13 Best Easy Beginner Flowers for Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets let us take advantage of an untapped dimension by growing vertically. They’re versatile across garden scales, from small spaces like balconies and patios to energizing the front porch or hanging under a tree. Best of all, they allow creativity in planting combinations, from herbs and vegetables to cascading blooms, and nectar and pollen-rich selections to attract pollinators.

Choose a container large enough to comfortably house your combinations with ample soil volume for fast-developing roots. The larger the planter, the better the moisture retention. Plastic pots or coir/coco-lined wire frames are the most common. If you’re using a coco liner, you can cut holes in the sides to tuck in more plants for a spilling effect. Opt for a formulated potting mix to provide good drainage, aeration, moisture retention, and a light composition. 

Annual flowers do all of their growing, flowering, and seeding in a single season. As heavy feeders, an organic granular fertilizer gives an extended boost. Apply granular or liquid feeds monthly. Slow-release granular applications last about two months and distribute nutrients gradually.

Easy-to-grow beginner hanging basket flowers require little gardener intervention. Deadheading helps some produce new flowers more quickly, while many on our list are self-cleaning (their petals drop without removal). Enjoy extended color with dependable hanging basket plants for beautiful blooms at any skill level.

Trailing Lantana

	common name Trailing Lantana
	botanical name Lantana montevidensis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Lantana is rugged and reliable, taking the heat, humidity, dry conditions, salt exposure, and whatever else summer throws its way (as long as the potting mix is well-draining). Lantana tolerates drying out slightly between waterings and dislikes waterlogged, saturated conditions. 

Available in both upright and trailing forms, trailing varieties offer cascading stems with colorful bloom clusters to spill over a hanging basket. Use them as a singular specimen to fill a planter in a sunny spot, or combine them with other blooms like angelonia and foliage like sweet potato vine.

Trailing lantana as a species perennializes in warm climates. The flowers are traditionally lavender with white centers and yellow throats (‘Luscious Grape’ and ‘Lavender Swirl’ are two vigorous varieties). ‘Alba’ has bright white flowers. 

Other spreading lantanas that grow beautifully in pots include annuals like the hybrid ‘Spreading Sunset’ in vivid reds, golds, oranges, and pinks. Lantana camara ‘Samantha’ brings a low, spreading habit with yellow blooms and green and yellow variegated leaves. 

Angelonia

	common name Angelonia
	botanical name Angelonia angustifolia
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 12-18”
	hardiness zones 9-11

As summer heat rises, so do angelonia’s blooms. Angelonia is a sun and heat-loving selection that tolerates short dry spells, making it a top pick for easy, beginner flowers for hanging baskets. Also called summer snapdragon, two-lipped blooms in rich blue, purple, rose, and bicolor line stems above attractive dark green, narrow leaves.

The waves of blooms are either upright, as “thriller” specimens, or trailing varieties, ideal for suspended planters. Heat and humidity-resistant varieties like ‘Angelface® Cascade’ or ‘Angel Mist’ feature large blooms in deep, saturated hues.

Angelonia doesn’t require deadheading to promote continual flowering. If blooming starts to slow or stems get leggy by midsummer, cut plants back by half to rejuvenate them with a fresh flush of growth and flowering.

Begonia

	common name Begonia
	botanical name Begonia spp.
	sun requirements Partial to full shade
	height 8-24”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Begonias are old garden favorites for their durability and ever-present blooms despite heat, humidity, or dry conditions. With thick, shapely leaves and delicate flowers that suspend from slightly arching canes, they ornament a container to brighten shady spots.

Spreading begonias make sweet, reliable hanging basket plants in blush pink, red, and white. The ‘Hula™’ series is a wax begonia hybrid that brings full color with a mounding, spreading form for a tailor-made basket selection. 

Angel wing begonias, too, become specimens with their unique foliar interest and continual flowers. Their wing-shaped leaves show dramatic mottling in rich tones. Silvery dots mark the deep green upper leaves with red undersides. Clusters of white, red, pink, or salmon blooms suspend from arching stems.

