Top 16 Evergreen Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets

If you’re looking to add some greenery to your balcony or porch, why not try some evergreen trailing plants for hanging baskets, they are a great option.

Not only do they add a touch of natural beauty to your space, but they also make use of vertical space, leaving more room for other plants or furniture.

When it comes to selecting plants for your hanging baskets, evergreen trailing plants are a great choice. These plants will maintain their foliage all year round, providing a beautiful display no matter the season

There are many types of evergreen trailing plants that are suitable for hanging baskets, each with its own unique features.

Ivy is a popular choice, with its lush foliage and ability to tolerate shade. Lobelia erinus is another great option, with its delicate blooms in shades of blue, white, and purple. For a burst of colour, petunias and calibrachoas are a must-have, with their bright blooms in a range of hues. For a touch of texture, try Creeping Jenny and Silver Falls Dichondra, they are the perfect choices

With proper maintenance, these plants will thrive in your hanging baskets.

If you’re looking for evergreen trailing plants for your hanging baskets, you’re in the right place. These plants can add a pop of colour and texture to your balcony or garden all year round. Here are the top 16 evergreen trailing plants for hanging baskets:

Ivy

English Ivy (Hendra helix) and or the ‘variegated’ (Hendra helix variegata) are popular choices for hanging baskets due to their hardiness and ability to thrive in a variety of climates.

This plant can add a touch of elegance to your display with its glossy green and or variegated leaves and trailing vines. Ivy is also low-maintenance and can survive with minimal watering.

Life Cycle: Evergreen Perennial
Plant: March/Sept
Season: Flowers September – November
Light Requirement: All, except full sun
Soil Moisture: Moist, well-drained soils.

Variegated Ivy - evergreen trailing plants for hanging baskets

Ivy

Trailing Verbena

Trailing verbena Glandularia canadensis is another great option for hanging baskets, especially in the summer and autumn months, with semi-evergreen foliage all year round.

With its vibrant hues of pink, purple, and lavender blue, it can add a splash of colour to your display. This plant thrives in full sun and requires regular watering.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March/May
Season: Flowers August – September
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Free Draining Soils

Purple Trailing Verbena

Trailing Verbena

Creeping Jenny

Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia nummularia) is a low-maintenance plant that can add a touch of gold to your hanging basket display. Its bright yellow-green leaves can create a beautiful contrast against other plants in the basket.

Creeping Jenny should remain evergreen unless the winters are particularly harsh.

Life Cycle: Hardy Perennial
Plant: March/May
Season: Flowers June – Sept
Light Requirement: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist, Free Draining Soils

Golden Creeping Jenny - evergreen trailing plants for hanging baskets

Creeping Jenny

Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) offers purple hand-shaped foliage and is a popular choice for evergreen hanging baskets due to its beautiful spilling foliage.

With its heart-shaped leaves in shades of green, purple, and black, it can add a touch of drama to your display.

The plants are easy to grow, the best method is from a cutting and are vigorous growers once planted.

Life Cycle: Annual / Tender Perennial
Plant: April / June
Season: None Flowering
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Well-Drained Soils

Purple Sweet Potato Vine Plant

Sweet Potato Vine

Silver Falls

Silver Falls (Dichondra argentea) is a beautiful trailing plant that can add a touch of silver to your hanging basket display.

With its heart-shaped leaves and trailing stems, it can create a beautiful cascading effect. This plant is evergreen in warmer climates and is easy to grow.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March/June
Season: Flowers (Inconspicuous) June/July
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Well-Drained Soils

Silver Falls Dichondra Cascading Plant

Silver Falls

Parrots Beak

Ideal for hanging baskets is the ‘Parrots Beak(Lotus Berthelotii)  a unique trailing evergreen tender perennial with silver-grey leaves, which are densely covered in fine hair and striking ‘claw-like’ bright red flowers.

This plant can add a touch of exoticism to any hanging basket display.

