The Ultimate Guide to Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets and Pots

Are you looking to create an eye-catching display in your hanging baskets or container gardens? Look no further! We have compiled a list of the 20 best trailing plants that will add a wow factor to your outdoor spaces. Not only do these plants enhance the overall impact of your containers, but they are also low maintenance and perfect for gardeners of all skill levels. So, let’s dive in and explore the world of cascading plants!

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Why Trailing Plants are Perfect for Hanging Baskets and Containers

Trailing plants are not only visually appealing but also offer several advantages for your hanging baskets and pots. These plants provide a wide range of options to add color, texture, contrast, foliage, and fragrance to your displays. They are versatile and can be used to cover up any unsightly aspects of your containers, turning them into beautiful focal points. Additionally, many trailing plants are beneficial for wildlife, providing food and shelter without taking up much space. With these plants, you can create a bigger impact in a smaller area, making them ideal for small space gardening or compact pots and baskets.

Watching: The Ultimate Guide to Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets and Pots

The Thriller, Filler, Spiller Approach

Before we jump into the best trailing plants for hanging baskets and pots, let’s learn a simple yet effective trick to create show-stopping container displays. The “Thriller, Filler, Spiller” approach is beloved by gardening professionals for a reason. It involves strategically placing plants in your containers to achieve maximum impact. Here’s how you can do it:

Start with a Thriller plant. This plant is the centerpiece and usually the tallest or most eye-catching one. Place it in the center of your hanging basket or pot.
Next, add Filler plants. These plants fill up the container and provide a splash of color and interest closer to the soil. They complement the Thriller plant without overpowering it.
Finally, include Spiller plants, which are the trailing plants. Plant them near the edges of the container so they can gracefully cascade over the sides. They not only add volume to your display but also balance out the height of other plants.

How Many Plants to Put in a Hanging Basket?

The number of trailing plants you should put in a hanging basket depends on the size of your container. While it’s tempting to pack in as many plants as possible, keep in mind that each plant requires space to grow and access nutrients from the compost. Overcrowding can lead to poor growth and nutrient depletion in the soil. To maintain a healthy balance, allow a bit of room around each plant when planting your container. Regular feeding is also important to ensure the plants receive adequate nutrients.

The Best Low Maintenance Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets and Pots

Now, let’s explore the best trailing plants for container gardens. Whether you prefer flowering plants, foliage plants, or even edible plants, we’ve got you covered!

Flowering Trailing Plants

Flowering trailing plants are a popular choice for adding color and vibrancy to hanging baskets and pots. Here are some of our favorites:

Trailing Fuchsia: Known for its showy bell-shaped flowers, trailing fuchsias are a stunning addition to any container display. The flowers sway in the breeze, adding movement to your hanging basket.
Trailing Lobelia: Trailing lobelia is an excellent choice for softening edges and creating a colorful backdrop. It blooms for months and doesn’t require deadheading.
Trailing Petunia (Calibrachoa): Trailing petunias are easy to grow and produce an abundance of flowers. They come in various patterns and double-flowered varieties, adding a touch of uniqueness to your hanging basket.
Bacopa: With its dainty blooms, Bacopa is a reliable choice for a long-lasting display. It blooms from late spring to autumn, providing an abundance of small flowers.
Trailing Pelargoniums: If you love geraniums, you’ll be delighted to know that there are trailing varieties available. These ivy-leafed trailing geraniums come in beautiful shades of pink, red, white, and purple, adding a pop of color to your container.
Trailing Begonias: Begonias are a classic choice for pots, and their trailing varieties turn up the volume on your displays. They come in a wide range of colors to suit any preference.
Black-eyed Susan Vine: Although less well-known, the Black-eyed Susan vine is worth considering for its climbing and trailing abilities. It produces large flowers and thrives in warm conditions.
Trailing Verbena: Trailing verbena is a popular choice for bedding displays. It adds an abundance of flowers on dense foliage, making it a great filler plant.
Trailing Pansies: Pansies are known for their hardiness, and including a trailing variety adds a cascading effect to your containers. ‘Cool Wave’ is a popular mix that offers various colors.

