Hanging baskets are a beautiful addition to any outdoor space, adding color and life to your surroundings. Whether you have a small balcony or a spacious garden, hanging baskets can bring a touch of charm and elegance to any area. One of the key factors to consider when choosing plants for your hanging baskets is the amount of sunlight they will receive. This article will guide you through the top 35 best plants for hanging baskets in full sun, ensuring that your blooms thrive and delight throughout the season.
Best plants for hanging baskets in full sun
1. Ivy Leaf Geranium: Ivy leaf geraniums are a popular choice for hanging baskets as they have trailing stems that are perfect for creating a cascade of flowers. These plants are known for their vibrant blooms and attractive foliage, making them a stunning addition to any hanging basket.
2. Petunia: Petunias are a classic choice for hanging baskets, known for their beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colors. These annual plants are easy to grow and are sure to add a burst of color to your outdoor space.
3. Million Bells: Also known as calibrachoa, million bells are another popular choice for hanging baskets. These trailing plants produce an abundance of small, bell-shaped flowers that come in a variety of vibrant colors. Million bells are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun, making them an excellent choice for hanging baskets in hot and sunny locations.
4. Bougainvillea: Bougainvillea is a tropical plant that thrives in full sun and produces stunning, vibrant blooms. These plants are known for their cascading branches and can add a touch of exotic beauty to your hanging baskets.
5. Portulaca: Portulaca, also known as moss rose, is a low-growing annual plant with colorful flowers that bloom in full sun. These plants are drought-tolerant and thrive in hot and dry conditions, making them perfect for hanging baskets in sunny locations.
6. Dragon Wing Begonia: Dragon wing begonias are tender perennial plants that are known for their attractive foliage and cascading flowers. These plants are easy to grow and can add a touch of elegance to your hanging baskets.
7. Begonia boliviensis: Begonia boliviensis is another great choice for hanging baskets in full sun. These plants produce an abundance of trailing flowers that come in shades of red, orange, and yellow. Begonia boliviensis is a tender perennial that can add a pop of color to your outdoor space.
8. Sunpatiens: Sunpatiens are a hybrid of impatiens and new guinea impatiens and are known for their ability to thrive in full sun. These plants produce colorful blooms and are resistant to downy mildew, making them a great choice for hanging baskets in sunny locations.
9. Black-Eyed Susan Vine: Black-eyed Susan vine is a fast-growing annual plant with heart-shaped leaves and vibrant flowers that attract hummingbirds. These plants can add a touch of whimsy to your hanging baskets and thrive in full sun.
10. Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’: Also known as purple heart or wandering Jew, Tradescantia pallida ‘Purpurea’ is a trailing plant with purple foliage that adds a unique touch to any hanging basket. These plants can tolerate full sun to part shade and are drought-tolerant.
11. Lantana: Lantana is a sun-loving plant that produces clusters of small, colorful flowers. These plants are great for attracting butterflies and can add a splash of color to your hanging baskets.
12. Sweet Potato Vine: Sweet potato vine is a popular trailing plant with heart-shaped foliage that comes in a variety of colors, including green, purple, and variegated. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a lush, cascading effect to your hanging baskets.
13. Verbena: Verbena is a versatile plant that produces clusters of colorful flowers that attract butterflies. These plants are drought-tolerant and can thrive in full sun, making them a great addition to your hanging baskets.
14. Lobelia: Lobelia is a delicate plant with tiny flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, and white. These plants prefer cooler temperatures and can tolerate part sun to full shade, making them an excellent choice for hanging baskets in partially shaded areas.
15. Licorice Plant: Licorice plant, also known as helichrysum petiolare, is a trailing plant with silver-grey foliage that adds texture and contrast to your hanging baskets. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade and can tolerate dry conditions.
16. Vinca: Vinca is a low-maintenance plant that produces flowers in shades of white, pink, and purple. These plants are drought-tolerant and can thrive in full sun to part shade, making them a great choice for hanging baskets in sunny locations.
17. Pansies: Pansies are cool-season annuals that come in a wide range of colors. These plants can tolerate frost and can add a splash of color to your hanging baskets in early spring or fall.
18. Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums are edible flowers that come in vibrant shades of yellow, orange, and red. These plants thrive in full sun and are known for their trailing habit, making them perfect for hanging baskets.
19. Burro’s Tail: Burro’s tail, also known as sedum morganianum, is a trailing succulent with long, trailing stems covered in plump, fleshy leaves. These plants are drought-tolerant and can add a unique touch to your hanging baskets.
20. Bacopa: Bacopa is a trailing plant with delicate white flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade and can add a touch of elegance and beauty to your hanging baskets.
21. Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’: Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ is a trailing plant with silver, heart-shaped foliage that cascades beautifully over the edges of hanging baskets. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of shimmering beauty to your outdoor space.
22. Creeping Jenny: Creeping Jenny, also known as lysimachia nummularia, is a fast-growing plant with vibrant green foliage that trails beautifully over the edges of hanging baskets. These plants thrive in part sun to full shade and can add a touch of lushness to your outdoor space.
