Best Plants for Outdoor Hanging Baskets in the UK: 30 Beautiful Choices

Choosing the best plants for hanging baskets is one of the easiest ways to add beautiful flowers, colourful foliage and seasonal interest to your garden.

Hanging baskets are perfect for patios, garden walls, entrances, balconies and smaller outdoor spaces where growing room is limited.

With the right plants, a hanging basket can produce an impressive display of flowers throughout summer or provide welcome colour during autumn and winter.

Some plants produce long trailing stems covered in flowers.

Others grow upright, creating height and structure in the centre of the basket.

There are also evergreen plants, hardy perennials and winter bedding plants that can provide interest when summer flowers have finished.

Here at Gardening with Ben, I love using containers and hanging baskets to make the most of available growing space.

They’re a fantastic way to create colourful displays without needing another flower bed.

However, successful hanging baskets depend on more than choosing attractive plants.

You also need to consider sunlight, watering, compost, feeding and the size of your basket.

In this complete guide, we’ll explore 30 of the best plants for outdoor hanging baskets in the UK, including summer flowers, winter plants, trailing varieties and plants suitable for sunny or shady positions.

We’ll also explain how to plant hanging baskets, how often to water them and how to keep them flowering for as long as possible.

What Makes a Good Hanging Basket Plant?

The best hanging basket plants usually have one or more of the following qualities:

• Compact growing habits
• Attractive trailing stems
• Long flowering periods
• Colourful foliage
• Good performance in containers
• Suitability for the available sunlight
• Manageable root systems

Some plants are best positioned in the centre of the basket, while others look beautiful trailing over the sides.

Combining both types can create a balanced display.

30 Best Plants for Outdoor Hanging Baskets

1. Trailing Petunias

Trailing petunias are among the most popular summer hanging basket plants.

They produce masses of colourful trumpet-shaped flowers.

Best position: Full sun or light shade.

Flowering period: Late spring through autumn, depending on conditions.

Gardening with Ben Tip: Choose vigorous trailing varieties if you want flowers cascading over the sides of your basket.

2. Calibrachoa

Often called million bells, calibrachoa produces large numbers of small, petunia-like flowers.

Best position: Sunny and sheltered.

Flowering period: Late spring through autumn.

It is excellent for colourful summer displays.

Calibrachoa prefers good drainage and consistent watering.

3. Trailing Lobelia

Trailing lobelia produces delicate flowers in shades of blue, purple, pink and white.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Summer.

It combines beautifully with petunias, begonias and geraniums.

4. Bacopa

Bacopa produces masses of small flowers along trailing stems.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Late spring through autumn.

It is excellent for softening basket edges.

Avoid allowing the compost to dry out completely.

5. Trailing Begonias

Trailing begonias produce large, colourful flowers.

Best position: Partial shade or sheltered positions.

Flowering period: Summer through early autumn.

They are excellent for baskets that don’t receive intense afternoon sunshine.

6. Trailing Fuchsias

Trailing fuchsias produce beautiful hanging flowers.

Best position: Partial shade.

Flowering period: Summer through autumn.

They are particularly attractive in sheltered baskets.

Most commonly sold trailing basket fuchsias need frost protection.

7. Ivy-Leaved Geraniums

Botanical name: Pelargonium peltatum

Ivy-leaved pelargoniums produce trailing stems and colourful flowers.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Summer through autumn.

They are useful for sunny, sheltered positions.

8. Verbena

Trailing verbena produces clusters of colourful flowers.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Summer through autumn.

It is attractive to pollinating insects.

Choose compact trailing varieties for baskets.

9. Diascia

Diascia produces delicate flowers in shades of pink, coral and orange.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Late spring through autumn.

It works well alongside trailing lobelia and bacopa.

10. Nemesia

Nemesia produces colourful flowers, sometimes with a pleasant fragrance.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Spring through autumn, depending on variety.

