Hanging plants are an incredible way to elevate the beauty of outdoor spaces, whether it’s a lush garden, a cozy balcony, or a charming patio. Their cascading foliage and colorful blooms add depth, charm, and life to even the smallest nooks. But with so many options out there, how do you pick the best hanging plants for your outdoor space?
If you’ve been pondering this question, you’re in the right place! Here, we’ll guide you through 14 of the best hanging plants outdoor enthusiasts swear by. From hardy greenery to delicate flowering vines, these plants will not only thrive but also transform your outdoor space into a slice of paradise.
Why Hanging Plants Are Perfect for Outdoor Spaces:
Best Hanging Plants Outdoor selections offer a unique decorative touch that other greenery simply cannot. They create stunning vertical layers of beauty, making even small areas appear lush, vibrant, and spacious.
Whether you’re an apartment dweller looking to add privacy to a balcony or a gardener seeking low-maintenance options, hanging plants are versatile, space-saving, and incredibly rewarding.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, the best hanging plants for outdoor spaces also provide functional benefits:
- Air Purification – Many outdoor hanging plants help filter air pollutants, promoting a fresher environment.
- Microclimate Creation – They offer natural cooling by providing shade and moisture, fostering a more comfortable and refreshing space.
- Wildlife Attraction – Certain outdoor hanging plants attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.
- Space Optimization – Best hanging plants outdoor choices allow you to maximize your garden, patio, or balcony without taking up valuable ground space.
- Low Maintenance – Many hanging plants require minimal care, making them perfect for busy plant lovers or beginners.
Now, let’s explore the best hanging plants for outdoor areas that will transform your space into a breathtaking green haven!
1. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
Known for its lacy, vibrant fronds, the Boston Fern is a timeless favorite for outdoor hanging displays. Its cascading foliage adds a touch of elegance and lush greenery to patios, balconies, and garden spaces. This plant thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for covered outdoor areas where direct sunlight is limited.
The Boston Fern flourishes in humid environments, making it a great choice for tropical and subtropical regions. It requires regular watering to maintain its lush appearance, as dry soil can cause its delicate fronds to wilt. Occasional misting can also help keep its foliage healthy.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, the Boston Fern not only enhances aesthetics but also improves air quality by filtering out toxins. It pairs beautifully with other shade-loving plants, creating a serene and refreshing atmosphere in any outdoor setting.
2. Petunias
Bursting with color, Petunias are perfect for adding a cheerful and vibrant touch to any outdoor space. These beautiful, trumpet-shaped flowers come in a wide range of shades and patterns, from solid hues to striking bi-colored varieties.
Their cascading growth habit makes them an excellent choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and elevated planters.
Petunias thrive in full sunlight and require well-draining soil to flourish. Regular watering is essential, especially during hot weather, but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot. Occasional deadheading (removing spent flowers) encourages continuous blooming, ensuring a long-lasting display of colorful flowers throughout the season.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Petunias attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to your garden. With their easy-care nature and stunning floral display, they are a must-have for anyone looking to brighten up their outdoor space.
3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
A classic favorite, English Ivy is cherished for its elegant trailing vines and lush evergreen foliage. Its fast-growing nature makes it an excellent choice for creating a green curtain effect on walls, railings, and trellises, adding both beauty and privacy to outdoor spaces.
This low-maintenance and hardy plant thrives in a variety of conditions, from partial shade to full sun, although it prefers indirect light in hotter climates. It adapts well to different soil types and requires moderate watering, making it a great option for both beginners and seasoned gardeners.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, English Ivy not only enhances the visual appeal of patios and balconies but also helps improve air quality by filtering pollutants. Its trailing vines create a stunning cascading effect, making it a perfect addition to any outdoor space.
4. Fuschia
Fuchsia is a true showstopper with its drooping, bell-shaped flowers that come in vibrant shades of pink, purple, red, and white. These striking blooms make Fuchsia an exceptional choice for hanging baskets, where they can cascade beautifully over the edges.
Their delicate yet colorful flowers add a touch of elegance and charm to any outdoor space.
Best suited for cooler climates, Fuchsia thrives in partial shade and requires a sheltered position, away from harsh sunlight. While it’s relatively low-maintenance, it benefits from regular watering to keep its soil consistently moist—though not waterlogged.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Fuchsia is also a favorite of pollinators, particularly hummingbirds, who are drawn to its nectar-rich blooms. If you’re looking to attract wildlife to your garden while adding a splash of color, Fuchsia is an excellent choice for your hanging plant collection.
5. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
For those seeking a modern and unique addition to their outdoor space, String of Pearls is an eye-catching choice. Its cascading strands of bead-like foliage create a striking visual effect, making it one of the most distinctive best hanging plants outdoor gardeners can grow.
Whether displayed in a hanging basket or a decorative planter, this succulent adds an elegant and contemporary touch to any setting.
String of Pearls thrives in bright, indirect light but can tolerate some direct morning sun. It prefers well-draining soil and requires infrequent watering—allowing the soil to dry out completely between waterings helps prevent root rot.
