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 plant for shade: Fuchsia Genii – View on Crocus
• Best fasting growing trailing plant: 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
AmazonIvy is a classic British plant known for its lush and variegated foliage. It's easy to care for and can tolerate both sun and shade. Ivy only needs moderate watering, so it is a hassle-free solution for your hanging basket.
This Hedera Ivy Mix is suitable for both indoor and outdoor use and includes five gold and five white English ivy plants supplied in 9cm pots. Ivy can easily be grown as a trailing plant and provides evergreen foliage for year-round interest.
Pros
- Versatile in terms of where this will grow
- Requires minimal attention and only moderate watering
Cons
- Some reviews comment that the quality of the plants was mixed
| Format: | 5 x Gold and 5 x White English Ivy plants in 9cm pots |
| Height: | N/A |
| Aspect: | Any |
| Flowering time: | Autumn |
- Botanical name is Hedera helix
- Evergreen
- English Ivy can also grow vertically on walls
Best trailing plant for shade
Crocuswww.crocus.co.uk
Your hanging baskets will be ready to go - and grow - with this gorgeous Fuchsia Genii supplied ready to plant out in two-litre pot. Fuchsias are well-loved for their pendulous blooms, and the tubular flowers of this Fuchsia Genii offer some gorgeous reddish-purple petals.
Fuchsias are suitable for partial shade, making them a great choice for hanging baskets in the UK climate. This plant's foliage offers bright, yellow-green leaves, ideal for cheering up a shady corner of your garden.
Pros
- Exquisite attractive flowers that bring a burst of colour
- Shade-loving, so can brighten up a dull spot
Cons
- Will not thrive in direct sunlight
| Format: | One 2-litre pot |
| Height: | Not specified |
| Aspect: | Partial shade |
| Flowering time: | June into autumn |
- Can grow to up to one metre
- Plant in well-draining soil
Best fast growing trailing plant
Thompson Morganwww.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. This petunia varietal not only looks lovely, but provides a pleasant fragrance.
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.
Pros
- Colourful blooms with a long flowering period
- Fast growing and low maintenance once potted out
Cons
- Can be vulnerable to aphids and pests
| Format: | Seed |
| Height: | 120cm and spread 45cm |
| Aspect: | Full sun |
| Flowering time: | June–October |
- Half-hardy annual
- Fastest climbing
Best for small flowers
Dobieswww.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 seed pellets 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.
Pros
- Abundant mauve-ish blue cascading flowers
- Makes a good filler plant for mixed hanging baskets
Cons
- Needs constant watering
| Format: | Seed; pack of 20 pellets |
| Height: | 6cm |
| Aspect: | Sun or semi shade |
| Flowering time: | June-October |
- A hardier alternative to trailing Lobelia
- Half hardy annual
Best seed mix for hanging baskets
Jamieson Brothers/AmazonAdd 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.
If you sow these in early spring you can look forward to enjoying late spring and summer flowers. This mix of flowers is versatile as it can be used in hanging baskets and borders. The flowers included in this mixture will attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Pros
- Value for money with around 400 seeds in each pack
- Colourful mix of different flowering plants
Cons
- Some reviews comment on being disappointed with the resulting plants
| Format: | Approx. 400 seeds |
| Height: | Assorted |
| Aspect: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Flowering time: | Summer |
- Petunia, Lobelia, Swan River Daisy, Alyssum, Phlox and Verbena
- Attracts Pollinators
Best edible trailing plant
Sarah Ravenwww.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 to 12 weeks from sowing and has a long summer flowering season.
Nasturtium 'Empress of India' has vibrant red flowers and lush foliage, and its compact growth suits hanging baskets and containers. Once established, nasturtiums need very little attention but will be busy attracting pollinators to your garden.
Pros
- Will attract pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Has edible leaves, flowers, and even seed heads
Cons
- Nasturtiums can self-seed and spread
| Format: | 25 seeds |
| Height: | 45cm |
| Aspect: | Full sun |
| Flowering time: | June–October |
- Half-hardy annual
- Broad tolerance to soil types
Best value seeds
Thompson and Morganwww.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. This is a perennially popular choice in the UK for both hanging baskets and window boxes.
