Is your porch looking sadly empty while your neighbor’s is overflowing with color? The secret many plant pros don’t mention is this: you don’t need special skills to create stunning hanging baskets. You just need the right plants.
And here’s the surprise. Some plants love full sun. Here are 11 sun-loving picks that can turn empty hooks into bright highlights in your outdoor space.
Full-Sun Plants That Shine Above the Rest
Hanging baskets can help cool your outdoor space by up to 10 degrees through evaporation. That means they’re useful, not just pretty. Here are the best picks for bright, sunny spots.
1. Lantana
If your basket sits where most plants would dry up, lantana is perfect. Its blooms shift colors as they age, and it actually likes strong heat. Think of lantana as a tough runner that performs best when it’s sunny and hot.
2. Verbena
Verbena may look delicate, but it’s very durable. Its purple or pink clusters hang beautifully and keep blooming even in strong summer heat. It keeps going like a friend who stays calm during a heatwave.
3. Fuchsia
Although they look delicate with dancing, skirt-like blooms, many fuchsias handle the sun well. Their colorful, hanging flowers make baskets look fancy. People may think a professional planted them.
4. Lobelia
Lobelia creates calming blue or purple trails that balance brighter colors. It gives your basket a waterfall look, making it appear fuller and more polished.
5. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums not only look good. You can eat them. Their orange, red, and yellow blooms spill over the edge of baskets. They’re colorful, useful, and easy to grow.
Strong Trailers That Make Baskets Look Full
6. Spider Plant
Most people grow spider plants only indoors, but they do well outdoors in bright conditions. Their arching stems and baby plantlets give a firework-like effect, adding shape and movement.
7. Purslane
These plants bloom more when exposed to heat and sunshine. Their rose-like flowers open wide in strong light, creating bright, trailing color over the basket.
8. Begonia
Many begonias, especially “Dragon Wing” types, do well in full sun. Their layered blooms add texture, helping baskets look styled and full.
9. Pelargonium (Geranium)
Geraniums are a classic choice because they always perform. Their clusters of blooms sit above the leaves, giving height and structure. Their textured leaves add visual interest, too.
Heat-Loving Bloomers That Won’t Quit
10. Calibrachoa (Million Bells)
These small, petunia-like flowers bloom nonstop. One plant can have hundreds of flowers. They clean themselves, so you don’t need to remove old blooms. Their heat tolerance makes them a reliable choice.
11. Petunia
Choose “Wave” or “Supertunia” varieties for hot conditions. They create bright cascades of color and keep blooming all summer. They’re so eye-catching that neighbors might check plant tags to see what you’re growing.
Simple Tips for Stunning Baskets
Making great hanging displays isn’t hard. It’s about choosing plants that love the conditions. Pick these heat-tolerant types and enjoy full, colorful baskets without constant care.
Great baskets usually include:
- Thrillers: tall, standout plants
- Fillers: round plants that fill space
- Spillers: trailing plants that hang gracefully
Mix and match from these sun-loving plants to make baskets that look professionally designed without the high cost. Your empty hooks are ready, which of these bright favorites will you try first?