If there’s one thing I adore in the spring and summer, it’s lush, overflowing hanging baskets—instant charm with zero flowerbed space needed! You know those dreamy, overflowing baskets dangling from lampposts in charming downtown squares—I always stop to admire them! Do you love them, too? While ours at home might not be quite that grand (who has a daily municipal watering crew on standby?), we can still create jaw-dropping displays with a little know-how. Here’s how to recreate that Main Street magic at home!

Let’s talk about my best tips for keeping your baskets blooming and beautiful all season long!

Isn’t this hanging basket absolutely stunning?

I found this beautiful hanging basket at my local garden center and fell in love! This is the Acapulco Sun hanging basket by Proven Winners. It’s a combination of Superbells Coralina, Supertunia Bermuda Beach, and Superbena Peachy Keen. This basket will do well in part sun to sunny spots in your garden from spring through fall!
Click here to watch a quick video of my best tips for hanging baskets!

5 Tips for Showstopping Hanging Baskets:

Go Big or Go Home: Opt for larger hanging baskets (at least 12-14" or bigger)—more soil means happier roots and fewer water emergencies. Be sure to use high-quality, moisture-retentive potting mix—your plants will drink it up! After it’s planted you need to water like it’s your job. I always say “Small pots turn into crockpots.” and the same is true here. Baskets dry out fast—check daily and water until it runs out the bottom for at least 15-20 seconds or longer.
Double Up on Liners: Use a high quality coco fiber liner (Aqua Sav is a great brand) and plastic (be sure to poke drainage holes) to retain moisture without sogginess.
Mix Perennials + Annuals: Add hardy perennial ivy or ferns as a base, then tuck in annual blooms like wave petunias for nonstop color. For containers I usually recommend 3 T’s—you want something Tall, Thick & Trailing. There is a caveat for hanging baskets, though. Sometimes mixing three trailing plants can give an even bigger impact! Begonias, wave petunias, lantana, verbena, impatiens, and fuschias all do really well in hanging baskets.
Rotate Weekly: Give baskets a turn to ensure even growth—no one likes a "good side only" basket. Also make sure to match full sun/shade plants to your spot in your garden! Shady plants will fry quickly if they get too much sun so be aware of your plant combinations.
Feed & Trim: Be sure to use a small amount of slow-release fertilizer (I use ColorStar Fertilizer) at planting to keep blooms coming. Mid-season, pinch back and trim leggy plants by half and fertilize again—they’ll bounce back bushier than ever.

Follow these tips, and your baskets will be the envy of the neighborhood. If you need more hanging basket inspiration, check out my collection of favorite hanging baskets and accessories.