Want a Spectacular Summer Garden Without the Fuss? These Plants For Hanging Baskets Actually Thrive on Neglect

Hanging baskets will always add some flair to your garden, but if they're front and center, the pressure is on to keep them looking glorious. There are, however, plenty of low-maintenance options: geraniums, trailing lantana, portulaca and trailing verbena are some of the best hanging basket plants that thrive on neglect.

While some gardeners tend to their hanging baskets with the utmost care, others prefer a more hands-off approach. This means prioritizing drought-tolerant plants that can handle sunny spells and an intermittent watering schedule.

So, if you're looking for hanging basket plants that will steal the show without asking for much in return, there are plenty to choose from; below, we ask experts to share their top recommendations. When it comes to fuss-free gardening, these are the best plants for your hanging baskets.

Ivy-Leaf Geraniums

Ask any gardener and most will sing the praises of geraniums; they're a time-honored addition to hanging baskets, and, fortunately, they are incredibly easy to care for.

'If a hanging basket is likely to be watered irregularly, the best plants tend to have either slightly succulent foliage, naturally waxy leaves, or vigorous trailing growth that bounces back after a dry spell,' explains Patrick Martin, a seasoned gardener and founder of the Frantoio Grove olive farm.

Calliope geraniums (which you can find at Burpee) are a great choice.

Geraniums themselves don't just look joyful; they are also wonderfully forgiving, and they don't require too much upkeep.

They can, for example, handle neglected watering very well – although they do prefer full sun, and should be watered when the top inch of soil dries out.

For a particularly resilient option, Patrick recommends ivy-leaf geraniums, or Pelargonium peltatum, which you can pick up at Etsy.

Geraniums are also a strong choice for exposed spots because they handle wind better than many softer-leaved trailers.

Patrick Martin

Patrick Martin is a gardening and horticulture expert and the founder of Frantoio Grove, an award-winning olive farm and mill in California. With over 15 years of hands-on experience, Patrick combines his love of gardening and plant care with expertise in olive tree farming, helping others grow healthy, productive gardens.

Trailing Lantana

Lantana is one of the best low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants, and it also happens to be one of the best trailing plants for hanging baskets.

'Trailing lantana is exceptionally tolerant of heat and brief droughts, and will it will produce colour throughout the summer,' says Patrick. 'It's an ideal option for a south-facing wall or balcony, and it and tends to keep going when other plants sulk.'

It's worth noting that lantana isn't a frost-hardy plant, and it needs to be protected once temperatures drop. However, it makes a particularly colorful addition to your hanging baskets in the summer; you can find 'luscious grape' trailing lantana at Plant Addicts.

Portulaca

Portulaca, or moss rose, is a brilliant example of an annual that thrives on neglect, and it's one of the most popular flowers for pots in full sun.

'Portulaca has succulent leaves that store water,' explains Patrick. 'It's a good choice for your hottest baskets because it thrives where compost dries quickly.' You can pick up live mixed portulaca plants from Amazon.

Silver Falls Dichondra

You'll recognize Silver Falls Dichondra by its trailing silver foliage – and this is what makes it a particularly striking way to spruce up your hanging baskets.

'Silver Falls Dichondra is naturally happy in leaner, free-draining compost with lower water demand,' says Patrick. 'It earns its place when you want visual impact without extra work, as it is primarily foliage and does not rely on frequent feeding to look good.'

Silver Falls Dichondra is available at Burpee.

Petunias

Like geraniums, petunias are much-loved and impressively fuss-free plants, whether you plant them in a basket, show them off in a container garden, or use them to elevate your flower bed ideas. (Try 'pinkie pop' petunias from Burpee for a joyful dash of color.)

'Petunias are a good option because they are fast-growing and they will bounce back after neglect,' says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. 'You will, however, need to commit to deep watering occasionally if you want to keep your petunias blooming for longer.'

Deep watering might seem like the antithesis to low-maintenance gardening, but it's easier than you think.

'You'll want to water your hanging baskets thoroughly until the water runs from the base, then allow it to drain freely,' advises Patrick. 'In a hot spell, that can mean watering every two to three days for even drought-tolerant baskets, while in cooler or wet weather it might be far less.'

Rachel Bull

Rachel is a gardening editor, floral designer, flower grower and gardener. Her journalism career began 17 years ago on Country Living magazine, sparking a love of container gardening and wild planting. After more than a decade writing for and editing a range of consumer, business and special interest titles, Rachel became editor of floral art magazine The Flower Arranger. She then trained and worked professionally as a floral designer and stylist for six years, and has created floral installations at iconic venues. She joined the Homes & Gardens team in 2023, where she heads up the Gardens section, and presents the weekly gardening and floristry social series Petals & Roots.

Irrigation kits, self-watering planters, and even plant watering globes will help to keep your petunuas (and the rest of your hanging basket plants) hydrated if you simply don't have the time to spare.

Make sure you choose an irrigation kit specifically for hanging baskets, like this one from Amazon, or go for a self-watering hanging basket like this one from Wayfair.

'For the lowest effort, a small drip irrigation kit on a timer works well for multiple baskets,' reflects Patrick. 'Use a thin feed line to each basket and a short dripper stake pushed into the compost near the root zone. Set it to run briefly in the early morning, then adjust by observing how quickly baskets dry in your specific spot.'

Meanwhile, a self-watering basket will release water gradually into the soil.

'These baskets hold water below the compost and release it gradually, reducing the peaks and troughs that stress plants,' says Patrick. 'Whatever watering method you use, make sure that the basket can still drain, because drought-tolerant plants dislike sitting in saturated compost.'

Trailing Verbena

While there are plenty of verbena varieties to explore, trailing verbena is guaranteed to make a statement in a hanging basket.

'Trailing verbena suits sunny baskets,' explains Patrick. 'Once established it copes well with short dry periods – modern varieties especially.'

You'll want to learn how to deadhead verbena, as it's a reliable way to keep trailing varieties healthy and help them produce more blooms.

Superbena 'whiteout' verbena (which you can find at Plant Addicts) is a good choice, and it would look particularly impressive mixed in with other blooms in a hanging basket.

If you're keen to expand your hanging basket display even further, you can check out our guide to the best vegetables for hanging baskets. (And if you're just starting out, take a look at our tips on how to plant a hanging basket.)

Plus, if you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?