Life Cycle: Tender Perennial
Plant: March/April or Sept/Oct
Season: Flowers May – July
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Well-Drained Soils

Red Parrots Beak - Lotus berthelotii

Parrots Beak

Nasturtium

The bushy Nasturtium (Tropaeolum minus) is a popular choice to include in evergreen hanging baskets, as they produce lots of vividly coloured flowers from the middle of summer right through to the first autumn frosts.

Bushy varieties look great with their vibrant hues of orange, red, and yellow, which can add a touch of colour to your display.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March-May
Season: Flowers June – Oct
Light Requirement: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: MoistWell-Drained Soils

Nasturtium evergreen hanging basket

Nasturtium

Wintergreen

Wintergreen (Gaultheria procumbens) is a small, creeping evergreen that produces bright red berries in winter, which is ideal for adding a pop of colour to your winter hanging baskets.

Its vibrant green foliage adds year-round beauty, while its compact growth habit suits confined spaces. The plant’s aromatic leaves release a delightful fragrance.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March/May
Season: Flowers  June – Oct
Light Requirement: Full Shade /Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist, Well-Drained Soils

Red Berries on Wintergreen

Wintergreen

Winter-flowering Heather

This beautiful compact winter-flowering heather (Erica carnea) is a low-growing hardy evergreen plant that produces small pink, white, or purple flowers throughout winter. It is perfect for adding a splash of colour to your hanging baskets.

These heathers also produce bee-friendly flowers for bumble bees and other solitary bees which do not store food when they appear in early spring.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March/October
Season: Flowers  Sept-May
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist Well-Drained Soils

Winter Heather - Erica carnea

Winter-flowering Heather

Euonymus

Euonymus (Euonymus fortunei) is a tough evergreen plant that produces small, distinctive variegated leaves in a range of colours. It also produces small flowers and fruits on mature plants.

Although a ‘creeper’ it is ideal for adding ‘texture’ and interest to your winter hanging baskets.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: Sept/Oct or April/May
Season: Flowers  April – June
Light Requirement: Full Sun / Partial Shade.
Soil Moisture: Moist, Well-Drained Soils

Euonymus- euonymus-fortunei Yellow and green

Euonymus

Burro’s Tail

Burro’s Tail is (Sedum Morganianum) a unique trailing plant with long, delicate stems and small, fleshy leaves. With its beautiful texture, it can add a touch of interest to your hanging basket display.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: Sept/April
Season: Flowers  June – Oct
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Well-Drained Soils

Green Cascading Burro's Tail

Burro’s tail

Cyclamen

Cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum) is a popular winter-flowering plant that produces delicate flowers in shades of pink, red, or white matched with heart-shaped dark green leaves.

It is perfect for adding a touch of height and elegance to your hanging baskets.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: Sept/Oct
Season: Flowers October – May
Light Requirement: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: Well-Drained Soils

Cyclamen

Pansies

Pansies (Viola tricolor) are a popular choice for evergreen trailing plants for hanging baskets in the UK. This is due to their vibrant colours and ability to thrive in cooler temperatures.

They are known for their hardiness and long blooming period, making them an ideal plant for winter colour. Pansies are easy to care for, making them a versatile option for any garden.

Life Cycle: Annual
Plant: Sept/Oct
Season: Flowers Nov – May
Light Requirement: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist / Well-Drained Soils

Pansies Viola-tricolor hanging basket

Pansies

Hellebores

Hellebores (Helleborus niger) are stunning evergreen plants that produce delicate white or pink flowers throughout winter.

They are perfect for adding an elegant touch to your hanging baskets as they are compact, low maintenance and hardy.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: April / July
Season: Flowers  Jan / April
Light Requirement: Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist / Well-Drained Soils

Hellebores -Helleborus niger

Hellebores

Creeping Thyme

Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox) is a woody-based perennial that makes an excellent addition to hanging baskets in the UK. Its low-growing evergreen foliage and delicate pink or purple flowers provide winter colour and interest.

Creeping thyme is also known for its drought tolerance making it a low-maintenance option for hanging baskets.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March / May
Season: Flowers  June / Sept
Light Requirement: Full Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist / Dry, Well Drained Soil

Creeping Thyme

Creeping Thyme

Winter Jasmine

Winter Jasmine (Jasminum nudiflorum) is a deciduous shrub that can be trained to grow as a vine, making it a possible option for hanging baskets in the UK. 

