Types of Hanging Basket Plants

Hanging baskets add eye appeal at different levels.

Hanging baskets add greenery and interest at eye level to add dimension to landscaping around your home. Many types of containers are available, including plastic, wire, terra cotta and woven reeds. A wide variety plants will grow in hanging baskets to suit whatever purpose you have in mind. It's a good idea to provide a way to access the plants easily, so that you can provide routine maintenance without climbing step stools or ladders.

Foliage Plants

Foliage plants grown in hanging baskets add a lush, exotic feel to porches, patios and other areas. Plant compact-growing plants like coleus or asparagus ferns for a tidy effect. If you prefer a more trailing effect, try Swedish ivy, pothos, creeping fig or philodendrons, according to Bachmans. Choose plants that fit the size of the area to avoid a cluttered, overwhelmed look.

Flowering Plants

Choose from a wide variety of flowering plants for hanging baskets, including upright species like marigolds or geraniums to give more height to baskets. Trailing lantana in baskets will bloom all summer long. Trailing cultivars of petunia are available in almost every color. Try a creeping zinnia for baskets in hot, dry areas of the country. Sweet peas grow best under cooler conditions. Remember that hanging baskets dry out quickly, so additional watering is necessary. Wandering wands, available at garden centers, work well for hanging baskets.

Vegetables

Many types of vegetables have a growth pattern that make them suitable for growing in baskets. This is a great idea for those with limited space for vegetable gardening. If the vegetable trails or spreads, it is likely to be a good candidate for a hanging basket. Cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, chili peppers, lettuce, beans and strawberries are just a few of the types of plants that can be cultivated in hanging basket gardens. Use a lightweight soil medium like potting soil and peat moss to keep baskets from being too heavy. Container planting requires more frequent fertilizing, so add additional compost tea or fish emulsion.

Herbs

Even with limited space, hanging baskets allow you to grow your own herbs for cooking. Most herbs will grow well in hanging baskets, unless it's one that grows too large. Oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, camomile and peppermint are just a few herbs that grow well in hanging baskets. When planting different types of herbs in a single basket, ensure that the plants have similar sunlight and water requirements.

References

• Bachmans: Hanging Baskets
• Clemson University: Hanging Baskets and Window Boxes
• My Hanging Baskets: Best Chef's Hanging Basket of Goodies