Design Use - Hanging Baskets

Looking for plants that perform well in hanging baskets? Garden Crossings brings together flowering and foliage options selected for hanging basket use, making it easier to build colorful displays for porches, patios, balconies, and other small-space garden areas. Explore options by sun exposure, bloom time, water needs, brand, and helpful garden attributes so you can match plants to the conditions where your basket will hang.

Hanging basket filled with white and purple petunias, small blue blooms, and trailing green vines against a white background
Close-up of Surefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia features bright red flowers and dark green, glossy leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCSurefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia boasts vibrant red flowers and dark glossy green leaves, creating a lush display among green foliage and purple blooms beside a light-colored fence - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Surefire® Cherry Cordial™ Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

A cluster of Surefire® Red Begonia, a drought-tolerant annual with shiny green leaves and yellow-centered red blooms, offers a long-lasting floral display in outdoor gardens - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA large black planter filled with Surefire® Red Begonia—an annual with glossy green leaves and long-lasting red blooms—sits on mulch by a sidewalk, scattered petals nearby and lush greenery visible in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.

Surefire® Red Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

Clusters of bright pink Surefire Rose Begonia flowers with yellow centers stand out among green and purple foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCThe Surefire® Rose Begonia, with striking pink blooms and deep green leaves, complementing greenery and hydrangeas in any landscape - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Surefire® Rose Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

A lush garden bed features Surefire® White Begonia with white flowers and yellow centers, surrounded by green foliage and other flowering plants in the background - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCMasses of Surefire® White Begonia, with white blooms and rounded green leaves, flourish in front of yellow-green foliage and are bordered by lush grass at the bottom of the scene - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Surefire® White Begonia

$10.99
$10.99

A cluster of vibrant purple petunias with yellow and white centers, shown close up, fills the frame - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.A Surfinia® Sky Blue Petunia in full bloom overflows from a dark blue ceramic pot, its vibrant trailing flowers displayed against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Surfinia® Sky Blue Petunia

$10.99
$10.99
A close-up of overlapping Sweet Caroline Bewitched After Midnight™ Ipomoea leaves, highlighting their pointed, lobed shape and deep purple-black color - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sweet Caroline Bewitched After Midnight™ Ipomoea

$10.99
$10.99

The bold chartreuse foliage of Sweet Caroline Bewitched Green With Envy™ Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) forms a vibrant ground cover when paired with a carpet of small purple and white flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A small waterfall flows over rocks amid lush greenery, vibrant pink and purple flowers, and the chartreuse foliage of Sweet Caroline Bewitched Green With Envy™ Sweet Potato Vine. Tall bushes and trees provide a backdrop in the landscaped garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sweet Caroline Bewitched Green With Envy™ Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of overlapping, dark purple leaves of the Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), forming dense, textured foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.The Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) features dense, narrow, dark purple leaves in a brown round pot, beautifully displayed against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Black Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99

A close-up of a blue flower pot with white and purple flowers, highlighted by the bright green, deeply lobed foliage of Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Green Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) in the sunligh - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.The Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Green Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), with its long, narrow green leaves, is surrounded by pink and purple flowers, flourishing over reddish-brown mulch in a garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC. Decorative pot not included.

Sweet Caroline Medusa™ Green Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99

Trailing among green foliage and small yellow blooms, the purple, pointed and lobed leaves of Sweet Caroline Raven™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of rich, dark purple leaves on Sweet Caroline Raven™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), featuring star-shaped, textured foliage with pointed lobes that overlap to create a dense, striking trailing plant - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sweet Caroline Raven™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99

Sweet Caroline Red Hawk™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) features pointed, lobed leaves in purples and pinks, forming dense ground cover. Some leaves may show light green or brown hues and minor holes from slight damage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Sweet Caroline Red Hawk™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) features overlapping dark red leaves, framed by green foliage in the upper left and small, bright pink flowers with yellow centers at the bottom right, all highlighted by sunlight - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sweet Caroline Red Hawk™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
A close-up of overlapping, heart-shaped leaves of the Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black™ Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), a trailing plant with smooth, nearly black foliage and subtle veins visible on its slightly shiny surface - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black™ Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) features heart-shaped, deep purple leaves and grows in a decorative brown ceramic pot with a raised floral pattern - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Jet Black™ Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99

Densely growing heart-shaped, dark purple leaves of the Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Mahogany™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) stand out among colorful flowers and vibrant foliage above reddish-brown mulch - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of heart-shaped, purple-tinted leaves with prominent veins on the Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Mahogany™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), showing some green foliage among the overlapping, smooth leaves - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Mahogany™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of overlapping Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadowstorm™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) leaves, displaying dark purple and bright green heart-shaped foliage with irregular green patches and distinct veins - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadowstorm™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) features dense, heart-shaped dark purple and green variegated leaves in a simple dark ceramic pot, beautifully displayed against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Sweet Caroline Sweetheart Shadowstorm™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99

The Sweet Caroline Upside® Black Coffee™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine, with long, pointed dark purple leaves, grows by a white fence amid colorful flowers in a vibrant garden - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A bush of Sweet Caroline Upside® Black Coffee™ Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) with dark purple, slender leaves grows before a white picket fence, surrounded by green grass and yellow-green plants. Thin vine stems hint at its climbing nature - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Sweet Caroline Upside™ Black Coffee Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
The Sweet Caroline Upside® Key Lime Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) climbs a wooden pergola with heart-shaped leaves and clusters of dark purple flowers, plus one yellow bloom, set against blue sky and vibrant garden flowers - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.Close-up of the vibrant, deeply lobed leaves of Sweet Caroline Upside® Key Lime Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea), highlighting its bright yellow-green color and distinctive shape - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Sweet Caroline Upside™ Key Lime Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of Swingtime Trailing Fuchsia, showcasing white and pink petals among green leaves and buds - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A hand gently holds a blooming Swingtime Trailing Fuchsia, its pink and white petals surrounded by green leaves and buds set against a glass greenhouse backdrop - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.