Its delicate bright yellow, tubular blooms appear in late winter or early spring before the leaves emerge, providing a burst of colour during the colder months. Winter jasmine is also known for its hardiness.

Life Cycle: Perennial
Plant: March / May
Season: Flowers  Nov / May
Light Requirement: Full Sun / Partial Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist / Well Drained Soil

Yellow Winter-jasmine-(Jasminum-nudiflorum)

Winter Jasmine

Evergreen Trailing Plants for Hanging Baskets: What Next?

Evergreen trailing plants can add a touch of beauty and interest to your hanging basket display. With proper maintenance, they can thrive all year round. Consider the location, climate, and design of your display when choosing the best plants for your hanging baskets

Choosing the Right Plants for Your Hanging Baskets

When it comes to choosing the best evergreen trailing plants for your hanging baskets, there are a few things you need to consider. From the location to the climate, soil, and maintenance, each factor plays a crucial role in the success of your hanging baskets. Here are some tips to help you choose the right plants for your hanging baskets:

Consider the Location

Before you start planting, you need to consider the location of your hanging baskets. Are they going to be hanging in a sunny or shady area? Different plants have different light requirements, so it’s essential to choose the right plants for the right location.

For example, if your hanging baskets are going to be hanging in a sunny area, you may want to consider plants like Parrots Beak, Winter-flowering Heather, or Verbena. On the other hand, if your hanging baskets are going to be hanging in a shady area, you may want to consider plants like English Ivy, Hellebores, or Pansies.

Think About the Climate

Another essential factor to consider is the climate. Different plants thrive in different climates, so it’s crucial to choose plants that are suitable for your climate.

For example, if you live in an area with hotter summers than other parts of the UK, you may want to consider plants like ‘Creeping Thyme’ for your baskets. On the other hand, if you live in an area with mild summers, you may want to consider plants like Pansies.

Pick the Right Soil

Choosing the right soil is also crucial for the success of your hanging baskets. You need to choose soil that is well-draining, nutrient-rich, and suitable for most plants you’re growing. You can buy pre-mixed potting soil online or from your local garden centre, or you can make your own potting mix by combining equal parts of peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite.

Watering and Maintenance

Finally, you need to consider watering and maintenance. Most hanging baskets require frequent watering, especially during hot summer months. You should water your hanging baskets at least once a day, or more often if the soil dries out quickly. You should also fertilise your hanging baskets regularly to keep them healthy and vibrant.

By considering these factors, you can choose the best evergreen trailing plants for your hanging baskets and create a beautiful, lush display that will last all year round.

FAQs

Can Evergreen Trailing Plants Survive in Hanging Baskets Through the Winter?

It depends on the plant and the climate. Some evergreen trailing plants can survive in hanging baskets through the winter, but others may not. Make sure to choose plants that are hardy enough for your climate and provide them with proper care.

How Many Evergreen Trailing Plants in a Hanging Basket?

The number of trailing plants in a hanging basket depends on the size of the basket and the size of the plants. For a 10-inch (250mm) basket, use 1-3 plants, for an 11-inch (275mm) basket 1-5 plants, and for a 12-inch (300mm) basket 1-6 plants.

What do You Put in The Bottom of a Hanging Basket?

A liner made of sphagnum moss or coco coir. Which helps retain moisture. Plastic or foam, peat moss, vermiculite, or perlite: These lightweight materials can be mixed with the soil or placed at the bottom of the basket to improve drainage and prevent waterlogging.

Conclusion

Evergreen trailing plants are a great choice for hanging baskets because they provide year-round interest and require minimal maintenance. When choosing which evergreen trailing plants to include in your hanging baskets, consider the amount of sunlight and water they require, as well as their growth habits and overall appearance.

Remember to choose plants that complement each other in terms of colour and texture, and that are suited to the climate in your area. 

By following these guidelines and choosing the right evergreen trailing plants for your hanging baskets, you can create a beautiful and low-maintenance display that will provide colour and interest all year round.