Begonias flower from spring until frost. After a summer outdoors, overwinter them indoors for year-round interest. 

Geranium

	common name Geranium
	botanical name Pelargonium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Geraniums are a hanging basket classic. Rich, color-saturated flower clusters emerge on thick stems above attractive, broad leaves. In cherry red, coral, magenta, lavender, and white, the showy blooms continue all season.

In addition to common garden geraniums are ivy-leaved and scented species. They bring interest in leaf shape and flowers (ivy) and aromatic foliage (scented) from lemon to rose.

Geraniums do best with protection from direct afternoon sun in hot climates. Pinch off spent blooms at the base of the stem to encourage more flowers and for a full, leafy form. They thrive with regular water in well-drained soils, allowing the soil to dry out a bit between waterings. 

Scaevola

	common name Scaevola
	botanical name Scaevola aemula
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 8-18”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Scaevola, or fan flower, is a gentle spreader with whirling fan-shaped blooms in blue, lavender, pink, and white. They make excellent beginner flowers for hanging baskets with their quick growth, showy blooms, and resistance to heat, drought, and pests. 

The ‘Whirlwind®’ series in pink, blue, and bicolor is a longtime favorite and strong performer in warm climates. Lightly cascading stems reach about one foot tall with an array of fan petals to form large blooms. ‘Stardiva®’ brings star-shaped blooms for a full look on semi-trailing stems.

Scaevola petals are self-cleaning and don’t need deadheading for continual blooming. They tolerate drying between watering sessions but look best with regular moisture.

Calibrachoa

	common name Calibrachoa
	botanical name Calibrachoa x hybrida
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-9”
	hardiness zones 7-11

Calibrachoa, or million bells, is like an easy-going mini petunia. Color-draped stems hold small bell blooms in a rainbow of hues. Flowering from spring through fall, they handle heat better than petunias and also withstand short dry spells.

Calibrachoa bridges the seasons by tolerating cool weather in spring and fall (but not too cold or frosty). Look for SuperbellsⓇ for abundant bloom coverage from early spring to autumn’s light frost. ‘SuperbellsⓇ Double Vintage Coral’ is new for 2025 with a warm blend of honey, amber, and coral petals with purple veins that appear in warm weather.

Calibrachoa handles some shade in the afternoon, especially in southern climates. Provide rich, quick-draining soils for the best vigor. Calibrachoa brings high color and fills a pot as a single specimen for a full, budget-friendly display.

Livingstone Daisy

	common name Livingstone Daisy
	botanical name Cleretum hestermalense
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-10”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Dorotheanthus has trailing stems and thick, glossy, succulent leaves for a varied texture in planters. From June through October, fine ray flowers in white, yellow, hot pink, purple, and red pop up among the leafy stems.

Also called Livingstone daisy, these tough annuals tolerate drought and heat, preferring warm temperatures and drier soils. ‘Mezoo Trailing Red’ is an easy fit for hanging baskets with red daisy blooms, mint green leaves, and a dense habit. ‘Sparkle Blend’ shines with coral, white, orange, and red ray flowers.

Dorotheanthus has succulent qualities and low water needs, though roots shouldn’t dry out completely. Try growing your own hanging baskets from seed for abundant selections.

Verbena

	common name Verbena
	botanical name Verbena x hybrida
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-18”
	hardiness zones 9-10

Annual verbena is a gentle spreader with starry bloom clusters on the tips of stems. It’s an easy beginner plant for hanging baskets with a long bloom season, resilient nature, and range of colors from warm peach to denim blue to violet. Verbena tolerates bright sun and drying slightly between waterings (though even moisture is best). 

The ‘Superbena®’ series brings big blooms and vigorous growth in varieties like ‘Red’ and ‘Peachy Keen.’ The ‘Tapien®’ series is a low spreader, is ideal for trailing over basket edges, and touts superior heat tolerance.

In addition to annual verbena, ‘Homestead Purple’ is a good perennial performer in hot, humid climates. If stems get sparse and leggy as the season progresses, give them a trim to rejuvenate growth.

