Plant a Hanging Basket
Fill a hanging basket with trailing and upright plants to create a colourful display for walls, fences or porches.
Quick answer
Line a basket, fill it with compost mixed with water-retaining gel and slow-release feed, then arrange trailing plants around the edge and upright plants in the centre. Hang it securely and water well.
Hanging baskets raise plants to eye level and make use of vertical space. A well-planted basket flowers for months with only weekly feeding and regular watering.
What you’ll need
- basket with liner
- multi-purpose compost
- water-retaining gel (optional)
- slow-release feed
- plants
- chain and bracket
Step by step
- 1
Fit the liner
Press a coco-fibre, wool or plastic liner into the basket so it covers the base and sides. Trim any excess that overhangs the rim.
- 2
Mix compost with gel and feed
In a bucket, blend multi-purpose compost with water-retaining crystals and a slow-release fertiliser. This reduces watering chores later.
- 3
Half-fill the basket
Add compost until the basket is roughly half full. Press it down lightly with your hands to remove large air gaps.
- 4
Arrange trailing plants around the edge
Slot plants with cascading stems through the liner sides or place them around the rim so they spill over as they grow.
- 5
Place upright plants in the centre
Position taller or bushy plants in the middle to give the basket height and structure. Fill around their root balls with more compost.
- 6
Firm and water
Press the compost gently around each plant. Water slowly until liquid runs from the base of the basket. The basket will be heavy when wet.
- 7
Hang securely
Screw a bracket into solid masonry or timber. Clip the chain onto the bracket and check the basket hangs level.
Hang baskets at a height where you can reach them safely. Use a sturdy step ladder on level ground, and ensure wall brackets are fixed into solid masonry or timber that can bear the weight of a fully watered basket. Make sure the bracket is fixed into solid masonry or a stud, using a wall plug rated for the load — a full basket can weigh 5–8 kg. If you are unsure of the wall type, have a professional fit it.
Common mistakes
- Forgetting to soak the liner before planting, so it wicks moisture away from the roots.
- Under-planting and leaving gaps that take months to fill.
- Hanging the basket from a weak fence panel or rotten wood that collapses under the weight.
- Letting the compost dry out. Baskets dry faster than border soil, so check them daily in hot weather.
Frequently asked
How often should I water a hanging basket?
Daily in summer, sometimes twice a day in heatwaves. The compost should never dry out completely.
Can I reuse the compost next year?
No. Old compost is exhausted and may harbour diseases. Start fresh each season.
What plants work best in shade?
Fuchsias, busy Lizzies, lobelias and ivy all tolerate partial shade and trail nicely.
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