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 1,000 seeds, this is great value for a summer of beautiful cascading flowers.
Pros
- A low maintenance and half-hardy option
- Attract bees and butterflies during its long flowering period
Cons
- Sensitive to excessive moisture
| Format: | 1000 seeds |
| Height: | 15cm, spread 25cm |
| Aspect: | Sun or semi shade |
| Flowering time: | June–September |
- Half-hardy annual
- Sow in February–March
Best for prolific blooms
PREMIER SEEDS DIRECT/AmazonThe 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. You get around 1,000 seeds in each pack.
Begin sowing from January indoors or under cover at 21 to 27°C by 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" variety are proverbial medicine for the soul.
Pros
- Reviewers comment that these seeds germinate well
- 1,00 seeds produce a lot of lovely flowers
Cons
- Amazon spec is inaccurate, the expected blooming period is not winter
| Format: | 1000 seeds |
| Height: | 15 inches |
| Aspect: | Full Sun, shade |
| Flowering time: | Summer, autumn |
- Half hardy compact annual
- Keep soil moist
Best for vibrant colour
AmazonThe 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 that are ready to go into your cold frame or greenhouse to get hardened before you plant them out.
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. With a potential height of 30cm and a spread of 25cm, these should soon fill up your hanging basket nicely.
Pros
- Supplied as ready-to-grow plug plants
- Flowers are a vibrant, eye-catching, electric blue colour
Cons
- Need to water regularly as can be prone to drying out
| Format: | 20 x plants |
| Height: | Not specified |
| Aspect: | Sun |
| Flowering time: | Summer |
- Needs well-drained soil
- Regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist
Best fruit producing trailing plant
Carbeth Plants/AmazonStrawberry plants are one of the nation's favourite fruit plants to grow in the garden and are very versatile. While you can get specialist planters, they can also grow in ordinary pots, in the ground, and even in hanging baskets. In baskets strawberry plants offer an attractive display, and eventually, delicious fruit hanging down ready to be picked.
Carbeth Plants offers strawberry plants in bare-rooted packs of ten. You will receive ten bare roots from a range of varieties; Buddy, Cambridge Favourite, Honeyo, Christine, Symphony, and Elsanta. The variety will depend on stock levels and on the time of year.
Pros
- 10 plants from a range of interesting varieties
- Will eventually produce a delicious fruit crop
Cons
- Strawberry plants grown in hanging baskets have no protection from birds
| Format: | Bare-rooted plants |
| Height: | Up to 0.5 metres |
| Aspect: | Full sun |
| Flowering time: | Spring |
- Loves being placed in full sun
- Can grow in a variety of different containers
- Will produce delicious fruit
Best trailing plant for indoors
AmazonAn ever-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-style garden.
If you do cultivate spider plants outdoors, be sure to bring them indoors when the weather turns. Then you can enjoy some verdant foliage - and reap the air-purifying benefits - by hanging it in your living space. If your plant is healthy, it will eventually produce spider plant "babies."
Pros
- Air-purifying qualities great for a healthy indoor atmosphere
- Very easy to grow and requires very little care
Cons
- Can develop brown tips due to dry air or overfertilization
| Format: | 1 x 12cm pot plant |
| Height: | 50cm |
| Aspect: | Full Sun, Shade |
| Flowering time: | Summer |
- Air-purifying indoor plant
- Variegated leaves
How we chose the best trailing plants for hanging baskets
All of these trailing plants for hanging baskets have been hand-selected by our team of Modern Gardens shopping experts. We carefully considered the type of plant, the colour, and their care needs in our selection of the best. Our team has spent hours investigating and researching trailing plants to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we'd never recommend a product we don't believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about. And with help from Modern Gardens Magazine, Garden News and Garden Answers, we share expert gardening knowledge to help you get the most from your product.
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!
Subscribe to Modern Gardens magazine and get the most out of your outdoor space. 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 in every issue of Modern Gardens. View our latest subscription offers to save on shop prices.
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.