Top 7 Flora Picks for Suspended Planters in Low-Light Environments
Ready to spruce up those dreary, shady corners of your porch, patio or backyard? Hang some tracksuit-wearing, life-of-the-party plants and watch your space transform from drab to fab! Shade-loving flowers aren't just for the gloomy corners of your houseplants collection—they can thrive in partial or complete darkness and add color, charm and texture to your outdoor oasis. And the best part is that, since they're in the shade, they'll require less TLC (like a lazy Golden Retriever, these babies lazy it up!)
Now, let's dive into the crème de la crème of shade-friendly plants for your hanging baskets. Grab a stiff drink and an ice-cold truth serum (optional), because these plants mean serious business!
Plants for Shade Hanging Baskets
1. 'Infinity White' New Guinea Impatiens
If you're in the market for a plant with serious pop, then the 'Infinity White' New Guinea impatiens is a must-buy. They're akin to the Pete Davidson of shade plants—totally cool, tolerates a bit of morning sun, and they'll bloom like a four-leaf clover in a Las Vegas casino. Their delicate white blooms will contrast stunningly against their dark green foliage, making for a spectacle that's seriously Insta-worthy.
Key to keeping these little beauties happy is maintaining moist soil. Since they're cowering from UV rays, they won't dry out as quickly, but keep an eye on that soil, yeah? With proper care, these flowers will bloom for weeks, adorning your hanging baskets in summer.
2. 'Rebel Rouser' Coleus
Get ready to throw that shady corner of your yard an unforgettable party with 'Rebel Rouser' Coleus—the life of any garden rave! This plant is like the Queen Latifah of the plant world—busting with attitude. Its lime green and burgundy-colored leaves will add a vibrant, lively energy to your garden, and it loves nothing more than a ton of shade.
Once that sucker's in a container, it's pretty straightforward to grow, given regular watering and slightly damp, well-drained soil. Since Coleus is all about the drama, you won't have to wait for blooms; the show starts from the get-go with those bold, green leaves and striking colors.
3. 'Glacier' English Ivy
'Glacier' English ivy is the chic, elegant solution for those looking to create a cascading, dreamy look in a hanging basket. Its delicate green leaves, flecked with creamy white edges, are a stunning addition to even the darkest shaded spaces. This plant is like the s:low, groovy James Bond of the plant world—incredibly hardy and able to thrive in total darkness, making it perfect for areas with minimal light.
Ivy requires little to no maintenance and thrives in moist soil, making it one of the easiest hanging plants to care for. For a touch of sophistication, pair it with ferns or Creeping Jenny for a basket full of texture and movement that'll have you feeling like you're on a catwalk.
4. Compact Royal Jewels' Lobelia
For a splash of color in your shaded space, 'Compact Royal Jewels' lobelia takes the cake. Its clusters of purple flowers cascade elegantly from a hanging basket, creating a focal point in any dimly lit spot. Lobelia's like the badass, purple punk rocker of the plant world—part shade, part blooming beauty. It tolerates a bit of sun, but it truly thrives in dappled shade and cool conditions.
Lobelia is an excellent choice for hanging baskets, adding both color and movement to your porch or backyard nook. With its vibrant flowers and delicate, arching stems, it'll have you feeling like the life of the party. (Just don't forget to keep its soil moist, especially in the summer months.)
5. Trailing Bacopa 'Giant Snowflake' (Sutera Cordata)
Want a soft, ethereal look for your shade hanging basket? 'Giant Snowflake' trailing Bacopa is your answer. Its delicate white flowers bloom profusely and will look positively stunning spilling over the edges of your basket. Bacopa's like the sweet, shy wallflower of the plant world, but don't be fooled—it tolerates partial shade and can even handle some morning sun.
One of the best things about Bacopa is its long bloom time—it can flower throughout summer and into fall, adding continuous beauty to your hanging basket. To keep these white flowers healthy, make sure the soil remains moist, and don't be shy about putting them in areas where other shade plants might struggle to bloom.
6. 'Versa Green Halo' Coleus
If you're looking for a more sultry, seductive shade plant, 'Versa Green Halo' coleus is the girl of your dreams. Its large, colorful leaves create a vibrant display in shade or part sun, like a sexy, tropical siren luring you into the depths of your garden. This plant thrives in hanging baskets where its foliage can cascade over the sides, adding an exotic touch to your shade space.
This coleus variety is easy to care for, requiring regular watering but not much else. Its bold foliage ensures your baskets remain fiery and seductive throughout the season. For added intrigue, pair coleus with other shade plants like ferns or ivy for a basket full of diverse shapes and textures that'll be the envy of all the plants in your neighborhood.
7. Marguerite Daisy
Want a burst of sunshine in your gloomy shade space? The Marguerite daisy is just the ticket. It can tolerate shade, but it loves a good, soft dose of morning light. Its bright yellow or white petals will add cheer and brightness to any hanging basket in your garden, making it the life of the shade party!
Daisies are relatively easy to care for, requiring well-drained soil and moderate watering. Their long-lasting blooms ensure your hanging baskets will stay looking fabulous all summer long. Put them where they can get a glimpse of the morning sun before they retire to their shady corner.
Conclusion
When it comes to hanging baskets for those shady spots, you've got plenty of fabulous options. Whether you go for the delicate New Guinea impatiens, the bold and beautiful coleus, or the vibrant Marguerite daisy, you can create vertical gardens that are as dramatic as they are easy to care for. The key is choosing the right plants for the environment—those that can handle shade and the coolness and moisture that come with it.
By giving your hanging baskets the love and attention they deserve, you'll enjoy lush, beautiful plants throughout the summer and beyond. Don't be afraid to mix it up and get creative with your plant choices—pairing trailing plants like Bacopa with bold foliage plants like coleus will create a basket that's as diverse as a Spice Girls reunion concert! So here's to happy gardening—and may your shade spaces be flourishing!
- Incorporate the 'Infinity White' New Guinea impatiens, 'Rebel Rouser' Coleus, 'Glacier' English ivy, 'Compact Royal Jewels' lobelia, 'Giant Snowflake' trailing Bacopa (Sutera cordata), 'Versa Green Halo' Coleus, and Marguerite daisies in your home-and-garden projects, focusing on the shaded and partial sun areas of your home, such as porches, patios, and backyards.
- Choose these shade-friendly plants for their beautiful foliage, vibrant colors, and hardiness, and create stunning, vertical oasis in your hanging baskets, reflecting your unique lifestyle while requiring low maintenance, similar to a lazy Golden Retriever.