Due to its drought-tolerant nature, it’s an excellent choice for those who want a low-maintenance yet stylish hanging plant.
With its trailing, pearl-like vines, this plant is perfect for balconies, patios, and garden spaces where it can spill gracefully over the edges of its container, adding a unique charm to your outdoor décor.
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6. Begonias
Begonias are a fantastic choice for shady outdoor spaces, offering a stunning combination of intricate foliage and vibrant blooms. With a wide variety of species, from cascading tuberous begonias to the striking Rex varieties, these plants add texture, color, and elegance to any hanging basket or container.
Thriving in partial to full shade, Begonias prefer moist, well-draining soil, making them an excellent option for humid environments. While they require regular watering, it’s essential to avoid overwatering, as their roots can be prone to rot.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Begonias provide continuous color throughout the growing season, with shades ranging from bright reds and pinks to soft whites and oranges. Their low-maintenance nature and adaptability make them a must-have for anyone looking to enhance their outdoor décor with minimal effort.
7. Spider Plant (Chlorophytum comosum)
One of the easiest and most resilient plants to grow, the Spider Plant is a perfect choice for hanging baskets. Its graceful, arching green-and-white striped leaves create a cascading effect, while the small baby offshoots (“spiderettes”) dangle beautifully, adding movement and texture to any outdoor setting.
Spider Plants thrive in filtered sunlight or partial shade, making them ideal for porches, patios, or shaded balconies. They require minimal care, needing only occasional watering and well-draining soil to stay healthy. Their adaptability makes them one of the best hanging plants outdoor gardeners can choose, especially for beginners.
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Spider Plants are known for their air-purifying qualities, helping to remove toxins from the environment. With their low-maintenance nature and fast-growing habit, they are a fantastic addition to any outdoor space.
8. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Resembling miniature petunias, Calibrachoa, or Million Bells, is a must-have for those looking to create a bold and colorful outdoor display. This trailing plant produces an abundance of small, vibrant flowers in shades of pink, purple, yellow, red, and more, blooming non-stop from spring to fall.
Thriving in full sun, Calibrachoa requires well-drained soil to prevent root rot. Regular watering is essential, but be sure to avoid soggy conditions. With proper care, these resilient plants will flourish, spilling beautifully over hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Calibrachoa is also a magnet for butterflies and hummingbirds, bringing movement and life to your garden. Its drought-tolerant nature and self-cleaning blooms (meaning no deadheading required) make it a low-maintenance yet high-impact choice for any outdoor space.
9. Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Portulaca, also known as Moss Rose, is a drought-tolerant succulent that produces vibrant, cheerful blooms in shades of pink, yellow, orange, red, and white. Its delicate, rose-like flowers contrast beautifully with its fleshy, needle-like leaves, creating a stunning display in hanging baskets.
This resilient plant thrives in full sunlight and loves hot, dry conditions, making it an excellent choice for gardeners in warm climates. Thanks to its succulent nature, Portulaca stores water in its leaves, requiring only minimal watering, making it one of the best hanging plants outdoor gardeners can grow with ease.
Aside from its low-maintenance care, Portulaca blooms continuously throughout the summer, attracting pollinators like butterflies and bees. Whether placed on a sunny patio, balcony, or garden bed, this trailing beauty adds a brilliant splash of color with little effort.
10. Sweet Potato Vine (Ipomoea batatas)
Sweet Potato Vine is a stunning foliage plant known for its vibrant trailing leaves in shades of bright green, deep purple, bronze, or even variegated tones. Its fast-growing, cascading habit makes it an excellent choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and outdoor planters, adding a lush, dramatic effect to any setting.
Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Sweet Potato Vine is easy to care for, requiring moderate watering and well-draining soil. One of its biggest advantages is how easily it propagates—just take cuttings, place them in water or soil, and watch them grow! This makes it an affordable way to expand your garden without much effort.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Sweet Potato Vine pairs beautifully with flowering plants like Petunias or Calibrachoa, creating stunning mixed arrangements. Whether you want a bold pop of color or a cascading green accent, this versatile plant is a fantastic addition to your outdoor space.
11. Trailing Lobelia
Trailing Lobelia is a delicate yet striking plant that produces a cascade of petite blue, white, or purple flowers, adding a soft and elegant touch to any outdoor space. Its trailing habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and patio containers, where it can spill gracefully over the edges.
This plant thrives in cooler climates and prefers partial sun to full sun in moderate temperatures. To encourage abundant blooms, Trailing Lobelia requires plenty of water and consistently moist, well-draining soil. It benefits from occasional deadheading to extend its flowering period.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Lobelia is loved not just for its vibrant blooms but also for its ability to attract butterflies and hummingbirds, bringing life and movement to your garden. Whether used as a standalone plant or paired with other flowers, Trailing Lobelia adds a charming, refreshing appeal to any outdoor space.
12. Geraniums
Geraniums are a classic favorite for outdoor hanging baskets, known for their bold, showy blooms and easy-care nature. Available in a variety of colors, including red, pink, white, and purple, these flowers create a stunning, long-lasting display throughout the warm months.
