Gardening

20 Beautiful Outdoor Hanging Plants

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Hanging plants are a wonderful way to bring nature into your outdoor spaces. They can add color, beauty, and a touch of elegance to your garden, porch, or balcony. There are many outdoor hanging plants, each with a unique look and style.

From bright and colorful flowers to lush and leafy greens, these 20 beautiful outdoor handing plants can make any outdoor area feel more vibrant and alive. Plus, hanging plants are easy to care for and thrive in various climates.

1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)

Growing a Boston Fern in your outdoor environment requires little effort but the results are highly satisfying. When placed in a hanging basket, it spreads out horizontally and the long fronds appear like a waterfall with green foliage.

This is not only visually appealing to the eye but also helps in creating a peaceful environment for your gardening needs. Without a doubt, the Boston Fern is not only a visually appealing plant, but it provides utility as well.

It is characterized by its high efficiency in air cleaning in terms of eradicating gases like formaldehyde, xylene, and toluene, thus making the air around your home fresh.

2. Petunia (Petunia spp.)

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Petunias are bright annual plants that boast an impressive range of colors and versatility for their care; therefore, they are adored by gardeners all over the world. Petunias are native to South America and are available in various hues, including pink, purple, red, and white, and can even be striped or bicolored.

This plant is particularly well-suited as an outdoor hanging plant because the petunias have trailing stems, which gives the plant a cascading appearance, making it ideal for balconies, porches, or patio hanging baskets.

Regular watering is essential to keep their blooms prolific throughout the growing season.

3. Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)

These perennial plants native to South Africa are admired for their cascading stems and clusters of bright flowers, which come in shades of red, pink, white, and purple. Ivy geraniums thrive in full sun to partial shade and prefer well-drained soil.

They are perfect for hanging baskets, where their trailing vines can spill over the edges, creating a stunning floral display. When added to balconies, along fences, or on porches, ivy geraniums provide continuous blooms throughout the summer.

They are also drought-tolerant, making them low-maintenance and easy to care for.

4. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)

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It is easy to distinguish this plant because of the tiny, round leaves that look like a string of pearls in a light green color. A string of pearls can have rather long trailing stems, which makes it possible to create the impression of the object hanging down from its pot.

Since it is a type of succulent plant, it does not require frequent watering or any special attention at all. This makes it a great product for any gardener who may be busy, or who has little experience in the proper ways of taking care of plants.

5. Trailing Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)

Trailing Lobelia is an excellent choice for plants for outdoor hanging, where its cascading blooms can create a stunning visual display from spring to fall. It is an annual plant with trailing stems covered in a profusion of small flowers in shades of blue, white, and purple.

Its dainty flowers attract butterflies, which is an added bonus for your garden’s increased biodiversity. It is ideal for areas such as hanging baskets, window boxes, and pots because it will flow over the sides and create a soft texture. 

It will also require limited care after planting since it only needs to be pruned or deadheaded occasionally so that it can continue to produce flowers.

6. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)

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The spider plant is not only a popular indoor plant but also an excellent choice as a hanging plant outdoor. Outside, spider plants can be grown in hanging baskets on balconies, patios, or sheltered areas beneath large trees, with their attractive long, extended tendrils hanging down the pot.

These plants also give rise to multiple spiderettes, which can be easily propagated to increase the plant population. In conclusion, spider plants are aesthetic and functional hanging plants for the outdoors due to their bright green hues and the ability to purify air by filtering toxins.

7. Portulaca (Portulaca grandiflora)

Commonly referred to as "Moss Rose" or "Sun Rose," Portulaca is renowned for its vibrant, jewel-toned flowers that bloom profusely in sunny, dry conditions. They can thrive in hot, sunny locations with well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant and prefers soil that dries out between waterings. 

This makes it an excellent choice for outdoor hanging plants in locations with full sun exposure, such as balconies, patios, or gardens. Its trailing growth habit and succulent-like foliage allow it to spill over the edges of hanging baskets or containers, creating a carpet of colorful blooms.

Portulaca also attracts pollinators like butterflies, contributing to garden biodiversity.

8. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)

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For many gardeners, sitting near these hanging flowers outdoor feels like being surrounded by the sweet smell of a cloud and generates pleasant memories.
The flowers are fragrant, with a smell similar to honey and they are preferred by butterflies.

Sweet alyssum’s trailing habit can become a bit sloppy as the blooms mature, though; it would not be a bad idea to shear the plant back in late spring. The plant does well in well-drained soils.

Place the basket where it can receive direct sunlight, as this is fundamental for the growth of the plants. It should also be watered quite frequently, especially during dry periods of the year.

9. Trailing Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana)

Trailing Impatiens is a plant that is grown in both indoor and outdoor environments based on the climatic conditions. These flowers are indigenous to East African regions and are well known for their bright-colored flowers and procumbent growth habits that make them suitable as outdoor hanging flowers.

It is mostly a shaded or partially shaded plant that grows well in moist but well-drained soils. Most of these plants are easy to cultivate and need to be watered often to ensure that the soil is consistently moist but not flooded.

It is usually fed occasionally with a balanced fertilizer that helps it bloom throughout the growing season.

10. Bacopa (Sutera cordata)

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Bacopa is commonly known as "Water Hyssop" or "Brahmi." It has lush, dark green leaves and delicate open-faced flowers, making it an excellent trailing plant for your containers or hanging baskets.

