11 Simple Hanging Basket Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

If you want to attract hummingbirds to your garden, choosing the right plants for your hanging baskets is key. With vibrant, nectar-rich flowers, these plants are not only easy to grow but also provide a perfect food source for these delightful birds. Whether you have a sunny spot or a shaded corner, some options thrive in various conditions, adding color and life to your outdoor space. These plants will help create a hummingbird-friendly garden that brings beauty and nature right to your doorstep.

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Fuchsia

Fuchsia is one of the most popular plants for attracting hummingbirds, thanks to its vibrant, tubular flowers that come in pink, red, and purple shades. These flowers are perfectly shaped to accommodate hummingbird beaks, making them a natural choice for these little visitors. Fuchsia thrives in hanging baskets as it has a trailing growth habit that adds an elegant touch to any hanging garden.

Fuchsia plants are relatively low-maintenance and do well in partial to full shade, which makes them perfect for areas that do not get direct sunlight throughout the day. They do need consistently moist, well-draining soil and regular watering. A little bit of deadheading will help keep them blooming throughout the season.

Petunia

Petunias are widely adored by hummingbirds because of their brightly colored, funnel-shaped blooms, which are great for attracting these tiny birds. They come in various hues, such as pink, purple, and red, ensuring there is a petunia variety for almost any garden aesthetic. Their vibrant flowers are often fragrant, adding to their charm, and they thrive in hanging baskets where their trailing vines can freely cascade.

These plants are easy to grow and can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, thriving in full sun with minimal care. Petunias do well with moderate watering, and occasional deadheading will help to encourage more blooms throughout the growing season. Their ability to bloom continuously makes them a long-lasting attraction for hummingbirds.

Verbena

Verbena is a versatile, low-maintenance plant that does well in hanging baskets, offering colorful, clustered flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible. These plants come in various shades, including purple, red, white, and pink, which can complement any hanging garden or patio. Verbena flowers are nectar-rich, attracting not just hummingbirds but also butterflies and other pollinators.

Verbena prefers full sun and can handle the heat, making it ideal for summer baskets. They are drought-tolerant once established and only require occasional watering. Regular trimming will encourage more blooming and a fuller shape. Their trailing growth makes them perfect for cascading over the edges of baskets.

Lobelia

Lobelia offers delicate, trailing vines covered with small blue or purple flowers that are extremely attractive to hummingbirds. This plant is an excellent option for hanging baskets, as its cascading nature provides a soft, flowing aesthetic. Lobelia is perfect for shaded areas, as it thrives in partial sun or dappled light, making it an ideal plant for those with spots in the garden that get less direct sunlight.

These plants require moderate watering and prefer cool conditions, making them great for areas that experience mild temperatures. With proper care, lobelia can bloom continuously throughout the growing season, and its trailing stems make it an ideal choice for hanging baskets that need a bit of color and movement.

Begonia

Begonias are known for their bright, colorful flowers, which come in shades like red, pink, and white. These flowers are not only visually appealing but also contain a rich supply of nectar, which hummingbirds love. Begonias do well in hanging baskets as their flowers tend to hang down, making them perfect for vertical displays.

Begonias prefer partial to full shade and do best in moist, well-draining soil. They need regular watering, but the soil should not stay too soggy. Begonias can thrive in cooler weather, making them ideal for early spring or fall planting. Their ability to grow well in shady spots makes them a reliable option for a wide variety of locations.

Impatiens

Impatiens are a favorite for adding a pop of color to shaded areas, and their soft, tubular flowers are exactly what hummingbirds are drawn to. They bloom in a variety of colors, including red, pink, purple, and white, and do very well in hanging baskets, where their trailing vines can spill over gracefully. Impatiens are particularly known for their vibrant and long-lasting blooms.

These plants prefer moist, well-drained soil and require regular watering, especially in the hotter months. They thrive in shaded areas, making them perfect for spaces that do not receive much direct sunlight. Impatiens are low-maintenance and can be deadheaded to encourage new blooms throughout the season.

Snapdragon

Snapdragons are an elegant addition to any hanging basket, known for their unique, tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds with their vibrant colors and nectar-rich blooms. These flowers bloom in a variety of shades, including red, pink, orange, and yellow, and their tall, spiky flowers give the hanging basket a vertical presence while still drawing hummingbirds in.

Snapdragons prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They can tolerate some heat, but regular watering is essential, especially during dry spells. These plants can bloom throughout the season with proper care, and their tall flower spikes provide a lovely contrast to other, more compact plants in your hanging baskets.

Columbine

Columbine flowers are known for their unique, spurred blooms that are a favorite of hummingbirds. These flowers come in a variety of colors, from bright reds and yellows to softer blues and whites. Their distinct shape, with long, tubular petals, makes them easy targets for hummingbird tongues, which love to feed on their nectar.

Columbine plants do best in partial shade and well-drained soil. They are relatively low-maintenance, requiring moderate watering and occasional deadheading to encourage continuous blooms. The plants have a natural, upright growth habit but will spill over beautifully in hanging baskets, making them a great addition to any hummingbird garden.

Million Bells (Calibrachoa)

Million Bells, also known as Calibrachoa, are small, trumpet-shaped flowers that resemble mini petunias but are even easier to care for. These plants are perfect for hanging baskets due to their trailing growth habit, which allows their colorful flowers to spill over the sides of baskets. Available in a variety of colors, including pink, purple, yellow, and red, they are especially attractive to hummingbirds.

Million Bells thrive in full sun and require regular watering, though they do not like to be waterlogged. These plants are relatively low-maintenance and can bloom continuously with proper care, making them a great choice for hanging baskets that need color and a hummingbird-friendly appeal.

Nicotiana

Nicotiana, also known as flowering tobacco, produces fragrant, tubular flowers that hummingbirds find irresistible. These plants are ideal for hanging baskets, as they have an upright growth habit with long, dangling flowers that attract pollinators. Nicotiana flowers bloom in colors like white, pink, and red, and their soft fragrance can draw hummingbirds from afar.

Nicotiana plants prefer full sun to partial shade and require moderate watering. They grow best in well-draining soil and can bloom continuously with the right care. Their tall, spiky flower stems are perfect for adding vertical interest to hanging baskets.

Bacopa

Bacopa is a trailing plant with small, white, pink, or blue flowers that attract hummingbirds with their nectar-filled blooms. These plants are perfect for hanging baskets, as they have a cascading growth habit that makes them look full and lush. Bacopa thrives in full sun and can tolerate moderate heat, making it ideal for summer baskets.

With regular watering and occasional pruning, Bacopa will continue to bloom all season long. They are low-maintenance and can survive in both hanging baskets and containers. Bacopa’s trailing vines add a soft, romantic feel to any garden while providing a haven for hummingbirds.

This article originally appeared on Avocadu.