Hanging baskets are just containers you hang up—usually with chains, wires, or ropes. People use them to grow flowers, herbs, or just pretty little plants. They're a cool way to make your garden, porch, or even inside your house look better.
🧺 Basket Types
1. What They're Made Of
Plastic: Cheap and light, and they keep the soil moist. But they can get hot in the sun.
Metal (wire): Strong and look nice. Usually, they have coconut fiber or moss inside.
Coconut fiber/moss: Looks natural, lets air in, but dries out quicker.
Ceramic or clay: Pretty, but heavy and can break when it's cold.
Resin or fiberglass: Lasts long, doesn't mind the weather, and isn't heavy.
2. Shape and Size
Round: The most popular. Good for plants that hang down.
Half/wall baskets: Flat on one side so you can hang them on a wall.
Cone or pyramid: More room for roots and looks cool.
Self-watering: Have a water tank built-in, so you don't have to water as often.
🪴 Picking the Right Size
Basket Width How Many plants
10–12 inches 3–5 small ones
14–16 inches 5–7 medium ones
18 inches+ 7–10 plants
🌸 Best Plants
🌞 Lots of Sun (6+ hours a day)
Petunias
Geraniums
Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Verbena
Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Strawberries
🌤 Some Shade
Fuchsia
Impatiens
Lobelia
Begonias
Torenia (Wishbone flower)
🌳 All Shade
Ferns
English Ivy
Pothos
Spider plant
Asparagus fern
🌱 Soil and Inside Stuff
Liners
Coconut fiber or moss: Holds water but lets it drain.
Plastic with holes: Holds more water.
Paper or fiber: Good for the earth and you can swap them out.
Soil
Use light potting mix that drains well. Don't use soil from your garden.
A good mix:
2 parts peat moss or coco coir
1 part perlite or vermiculite
1 part compost or stuff that feeds plants slowly
Throw in some water-holding crystals or gel to water less.
💧 Watering
How Often: Every day when it's hot. Every 2–3 days when it's cooler.
How to Tell: If the basket feels light or the topsoil is dry, give it water.
How To: Water slowly until water comes out the bottom.
Use a watering can with a long spout or a hose that sprays gently.
💡 Tip: If your baskets dry out completely, soak them in a tub of water for 10–15 minutes.
🌞 Where to Put Them
Put plants where they'll get the right amount of sun or shade.
Don't hang them where it's hot or super windy, or they'll dry out.
Turn them now and then so they grow evenly.
🌾 Plant Food
Mix in plant food that releases slowly when you plant.
Or, use liquid plant food every week or two while they're growing.
Use balanced stuff (like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) for everything.
Use stuff with more phosphorus (like 15-30-15) for more flowers.
✂️ Taking Care of Them
Snip off dead flowers so new ones grow.
Cut back long stems to make them look better and grow thicker.
Take off yellow leaves and dead plants.
🐛 Problems
Problem Cause Fix
Droopy plants Not enough water/too much wind Water and move them
Yellow leaves Too much water/ Not enough food Check drainage/add food
Not growing well Not enough light/too many plants Trim or move basket
Bugs (aphids) Bugs Spray with soap or neem oil
❄️ When the Seasons Change
Spring: Start new baskets. Get plants used to the outdoors before hanging them up.
Summer: Water and feed them a lot. Trim them to look good.
Autumn: Swap out summer plants for fall ones (pansies).
Winter: Bring them inside or use plants that can handle the cold.
🌿 Cool Ideas
Herb baskets: Basil, thyme, mint, parsley, chives.
Baskets you can eat: Strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce.
Cactus baskets: Use flatter baskets with sand.
Baskets that clean the air inside: Spider plant, pothos, ferns.
🧺 Basket Types
1. What They're Made Of
Plastic: Cheap and light, and they keep the soil moist. But they can get hot in the sun.
Metal (wire): Strong and look nice. Usually, they have coconut fiber or moss inside.
Coconut fiber/moss: Looks natural, lets air in, but dries out quicker.
Ceramic or clay: Pretty, but heavy and can break when it's cold.
Resin or fiberglass: Lasts long, doesn't mind the weather, and isn't heavy.
2. Shape and Size
Round: The most popular. Good for plants that hang down.
Half/wall baskets: Flat on one side so you can hang them on a wall.
Cone or pyramid: More room for roots and looks cool.
Self-watering: Have a water tank built-in, so you don't have to water as often.
