Brighten up your balcony and patio with hanging basket flowers—get care tips and discover the most beautiful varieties

Over the past decade, the number of hanging basket plants has doubled thanks to the introduction of many new varieties suited for hanging pots. The simplest approach is to buy a ready-made basket, already grown to fullness in a greenhouse. If you can’t find one that suits you, plant your own mix of favorite varieties.

A well-balanced hanging basket keeps growing downward, upward, and outward all summer long. Include upright, bushy, and notably trailing varieties in the same container. A single sweet pea, for example, can climb up the basket’s chain. Along with flowers, pay attention to the colors and shapes of the leaves.

Planting and caring for hanging basket flowers—here's how to succeed!

Use fresh potting soil designed for summer plants, and choose a roomy container with plenty of soil space. This extends intervals between watering, as soil in a larger pot stays evenly moist longer. If you can’t water regularly, use potting soil mixed with water-storing granules, which retain moisture and release it as needed.

Hanging baskets need plenty of water, sometimes even twice a day in hot weather. If they dry out or lack fertilizer, you’ll see a quick break in flowering. The easiest way to fertilize is to mix water-soluble fertilizer into your watering can. It’s better to fertilize lightly at each watering than to use a stronger dose occasionally.

If you notice the plant forming seeds after flowering, pinch off the wilted blooms so it doesn’t waste energy on seed production. If you’d rather skip deadheading, choose one of the simpler-care varieties listed below.

12 most dazzling flowers for hanging baskets

Pelargoniums

Trailing and single-flowered pelargoniums suit hanging baskets well. Their relaxed stems arch gracefully under the weight of the blooms. Try planting two types of pelargoniums together, or pair them with lobelia or large-flowered petunias. Pelargoniums thrive in a sunny, warm spot with protection from wind and rain.

Morning glory

Blue morning glory looks like a piece of the sky! It flourishes in a bright, warm, wind-sheltered spot. Though each flower opens for only one day, new buds form constantly, keeping it in bloom. You can also grow morning glory on a trellis, training the vines upwards to create a blooming privacy screen.

Nasturtium

Nasturtium bursts with color and rapidly fills a hanging basket. It can stand alone, as it’s vigorous enough to outcompete other plants. Nasturtium tolerates both sun and shade, but be mindful of frequent watering in full sun. Move the seedlings outside only after the risk of frost has passed, because its water-rich stems don’t tolerate cold.

Fuchsia

With drooping flowers, fuchsia is perfect for hanging baskets, letting you admire its exquisite blooms from below. They flourish in partial shade or shade, and don’t like high winds, which can break their delicate stems. Otherwise, they’re easy to grow and reward you with spectacular blooms.

Million bells

Million bells, true to its reputation, produces countless blossoms. Combine several differently colored varieties in one basket for a vivid ball of flowers sure to draw attention. Million bells is a great choice if you want an easy-care option, since its spent blooms fall off on their own.

Common fan flower

Common fan flower is relatively new to summer plantings, so many people haven’t yet tried it. It’s well worth adding to your garden, as it’s a real flowering powerhouse if watered regularly with fertilizer-infused water. It’s also easy to look after because you don’t need to deadhead. The plant thrives in partial shade or full sun, and pink varieties are also available.

Wax begonia

Wax begonia adds color to partly or fully shaded areas. Keep the soil consistently moist without letting it get waterlogged, especially in deeper shade. Wax begonias also need shelter from wind, as their stems can break easily in strong gusts.

Black-eyed Susan vine

You can grow black-eyed Susan vine in a hanging basket or train it as a climbing vine by tying its shoots to a trellis. The vines can reach a couple of meters in length. The plant thrives in warm, sheltered spots. Water it regularly with fertilizer-infused water, and it will reward you with abundant blooms.

Purple bell vine

Purple bell vine’s skirt-like flowers are best admired from below, making a hanging basket a perfect display. Its heart-shaped leaves are also very appealing. Pair it with petunias in matching shades, allowing the petunias to cover the top of the basket. Grow it in partial shade or full sun, and remember to water and fertilize regularly.

Petunia

Petunias are the queens of summer hanging baskets. Their vast range of varieties lets you enjoy a fresh look every year. From single hues to multicolored options, and with double blooms that can resemble roses, petunias deliver plenty of choice. They love a sunny, warm spot. Water them with fertilizer-infused water and remove wilted flowers often so new ones keep appearing.

Garden verbena

Garden verbena is happiest in full sun, and its trailing stems look great in a hanging basket. Combine it with petunias or trailing pelargoniums. It will bloom generously as long as you remove the spent flowers along with their stems. Water and fertilize regularly. Though it tolerates some dryness, it doesn’t like soggy soil.

Bacopa

Bacopa offers white, pale pink, or purple blooms. It thrives in bright or partially shaded conditions. Bacopa is a simple choice for hanging baskets, as you don’t need to remove faded flowers. Provide steady watering and fertilizer, and it will bloom abundantly all summer.