23. Strawberries: Strawberries are a unique addition to hanging baskets, as they produce sweet and juicy fruits that can be enjoyed throughout the season. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of freshness to your outdoor space.
24. Scaevola: Scaevola, also known as fan flower, is a trailing plant with fan-shaped flowers that come in shades of blue, purple, and pink. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of charm to your hanging baskets.
25. String of Pearls: String of pearls, also known as senecio rowleyanus, is a trailing succulent with unique, bead-like foliage. These plants are drought-tolerant and can add a touch of whimsy and elegance to your hanging baskets.
26. Sweet Alyssum: Sweet alyssum is a low-growing plant with clusters of small, fragrant flowers that come in shades of white, pink, and purple. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a delicate touch to your hanging baskets.
27. Ivy: Ivy is a classic choice for hanging baskets, known for its trailing foliage that adds a touch of elegance to any space. There are many different varieties of ivy to choose from, each with its own unique leaf shape and color.
28. Nemesia: Nemesia is a compact plant that produces clusters of flowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, and white. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade and can add a splash of color to your hanging baskets.
29. Osteospermum: Osteospermum, also known as African daisies, are sun-loving plants that produce daisy-like flowers in a variety of colors. These plants are drought-tolerant and can add a touch of beauty to your hanging baskets.
30. Trailing Coleus: Trailing coleus is a colorful plant with vibrant foliage that cascades beautifully over the edges of hanging baskets. These plants thrive in part sun to full shade and can add a touch of drama and beauty to your outdoor space.
31. Mandevilla: Mandevilla is a tropical plant that produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, and white. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of tropical beauty to your hanging baskets.
32. Cherry Tomatoes (bush varieties): Cherry tomatoes are a great addition to hanging baskets, as they produce an abundance of small, flavorful fruits. Bush varieties are best suited for hanging baskets, as they are more compact and require less support.
33. Heliotrope: Heliotrope is a fragrant plant with clusters of small, purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade and can add a touch of fragrance and beauty to your hanging baskets.
34. Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’: Euphorbia ‘Diamond Frost’ is a delicate plant with tiny, white flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of elegance to your hanging baskets.
35. Angelface Cascade Angelonia: Angelface cascade angelonia is a compact plant with clusters of large, colorful flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of beauty and elegance to your hanging baskets.
How to choose the best plants for hanging baskets
When choosing plants for your hanging baskets, it is important to consider the amount of sunlight they will receive. While some plants thrive in full sun, others prefer partially shaded areas. Consider the specific requirements of each plant and choose plants that will thrive in the conditions provided by your outdoor space.
It is also important to consider the size and shape of your hanging baskets. Some plants, such as trailing vines or cascading flowers, are better suited for hanging baskets as they will naturally trail and create a beautiful cascading effect. Other plants, such as upright flowers or foliage plants, can also be used in hanging baskets but may require additional support to create the desired effect.
Perennial plants for hanging baskets
Perennial plants for hanging baskets
In addition to annual plants, there are also perennial plants that can be used in hanging baskets. Perennials are plants that come back year after year, making them a great investment for your outdoor space. Here are some perennial plants that are well-suited for hanging baskets:
1. Geraniums: Geraniums are a popular choice for hanging baskets, known for their vibrant blooms and attractive foliage. These perennial plants come in a wide range of colors and can add a touch of beauty to your outdoor space.
2. Fuchsias: Fuchsias are delicate plants with pendulous flowers that come in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, purple, and white. These perennial plants thrive in part shade to full shade and can add a touch of elegance to your hanging baskets.
3. Erigeron karvinskianus: Also known as Mexican daisy or Santa Barbara daisy, Erigeron karvinskianus is a perennial plant with dainty, white daisy-like flowers that bloom throughout the summer. These plants thrive in full sun to part shade and can add a touch of charm to your hanging baskets.
4. Calibrachoa: Calibrachoa is a trailing plant with small, bell-shaped flowers that come in a variety of vibrant colors. These perennial plants are drought-tolerant and can add a burst of color to your hanging baskets.
5. Dianthus: Dianthus, also known as carnations or pinks, are compact plants with fringed flowers that come in a variety of colors. These perennial plants thrive in full sun and can add a touch of beauty and fragrance to your hanging baskets.
Best plants for hanging baskets in shade
While many of the plants mentioned earlier thrive in full sun, there are also plants that can thrive in partially shaded areas. If your hanging baskets are located in a shaded spot, consider these plants:
1. Ferns: Ferns are a great choice for hanging baskets in shaded areas, known for their lush green foliage. These plants thrive in part shade to full shade and can add a touch of elegance to your outdoor space.
2. Heuchera: Heuchera, also known as coral bells, are perennial plants with attractive foliage that comes in a variety of colors. These plants thrive in part shade to full shade and can add a touch of beauty to your hanging baskets.
3. Bacopa: Bacopa is a versatile plant that can thrive in both full sun and part shade. In shaded areas, bacopa can add a touch of beauty and elegance to your hanging baskets.
4. Kokedama orchid: Kokedama orchids are a unique addition to hanging baskets in shaded areas. These plants are rooted