Hanging baskets have a mystic charm about them, especially with pendulous and creeping plants spilling over. Including hanging basket flowers is a great idea to bring in color and texture to your home. However, decorating a spot in your patio or garden that gets too much sunlight poses a challenge for most homeowners. A spot that experience over eight hours of scorching heat from the sun is not ideal for every plant. You need to be selective about the type of plant that you choose and know whether they will thrive in your region depending on the USDA hardiness of that zone via the Agricultural Research Service.
Fortunately, there are several flower varieties that are not only hardy but also beautiful enough to turn heads whenever guests come to your home. One of the benefits of getting drought-resistant cultivars is the fact that they can survive perfectly fine out in the garden and also as indoor basket plants. During the colder seasons, you can easily bring them indoors. Here are a few plant options that will remain colorful and blooming even when the rain is long gone.
1. Petunias
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The petunia (Petunia x hybrida) variety is one beautiful flower made for hanging baskets; it blooms into beautiful purple flowers. Although quite common, they are hardy and do well under the sun’s full glare. There are plenty of petunia flower varieties that provide different flower color options. In addition, you have the option of mixing several colors for extra allure. Petunias are treated as annuals but can also be grown as perennials in USDA zones 9 to 11, Adams Fairacre Farms notes. They thrive in fertile, well-drained soil under the full sun.
2. String of pearls
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String of pearls, also known as (Senecio rowleyanus) is one of the fastest-growing plants that do well both outdoors and also indoors in pots and baskets. The name string of pearls is well deserved because of their long pea-shaped leaves that grow in a trailing path along the stems that spill over the pots beautifully. This plant variety can grow up to 15 inches in length annually (via Simplify Plants), making it easy to propagate by cutting the stems. They bloom in tiny cinnamon-scented flowers and grow perfectly under the sun in USDA zone 9 to 12.
3. Air plant
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Are you looking to add a unique and hardy cultivar to your home? Then consider the air plant, better known as Tillandsia. This unusual species doesn’t require soil to grow, hence its name. They are low maintenance and also a fun display, especially when grown in tiny baskets or transparent pots. Air Plant City notes that not every species thrives well under full sun, so go for varieties with thicker leaves that hold moisture better. They grow best in USDA zone 9 to 11.
4. Portulaca
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Also known as Portulaca grandiflora or moss plant, this tiny succulent is a delight to the eyes thanks to its bright, colorful flowers. Depending on the variety, the portulaca blooms in red, pink, white, and yellow flowers. This particular plant is fast-growing and often droops on the sides of baskets or pots. The portulaca is the perfect plant to decorate the spots that experience a lot of sunshine, Burpee says. In fact, its flowers only bloom when the sun is up and shining. The moss plant thrives under well-draining soils and grows best in USDA zones 2 to 11.
5. Spider plant
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Chlorophytum comosum, often referred to as the spider plant, grows in long arched foliage that resembles a spider. It is commonly grown indoors but also does well outside in the garden, especially in warmer climates. They are easy to grow and love the sun, as per Good Housekeeping. They may produce small white flowers during the summer and little pups that you can use to propagate. The spider plant is low maintenance growing in rich, well-draining soil, and does well in USDA zones 9 to 11.
6. Burro’s tail
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Burro’s tail (Sedum morganianum) is another perennial succulent that you should consider for the sunny spots in your house. Their long trailing stems often droop to the side, covering the baskets or pots completely. The thick leaves that hold moisture longer are the plant’s best features that also make it drought-resistant. According to Wisconsin Horticulture, the fleshy foliage can be in shades of green, while the flowers bloom in pink or red during summer. They grow in well-drained soils and thrive in USDA zones 9 to 11.
7. Lantana
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The Lantana camara can be quite a menace if left to grow without maintenance. They easily grow into shrubs that grow and dominate fences, especially when planted in the garden, per Garden Design. One way of dealing with this invasive nature is growing them indoors in baskets or pots. The colorful flowers provide continuous beauty, whether in the garden or as an indoor plant hanging around the house. They are quite hardy and ideal for USDA zones 8 to 11.
8. Bougainvillea
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While this drought-resilient plant is mainly used as a climbing vine (via Homes To Love), the shorter, Bougainvillea spp. variety is perfect for hanging baskets. They love hanging around in the sun and will brighten up a dull corner with their colorful flowers that bloom almost all year round in hot climates. The popular species bloom in red or purple flowers, but other cultivars offer a wide array of colors, including pink and white, among a few others. Consider growing them in well-draining acidic soil as perennial plants in USDA zones 9 to 11.
9. Sun coleus
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Another popular choice for a beautiful yet hardy houseplant is the Solenostemon scutellarioides. Unlike other plants that rely on flowers for beauty, the sun coleus species have stunning foliage adorned with beautiful colors, per Gardening Channel. The velvet-like leaves often feature more than one color, such as pink, yellow, green, and brown. Although popular as an indoor ornamental plant, it can also grow outside under moist and well-draining soil. They do well as perennial plants in USDA zones 10 to 11.
10. Million bells
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Closely resembling the petunia, million bells, also referred to as Calibrachoa does not fold when the sun is out in all its glory. When grown in a basket, the foliage and flowers spill over nicely, covering the entire pot. Because of their drought-tolerant characteristic, million bells are great candidates for a rock garden. Although largely considered perennials in zones 9 to 11, home gardeners treat them as annual plants that promise all-year-round flowering, the Mississippi State University Extension notes. They are low maintenance, and their only requirement is rich soil and plenty of sunshine.
