Metal Hanging Baskets for Plants Outdoor, Wire Round Planters with Coco Coir...
  • Package Includes: You will receive 2 packs of coconut fiber hanging baskets for plants indoor or outdoor. The plant liners for pots are 14 inches in diameter and 6.69 inches in depth, the depth is sufficient to allow the root system to grow and give the plant a healthy growth environment. You can cut the coconut planter liners to the size you want to fit the metal hanging plant basket
  • Natural & Durable Material: For our metal hanging flower basket with pot liners for plants, the coco liners for planters are made of 100% natural coconut fibers which has good air permeability and water retention; the frame and hanging basket chain are made of iron with powder-coated to prevent rust, which is strong and durable. So you can rest assured to use them outdoors
  • Easy to Use: Firstly, soak the planter liners completely in water for a while; Secondly, open the hanging basket liners, then place in the basket with black chain; Thirdly, fill with potting soil; Lastly, plant the plants or flowers you like in hanging flower pot. The appearance is stylish and beautiful, 3-chain frame hanging, balanced and strong
No. 7
Srmayyi 4 Pack 8 inch Plastic Self Watering Hanging Planters,Round Hanging Basket Planter with...
  • Super Value Hanging Planter Set:You will receive 4 pack white self-watering hanging basket planters,7.6 inches in diameter and 4.7 inches in height;each planter pot comes with 1 pcs drain and 1 pcs 15.7 inch metal chain for hanging
  • Unique Self-Watering Design:Perforated water trays in hanging baskets keep the soil above the bottom of the pot,allowing the soil to absorb water as needed,which can prevent too much water from rotting the roots,and also help store water
  • Reliable Material:These hanging planters are made of high quality plastic,lightweight,durable,unbreakable and easy to move,heavy duty metal triple chain stand,strong and balanced to ensure safe support when hanging
No. 8
RUIZHIXUAN Hanging Planter Basket Jute Rope Woven Plant Hangers Indoor Hanging Plant Holder Up to 7"...
  • BASKET SIZE: Opening's diameter: 8", Bottom's diameter: 7.8", Basket's height: 6.1", Hanging rope's length: 19.9". Best fits 7" plant pot or size between 5" up to 7". Moderate size woven storage baskets is perfect for multipurpose use Indoor Outdoor.
  • DECORATIVE HANGING PLANTERS:To hung with sturdy cotton strings,the unique hanging design makes it great for display potted plants and flower pots in the air or window side very well, arrange these planters to hang over to add some chic and liven up your home, office or sheltered garden.
  • MULTI-FUNCTIONAL STORAGE: Not only use as a plant holder, but also use it for various purposes; Great storage container for vegetables, fruits, cosmetic, or other small items.

Choosing the Perfect Plants for Your Hanging Basket: A Buyer’s Guide

Hanging baskets add beauty and color to any space. They bring life to porches, balconies, and patios. Picking the right plants makes all the difference. This guide helps you select the best greenery for your elevated display.

Key Features to Look For in Hanging Basket Plants

When you shop for plants, look for a few important features. These traits help ensure your basket thrives.

  • **Growth Habit:** Does the plant trail, mound, or stand upright? Trailing plants (like petunias) spill beautifully over the edges. Mounding plants fill the middle space. Upright plants give height. A good basket uses a mix of all three.
  • **Sunlight Needs:** Check how much sun the plant needs. Some love full, hot sun. Others prefer shade. Match the plant to the spot where you will hang the basket.
  • **Water Requirements:** Some plants need daily watering. Others tolerate drying out between drinks. Consider how often you can water.
  • **Bloom Time and Color:** Look for plants that bloom for a long time. Bright colors catch the eye from far away.

Important Materials and Plant Types

The “materials” in this case refer to the types of plants that work well together. Successful hanging baskets usually follow the “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” rule.

The Thriller (The Star)

This is the tall, dramatic plant in the center. It draws the eye upward. Good thrillers include ornamental grasses or tall flowering plants like snapdragons or small cannas.

The Filler (The Body)

Fillers are bushy plants that surround the thriller. They make the basket look full and lush. Good fillers include geraniums or coleus, which offer great leaf color.

The Spiller (The Drape)

Spillers hang over the sides. They soften the hard edges of the container. Excellent spillers are sweet potato vine (Ipomoea), ivy, or creeping jenny.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality

Good quality means a plant stays healthy and looks good all season long.

Factors That Improve Quality:
  • **Healthy Roots:** Gently check the bottom of the nursery pot. If roots are circling tightly (root-bound), the plant might struggle. Look for healthy, white roots.
  • **Pest-Free Foliage:** Inspect the leaves closely. You should not see tiny bugs, sticky residue, or holes. Healthy leaves mean a strong start.
  • **Compact Growth:** Plants that are bushy and short rather than long and leggy usually grow better in a basket.
Factors That Reduce Quality:
  • **Stretching (Etiolation):** If a plant has very long stems and few leaves, it did not get enough light where it was grown. This plant will look weak in your sunny spot.
  • **Water Stress:** Yellowing leaves or drooping flowers often signal too much or too little water before you buy it. Avoid these stressed plants.

User Experience and Use Cases

How you use the basket affects your plant choice.

For a **low-maintenance experience**, choose succulents or drought-tolerant herbs like thyme or sedum. These plants need less frequent watering.

For a **high-impact, colorful display**, select annuals like calibrachoa or petunias. These bloom constantly but require regular feeding and watering.

If you are hanging the basket **high up**, choose lighter plants. Heavy, dense baskets are difficult to lift and hang safely.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Hanging Basket Plants

Q: What is the best size container for hanging plants?

A: Bigger is usually better! Larger baskets (14 inches or more in diameter) hold more soil. More soil means the soil stays moist longer, reducing your watering chores.

Q: Can I use houseplants in my outdoor hanging basket?

A: You can, but only if the outdoor conditions match the houseplant’s needs. Most tropical houseplants wilt quickly in direct summer sun and heat.

Q: How often should I water a hanging basket?

A: In hot, sunny weather, you might need to water daily, sometimes twice a day. Hanging baskets dry out very fast compared to ground gardens.

Q: Do hanging basket plants need fertilizer?

A: Yes, definitely. Since you water often, nutrients wash out quickly. Use a liquid fertilizer every two weeks to keep the flowers coming.

Q: What if my basket only gets morning sun?

A: Morning sun is gentler. Choose plants that like partial shade or sun, such as impatiens, fuchsias, or begonias.

Q: How do I stop my trailing plants from getting too long?

A: Gently pinch or trim the very tips of the longest vines. This encourages the plant to branch out sideways instead of just growing longer.

Q: Can I mix edible herbs and flowers?

A: Yes! Basil makes a great filler, and trailing thyme or oregano look wonderful spilling over the edge alongside colorful annual flowers.

Q: What is the difference between annuals and perennials in a basket?

A: Annuals complete their life cycle in one season and must be replanted next year. Perennials may come back, but they often need to be brought indoors for winter if you live where it freezes.

Q: My basket looks sparse. What did I do wrong?

A: You likely did not use enough “Filler” plants. Aim for 3-5 plants in a standard 12-inch basket to ensure it looks full quickly.

Q: When is the best time to plant my hanging basket?

A: Plant after the danger of the last spring frost has completely passed in your area. This protects the tender new plants from sudden cold snaps.

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