Compact varieties are excellent for smaller baskets.

11. Bidens

Bidens produces cheerful yellow or orange flowers.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Summer through autumn.

It combines beautifully with purple and blue flowers.

12. Scaevola

Commonly called fan flower, scaevola produces distinctive fan-shaped blooms.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Summer.

It is useful for warm, sunny hanging baskets.

13. Surfinia Petunias

Surfinia is a popular range of vigorous trailing petunias.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Late spring through autumn.

They can create impressive displays when watered and fed correctly.

14. Trailing Nasturtiums

Nasturtiums produce colourful flowers and attractive rounded leaves.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Summer through autumn.

They can be grown from seed and are excellent for affordable hanging baskets.

15. Sweet Alyssum

Botanical name: Lobularia maritima

Sweet alyssum produces masses of small, often fragrant flowers.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Spring through autumn, depending on conditions.

It is excellent for filling gaps between larger plants.

16. Trailing Impatiens

Trailing impatiens provide colourful flowers for sheltered positions.

Best position: Partial shade.

Flowering period: Summer.

Choose suitable varieties and avoid exposed, windy locations.

17. Osteospermum

Osteospermum produces colourful daisy-like flowers.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Spring through autumn, depending on variety.

Compact varieties are suitable for larger baskets.

18. Sanvitalia

Sanvitalia produces small yellow daisy-like flowers.

Best position: Full sun.

Flowering period: Summer.

It is useful for bright, cheerful basket displays.

19. Lotus Berthelotii

Commonly called parrot’s beak, this plant produces unusual silvery foliage and colourful flowers.

Best position: Sunny and sheltered.

It is tender and generally requires frost protection in the UK.

20. Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’

Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ is grown mainly for its beautiful silver trailing foliage.

Best position: Full sun.

It creates a striking contrast with colourful flowering plants.

It is not reliably hardy through UK winters.

21. Helichrysum Petiolare

Commonly called liquorice plant, this trailing foliage plant has attractive silver-grey leaves.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

It is excellent for adding foliage contrast.

It generally needs frost protection.

22. Trailing Ivy

Botanical name: Hedera helix

Ivy provides evergreen foliage.

Best position: Sun or shade, depending on variety.

It is useful in autumn and winter hanging baskets.

Trim regularly to control growth.

23. Winter Pansies

Winter pansies provide cheerful flowers during cooler months.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Autumn through spring, with pauses during severe weather.

They are among the best plants for winter hanging baskets.

24. Violas

Violas produce masses of smaller flowers.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Flowering period: Autumn through spring for suitable winter varieties.

They are excellent for colourful winter baskets.

25. Cyclamen

Florist’s cyclamen, commonly sold for autumn displays, produces attractive flowers and patterned foliage.

Best position: Sheltered partial shade.

Many florist’s cyclamen are not reliably hardy in exposed UK hanging baskets.

Choose hardy species for long-term outdoor planting, or protect tender varieties from frost.

26. Primroses

Botanical name: Primula vulgaris and garden hybrids

Primroses produce colourful flowers during late winter and spring.

Best position: Partial shade.

They are excellent for seasonal basket displays.

27. Heather

Suitable compact heathers provide flowers or attractive foliage during cooler months.

Best position: Sun or partial shade.

Check whether the chosen variety needs acidic compost.

28. Heuchera

Heuchera produces attractive foliage in shades of purple, lime, bronze and red.

Best position: Partial shade.

Compact varieties can provide structure in larger hanging baskets.

29. Carex

Compact evergreen sedges can provide texture and movement.

Best position: Depends on variety.

Choose smaller cultivars that suit container growing.

30. Strawberries

Strawberries are an excellent edible option for hanging baskets.

Best position: Full sun.

Harvest period: Depends on variety.

Trailing or everbearing strawberries can create attractive and productive displays.

Gardening with Ben Tip: Hanging baskets aren’t just for flowers. Strawberries can be a fantastic way to grow fruit in a small garden.