🪴 Picking the Right Size
Basket Width How Many plants
10–12 inches 3–5 small ones
14–16 inches 5–7 medium ones
18 inches+ 7–10 plants
🌸 Best Plants
🌞 Lots of Sun (6+ hours a day)
Petunias
Geraniums
Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
Verbena
Portulaca (Moss Rose)
Strawberries
🌤 Some Shade
Fuchsia
Impatiens
Lobelia
Begonias
Torenia (Wishbone flower)
🌳 All Shade
Ferns
English Ivy
Pothos
Spider plant
Asparagus fern
🌱 Soil and Inside Stuff
Liners
Coconut fiber or moss: Holds water but lets it drain.
Plastic with holes: Holds more water.
Paper or fiber: Good for the earth and you can swap them out.
Soil
Use light potting mix that drains well. Don't use soil from your garden.
A good mix:
2 parts peat moss or coco coir
1 part perlite or vermiculite
1 part compost or stuff that feeds plants slowly
Throw in some water-holding crystals or gel to water less.
💧 Watering
How Often: Every day when it's hot. Every 2–3 days when it's cooler.
How to Tell: If the basket feels light or the topsoil is dry, give it water.
How To: Water slowly until water comes out the bottom.
Use a watering can with a long spout or a hose that sprays gently.
💡 Tip: If your baskets dry out completely, soak them in a tub of water for 10–15 minutes.
🌞 Where to Put Them
Put plants where they'll get the right amount of sun or shade.
Don't hang them where it's hot or super windy, or they'll dry out.
Turn them now and then so they grow evenly.
🌾 Plant Food
Mix in plant food that releases slowly when you plant.
Or, use liquid plant food every week or two while they're growing.
Use balanced stuff (like 10-10-10 or 20-20-20) for everything.
Use stuff with more phosphorus (like 15-30-15) for more flowers.
✂️ Taking Care of Them
Snip off dead flowers so new ones grow.
Cut back long stems to make them look better and grow thicker.
Take off yellow leaves and dead plants.
🐛 Problems
Problem Cause Fix
Droopy plants Not enough water/too much wind Water and move them
Yellow leaves Too much water/ Not enough food Check drainage/add food
Not growing well Not enough light/too many plants Trim or move basket
Bugs (aphids) Bugs Spray with soap or neem oil
❄️ When the Seasons Change
Spring: Start new baskets. Get plants used to the outdoors before hanging them up.
Summer: Water and feed them a lot. Trim them to look good.
Autumn: Swap out summer plants for fall ones (pansies).
Winter: Bring them inside or use plants that can handle the cold.
🌿 Cool Ideas
Herb baskets: Basil, thyme, mint, parsley, chives.
Baskets you can eat: Strawberries, tomatoes, lettuce.
Cactus baskets: Use flatter baskets with sand.
Baskets that clean the air inside: Spider plant, pothos, ferns.
**🧭 Goal**
Figure out what you want your hanging basket to do:
* **Pretty Colors:** Use flowers that bloom all season or plants that spill over the sides.
* **Eat Your Greens:** Plant herbs or small veggies.
* **Green Scene:** Just want greenery? Use leafy plants with cool textures.
* **Indoor Beauty:** Get plants that like shade and clean the air.
**🎨 Easy Design: Thriller, Filler, Spiller**
Make your basket look full and balanced:
* **Thriller:** The star! A tall or cool-looking plant in the middle (like a geranium).
* **Filler:** Medium-sized plants to fill things out (like petunias).
* **Spiller:** Plants that hang down the sides (like ivy).
*Quick Tip:* Use at least one of each kind to make it look good.
**🪴 Planting: Let’s do this!**
🌼 **Step 1: Get Ready**
* Make sure water can drain (add holes if you need to).
* Put in a liner (something like coconut fiber).
* Put a little soil at the bottom.
🌱 **Step 2: Place Your Plants**
* Start with the plants that hang down, placing them around the edge.
* Put the filler plants in the middle.
* Put the tallest plant right in the center.
* Move stuff around until you like how it looks.
🌾 **Step 3: Add Soil**
* Gently add soil around the roots.
* Leave about an inch of space at the top so you can water.
* Press down lightly, but don't pack the soil too hard.
💧 **Step 4: Water All the Way**
* Water until water comes out the bottom.
* Let it sit for a bit before hanging it up.
🪤 **Step 5: Hang it Safely**
* Use strong hooks screwed into something solid.
* Make sure the chains can hold the weight of the wet basket.
