Top Tips for Creating Fabulous Hanging Planters

Hanging planters add an eye-catching pop of color to a porch, patio, or deck of a house. And a wide variety of flowers, herbs, and greenery are well suited to hanging planters. Choosing plants on the small side for a hanging planter is best.

Read on for how-tos and DIY tips to make beautiful displays for any outdoor living area.

Popular Sun-Loving Plants for Hanging Planters –

Flowering – Geranium, Lantana, Moss rose, Heliotrope, Licorice vine, Verbena

Foliage – Periwinkle, Sweet Potato Vine

Veggies/Fruits – Radishes, Peppers, Beans, Strawberries, Cherry tomatoes, Carrots

Herbs – Mint, Thyme, Chives, Parsley, Basil, Oregano, and more.

For more tips on choosing plants, visit here.

Partial to Full Shade Plants for Hanging Planters –

Flowering – Pansy, Nasturtium, Lobelia, Impatiens, Fuchsia, Tuberous Begonia, Silver Bells.

Foliage – English Ivy, Periwinkle, Fern varieties.

How to DIY a Beautiful Hanging Planter

1. Make the liner fit inside the planter – trim if needed.
2. Cut a square-shaped section from a plastic bag. Place it at the bottom of the liner. This will help make the liner retain moisture.
3. Pour a layer of lightweight potting soil into the liner. Fill the liner to the top – and a few inches above the rim. (Miracle Grow Moisture Control Potting Mix is a good choice.) Pat down lightly.
4. Add the plants – arranging them as desired.
5. Water the planter until you see water draining from the bottom – make sure the soil is saturated.
6. Check the planter daily for needed moisture.
7. Pinch off any faded flowers or foliage to keep the greenery looking neat and healthy.

Buying Tips for Hanging Planters and Liners

Planter Choices –

If you want to buy a hanging planter instead of a DIY, they are available at garden stores, home centers, or online at web pages such as Etsy. They range in construction from plastic – to wire – to woven wicker.

The planter you choose will depend on your home’s design and the look you want to achieve. Black wire hanging planters look modern, while woven wicker emits a natural, earthy feel.

Whatever style you choose, it’s best to keep size in mind. A too-small planter will require more frequent watering and pruning. The larger the basket, the more water the soil will retain.

Plus, a larger basket gives a more impressive display.

Liner Choices –

Planter liners are usually an afterthought, but they play an essential role in water retention.  See below for info on planter liner materials –

Cocoa Liners –

Cocoa liners are usually pre-molded to fit standard-size hanging planters, giving a trim, well-kept look to a display. They also tend to be thick, so they’re not the best choice for side planting.

Burlap Liners –

For a rustic, organic feel, burlap liners are the top choice. Plus, they’re inexpensive and eco-friendly. The porous fabric can require more frequent watering of your plants.

Sphagnum Moss –

Giving a natural, southern feel, sphagnum moss has a thick texture, making it ideal for holding in moisture. Sphagnum moss liners are made from a natural plant material that grows in peat bogs and marshes. When water is added, the moss expands to hold approximately 20 times its weight in moisture. To use, wet the moss first, then fill the liner with potting soil.

Pro Tip: Loose sphagnum moss may be challenging to work with. Choose easy-to-use, pre-formed liners instead.

Supamoss –

Supamoss is a plant made from reclaimed fibers. An eco-friendly moss alternative, Supamoss fibers are reinforced with a flexible lining for excellent water retention. Supamoss is a natural-looking plant that can easily be trimmed to fit your hanging planter. It also allows for easy side planting.

Are there plants that don’t grow well in hanging planters?

Yes, the best plants are those that have small flowers and leaves.  Your greenery should not grow to be too tall, too wide, or spread outside the container’s perimeter.

There are exceptions for spillers such as petunias (Supertunias featured in the top photo), mandevilla, or sweet potato vine. Also, it’s preferable to pair plants that grow at the same pace because one that grows quickly may outshine its neighbor.

Can I leave my hanging planter up in winter?

Yes, add hardy plants that do well in the cold.  Popular selections include:

Primrose – Native to Europe, the brightly colored primrose used to be thought of as only a cottage garden plant. Furthermore, primroses are a plant that grows well in chilly temperatures and is available in various colors, including blue, purple, pink, white, red, orange, and yellow.

Winter violets – Are cold, hardy, and produce an abundance of blooms. They also do well on a windy porch. Winter violets are available in bloom colors – blue, yellow, white, and cream. And bicolor varieties –blue-white and yellow-white.

Cyclamen is a sturdy, flowering plant known for its easy care. Available in pink, purple, red, and more, cyclamen happily withstands colder temperatures.

Polyanthus thrives in the colder months of the year. Although the plant may not flower in winter, the attractive green foliage will add much-needed color to the gray winter landscape.

English Ivy – Is another winter-hardy plant that thrives year-round. Ivy will cascade down the side of a planter, providing a dark green backdrop for bright flowering plants.

Winter Pansies are a tough winter favorite seen in planting beds next to businesses. These hardy bloomers are available in red, white, yellow, and more. To keep winter pansies healthy, remove faded or frost-bitten blooms often.

Where should I display my hanging planter?

Place a hanging planter almost anywhere you prefer. Most homeowners display them for color on either side of an entrance, deck, or porch. An outdoor living area away from the house is also a popular spot.

Where you display your planter depends partially on plant requirements – do they prefer sun, partial sun, or shade? Hanging planters on a house’s south or west will receive hot afternoon sun, while those on the west or north will receive less intense morning sun or shade.

Hanging planters with bright flowers, attractive foliage, or fragrant herbs look lovely on a front porch, deck, or outdoor living area. DIY your hanging planter, and you’ll have a beautiful display for family and friends to enjoy all season long.

Interested in more DIY garden planter tips? Visit here.