The best trailing plants for hanging baskets add a joyful pop of colour outside a front door. It's such a joy in spring and summer to walk around the neighbourhood and see begonias, petunias and lobelia suspended from every lamppost. The best outdoor plants in the UK are hardy and resilient to our variable weather. Trailing plants, such as ivy, grow in such a way that their stems and foliage cascade downwards. Fuchsia is also a popular flowering plant that creates a lush draping effect when hung in a hanging basket.
Whether you're looking to brighten up a balcony or festoon a pergola with cascading foliage and flowers, be sure to regularly water your hanging baskets as they dry out much faster than ground plants. Similarly, because there's a limited amount of soil the nutrients get used up, therefore plants in hanging baskets need regular feeding with fertiliser. Finally, trim trailing plants over the course of the summer, as they can become a bit overgrown and leggy.
Best trailing plants for hanging baskets at a glance:
• Best trailing plant for foliage: Hedera Ivy Mix – View on Amazon UK
• Best trailing flower for shade: Fuchsia Bella – View on Gardening Express
• Best for fasting growing: Petunia x hybrida 'Purple Tower' F1 Hybrid – View on Thompson and Morgan
The popularity of hanging baskets goes back over 3,000 years – think of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. In the British Isles, cattle hayracks would be filled with soil and plants. Indeed, hayrack planters are still an alternative to window boxes as you get a fuller show of flowers. Even if you're on a tight budget or are limited for space, a hanging basket can be an inexpensive way to get a show of flowers. Let a little nature raise a smile every time you leave the house.
As well as being aesthetically pleasing, hanging baskets can hide cracked walls or unsightly cables. In addition, trailing plants create a cooling effect when positioned next to a window or door. The lush foliage shades the area and provides a screen that absorbs sunlight. It's important to note that some species thrive in direct sun while other plants prefer shade. We've picked a range of trailing plants and specified their preferred aspect, so you can discover creeping and cascading blooms that are perfect for your plot.
Best trailing plants for hanging baskets
Best trailing plant for foliage
Ivy is a classic plant known for its lush and variegated foliage. It's easy to care for and can tolerate both sun and shade.
This Hedera Ivy Mix is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and includes five gold and five white English Ivy plants in 9cm pots. Ivy can be grown as a trailing plant and provides evergreen foliage for year-round interest.
Customer review: "Neatly packaged for delivery but not over packaged. Plants were healthy and well rooted but not pot bound- so arrived in peak condition. They are small as described, which is perfect as smaller specimens tend to root in better and grow well."
Pros
- Versatile
- Requires minimal attention
- Air-purifying indoors
Cons
- Some reviews comment that the quality of the plants was mixed
Best trailing plant for shade
www.gardeningexpress.co.uk
Your hanging baskets will be ready to grow with this pack of six Fuchsia Bella in 9cm pots. Fuchsias are well-loved for their pendulous blooms, and the tubular flowers of this Fuchsia Bella come in a wonderful range of colours. Fuchsias are suitable for both sun and partial shade, making them a great choice for hanging baskets in the UK climate.
Pros
- Exquisite flowers
- Shade-loving
- Ready to plant
Cons
- No customer review
Best for fast growing
www.thompson-morgan.com
If you have limited ground space, a trailing plant with large blooms – such as a petunia – can bring the smallest space alive with vibrant flowers and lush foliage. The Petunia x hybrida 'Super Cascade Improved' F1 Hybrid – Seeds will grow fast, if planted in early spring, and provide a spectacular show of fragrant purple blooms throughout the summer. The long stems will gracefully spill over the edges of hanging baskets and soften the look of any plain backdrop.
Customer review: "I grow this every year. Good in baskets."
Pros
- Colourful blooms
- Long flowering period
- Fast growing
- Low maintenance
Cons
- Vulnerable to aphids and pests
Best for small flowers
www.dobies.co.uk
Bacopa is well-suited for hanging baskets as it creates a dense, cascading effect with its small, delicate flowers. Its flowers are an alternative to trailing Lobelia and it's a slightly hardier species underneath a profusion of delicate blooms. Bacopa Seeds – Blutopia offers good value for money as you get 20 seeds in a pack. This trusty filler plant likes consistent moisture, partial shade and well-draining soil. It's known for its ability to tolerate cooler temperatures, making it well-suited for the UK's climate.
Customer review: "This filler plant is the ideal ‘foil’ for larger-flowered items, and a good hardy alternative to trailing lobelia, with a cascading/trailing growth habit and masses of mauve-blue flowers all summer."
Pros
- Abundant cascading flowers
- Hardy
- A good filler plant
Cons
- Needs constant watering
Best seed mix for hanging baskets
Add life and diversity to your garden. Attract wildlife and add bursts of colour with Jamieson Brothers Beautiful Hanging Baskets Mixture. This value-for-money seed pack contains approximately 400 Petunia, Lobelia, Swan River Daisy, Alyssum, Phlox and Verbena seeds. Sow in early spring to enjoy late spring and summer flowers. This mix of flowers is versatile as it can be used in hanging baskets and borders.
Customer review: "Loved how quickly the seeds arrived. Planted them straight away and healthy green shoots were soon to appear."
Pros
- Value for money
- Colourful mix
- Versatile
Cons
- Some reviews comment on being disappointed with the resulting plants
Best edible trailing plant
www.sarahraven.com
Eat with your eyes and then eat the flowers of this Nasturtium 'Empress of India' (Tropaeolum majus), adding a peppery flavour to salads. This seed pack will be ready to plant out 10–12 weeks from sowing and has a long summer flowering season. Nasturtium 'Empress of India' has vibrant red flowers and lush foliage, its compact growth suits hanging baskets and containers.