Thriving in full sun, Geraniums prefer well-draining soil and require moderate watering. They are heat-tolerant and handle warm climates well, making them one of the best hanging plants outdoor gardeners can grow with minimal effort. To encourage continuous blooming, occasional deadheading (removing spent flowers) is recommended.
Beyond their beauty, Geraniums also help repel pests like mosquitoes, making them a practical addition to patios, balconies, and garden spaces. Their drought resistance and low-maintenance care make them perfect for beginners and experienced gardeners alike.
13. Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Pothos is one of the most versatile and resilient hanging plants, loved for its trailing vines and heart-shaped leaves in shades of green, gold, and variegated patterns. Its low-maintenance nature makes it an excellent choice for anyone looking to add effortless greenery to their outdoor space.
Thriving in partial shade, Pothos can adapt to a range of light conditions, from bright indirect light to lower-light areas. It is also highly drought-tolerant, requiring only occasional watering, making it a fantastic option for busy plant lovers.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Pothos adds a lush, cascading effect to patios, balconies, and pergolas. It can be grown alone for a sleek green display or combined with flowering plants for a more dynamic arrangement. With its air-purifying properties and ability to thrive with minimal care, Pothos is a must-have for any garden.
14. Morning Glory (Ipomoea)
If you’re searching for fast-growing, eye-catching blooms, Morning Glory is a perfect choice! These vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers open each morning in shades of purple, pink, blue, and white, creating a breathtaking display.
Their lush, twining vines make them ideal for hanging baskets, trellises, and balcony railings, where they can cascade beautifully.
Morning Glory thrives in full sun and requires well-drained soil to flourish. While it’s a low-maintenance plant, regular watering helps maintain healthy growth. Due to its rapid spread, occasional trimming may be needed to keep it in check.
As one of the best hanging plants outdoor, Morning Glory not only provides stunning visual appeal but also attracts butterflies and hummingbirds, adding life and movement to your garden. Its drought tolerance and vigorous growth make it a fantastic choice for those wanting a spectacular, ever-changing floral display.
Caring for Outdoor Hanging Plants:
To keep your outdoor hanging plants lush, vibrant, and thriving, follow these essential care tips:
- Watering: Hanging plants tend to dry out faster than those in the ground. Ensure even moisture by checking the soil frequently, especially during hot weather. Water early in the morning or evening to prevent rapid evaporation.
- Fertilizing: Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every two to four weeks to promote healthy growth and continuous blooms. Some flowering varieties may benefit from a bloom-boosting fertilizer with higher phosphorus content.
- Placement: Best Hanging Plants Outdoor thrive when placed in their ideal light conditions—sun-loving plants need at least 6 hours of sunlight, while shade-loving ones should be kept in filtered or indirect light.
- Pruning & Deadheading: Regularly trim back overgrown vines, remove spent flowers, and cut off yellowing leaves to maintain a tidy appearance and encourage fresh growth.
- Wind Protection: Strong winds can damage delicate foliage and flowers. If your area is particularly windy, consider placing hanging baskets near a protected wall, railing, or pergola for added support.
- Choosing the Right Container: Opt for well-draining hanging baskets with coconut coir or moss liners to retain moisture while preventing waterlogging.
By following these care practices, your outdoor hanging plants will flourish, adding beauty, color, and texture to your garden, balcony, or patio all season long.
Adding hanging plants to your outdoor space is an excellent way to create a lush, vibrant, and dynamic garden, even in small areas. Whether you’re drawn to the trailing greenery of Pothos and English Ivy, the bold blooms of Geraniums and Calibrachoa, or the delicate elegance of Lobelia and Morning Glory, there’s a perfect plant for every style and setting.
By selecting the best hanging plants outdoor, you can enhance your patio, balcony, or garden with colorful flowers, cascading foliage, and even pollinator-friendly blooms. With proper care—regular watering, fertilizing, and strategic placement—these plants will thrive, offering beauty and greenery throughout the season.
No matter your gardening experience, outdoor hanging plants are a low-maintenance, high-impact way to transform your space. So, choose your favorites, get creative with arrangements, and enjoy the natural charm they bring to your outdoor oasis.
FAQs:
1. What are the easiest outdoor hanging plants to maintain?
If you’re looking for low-maintenance hanging plants, Pothos, Spider Plant, and Geraniums are excellent choices. They require minimal watering, adapt well to different light conditions, and thrive with little care.
2. How often should I water my outdoor hanging plants?
Most outdoor hanging plants need frequent watering, especially in warmer months since they dry out faster in baskets. Water them once a day in hot weather and every 2-3 days in cooler seasons, ensuring the soil stays evenly moist but not waterlogged.
3. Which are the best hanging plants outdoor for full sun?
For sunny locations, go for Petunias, Calibrachoa (Million Bells), and Portulaca (Moss Rose). These plants thrive in full sun, produce vibrant blooms, and are drought-tolerant, making them ideal for bright outdoor spaces.
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