Hanging baskets

Hanging baskets can be used to enliven an entrance, balcony, verandah or courtyard. They can be colourful and frivolous or elegantly restrained, bringing seasonal cheer or long-lasting joy to outdoor spaces. Plants in baskets require more TLC than grounded pot plants but the effort is worth it!

What plants are best for hanging baskets?

When it comes to choosing plants for your basket, it’s good to explore your local nursery for inspiration. Along with considering flower and foliage colours, it’s useful to think about the plant’s growing habit. Upright plants are good for the middle of a basket. Low, spreading plants with softer stems drape over basket edges, while those with rigid stems stick out at odd angles, looking wild and quirky! You can use one type of plant (flowers, foliage, succulents or edibles) or a mix. If you’re mixing and matching, select like-minded plants – those that like either sun or shade, or dry or moist conditions – or some will be doomed from the start.

Choose a basket

As for what container to use, there are many options. To choose the most suitable hanging container, consider the type of plants you want to grow (do they like more or less water; are they short- or long-lived?), whether the basket will be under cover or exposed, and its aesthetic and price. Here’s a handy guide:

• Woven, lined with plastic: Natural look. Lightweight. Will deteriorate after a few years if exposed to sun and rain. Relatively expensive. 
• Coir-lined wire: Cheap, sustainable, lightweight. Highly absorbent but can also dry out quickly. Allows aeration. Coir is often ‘stolen’ by nesting birds. Entire basket can be soaked in water when necessary. 
• Self-watering: Lightweight. Holds moisture and nutrients. Plants take up water when needed. Needs emptying during prolonged rain.
• Ceramic: Long lasting. Less evaporation, so retains moisture. Hotter than natural options. Available in various colours and designs. Generally smaller and easier to hang. Plants can outgrow pot quickly. Remove drainage plug. 
• Fibreglass or metal: Lightweight. Long lasting. Numerous colour and size options. Holds moisture and nutrients. May not have drainage holes.

What I’ve learnt

Through trial and error, I’ve found these to be my ‘non-negotiables’ for success!

• Select plants that suit their location, thinking about sun, shade and vertical placement. You want to be able to see the hanging plants but not walk into them. 
• Choose top quality brackets and hooks, and attach securely, as the baskets are very heavy when wet. 
• Retractable hooks are a game changer! Baskets can be lowered for watering and maintenance, and positioned at any height. 
• Dripping water can damage timber floors, so position plants judiciously or take them down for watering.
• Remove spent blooms and overly vigorous stems of climbing plants.
• If practical, move your hanging basket to a protected spot during excessive wind or storms. 
• Plants in hanging pots will be out of reach of playful kids and pets, and (to some extent) slugs and snails. Conversely, possums will be thrilled that you have brought the buffet to them, so you might need to cover your baskets at night. I wrap a piece of tulle or mozzie netting around mine, securing it with a bulldog clip. Air and rain can penetrate, and it’s easily removed in the morning.

Header image credit: iStock