Outdoor Trailing Plants for Foliage

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Foliage plants are an excellent addition to any container display as they provide texture, color contrast, and support for their flowering companions. Here are some trailing foliage plants to consider:

Creeping Jenny: Also known as Lysimachia, Creeping Jenny is an evergreen trailing plant with lime green foliage. It serves as a perfect backdrop for your flowers, with the added bonus of small yellow flowers.
Calocephalus: While not strictly a trailing plant, Calocephalus works well as a spiller in containers. Its delicate silver stems elegantly tumble over the edges, creating a modern look.
Ivy: Ivy is a classic trailing plant that adds greenery and depth to your hanging baskets. It is readily available, easy to grow, and provides shelter and food for wildlife.
Vinca: Trailing Vinca, or trailing periwinkle, is a versatile plant that can either scramble or spill over the edges of containers. It provides foliage at soil level and is a great option to prevent it from taking over your garden.
Helichrysum Petiolare: Also known as liquorice plant, Helichrysum petiolare features pale stems and gray-green leaves with a felt-like texture. It adds a tactile element to your container display.
Tradescantia Zebrina: Tradescantia Zebrina, also known as inch plant, offers striking striped leaves with purple undersides. It adds vibrant color and interest to your container.
Trailing Ferns: Ferns aren’t limited to upright plants. Some varieties have a trailing habit and are well-suited to hanging baskets and pots. Popular options include Boston fern, maidenhair fern, and lady fern.
Silver Falls Dichondra: If you’re looking to add silver-grey tones to your container, Silver Falls Dichondra is an excellent choice. It features unusually shaped leaves that beautifully complement other colors.
Trailing Sedums (Trailing Succulents): Succulent lovers can enjoy trailing varieties like ‘Redhead,’ ‘Bluebubbles,’ or ‘Moss sedum’ in their containers. These hanging succulent plants provide foliage at soil level and elegantly spill over the edges of pots.

Edible Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets

Why not combine beauty and taste in your container gardens? Here are some great edible trailing plants for your hanging baskets:

Strawberries: Hanging baskets are a fantastic way to grow strawberries. Elevating them off the ground protects the fruit from slugs and makes harvesting easier. They also add a delightful touch to your hanging baskets.
Tomatoes: You can grow tomatoes in hanging baskets or pots, provided you choose bush varieties like Tumbling Tom or Balconi Red. They offer an abundance of cherry tomatoes and add a touch of freshness to your container.
Nasturtiums: Nasturtiums add a vibrant touch to your hanging baskets with their bright orange flowers. These flowers are not only visually appealing but also edible, making them a versatile addition to your container display.

The Best Tools for Planting Hanging Baskets and Outdoor Pots

Gardening in hanging baskets and pots doesn’t require fancy tools, but having a few essentials can make your gardening experience more enjoyable. Here are some tools to consider:

Hand Trowel: A good hand trowel is essential for filling your containers with compost and topping up gaps around your plants. Choose a size that suits your hanging basket or pot.
Gardening Gloves: Protect your hands with a decent pair of gardening gloves. Make sure they fit well and allow for easy movement.
Secateurs or Snips: These tools come in handy for maintaining your plants. Snips are particularly useful for small spaces and hanging baskets.
Watering Can: Invest in a good watering can, preferably a mini one for hanging baskets. It allows for easy watering without overwhelming the basket with too much water at once.

