Looking to transform your garden, balcony, or indoor corners with cascading greenery and vibrant blooms? Trailing plants in hanging baskets are the perfect way to add height, texture, and natural elegance to any space. Whether you love lush green vines or colorful, flowering varieties, there’s a trailing plant for every style and skill level. These hanging beauties are easy to care for and deliver big visual impact with their flowing, trailing foliage. Here are 10 gorgeous trailing plants to make your hanging baskets absolutely stunning!
1. String of Pearls (Senecio rowleyanus)
This exotic succulent is one of the most striking trailing plants you can grow. Its unique, bead-like leaves resemble tiny green pearls strung together along slender stems that elegantly spill over the sides of hanging baskets. Native to South Africa, String of Pearls prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, as its leaves store moisture. Its trailing stems can grow several feet long, creating a dramatic, eye-catching display. Perfect for modern interiors or sunny patios, it’s a conversation starter in any space.
2. Petunia (Petunia x hybrida)
Petunias are classic favorites for hanging baskets thanks to their abundant, trumpet-shaped flowers and long, trailing stems. Available in a wide array of vibrant colors — from deep purples and rich reds to sunny yellows and delicate pastels — petunias bloom generously from spring through fall. They thrive in full sun and appreciate regular deadheading to encourage continuous flowering. These cheerful, low-maintenance flowers quickly fill hanging baskets with color and fragrance, making them an essential choice for outdoor displays.
3. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
If you love lush, evergreen foliage that gracefully cascades, English Ivy is an excellent pick. Known for its timeless, classic appeal, this fast-growing vine thrives in both indoor and outdoor hanging baskets. Its glossy, lobed leaves come in various shades of green, sometimes with creamy white variegation. English Ivy adapts to different light conditions, though it prefers bright, indirect sunlight. Its dense, trailing habit adds elegance to shaded patios or indoor corners, and it’s incredibly easy to care for.
4. Lobelia (Lobelia erinus)
Known for its delicate, cascading stems and profusion of tiny, brightly colored blooms, Lobelia is a charming addition to hanging baskets. Its flowers — often found in shades of blue, purple, pink, or white — create a stunning waterfall of color. Lobelia thrives in cool, moist conditions with partial to full sunlight. It’s perfect for adding a soft, airy texture to mixed baskets or creating a sea of color when planted alone. Regular watering and deadheading keep it lush and blooming.
5. String of Hearts (Ceropegia woodii)
A favorite among indoor gardeners, String of Hearts is a romantic, trailing succulent with slender stems adorned with tiny, heart-shaped leaves in shades of green and silver. Native to South Africa, it’s perfect for hanging baskets, where its vines can cascade several feet. It thrives in bright, indirect light and prefers its soil to dry between waterings. This plant’s dainty appearance and resilience make it ideal for beginners looking to add a graceful, trailing accent to their space.
6. Fuchsia (Fuchsia hybrida)
Fuchsias are beloved for their exquisite, bell-shaped flowers that dangle gracefully from long, arching stems. Available in rich combinations of pink, purple, red, and white, their blooms attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Perfect for shaded patios and hanging baskets, Fuchsias prefer cool temperatures and consistent moisture. With proper care, these plants provide months of vibrant, trailing blooms from late spring through autumn. Their old-fashioned charm and elegant appearance make them a must-have for classic garden displays.
7. Trailing Bacopa (Sutera cordata)
Trailing Bacopa is a delightful, small-flowered plant that effortlessly spills over hanging baskets. Its five-petaled flowers, usually in shades of white, pink, or lavender, create a soft, romantic effect against its green foliage. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Bacopa blooms continuously from spring to fall, especially if regularly watered and fed. Its cascading habit and versatility make it perfect for mixed baskets, where it weaves beautifully among other flowering and foliage plants for a lush, layered look.
8. Golden Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Golden Pothos is one of the easiest and most popular trailing houseplants, famous for its glossy, heart-shaped leaves streaked with gold and green. Highly adaptable, it thrives in a range of light conditions and tolerates occasional neglect. In hanging baskets, its long vines cascade gracefully, making it perfect for indoor plant walls, bathrooms, or shaded patios. Beyond its beauty, Pothos is an excellent air purifier, adding both aesthetic and health benefits to your living space with minimal care.
9. Sweet Alyssum (Lobularia maritima)
Sweet Alyssum is a charming, low-growing annual known for its clusters of tiny, honey-scented flowers. Typically in shades of white, pink, or purple, these blooms form a delicate, trailing mass that’s ideal for hanging baskets. Thriving in full sun to partial shade, Sweet Alyssum blooms prolifically from spring through fall, especially when trimmed back periodically. Its lovely fragrance and mounding, cascading habit make it a wonderful filler in mixed containers or a stunning solo feature in hanging arrangements.
10. Nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus)
Nasturtiums are cheerful, easy-to-grow plants perfect for trailing from hanging baskets. Their rounded, shield-like leaves and vibrant flowers in shades of orange, red, and yellow create a playful, tropical vibe. Thriving in full sun and poor to average soil, they require minimal maintenance. Not only are they beautiful, but both the flowers and leaves are edible, adding a peppery kick to salads and garnishes. Nasturtiums bloom best in cooler weather and bring bright, carefree beauty to any outdoor space.