Customer review: "We had some wonderful plants from the seeds. They all flourished and produced masses of flowers. We loved the way they climbed and flourished."
Pros
- Attract pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Edible leaves and flowers
- Hardy and easy to grow
Cons
- Nasturtiums can self-seed and spread
Best value seeds
www.thompson-morgan.com
For a sense of beauty and tranquillity, this Lobelia 'White Cascade' (Lobelia erinus) is an enchanting plant with delicate, trailing white flowers. Enjoy a long flowering period with minimal care as this half-hardy annual grows well in both sun and partial shade. For a packet containing 1000 seeds this is great value for a summer of beautiful cascading flowers.
Customer review: "Will look nice mixed with all the seeds I have got."
Pros
- Low maintenance
- Attract bees and butterflies
- Long flowering period
Cons
- Sensitive to excessive moisture
Best for prolific blooms
The striking large blushing blooms of PREMIER SEEDS DIRECT Petunia – Nana COMPACTA thrive in sunlight and well-drained soil. This compact, half-hardy annual, can reach up to 15 inches tall and it's simple to cultivate. Begin sowing from January indoors or under cover at 21-27°C, placing seeds on the surface of fine seed compost and gently pressing down. Petunias are a fantastic garden plant, suitable for baskets, pots, beds, and borders and these pink Rose of Heavens are proverbial medicine for the soul.
Customer review: "I am very impressed, sometimes I struggle bringing on Petunias from seed but these have been great, looking forward to the display."
Pros
- Reviews comment that these seeds germinate well
- Produces lots of flowers
- Value for money
Cons
- Amazon spec is inaccurate, the expected blooming period is not winter
Best for vibrant colour
The spellbinding blue of this Lobelia 'Crystal Palace' is definitely not a shrinking violet. It's an Amazon Choice product and comes as a pack of 20 plug plants. Lobelia needs partial shade, well-draining soil and regular watering. In turn, you'll be rewarded with a dazzling array of small and vibrant flowers that attract pollinators.
Customer review: "Planted in circles and they look beautiful."
Pros
- Attracts butterflies and bees
- Ready to grow
- Vibrant colour
Cons
- Prone to drying out
Best for indoors
A popular air-purifying indoor plant, Spider Plants can also be grown outside in the summer. Its simple cascading foliage would look striking against a matte black container in a Minimalist garden. Similarly, bring it indoors when the weather turns, and enjoy its air-purifying benefits by hanging it in your bedroom.
Customer review: "I am very happy to buy it. Very beautiful, big plant. The plant is not only very beautiful, but also arrived beautifully carefully packaged, it can be seen that it was grown with love."
Pros
- Air-purifying
- Easy to grow
- Indoors or outdoors (in summer)
Cons
- Can develop brown tips due to dry air or overfertilization
FAQs: Best trailing plants for hanging baskets
What factors should I consider about hanging baskets?
Exposure to sunlight and regular watering are top considerations when it comes to maintaining a thriving display of hanging baskets. The aspect, soil and moisture content need to be right for whatever plant species you choose. This may limit your plant choices as some species are just not suited to small containers and limited water. However, there are some plants that can thrive in hanging baskets.
Over time trailing plants can outgrow the hanging basket and will need repotting. If this is neglected the confined root space affects the growth and health of the plant.
Bear in mind the overall weight of a hanging basket with fully grown plants. It needs to be on hooks that can take the strain and be suspended from a supporting structure. This is essential given the gusts of wind the UK is sometimes exposed to. Also, a strong wind can cause damage to delicate flowers, so be sure to position your hanging basket in a sheltered spot if you live on the coast.
Finally, factor in the cost of hanging basket accessories, such as liners, hooks and chains, in addition to the cost of regular watering and fertiliser.
What plants can I put in my hanging basket?
When choosing what to put in a hanging basket, opt for a simple mix that will provide texture, trailing and blooms. The rule of three is useful for keeping things simple, elegant and effective. Choose from colourful trailing plants, such as petunia, ivy or lobelia. Textured foliage in the form of Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea), liquorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare) or creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) will add contrast. In addition, mix in some million bells (Calibrachoa), fuchsia, or phlox for long-lasting blooms. Remember to water regularly and position in suitable sunlight, for a thriving arrangement.
What types of hanging baskets can I use?
There are several types of hanging baskets, each with its own features and benefits. First, a traditional wire hanging basket with chains is a classic look, that's sturdy and offers good drainage. However, it can become very heavy when filled with plants and soil. In addition, it may rust over time.
Moss-lined hanging baskets offer a rustic and natural look. Also, the moss retains moisture which is all-important for keeping plants hydrated. Be aware that moss can decay over time and it needs regular misting to keep the moss from drying out.
Hanging baskets with coco coir liners offer great moisture retention. Place a liner in a plastic or resin hanging basket for a lightweight option; just make sure it has good drainage holes. Finally, look out for self-watering hanging baskets that have a little reservoir of extra water to ensure plants stay watered, even on hot days.
What to read next:
Smart outdoor planters to make life in the garden even better!
Discover everything you need to know to make your outside space look fantastic, quickly and easily, with hundreds of simple ideas, designer tricks, affordable products and expert advice with a Modern Gardens Membership. Find out more about the benefits of being a Member now.
Natalie Knowles is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Modern Gardens, specialising in garden trends. When she's not flexing her mow-how, Natalie is a successful artist and illustrator.