Best Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets

Trailing plants create the cascading appearance many gardeners want.

Excellent choices include:

• Trailing petunias
• Calibrachoa
• Bacopa
• Trailing lobelia
• Trailing begonias
• Trailing fuchsias
• Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
• Ivy-leaved pelargoniums

For the fullest effect, combine plants with different flower sizes and foliage textures.

Best Hanging Basket Plants for Full Sun

Sunny hanging baskets can provide beautiful summer colour.

Recommended plants include:

• Petunias
• Calibrachoa
• Verbena
• Bidens
• Scaevola
• Ivy-leaved pelargoniums
• Nasturtiums

Remember that baskets in full sun may dry out quickly.

Regular watering is essential.

Best Hanging Basket Plants for Shade

Shaded hanging baskets can still look beautiful.

Suitable choices include:

• Trailing begonias
• Fuchsias
• Some impatiens
• Ivy
• Heucheras
• Suitable carex varieties

Most flowering plants still need some natural light.

Deep shade may limit flowering.

Best Summer Hanging Basket Combinations

Combining several plants can create a coordinated display.

Combination 1: Pink and Purple Basket

• Pink trailing petunias
• Purple calibrachoa
• White bacopa

Combination 2: Bright Sunshine Basket

• Yellow bidens
• Orange trailing verbena
• Purple petunias

Combination 3: Shady Summer Basket

• Trailing begonias
• Fuchsias
• Ivy

Combination 4: Red and White Basket

• Red ivy-leaved pelargoniums
• White bacopa
• Silver dichondra

Combination 5: Pollinator-Friendly Basket

• Trailing verbena
• Sweet alyssum
• Nasturtiums

Choose plants with similar sunlight and watering requirements.

Best Winter Hanging Basket Combinations

Winter baskets provide colour when summer displays have finished.

Combination 1: Traditional Winter Basket

• Winter pansies
• Violas
• Trailing ivy

Combination 2: Foliage Basket

• Heuchera
• Compact carex
• Ivy

Combination 3: Spring Colour Basket

• Primroses
• Violas
• Small spring bulbs

Combination 4: Winter and Spring Display

• Winter pansies
• Dwarf daffodils
• Crocuses

Winter baskets generally grow more slowly and require less frequent feeding than summer baskets.

How Many Plants Should You Put in a Hanging Basket?

The number depends on basket size, plant vigour and whether you’re using small plugs or established plants.

Basket diameter	Approximate number of young plants
25 cm	3–5
30 cm	5–7
35 cm	6–9
40 cm	8–12

These are broad guidelines rather than fixed rules.

Vigorous trailing petunias may need considerably more room than compact bedding plants.

Avoid overcrowding.

How to Plant a Hanging Basket

Step 1: Choose Your Basket

Select a suitable basket with secure chains and fittings.

Step 2: Add a Liner

Use an appropriate liner if the basket design requires one.

Step 3: Fill with Compost

Use a good-quality peat-free container compost.

Step 4: Arrange the Plants

Position upright plants towards the centre and trailing plants around the edges.

Step 5: Plant Carefully

Keep plants at approximately their original growing depth.

Step 6: Fill Gaps

Add compost around the roots.

Step 7: Water Thoroughly

Water until the compost is evenly moist.

Step 8: Allow Plants to Establish

Protect tender summer plants from frost and strong winds.

Step 9: Hang Securely

Use properly rated brackets and fixings.

A fully watered basket can be surprisingly heavy.

When Should You Plant Summer Hanging Baskets?

Summer hanging baskets are commonly planted during spring.

However, tender plants should not be left outside permanently until the risk of frost has passed.

In many UK areas, this means late May or early June, although local conditions vary.

You can plant baskets earlier and keep them protected in a greenhouse or other suitable frost-free location.

When Should You Plant Winter Hanging Baskets?

Autumn is generally the best time to plant winter hanging baskets.