Choosing the Right Containers for Trailing Plants

When selecting containers for your trailing plants, keep the following considerations in mind:

Drainage Holes: Ensure that your hanging basket or pot has proper drainage holes. Without them, your plants may sit in waterlogged soil, leading to root rot. If the container doesn’t have pre-existing holes, make sure it’s easy to add some yourself.
Liners: Some hanging baskets may require liners to hold the soil and prevent it from falling through the gaps. Check the size of the container and consider using a liner that can be trimmed to fit neatly.
Sturdy Hooks: Hanging baskets should have strong and sturdy hooks. Once filled with compost, plants, and water, they can become surprisingly heavy.
Size: Choose a container that comfortably accommodates the number of plants you wish to grow. Allow some room for the plants to fill out as they grow.

Additionally, you can get creative and upcycle various household objects as unique plant containers. Consider using old colanders, broken watering cans, teacups and saucers, tin cans, old tires, wellies, or teapots. However, remember to ensure proper drainage even in these unconventional containers.

The Best Soil for Hanging Baskets and Pots

Choosing the right compost is crucial for the success of your hanging baskets and pots. Plants in containers have limited access to nutrients, as the compost provides a finite amount. To keep your plants healthy, opt for a good quality peat-free compost. General-purpose compost is suitable for most container plants, but be sure to check the plant labels for any specific requirements. If you want to simplify the maintenance, consider using compost specifically formulated for hanging baskets and pots. These often contain slow-release fertilizer and water-retaining crystals to minimize the effort required. Alternatively, you can create your own blend by adding slow-release fertilizer and water-retaining granules to standard compost.

Planting a Trailing Hanging Basket

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Planting a trailing hanging basket is an easy process. Follow these steps for a successful display:

Place the basket on top of an empty plant pot to keep it steady during planting.
If necessary, add a liner to the basket and trim it to size.
For plastic baskets or those with plastic liners, poke drainage holes using a knife or scissors.
If using slow-release fertilizer or water-retaining granules, mix them into the compost before filling the basket.
Add compost to the basket, leaving some space at the top.
Carefully remove the plants from their pots, protecting the roots, and arrange them on the surface of the compost, keeping the Thriller-Filler-Spiller approach in mind.
Fill any gaps around the plants with more compost.
Water the hanging basket thoroughly and allow it to drain before hanging it up.

Making Hanging Baskets Look Fuller

While it’s tempting to overcrowd your hanging baskets for instant impact, this can hinder plant growth in the long run. Give your plants some space to grow and fill out naturally. Regular feeding and watering will help them thrive and develop into full, lush displays. If using wire hanging baskets, you can also add plants around the sides to create a fuller look. Simply poke a small hole in the liner and gently insert the additional plant, being mindful of potential compost leakage.

Care Tips for Trailing Plants in Hanging Baskets and Pots

To keep your trailing plants in hanging baskets and pots looking their best, follow these care tips:

Position your container in the ideal spot for the specific plant’s requirements. Consider factors like sunlight, shelter, and soil type to ensure optimal growth.
Regularly feed your plants with a general-purpose plant food following the recommended intervals. Avoid overfeeding, as it can harm the plants.
Water your hanging baskets as needed, ensuring the compost doesn’t dry out completely between waterings. Find the right balance based on the weather and moisture levels.
Deadhead your flowering plants by removing drooping or dead flower heads. This encourages more blooms and keeps your containers looking tidy.
Check the plants regularly for any signs of pests or diseases. Early detection enables swift action to prevent further damage.
Lastly, enjoy the beauty of your hanging baskets and pots and take pride in your gardening efforts!

By incorporating these care tips, you can maintain healthy and vibrant trailing plants that will delight you throughout the season.

In conclusion, trailing plants are an excellent choice for hanging baskets and pots, offering versatility, beauty, and low maintenance. Whether you prefer flowering plants, foliage plants, or edible options, there’s a perfect trailing plant for every container garden. So, get creative and experiment with different combinations to create stunning displays that will leave your friends and neighbors in awe. Happy gardening!

For more gardening tips and inspiration, visit MyGardeninn.

Source: https://mygardeninn.com
Category: Gardening