Swingtime Trailing Fuchsia

$10.99
$10.99

Three vibrant Tangerine Slice A-Peel® Black-Eyed Susan Vine flowers with dark centers are surrounded by lush green leaves, their petals showing a striking gradient from deep to light orange - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCClose-up of Tangerine Slice A-Peel® Black-Eyed Susan Vine, featuring orange-red flowers with dark centers and yellow-tipped petals contrasting against lush green foliage - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Tangerine Slice A-Peel® Black-Eyed Susan Vine (Thunbergia)

$11.99
$11.99

Totally Tempted™ Frosted Violets Cuphea features clusters of purple and white blooms with green foliage. The vibrant petals are deep purple at the center, fading to white edges, resembling frosted violets - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCTotally Tempted™ Frosted Violets Cuphea features purple and white blooms with ruffled edges amid green leaves, creating vibrant contrasts as a stunning pollinator plant for any lush, healthy garden - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Totally Tempted® Frosted Violets™ Cuphea

$10.99
$10.99
Clusters of Totally Tempted™ Richly Red™ Cuphea showcase ruffled red petals with purple-red centers and lush green leaves - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.The Totally Tempted™ Richly Red™ Cuphea, a long-blooming annual, showcases dense green leaves and vibrant red flowers in a light green pot set against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Totally Tempted® Richly Red™ Cuphea

$10.99
$10.99

Clusters of vibrant purple, ruffled-petal flowers with deep centers cover the Totally Tempted™ Vivid Violet Cuphea. This long-blooming annual has green, lance-shaped leaves and is a pollinator favorite for any garden - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Totally Tempted® Vivid Violet™ Cuphea

$10.99
$10.99
Close-up of Totally Tempted™ Watermelon Wine™ Cuphea with red, crinkled, star-shaped petals and purple centers amid dense, vibrant dark green foliage - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.The Totally Tempted™ Watermelon Wine™ Cuphea, a vibrant pollinator plant, shows off glossy green leaves and numerous red-purple blooms in a light green textured ceramic pot against a white background - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc. Decorative pot not included.

Totally Tempted® Watermelon Wine™ Cuphea

$10.99
$10.99

The Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) displays variegated leaves with green centers, purple tones, and white edges, making it a striking ornamental groundcover among other leafy plants - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC.A close-up of Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea) shows jagged leaves with light purple or pink borders and veins. This ornamental foliage overlaps, forming a dense, textured appearance - Photo Courtesy of Proven Winners, Inc.

Tricolor Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea)

$10.99
$10.99

Close-up of Vermillionaire® Large Firecracker Plant (Cuphea) with clusters of tubular, orange-red, yellow-tipped blooms and lush green leaves - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLCA dense bush of Vermillionaire® Large Firecracker Plant (Cuphea) fills the frame, with dark green foliage and abundant tubular orange blooms clustered along thin stems - Photo Property of Garden Crossings LLC

Vermillionaire® Large Firecracker Plant (Cuphea)

$10.99
$10.99

Create Colorful, Easy-Care Displays

For classic seasonal color, explore annuals for baskets, including options for creating full, colorful displays. If you want to simplify watering, pair your plant choices with the 16" Weekender® Hanging Planter, a self-watering option that can help reduce the need for daily watering.

Find the Right Plants for Sun or Shade

Whether you’re planning a bright full-sun basket, adding color to a part-shade porch, or filling a shadier spot, start with the growing conditions first. Then, compare bloom time, water needs, and plant characteristics to create a basket that suits your space and maintenance preferences. Browse the collection below to find plants for your next hanging basket.

FAQs

Full-sun baskets do well with heat-tolerant trailers like calibrachoa, lantana, and portulaca, while shaded spots favor begonias, lobelia, and fuchsia. Matching light exposure to the plant's needs is the biggest factor in basket success, since sun-loving varieties can scorch in shade and shade plants can wilt in direct sun.

Yes, combining a mix of upright, filler, and trailing plants creates a fuller, more dynamic basket display. Popular combinations pair a trailing variety like bacopa or sweet potato vine with a bushier bloomer for contrast in texture and height. Matching water and sun needs across varieties keeps the combination thriving.

The best hanging basket plants have a naturally trailing or cascading growth habit and produce continuous blooms without heavy deadheading. Compact root systems that adapt well to container life are also important, since basket space is limited compared to garden beds.

Trailing foliage plants like creeping Jenny or Dichondra add texture and continuous color without relying on blooms, while flowering trailers like petunias or verbena offer seasonal color bursts. Many gardeners combine both types in one basket for layered visual interest throughout the season.

Hanging baskets generally perform best with a lightweight, well-draining potting mix rather than dense garden soil. This type of mix retains enough moisture for consistent watering while draining excess water, which helps prevent root rot in the confined space of a hanging container.