10 best plants for hanging baskets in shade

The best plants for hanging baskets in shade are fuchsia, tuberous and Dragon Wing begonias, impatiens, lobelia, coleus, trailing bacopa, monkey flower, western bleeding heart, and English ivy. Fuchsia, begonias, and impatiens give the most flowers in shade. Coleus gives bright leaf color all summer. Lobelia and bacopa trail over the edge. Most of these want morning sun or bright, open shade rather than deep shade. Check shade baskets every day, since even shaded baskets dry out fast.

Here are my favorites, with notes on light, bloom time, and care. Iowa State University Extension states the light rule: “Shade-loving plants will suffer in full sun, and sun-loving plants bloom poorly in shade.”

1. Fuchsia

Fuchsias have dangling, teardrop-shaped flowers in pink, purple, red, and white. Trailing types spill over the sides of a basket. They bloom from late spring until frost in part shade and like cool, moist conditions. Hummingbirds visit the flowers.

2. Western Bleeding Heart

Western bleeding heart (Dicentra formosa) is a native perennial with ferny leaves and heart-shaped flowers, most often pink, with white forms sold too. It blooms for several weeks from spring into early summer in part to full shade. Move it to the ground in fall, since a basket gives the roots little winter protection. See bleeding heart plant for care.

3. English Ivy

English Ivy trails out of a basket in long green or variegated strands and handles deep shade. It is invasive in parts of the US, including the Pacific Northwest. Check your local invasive plant list first, and never let it root into the ground below. Swedish ivy gives a similar trailing look without the risk.

4. Begonia

Begonias give the most color of any shade basket plant. Tuberous begonias have large flowers in white, yellow, orange, pink, and red, and bloom from early summer until cool weather. Save the tubers in fall and replant them next spring. Dragon Wing begonias are another strong choice for a big basket.

5. Lobelia

Lobelia has masses of tiny blue, purple, or white flowers on trailing stems. It blooms best in cool spring weather and often fades in summer heat. Shear it back by half if it stops blooming and keep it watered. Grow it as an annual.

6. Torenia (Wishbone Flower)

Torenia (Torenia fournieri), also called wishbone flower, is a low-growing annual with two-tone flowers in purple, blue, and white, each with a yellow throat. NC State Extension says it “prefers part sun to shade, especially in hot summer climates,” and suggests it for containers and hanging baskets. It blooms from summer into fall. Keep the soil moist, and pinch the stems back to keep the plant bushy.

7. Impatiens

Impatiens are the classic shade basket flower. They come in almost every color but blue and bloom from early summer until frost. If impatiens downy mildew has hit your area, choose resistant types like Beacon impatiens or New Guinea impatiens.

8. Monkey Flower

Monkey flower (Mimulus) has snapdragon-like flowers in yellow, orange, red, and purple. Most types grow upright, but trailing types suit baskets. It likes part shade and steady moisture, so do not let the basket dry out.

9. Trailing Bacopa

Trailing bacopa has small white, pink, or lavender flowers on long stems. It grows in part shade or sun and stops blooming if the soil dries out.

10. Coleus

Coleus is grown for its leaves, which come in red, pink, lime, burgundy, and mixed patterns. It keeps its color all summer in shade. Pinch off flower spikes to keep the plant bushy.

Mix one upright plant, like coleus or begonia, with one or two trailers, like lobelia or bacopa, for a full basket. See ideas for hanging plants for basket styles.

Shade hanging basket FAQs

What hanging basket plant blooms best in shade?

Fuchsia, tuberous begonias, and impatiens give the most flowers in part shade.

How often should I water a hanging basket in shade?

Check it every day once the plants fill in. Shade baskets dry slower than sunny ones, but small soil volume still dries fast in warm weather.

Can hanging basket plants grow in full shade?

Coleus, impatiens, begonias, and English ivy handle the most shade. Most flowering plants still bloom best with some morning sun or bright open shade.

Do shade hanging baskets need fertilizer?

Yes. Basket plants use up the nutrients in the potting mix fast. Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer every 1 to 3 weeks, or mix slow-release fertilizer into the soil at planting.

Tips for hanging baskets for plants

Baskets come in wire with coco liners, plastic, metal, and woven materials. Wire and coco baskets dry out fastest. Plastic holds water longer. Pick a basket at least 12 inches wide so the soil does not dry out by noon.

Hang the baskets from a porch hook, an arbor, or a shepherd’s hook in a spot with shade or part shade. Iowa State Extension advises, “When the small plants have grown and established roots, check baskets daily for water needs.” Water until it drains from the bottom. Feed with a water-soluble fertilizer every 1 to 3 weeks through summer, as Iowa State suggests.