Trailing Vinca

	common name Trailing Vinca
	botanical name Catharanthus roseus
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6-18”
	hardiness zones 10-11

Annual vinca is a low-maintenance plant that grows almost anywhere, including situations with lots of sun exposure and high heat. It brings colorful blooms even in the dead of summer, and foliage remains deep, glossy green.

Tailing varieties spill from a basket. ‘Cora Cascade®’ has large blooms, good disease resistance, and rich purple, white, cherry, and magenta flowers.

Perennial vinca, Vinca minor, is marketed as a pretty trailer for shadier hanging baskets. Variegated foliage and periwinkle blooms make it a sweet addition in contained settings, but it is an aggressive spreader in the landscape and is invasive in many areas of the eastern U.S. Avoid this one if you live within its invasive range.

Dipladenia

	common name Dipladenia
	botanical name Mandevilla boliviensis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Dipladenia produces a compact fountain of arching stems with dark, glossy leaves and big trumpet blooms. The tubular flowers in red, pink, yellow, and white attract pollinators and stand out among the lush green backdrop.

Dipladenia was recently reclassified into the genus Mandevilla, but it still maintains its common name. This genus sometimes has oversized vining stems, foliage, and blooms are a beauty in summer pots. Most Mandevillas benefit from support like a trellis, while this type’s bushier form doesn’t require it. Mandevilla grows in sizeable hanging baskets and will trail to great lengths over the side. Trim stems to keep them healthy.

These plants resist heat, brief dry spells, and disease, and adapt to various sun exposures. Overwinter the tropicals indoors where not hardy in bright, indirect light, or treat them as annuals.

Zinnia

	common name Zinnia
	botanical name Zinnia elegans
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Zinnias bring effortless color not just as bedding annuals but as easy beginner flowers for hanging baskets. Low, mounding species like Mexican zinnia (Zinnia angustifolia) and hybrids like ‘Profusion’ and ‘Zahara’ boast drought tolerance and disease resistance. Small ray flowers cover the foliage from summer through fall.

‘Profusion’ performs across climates with single or double two-inch blooms. ‘Orange,’ ‘White,’ ‘Cherry,’ and ‘Double Deep Salmon’ are All-America Selections award winners. ‘Orange’ is a Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit recipient, and ‘Cherry’ is a Fleuroselect Gold Medal recipient. The ‘Zahara’ series shows high heat performance with prominent blooms. ‘Starlight Rose,’ ‘Cherry,’ and ‘Fire’ won the All-America Selections award in single and double blooming selections.

Zinnias need good air circulation to thrive. Six or more hours of sun prevent pests and fungal diseases, especially in humid climates.

Bougainvillea

	common name Bougainvillea
	botanical name Bougainvillea spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3-40′
	hardiness zones 9-10

While bougainvillea can scale buildings in their optimal growing conditions, it’s more behaved as a focal point in hanging baskets. The tropical vine has spectacular papery blooms in brilliant pink, red, white, and yellow.

Bougainvillea is tough. It withstands dry conditions and high heat. It even flowers best when the soil is a little dry. Native to South America, it can escape the garden in parts of southern California and Florida.

The tropical has long thorns, so place the hanging baskets where the lengthy stems are out of reach. When possible, protect them from winds to keep blooms from blowing away (though there will be plenty all season).

Nasturtium

	common name Nasturtium
	botanical name Tropaeolum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-10’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Nasturtium bridges the ornamental and edible landscape with edible blooms and leaves. Though they have a somewhat bitter, peppery flavor, they make a pretty garnish and salad topper. More importantly, the easy hanging basket flowers bear large, showy trumpets that hummingbirds love. Stems run or trail with large, round leaves.

Nasturtiums grow easily and quickly from seed. They tolerate dry conditions and partial shade. The caveat is that they do best in areas with mild summers. In hot climates, grow them in spring or fall to enjoy as cool-season annuals. Hang them in a sunny spot indoors to enjoy year-round.