This plant flourishes in areas with filtered shade, receiving ample bright light while being shielded from direct sunlight. In hotter climates, bacopa will require additional watering to thrive. 

Mostly available in pink and blue, bacopa blooms profusely throughout the growing season, adding a delicate touch to outdoor spaces and attracting pollinators.

11. Trailing Begonia (Begonia boliviensis)

Commonly referred to as the "Bolivian Begonia," this stunning plant is native to Bolivia and other parts of South America, where it thrives in mountainous regions with cool temperatures and ample humidity.

Known for its pendulous stems and bright, tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, yellow, and pink, trailing begonia is prized as a hanging outdoor plant.

One unique feature of this plant is its ability to bloom profusely from spring through fall, providing continuous color and interest in shaded garden areas or on covered patios and balconies.

12. English Ivy (Hedera helix)

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It is a versatile plant that can be grown both indoors and outdoors, but it is particularly renowned for its outdoor use. This evergreen vine is native to Europe and Western Asia, where it typically grows as ground cover in forests or climbs walls and trees.

As an outdoor hanging plant, English Ivy thrives in shaded to partially shaded areas where it can trail gracefully from hanging baskets or containers. One of the best parts of this plant is its dense, glossy foliage, which ranges in color from dark green to variegated shades of green and white.

13. Trailing Verbena (Verbena canadensis)

The trailing nature of this plant makes it well-suited as one of the best hanging plants. With abundant clusters of small, colorful flowers, they thrive in full sun and well-drained soil, such as balconies, porches, or along fences.

To hang trailing verbena, use a sturdy hanging basket filled with a well-draining potting mix. Position the basket where it will receive at least six hours of sunlight daily for optimal blooming.

The cascading stems of trailing verbena will spill over the edges of the basket, creating a carpet of vibrant blooms that adds color and charm to any outdoor space.

14. Dichondra Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea)

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As an outdoor hanging plant, dichondra silver falls excels due to its trailing nature, which allows it to spill elegantly over the edges of baskets or containers. It thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers well-drained soil.

Its silver foliage adds a touch of brightness and contrast to outdoor spaces, complementing other plants or hanging flowers.

Hanging baskets filled with Dichondra silver falls can be placed on porches, patios, or in areas where its trailing stems can be showcased, creating a beautiful, flowing display.

15. Fuchsia (Fuchsia spp.)

These perennial shrubs are renowned for their pendulous, tubular flowers that come in various colors, including shades of pink, purple, red, white, and combinations thereof. Fuchsias typically thrive in cool, moist environments and are often grown as ornamentals in gardens and hanging baskets.

One interesting fact about fuchsias is their attractiveness to hummingbirds due to their nectar-rich flowers, making them valuable for pollinator gardens. They are known for their ability to bloom profusely throughout the growing season, adding vibrant splashes of color to garden landscapes.

16. Lantana (Lantana camara)

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While Lantana is typically grown in garden beds or as a ground cover, it can also be cultivated in hanging baskets outdoors. When grown in a hanging basket, Lantana displays a cascading growth habit, with its stems trailing over the edges of the container.

This makes it an attractive option for decorating porches, patios, or balconies where the vibrant blooms can spill gracefully downward. Lantana requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during hot weather.

It is also tolerant of drought once established, making it a low-maintenance choice for hanging baskets.

17. Trailing Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis 'Prostratus')

Known for its aromatic, needle-like leaves and small blue flowers, trailing rosemary thrives in full sun and well-drained soil. This plant is perfect for hanging baskets on sunny patios, adding a touch of green and a pleasant scent.

In addition to its ornamental value, the herb is also cherished for its culinary uses. The leaves can be harvested and used fresh or dried to flavor a variety of dishes, from meats and vegetables to bread and soups.

18. Trailing Pansy (Viola tricolor)

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It is a charming variety of pansy known for its trailing growth habit and vibrant, delicate flowers. Originating from wild species native to Europe and western Asia, trailing pansies have been cultivated to produce a profusion of blooms in shades of purple, yellow, white, blue, and combinations thereof.

These flowers feature a characteristic "face" pattern in the center, adding to their visual appeal. They are relatively easy to grow and maintain, blooming profusely from spring to fall with deadheading to encourage continuous flowering.

19. Burro's Tail (Sedum morganianum)

This unique succulent plant is prized for its trailing stems adorned with plump, fleshy leaves. Native to southern Mexico and Honduras, the leaves of these plants are cylindrical and grow densely along the stems, giving them a trailing or cascading effect.

Its trailing growth habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets or containers where its stems can spill gracefully over the edges. It thrives in bright indirect light and prefers well-drained soil with occasional watering, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings to prevent root rot.

20. Million Bells (Calibrachoa spp.)

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The name Million Bells is due to its profusely blooming nature. It is popular for its vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colors, including purple, pink, red, yellow, and white.

These flowers closely resemble miniature petunias but are distinct in their compact growth habit and prolific flowering. Its continuous blooming from spring through fall without the need for deadheading makes it low maintenance and perfect for adding long-lasting color to outdoor spaces.

 Its compact size and trailing growth also make it suitable for mixed containers or as ground cover in garden beds.