☀️ **Placement Tips**
| Where To Hang | Best Plants | A Few Things |
| :------------ | :---------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |
| Sunny Spot | Petunias, verbena, marigolds | Water a lot when it's hot |
| Shady Spot | Begonias, ferns, coleus | Keep out of direct sunlight in the afternoon |
| Inside Near Window | Spider plant, pothos, philodendron | Needs bright, but not direct, light |
| Windy Spot | Geranium, nasturtium | Pick plants that can handle the wind |
🌸 **Hanging Basket Ideas for Each Season**
🌷 **Spring**
* Pansies, and other stuff.
* Use light colors.
☀️ **Summer**
* Petunias, geraniums, and more.
* Bright colors are awesome.
🍂 **Fall**
* Cabbage, pansies, ivy, and small mums.
* Add small pumpkins!
❄️ **Winter (if it's not too cold)**
* Ivy, fern, small evergreens.
* Think about using fake liners or lights if you're inside.
💦 **Watering Tips**
🌿 **Keep Soil From Drying Out**
* Add stuff to the soil that holds water.
* Use liners that keep water in.
* Group baskets together to make shade.
* Use a slow watering thing.
🚰 **Make Your Own Self-Watering Basket**
* Put a bottle with holes in the soil.
* Fill it with water – the plants will drink as needed.
* Water every few days.
🌾 **When to Feed Your Plants**
| When | What to Use | How Often |
| :------------- | :--------------------------------- | :------------------- |
| When Planting | Slow-release fertilizer | Just once |
| While Growing | Liquid fertilizer | Every couple of weeks |
| When Blooming | Fertilizer with lots of phosphorus | Every week or two |
| Halfway Through | Add new soil on top | Once |
*Go Green:* Use fish stuff, compost tea, or seaweed stuff.
✂️ **Keep Things Tidy**
* Cut off the tips to make plants grow more.
* Cut off dead flowers so more can bloom.
* Trim long stuff to keep it looking good.
* Replace the topsoil halfway through the season.
🐞 **Bugs and Problems**
| Problem | Signs | Fix |
| :------------- | :-------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Bugs | Sticky leaves | Spray with soapy water |
| White Bugs | Tiny bugs flying around | Sticky traps + spray |
| Rot | Droopy, wet soil | Better drainage, less watering |
| White Stuff | White stuff on the leaves | More air, don't water the leaves |
🧠 **Be Nice to the Planet**
* Use liners that break down.
* Reuse baskets – just change the soil.
* Make your own compost tea!
* Grow new plants from cuttings.
* Use rainwater.
🧰 **Cool Ideas**
🌿 **Turn Old Stuff Into Baskets**
* Use old stuff!
* Make sure there are holes for water.
🌸 **Layer Plants**
* For deep baskets, plant things through the sides:
* Cut holes in the liner.
* Put the roots in from the outside before adding soil.
* Add plants to the middle and top for a cool look all around.
🪻 **Eat Your Basket!**
* Salad time: Lettuce, and stuff.
* Herb mix: Basil, and stuff.
* Fruit mix: Strawberries, and small tomatoes.
🌤 **Keep Baskets Alive Longer**
* Bring plants inside when it gets cold.
* Cut back plants, water less, and keep in a cool place.
* Wash baskets before using them again.
💡 **Quick Tips**
| What To Do | Key Tip |
| :----------- | :------------------------------------ |
| Soil | Light and full of good stuff |
| Watering | Water well, every day when it's hot |
| Fertilizer | Feed regularly |
| Light | Pick plants that like sun or shade |
| Upkeep | Cut off dead stuff often |
| Turning | Turn the basket every week |
| Hanging Stuff | Make sure it's strong! |
Figure out what you want your hanging basket to do:
* **Pretty Colors:** Use flowers that bloom all season or plants that spill over the sides.
* **Eat Your Greens:** Plant herbs or small veggies.
* **Green Scene:** Just want greenery? Use leafy plants with cool textures.
* **Indoor Beauty:** Get plants that like shade and clean the air.
**🎨 Easy Design: Thriller, Filler, Spiller**
Make your basket look full and balanced:
* **Thriller:** The star! A tall or cool-looking plant in the middle (like a geranium).
* **Filler:** Medium-sized plants to fill things out (like petunias).
* **Spiller:** Plants that hang down the sides (like ivy).
*Quick Tip:* Use at least one of each kind to make it look good.
**🪴 Planting: Let’s do this!**
🌼 **Step 1: Get Ready**
* Make sure water can drain (add holes if you need to).
