How to create a hanging basket
A hanging basket adds a whole new dimension to gardening and when paired with the right plants, is a beautiful way to introduce colour and life to even the smallest of gardens. Here’s our step-by-step guide to creating your own hanging plant basket, plus 14 of the best plants to choose from.
14 perfect plants for a hanging plant basket
When choosing plants for a hanging basket, planting one variety is the easiest and quickest option. But if you’re feeling creative, you can pick any number of plants to create a stunning mix - keeping in mind odd numbers work best.
Plant taller-growing plants in the centre or towards the back and lower-growing or trailing plants - to spill out - around the edges. If in doubt, refer to the colour wheel for interesting colour combos. For example, create eye-catching contrast by choosing colours opposite each other on the colour wheel, like purple and yellow.
Choose plants with similar care and light needs. Here are 14 of our favourite full sun and shade-loving plants.
Full sun |
Shade/part shade |
Calibrachoa | Abutilon |
Lobelia | Bacopa |
Marigold | Begonia |
Petunia | Fuchsia |
Scaevola | Geraniums |
Succulents | Impatiens |
Verbena | Lobelia |
Gather your supplies
- Hanging basket
- Coconut or fibrous lining or sphagnum moss
- Black plastic or plastic bin liner
- Supersoil Professional Indoor, Balcony and Hanging Basket Potting Mix
- Water crystals
- Your pick of suitable plants
- Screwdriver
- Small bucket
How to create your hanging basket
Note: If using a plastic hanging pot, you can skip steps 1 and 2.
Step 1
Arrange the plants before potting to ensure you’re happy with the layout. Allow room for the plants to grow. We used (from left to right) Petunia 'Night Sky', Lobelia 'Blue Moon' ('Compact Blue' makes a good alternative) and Million Bells 'White Chimes' (if you can't get your hands on this, try 'Callipetite White').
Step 2
Remove the hanging chains from your basket. Line the inside of your basket with coconut or fibrous lining or sphagnum moss, cutting to size if needed.
Step 3
Soak the water crystals in a small bucket, following packet instructions. Allow enough time for the water crystals to fully expand, otherwise the crystals will expand in the soil and push your plants up.
Step 4
While you're waiting for the water crystals to fully expand, add a layer of black plastic (plastic bin liner is fine) into the base of basket. Use a screwdriver to poke several holes through the plastic. This allows water to slowly drain.
Step 5
Half-fill your basket with potting mix, then cut the plastic around the edges of the basket. Sprinkle a handful of pre-soaked water crystals, then continue filling with potting mix until it’s approximately five centimetres shy of the top. Using your hand, gently mix the potting mix and crystals, for the benefit of any plants with shallow roots.
Step 6
After taking the plants out of their pots, tease out the roots. Make a hole in centre of the potting mix in the basket, large enough for the tallest plant’s root ball. Position the plant in the centre, then pot up the smaller plants around it. Space the plants evenly.
Step 7
Water well, re-attach the chains and hang!
Watering and feeding
Feed once a fortnight with a liquid fertiliser such as PowerFeed or Thrive. Water your plants as needed. A simple test to see if your hanging basket needs watering is to poke your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, water.