When it comes to making the outside of my house look nice, I always go for hanging baskets.
I’ve tried tons of different trailing flowers over the years, and I’m excited to share my top 17 picks.
Get ready to make your patio or balcony super pretty!
1. Lobelia
Excellent choice for blooming trailing plants
Lobelia holds a special place in my heart. It’s one of the first trailing plants I ever grew, and it’s still a favorite. Available in captivating shades of purple or white, these delicate flowers create a stunning waterfall effect in any hanging basket.
2. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)
Tender perennials often cultivated as annuals
Million Bells have become a staple in my hanging baskets over the years. Their trumpet-like flowers come in a rainbow of colors – purple, pink, red, yellow, orange, and white. They’re so vibrant; my kids love to count how many different shades we can spot!
3. Waterhub
Easy to maintain
Waterhub is a plant that’s perfect for busy gardeners like me. It’s quite easy to maintain, as long as it gets plenty of sunlight and regular watering. I often place these in spots where I know I won’t forget to give them a drink!
4. Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia)
Gracefully spills out of baskets
Creeping Jenny is a show-stopper with its abundant and beautiful lime green foliage. I love how it gracefully spills out of its basket, creating a lush, cascading effect that catches everyone’s eye.
5. Fuchsias
Top choices for trailing plants in hanging baskets
Fuchsias rank among my top choices for hanging baskets. Varieties like Purple Rain or White King fill baskets with their magnificent blooms. They remind me of little ballerinas dancing in the breeze!
6. Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia alata)
Striking yellow or orange flowers
The Black-Eyed Susan vine showcases striking yellow or orange flowers with dark centers. It’s a vigorous grower that adds a bright, cheerful touch to any outdoor space.
7. Trailing Geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum)
Cascade over container edges
Trailing geraniums are my go-to for creating stunning displays of vibrant colors. They cascade beautifully over the container edges, filling the basket with blooms all season long.
8. Petunias
Colors: white, yellow, pink, purple, and red
Petunias hold a special place in my garden. Available in both single and double petal types, they offer a wide range of choices to suit any color scheme. My daughters love helping me pick out new varieties each year.
9. Begonias
Easy to cultivate
Begonias are perfect for newbie gardeners or those of us who sometimes forget to water! Their trailing varieties are ideal for hanging baskets, adding a touch of elegance with minimal fuss.
10. Verbenas
Staple choice for hanging baskets
No hanging basket in my garden is complete without verbenas. These charming plants bear small flowers in an array of captivating hues and have a long-blooming period that keeps my baskets looking fresh all season.
11. Cape Daisies (Osteospermum)
Diverse palette ranging from lemon yellow to magenta
Cape daisies are a relatively new addition to my hanging basket repertoire, but they’ve quickly become a favorite. They flourish in sunny locations and showcase remarkable longevity.
12. Diascia
Tender perennial with enduring bloom
Diascia displays shades of white, pink, and salmon. Their growth habit makes them perfect candidates for hanging baskets, and I love how they bloom tirelessly throughout the season.
13. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)
Gracefully trail in hanging baskets
Nasturtiums are a fun addition to any hanging basket. Not only do they flaunt vibrant blooms in hues of orange, yellows, and reds, but their flowers and leaves are edible too! My kids get a kick out of adding nasturtium flowers to our summer salads.
14. Lantana
Clusters of colorful flowers
Lantana showcases clusters of colorful flowers in shades of pink, orange, and yellow. I love how they attract butterflies and other pollinators to our outdoor space.
15. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Fragrant flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple
Sweet alyssum is a delightful addition to any hanging basket arrangement. Its compact and cascading growth habit adds a touch of elegance, and the sweet fragrance is simply irresistible.
16. Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)
Commonly grown as a trailing vine
While Hoya carnosa is commonly grown as a trailing vine, it can also thrive in a hanging basket. It creates a beautiful cascading effect with its flowers, adding a tropical touch to any space.
17. Purple Heart (Tradescantia pallida)
Vibrant purple foliage
Last but not least, the Purple Heart plant makes a stunning addition to hanging baskets with its vibrant purple foliage and small pink or white flowers. It’s a conversation starter that always catches visitors’ eyes!