* Put in a liner (something like coconut fiber).
* Put a little soil at the bottom.
🌱 **Step 2: Place Your Plants**
* Start with the plants that hang down, placing them around the edge.
* Put the filler plants in the middle.
* Put the tallest plant right in the center.
* Move stuff around until you like how it looks.
🌾 **Step 3: Add Soil**
* Gently add soil around the roots.
* Leave about an inch of space at the top so you can water.
* Press down lightly, but don't pack the soil too hard.
💧 **Step 4: Water All the Way**
* Water until water comes out the bottom.
* Let it sit for a bit before hanging it up.
🪤 **Step 5: Hang it Safely**
* Use strong hooks screwed into something solid.
* Make sure the chains can hold the weight of the wet basket.
☀️ **Placement Tips**
| Where To Hang | Best Plants | A Few Things |
| :------------ | :---------------------------------------- | :-------------------------------------------- |
| Sunny Spot | Petunias, verbena, marigolds | Water a lot when it's hot |
| Shady Spot | Begonias, ferns, coleus | Keep out of direct sunlight in the afternoon |
| Inside Near Window | Spider plant, pothos, philodendron | Needs bright, but not direct, light |
| Windy Spot | Geranium, nasturtium | Pick plants that can handle the wind |
🌸 **Hanging Basket Ideas for Each Season**
🌷 **Spring**
* Pansies, and other stuff.
* Use light colors.
☀️ **Summer**
* Petunias, geraniums, and more.
* Bright colors are awesome.
🍂 **Fall**
* Cabbage, pansies, ivy, and small mums.
* Add small pumpkins!
❄️ **Winter (if it's not too cold)**
* Ivy, fern, small evergreens.
* Think about using fake liners or lights if you're inside.
💦 **Watering Tips**
🌿 **Keep Soil From Drying Out**
* Add stuff to the soil that holds water.
* Use liners that keep water in.
* Group baskets together to make shade.
* Use a slow watering thing.
🚰 **Make Your Own Self-Watering Basket**
* Put a bottle with holes in the soil.
* Fill it with water – the plants will drink as needed.
* Water every few days.
🌾 **When to Feed Your Plants**
| When | What to Use | How Often |
| :------------- | :--------------------------------- | :------------------- |
| When Planting | Slow-release fertilizer | Just once |
| While Growing | Liquid fertilizer | Every couple of weeks |
| When Blooming | Fertilizer with lots of phosphorus | Every week or two |
| Halfway Through | Add new soil on top | Once |
*Go Green:* Use fish stuff, compost tea, or seaweed stuff.
✂️ **Keep Things Tidy**
* Cut off the tips to make plants grow more.
* Cut off dead flowers so more can bloom.
* Trim long stuff to keep it looking good.
* Replace the topsoil halfway through the season.
🐞 **Bugs and Problems**
| Problem | Signs | Fix |
| :------------- | :-------------------------- | :--------------------------------- |
| Bugs | Sticky leaves | Spray with soapy water |
| White Bugs | Tiny bugs flying around | Sticky traps + spray |
| Rot | Droopy, wet soil | Better drainage, less watering |
| White Stuff | White stuff on the leaves | More air, don't water the leaves |
🧠 **Be Nice to the Planet**
* Use liners that break down.
* Reuse baskets – just change the soil.
* Make your own compost tea!
* Grow new plants from cuttings.
* Use rainwater.
🧰 **Cool Ideas**
🌿 **Turn Old Stuff Into Baskets**
* Use old stuff!
* Make sure there are holes for water.
🌸 **Layer Plants**
* For deep baskets, plant things through the sides:
* Cut holes in the liner.
* Put the roots in from the outside before adding soil.
* Add plants to the middle and top for a cool look all around.
🪻 **Eat Your Basket!**
* Salad time: Lettuce, and stuff.
* Herb mix: Basil, and stuff.
* Fruit mix: Strawberries, and small tomatoes.
🌤 **Keep Baskets Alive Longer**
* Bring plants inside when it gets cold.
* Cut back plants, water less, and keep in a cool place.
* Wash baskets before using them again.
💡 **Quick Tips**
| What To Do | Key Tip |
| :----------- | :------------------------------------ |
| Soil | Light and full of good stuff |
| Watering | Water well, every day when it's hot |
| Fertilizer | Feed regularly |
| Light | Pick plants that like sun or shade |
| Upkeep | Cut off dead stuff often |
| Turning | Turn the basket every week |
| Hanging Stuff | Make sure it's strong! |