September through November is often suitable, depending on weather conditions.

Planting early enough allows roots to establish before colder weather arrives.

What Is the Best Compost for Hanging Baskets?

Choose a good-quality peat-free container compost suitable for the plants you’re growing.

A suitable compost should provide:

• Good moisture retention
• Adequate drainage
• Suitable aeration
• Nutrients for early growth

Some gardeners use water-retaining products in summer baskets.

Follow product instructions carefully and avoid creating waterlogged compost.

How Often Should You Water Hanging Baskets?

Watering frequency depends on:

• Basket size
• Plant varieties
• Temperature
• Wind exposure
• Sunlight
• Compost type

During hot summer weather, some baskets may need watering daily or even more frequently.

However, don’t water automatically without checking the compost.

Gardening with Ben Tip

Check baskets by feeling the compost beneath the surface and lifting them slightly to judge their weight, if safe to do so.

What Is the Best Feed for Hanging Baskets?

Hanging basket plants have limited access to nutrients.

Regular feeding can help maintain healthy growth and flowering.

During Early Growth

Use a suitable balanced fertiliser if the compost’s initial nutrients are becoming depleted.

During Flowering

A suitable liquid feed formulated for flowering container plants can support continued blooms.

Important Advice

Follow the manufacturer’s recommended dilution and feeding frequency.

Overfeeding can damage roots and cause poor growth.

How to Keep Hanging Baskets Flowering All Summer

Water Consistently

Avoid repeated severe drying.

Feed Appropriately

Use a suitable fertiliser.

Deadhead Flowers

Remove faded flowers from varieties that benefit from deadheading.

Trim Leggy Growth

Some plants respond well to light trimming.

Check for Pests

Look for aphids, slugs and other problems.

Provide Suitable Sunlight

Choose plants for the available light.

Protect from Strong Winds

Exposed baskets may suffer damaged stems and flowers.

Why Are My Hanging Basket Flowers Dying?

There are several possible reasons.

Compost Too Dry

Plants may wilt and stop flowering.

Overwatering

Waterlogged compost can damage roots.

Lack of Nutrients

Container plants may become depleted.

Incorrect Sunlight

Shade-loving plants can struggle in intense sun.

Frost Damage

Tender plants can be damaged by low temperatures.

Pests and Diseases

Inspect foliage and stems regularly.

How to Stop Hanging Baskets Drying Out

Choose a Larger Basket

Larger baskets usually hold more compost and moisture.

Use Suitable Compost

Choose a mix with appropriate moisture retention.

Water Thoroughly

Ensure the root zone receives enough moisture.

Position Carefully

Avoid excessively exposed locations where possible.

Consider Self-Watering Systems

Suitable watering systems can help during hot weather.

Group Watering Tasks

Check baskets regularly as part of your gardening routine.

Can You Grow Vegetables in Hanging Baskets?

Yes.

Some edible plants are excellent for hanging baskets.

Strawberries

A popular choice for fruit production.

Tumbling Tomatoes

Compact varieties can produce useful harvests.

Lettuce

Suitable for larger baskets with adequate compost depth.

Herbs

Some compact herbs can grow successfully in hanging baskets.

Nasturtiums

Produce edible flowers and leaves.

Choose baskets that provide sufficient root space.

How to Make Hanging Baskets Look Fuller

Choose Trailing Plants

Use plants that naturally spread over the sides.

Combine Upright and Trailing Varieties

This creates height and depth.

Avoid Large Gaps

Position plants thoughtfully.

Feed and Water Correctly

Healthy plants develop stronger growth.

Trim Where Appropriate

Light trimming can encourage branching in some varieties.

Allow Time

Young plants need time to fill the basket.

Common Hanging Basket Mistakes

1. Planting Too Early

Tender plants can suffer frost damage.

2. Using Baskets That Are Too Small

Limited compost dries out quickly.

