With their trailing flowers cascading down, hanging baskets bring charm and colour to terraces, balconies and gardens. The abundant flowering is often remarkable and can easily last several months. These hanging baskets are simple to create, even for beginner gardeners, and can accommodate perennials, bulbs or annuals alike. Discover in our tutorial our tips and tricks for creating a floral hanging basket to beautify your terrace or balcony.
When to create a hanging basket?
Spring is the perfect time to create a hanging basket. Indeed, the temperatures during this season, neither too hot nor too cold, are ideal for encouraging your plants to root. It also ensures beautiful flowering during the coming summer.
However, be careful to ensure the risk of late frosts has passed, around April for southern regions and May for colder areas. But don't worry, as you can always bring your hanging basket indoors in case of exceptional frost, either in a cool room or even inside the house for a few days.
Note: you can create your hanging basket even in February, provided you keep it in a greenhouse or conservatory until spring returns.
Step 1: Choosing the right hanging basket
To succeed with your hanging basket, we recommend choosing a container at least 40 cm in diameter. This way, your plants will have enough space for their roots.
For plastic containers, opt for a hanging basket with drainage holes or, even better, an integrated saucer. If the basket doesn't have drainage, you can drill several drainage holes, 3 cm from the bottom, using a drill or a screwdriver tapped with a hammer.
There are also various types of hanging baskets available, made from wicker, metal, or even wire with a coconut fibre liner.
Step 2: Drainage, an important step
For plastic baskets, it's important to place a layer of clay pebbles at the bottom of your hanging basket to prevent water stagnation. They will facilitate drainage and limit mould formation on the root system of your precious plants.
For wicker or wire baskets with a coconut fibre liner, there's no need to add clay pebbles. Indeed, wicker and coconut fibre allow excess water to drain away easily.
Step 3: Adding compost
Add your compost to your hanging basket, filling it two-thirds full, lightly pressing it down by hand. We recommend using a container compost or one for "geraniums and flowering plants". This type of substrate is rich in nutrients and will promote abundant flowering in perennials, annuals and bulbs.
Note: avoid so-called "universal" composts, which are generally too poor for this type of plant.
Step 4: Moisten the compost
Using a spray bottle or a watering can with a fine rose, water the compost generously, preferably with rainwater which is less chalky than tap water.
Step 5: Planting your plants
You can then remove your plants from their pots and place them in the basket. For hanging baskets around 40 cm in diameter, we recommend planting a maximum of 5 plug plants or 3 bucket plants.
Note: don't hesitate to tease out the roots of your plant and soak the root ball in a basin of water for a few minutes before planting.
Step 6: Filling in and watering
Fill in the gaps between the plants with compost, pressing it down firmly to ensure good contact between the substrate and the roots. Then, water your hanging basket thoroughly, using a fine spray, until water runs out of the drainage holes.
Maintenance and watering
- Water your floral hanging basket regularly but moderately. Not too much, not too little. Ideally, let the substrate dry out between waterings. However, be attentive during hot summer spells, as daily watering may well be necessary.
- To ensure long and abundant flowering, we recommend applying a liquid fertiliser for flowering plants once or twice a week.
- To stimulate flower production, regularly remove faded flowers during the growing season.
To go further
- To know which plants to choose and combine, discover all of Virginie T.'s composition ideas in her article: "Beautiful hanging flower baskets".
- Discover our full range of annuals, as plug plants or seeds!
- Also explore our wide selection of perennials.
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