How To Grow Plants In Hanging Baskets – Tips And Tricks

People spend a lot of time and money on their gardens, but how often do they think about the hanging baskets? Hanging baskets are not only beautiful to look at; they can also provide you with your very own herb garden or even a small vegetable patch. 

Short on space? No problem. Even if you live in an apartment, there is always a way to grow those plants you love. So here in this article, I will tell you how to grow plants in hanging baskets – Tips and Tricks.

Growing plants in hanging baskets should be fun and interesting. It shouldn’t have to be a chore you do without passion because people tend to create stress for themselves. We all want the best results out of gardens, but sometimes we get caught up in a cycle of giving more than the plants can take. Remember, it is better to do a little bit well than to do a lot poorly.

Planting: 

To have success in growing plants in hanging baskets, you must first choose your plant wisely.

Some good hanging basket plants include Coleus, Pothos, Ivy, and Lantana. Be sure to check the label on your hanging basket plant. Just because it is hanging doesn’t mean that there aren’t different needs for each of them when they are in a pot.

Baskets to Choose : 

There are two different types of baskets to choose from. If you already have a hanging basket, then you can reuse that, or if it is falling apart, just buy a new one. There are plastic ones and wicker ones. 

Plastic is less expensive than wicker, so naturally, most people will want the less expensive option. But there are some drawbacks to using plastic.  Wicker hanging baskets are much easier to work with, but they do cost a bit of money. 

Tips  & Tricks: 

1. If you are using plastic hanging baskets, it is best to use good potting soil to hold moisture well. This is necessary so your plants don’t dry out while growing in your hanging basket. Once a week, watering should suffice for a thirsty plant once a week, but if the plant looks droopy, give it a little more water.
2. Fertilizing your hanging basket plants is important to their health and will help them grow quickly. You can use liquid or powdered fertilizer, whichever you prefer. If potted in a proper container, liquid works best since the nitrogen from liquid comes into contact with the roots faster than dry powder.
3. Make sure your hanging basket has enough light, and so does the potting soil. If you don’t want to use a lot of fertilizer, add some peat moss to the mix to retain water, so less watering is needed.
4. Recycle things when necessary. Instead of buying new foam pots for your plants, just take a look around your house. There is probably an old foam pot that you can use, saving money and being more eco-friendly.
5. Hanging baskets tend to dry out faster than other plants, so it is best to give them extra moisture every once in a while. If you notice the basket getting very dry, just take a spray bottle and spray the plant’s leaves. This will give them much-needed moisture without having to water it as often.
6. For those hanging baskets that have a ring for support, you can use a brick or a rock to hold it in place instead of continually buying new ones from a store.  
7. Be sure to buy a plant that is suited for your hanging basket. A cactus will die in a wicker basket, and an African violet would do terribly in a plastic pot. You don’t want the hassle of trying to keep something alive, so do some research on what can grow well inside of it.
8. Be sure you are getting the right amount of sunlight for your hanging basket. If there isn’t enough light coming through the windows, then you may want to place it in a sunny window or use grow lights if necessary.
9. It is easier to keep pests out of hanging baskets than with other plants, so create barriers around the pots if needed. The pests won’t be able to get in, and the plant will be healthier for it.
10. Keep your hanging basket healthy by using a plant suited for hanging, then add some extra peat moss to the mix at planting time. Once you water them, they should do well until watering again becomes necessary.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: I have a hanging basket plant and it is dying. What should I do?

A: Some plants, like cactus, don’t perform well in a hanging basket. They need a lot of sunlight, and the airflow around them is limited in a basket since they are suspended from the wall or ceiling. Be sure to read the tag of the plant before you buy it to make sure you know what kind of light and environment it needs. 

Q: My hanging basket is really heavy. What can I do?

A: If your hanging basket is too heavy for you to carry down when watering, then just use a tray or bucket instead. Just be sure to place it under the ring, so you don’t have a mess on your floor.

Q: What is the best way to water a hanging basket?

A: The best way to water a hanging basket is to allow it to drain out the bottom. Just be sure you have it in a location where it won’t cause any problems if some dirt falls off. If you use a tray or bucket, then add enough water so that all of the soil gets moisture- whether it is from the bottom or by water.

Conclusion:

Hanging baskets are a great way to add color and greenery to any area in the home. Just make sure they are healthy by choosing the right plant, giving them enough sunlight, the correct amount of food and water, and adding some extra barriers in case of pests. When you do that, then your plants will grow quickly and last longer than they would otherwise. Now that you know how to grow plants in hanging baskets – Tips and Tricks, you can tell your friends and family about it right away.