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Hanging Baskets

Hanging baskets are a great way to create a plant feature, and they can be used indoors or out.  Here’s what you need to know about hanging baskets.

Types of Hanging Baskets

There are two basic types of hanging baskets: wire ones made from galvanised steel or iron, and plastic ones with attached drip trays.  Wire hanging baskets are relatively cheap but they do need to be lined in order to hold soil.  You can buy a liner or make your own out of shade cloth that has been cut to size and pushed into the basket. To remove the folds, cut slits in the cloth at regular intervals.  You will need about three to four layers of cloth.  Pre-made liners can be made out of materials such as sphagnum moss, coconut fibre, recycled tires, or coir.  Plastic hanging baskets are great for indoors thanks to the attached drip trays.  The drip trays mean that you can water quite often without the worry of over watering, as long as the drip tray isn’t full.

You can also choose from self-watering plastic baskets, terracotta baskets, and wall mounted baskets.  You could even opt for an upside down pot!

Choosing Plants for Hanging Baskets

When choosing the plants for the hanging baskets, first consider the conditions that they will have to endure.  Often it is very hot underneath a roof and, if they are outside, it can also be very windy.  Try to choose a position that is protected from wind, as wind causes rapid drying of the soil and this damages the root system of the plant, resulting in a dead or unhealthy plant.  Indoors, look for rooms that have well-lighted windows.

Ferns, fuchsias, ground covers, and other hanging plants look great when the foliage cascades over the edge of the basket.  You can buy seedlings of your favourite flowers and plant them through holes in the side of the liner, creating a ball of flowers and foliage when the plants mature.

If you have a sunnier spot, petunias are great for masses of summer colour.  Impatiens work well in semi-shade.  In heavy shade, try maidenhair ferns.  In the cooler weather, try primulas or polyanthus.  Plants that work well for indoor hanging baskets include lipstick vine, basket begonia, Easter cactus, Christmas cactus, emerald fern, spider plant, Swedish ivy, and Italian bellflower.  No matter what plants you choose, try to opt for a colour scheme that suits the garden or your indoor décor.

Planting the Hanging Basket

You will need to use a soil free potting mix that has been specially formulated for container plants.  A mix that includes water holding crystals is perfect or you can simply buy and add the crystals yourself.  Add a slow release fertiliser to ensure a constant supply of nutrients.

Firstly, add a few inches of soil to the bottom of the basket.  Insert plants sideways through the liner, laying the root ball on top of the soil.  Add another layer of soil and then add more plants.  When the basket is filled, plant the top of the pot as you normally would.  However, place the plants closer together than you normally would in the garden so that the basket looks full.  If you are using a wire basket, insert the plant through a slit that has been cut in the liner.  Protect the roots or foliage by wrapping in a roll of paper or cardboard.

To water hanging baskets, just water as often as you need to to keep the soil evenly moist.  Use your finger to determine the moistness of the soil.  If the hanging basket dries out it can be difficult to remoisten it.  You will have to set the pot or basket in a container of tepid water for several hours or overnight so that it can soak up the moisture.  Lift it out and let the excess water drain off before rehanging.

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