Top Picks for Shade-Loving Plants to Grow in Hanging Baskets
Flourishing Your Shaded Spaces: Best Plants for Hanging Baskets in the Shade
Welcome to a verdant adventure that breathes life into your dimly lit patches, turning them into lush, vibrant oases! With many areas lacking enough sunshine, finding the perfect plants for these low-light havens can become a delightful challenge. Join us as we explore the top picks for plants that shine in hanging baskets, making your shadows dance with greenery and blooms fit for their secluded environment.
Star Performers for Hanging Baskets in the Shade
1. Coral Bells
Coral bells, your go-to plant for both hanging baskets and ground cover, can even thrive indoors as a houseplant. Although these perennials have a lifespan of around three to four years, they truly come alive in partial shade, especially during warm weather. All they need is a cozy shady spot, rich, moist soil, and about an inch of water a week, and they're good to go!
2. Hostas
Hostas, with their spillover leaves that fill baskets quickly, offer a unique alternative to traditional shade-loving plants. Most varieties prefer part shade, although some can tolerate a bit of direct sunshine. They captivate wildlife with their spikey white to lavender blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. However, these leafy green friends may be on the deer and rabbit menu, so be prepared to guard your garden!
Hostas aren't particularly thirsty but don't let their roots become too dry, as rehydrating them can be challenging. They're not fussy about soil conditions, but they excel in less rich mixes.
3. Creeping Jenny Plants
Brighten up your hanging baskets with creeping jenny plants, which not only act as great fillers but also boast yellow-colored foliage. This popular houseplant prefers full sun and well-draining, moist soil, but can also grow in partial shade. The leaves turn golden yellow in full sun, while they take on a pale green hue in shadier conditions.
In spring or mid-summer, small, yellow flowers add a stunning touch to the evergreen foliage. As they spread easily and require little care, creeping jenny plants are considered invasive in some areas. Be mindful of potential brown spots caused by fungal infections, sunburn, pests, or overwatering.
4. Ferns
Ferns bring a whimsical touch to your hanging baskets while purifying the air and improving the environment around you. These quiet beauties do well with indirect light – near a north- or east-facing window – as too much sun can scald their leaves. Give them a good, deep soaking, and let them dry lightly before the next watering. Avoid overwatering!
5. Begonias
Begonias are versatile plants that shine in hanging baskets and make wonderful houseplants. They have been known for their healing properties, aiding in the treatment of various ailments, including liver problems, digestive anomalies, body inflammation, and fungal infections. Most tuberous varieties bloom with bright colors in mid-summer, often around June.
Hanging begonias thrive in bright but indirect light – like on the front porch, particularly in the morning. Be careful not to expose them to hot, midday or afternoon sun, as they may suffer from sunburn. Provide them with warm, semi-shaded area and keep the soil continuously damp.
6. Fuschia
Fuchsia's cascading varieties, with their weak stems and free-branching habits, create a captivating display in hanging baskets. They grow well in containers and gardens and thrive in morning sun and afternoon shade.
During cold months, provide them with a dark, cool, yet frost-free place, such as a basement or garage, and water plants only when the soil is dry. In spring, transfer them to a sunny location once all frost danger has passed and they begin showing new growth.
7. Chenille Plant
Chenille plants bring a touch of the exotic to your hanging baskets with their deep red flowers that resemble long strands of chenille yarn. This hardy plant is adaptable to a range of conditions, including full sun in the morning, and does best when it has afternoon shade in the summer. Chenille thrives in moist soil, and grows well in greenhouses or near south-facing windows with year-round light.
8. Coleus Plant
Coleus plants have become a popular option for combining with other hanging basket plants due to their eye-catching foliage and small tubular flowers that attract bees and butterflies. They're low-maintenance, growing well in full sun to afternoon shade and prefer warm soils with decent drainage. Watch out for overwatering!
9. Bleeding Heart
This vibrant vine, also known as the Dichondra bleedheart, is a striking choice for hanging baskets. It grows vigorously when provided with sufficient water and fertilizer, producing heart-shaped leaves that are best displayed in direct sunlight. Hardy in USDA zones 10-11, this tropical plant offers dainty, pinkish-white blooms that pick up the green hues of its foliage.
To keep these beautiful flowers blooming for as long as possible, remember to place them in a location with direct sun and avoid hot, harsh sun, which can cause them to die quickly.
Embrace the Shadows, Nourish Your Soul
Hanging baskets find their shining moment in shady areas, as they shield these plants from harsh, direct sunlight that can lead to water loss, leaf burn, and stress. These protected environments allow plants to maintain their lush foliage, vibrant colors, and continuous blooms throughout the summer season, encouraging healthy growth and longevity.
By selecting the right hanging plants for your dimly lit spaces, you can transform those areas into lush green corners that captivate the senses and enhance the aesthetic as well as environmental quality of your spaces. From DIY hanging basket plant options to the best choices for low-light conditions, there's no limit to the beauty and harmony you can create in your shaded sanctuaries.
Coral bells and creeping jenny plants are suitable for those who wish to decorate their homes and gardens with a touch of greenery, even in shaded areas as they can thrive in both hanging baskets and partial shade. Furthermore, ferns, begonias, and hostas are top picks for adorning hanging baskets in dimly lit spaces, providing a tranquil natural element to one's home-and-garden lifestyle.