3. Overcrowding

Plants compete for moisture and nutrients.

4. Forgetting to Feed

Flowering plants need suitable nutrition.

5. Allowing Compost to Dry Out

Severe drying can damage roots.

6. Overwatering

Waterlogged roots can cause problems.

7. Choosing Plants for the Wrong Position

Sun-loving plants may struggle in shade.

8. Forgetting Deadheading

Some varieties flower better when faded blooms are removed.

9. Using Weak Brackets

Heavy baskets require secure supports.

10. Ignoring Wind Exposure

Strong winds can damage plants and basket fittings.

Frequently Asked Questions About Hanging Baskets

What Are the Best Plants for Hanging Baskets?

Trailing petunias, calibrachoa, bacopa, lobelia, begonias and fuchsias are excellent summer choices.

What Are the Best Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets?

Trailing petunias, bacopa, calibrachoa, lobelia and dichondra.

What Are the Best Hanging Basket Plants for Full Sun?

Petunias, verbena, bidens, scaevola and ivy-leaved pelargoniums.

What Are the Best Hanging Basket Plants for Shade?

Trailing begonias, fuchsias, ivy and suitable impatiens.

What Are the Best Winter Hanging Basket Plants?

Winter pansies, violas, ivy, heucheras and primroses.

What Are the Longest-Flowering Hanging Basket Plants?

Petunias, calibrachoa, bacopa and suitable begonias can flower for long periods with proper care.

When Should You Plant Summer Hanging Baskets?

During spring, keeping tender plants protected until frost risk has passed.

When Should You Plant Winter Hanging Baskets?

During autumn, ideally before prolonged cold weather.

How Many Plants Go in a 14-Inch Hanging Basket?

A 14-inch basket can often accommodate approximately six to nine young plants, depending on their eventual size and vigour.

How Often Should You Water Hanging Baskets?

Check compost regularly. During hot weather, some baskets need daily watering.

Should You Feed Hanging Baskets?

Yes. Regular feeding during active growth can support flowering.

What Is the Best Compost for Hanging Baskets?

A good-quality peat-free container compost suited to the selected plants.

Why Are My Hanging Baskets Not Flowering?

Possible causes include insufficient sunlight, nutrient imbalance, poor watering or unsuitable temperatures.

How Do You Make Hanging Baskets Bushier?

Choose suitable plants, provide correct growing conditions and trim varieties that respond well to pruning.

Can Hanging Baskets Survive Winter?

Yes, when planted with suitable hardy varieties and protected from severe conditions where necessary.

Can You Grow Strawberries in Hanging Baskets?

Yes. Strawberries are excellent for suitable hanging baskets.

Can You Grow Tomatoes in Hanging Baskets?

Yes. Compact tumbling varieties are particularly suitable.

Are Hanging Baskets Good for Small Gardens?

Yes. They add flowers and foliage without occupying much ground space.

Do Hanging Baskets Need Drainage?

Yes. Good drainage is essential for most hanging basket plants.

Can You Use Perennials in Hanging Baskets?

Yes. Suitable compact perennials can provide long-term interest.

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Hanging Basket Plants

Hanging baskets are one of the easiest ways to add beautiful flowers and seasonal colour to your garden.

Whether you want a spectacular summer display or an attractive winter arrangement, there are plenty of plants to choose from.

Trailing petunias, calibrachoa and bacopa are excellent for sunny summer baskets.

Begonias and fuchsias are useful for sheltered, partially shaded positions.

Winter pansies, violas and ivy provide attractive displays during the colder months.

Strawberries and compact tomatoes can also turn hanging baskets into productive growing spaces.

The most important thing is to choose plants suited to the available sunlight and provide enough space for healthy growth.

Use good-quality compost, water consistently and feed flowering plants when appropriate.

With thoughtful planting and regular care, your hanging baskets can provide beautiful displays for months.

Keep smiling, keep shining, keep gardening with Ben!