Have you ever been in this situation? You bought a beautiful hanging basket filled with colorful flowers in late May, only to find that by mid-summer it looks a little… droopy and sad, with too many leaves and not enough flowers? There are many reasons why hanging baskets may not be doing as well as they did at the beginning of the season, as they have a number of needs that need to be met on a regular basis. Typically, hanging baskets are made up of annuals or tender perennials. In the small containers such as hanging baskets, these plants require much more than they would in larger containers or in the ground. But don’t worry: as long as you give them the right amount of sunlight, water, fertilizer, and pruning in the form of deadheading and deadheading, you’ll have the best chance of keeping your basket blooming until the first frost. But first, you have to start with the most ideal plants possible.
Where is the best place to buy hanging baskets?
While hanging baskets are certainly cheaper than those at grocery stores and big box stores, your best bet is to buy one from a nursery. Typically, the plants used in hanging baskets grown at nurseries are of higher quality genetics and are much better cared for than the cheaper plants you can buy elsewhere. Nursery growers can also observe their plants year after year and see what works and what doesn’t, continually improving their products, whereas big box stores will simply throw away anything that doesn’t sell and do the same thing the next season. Of course, you can always collect your own plants and materials and make your own hanging baskets. Learn how here.
How much sunlight should you give your hanging basket?
Most hanging baskets contain plants that require full sun. Common annuals used to create full sun hanging baskets include:
- Carnation (Carnation cvs., annually)
- geranium (Pelargonium cvs., Region 11–13)
- verbenaVerbena × mixture cvs., Region 9–12)
- lantana plant (Lantana spp. and cvs., Regions 9–11)
- and calibrachoa (Calibrachoa cvs., Region 9–11)
However, some hanging baskets are designed to tolerate shade. Annuals that typically prefer shade include:
- broadleaf tree (Plectranthus scutellarioides plant cvs., Region 10–11)
- annual ornamental plants (trees spp. and cvs., annually)
- Soft Begonia (Cyclamen spp. and cvs., Regions 9–11)
- and purple (Fuchsia spp. and cvs., Regions 6–11)
Some plants, such as lobelia (Lobelia erinus cvs., annuals) and some impatiens, can take sun or shade. Know the plants in your hanging basket and whether they prefer sun or shade. See more hanging basket design ideas here.
In general, the hotter the summer, the less sun your plants can tolerate, and the cooler the summer, the more sun your plants can tolerate. This means that if you live in a cooler area, your shade-loving plants will likely be able to tolerate more sun. Conversely, if you live in a very hot area, both your sun-loving and shade-loving plants will be more stressed and benefit from more shade and more watering. Be aware that afternoon sun is the strongest sunlight your plants will receive all day. If you need to protect your plants from the sun during the hottest parts of the summer, you can do this by placing them in an area with more shade or by providing a shade cloth (hung above the plant and not touching the leaves) during the hottest parts of the summer.
How do you know if your plant is getting too much shade or sun?
Your annuals will tell you whether they like their light conditions or not. If your plants get too much sun, their foliage may begin to wilt or fade, eventually turning brown and shriveled. The leaves may also develop brown spots or streaks, which can indicate sunburn. If your annuals get too much shade, they may start to look stunted or bloom less than usual.
How often should you water hanging baskets?
Hanging baskets often need more water than annuals planted in the ground or even annuals grown in larger containers because they have a lot of roots in a very small container.
Watering tips:
- If your hanging basket is placed in full sun, you will probably need to water the basket every day.
- If the plant is in a shady location, you only need to water it every two or three days.
- You should not keep the soil constantly wet as this will cause root rot and other diseases to develop.
- Allow hanging basket to dry before watering again.
You can gauge the moisture level of your soil by simply sticking your finger into the soil an inch or two or by using a soil moisture meter. If the soil is dry, it’s time to water again. If the soil is still wet, you can wait until the soil dries out before watering.
How often should you fertilize hanging baskets and what type of fertilizer should you use?
Fertilizer is your best friend when it comes to keeping your annuals blooming all summer long, but it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. There are generally two types of fertilizers you can give your annuals: granular, slow-release fertilizers and water-soluble liquid fertilizers. We’ve tested common fertilizers here.
This‘Important things to know about fertilizers:
- Most experts will advise you to liquid fertilizer, because they are absorbed by the plant more quickly and will give more immediate results. These fertilizers also have a more even application and are less likely to attract pests that may be attracted to granular fertilizers.
- If you use a liquid fertilizer to fertilize your hanging baskets, be sure to follow the instructions on the package and fertilize about every 7 to 10 days for hanging baskets in full sun or every 14 days for hanging baskets in shade. If done more often it may burn the roots.
- An all-purpose fertilizer with a balanced ratio of phosphorus, potassium, and nitrogen (you may see “20-20-20” on the front of the container) will work well for your annuals.
How should you prune or trim your trees and why?
You want to keep your potted annuals blooming all summer and into fall, and the best way to do that is to deadhead spent flowers.
Many annuals are now bred to not need deadheading, such as many varieties of carnations and calibrachoas. But some annuals are notorious for needing deadheading regularly, such as geraniums and verbenas. Removing spent flowers prevents these plants from trying to set seed and directs energy back into flower production.
How to make flowers wither
Simply cut off spent flowers and stems above the first set of healthy leaves. You can also pinch the plant, a process in which you cut off the top of the stem to encourage more horizontal growth. This will create a bushier, fuller plant and potentially extend the flowering period of the plant. Learn more about deadheading your plant here.
If your plant still looks tired and lanky despite pruning and topping, don’t be afraid to prune it. It may take a few weeks for the plant to recover, but as long as you continue to provide adequate fertilizer, sunlight, and water, you’ll have a healthy plant with lush foliage and bright flowers.
Enjoy your hanging basket throughout the growing season.
We all love trees, shrubs, flower beds, and perennial beds, but there’s nothing quite like the bright, colorful blooms of a hanging basket welcoming us from the porch or side of the yard. Follow these tips regularly to keep your hanging basket filled with lush, healthy, long-lasting blooms all summer long.
Diana Koehm is an editorial assistant.
