7 Cheap Hanging Basket Plant Combos That Look Luxurious

Hanging baskets add instant lift with inviting color, fresh blooms and foliage, and lasting seasonal interest. Gardening can be expensive, but full hanging baskets brimming with vertical plant life can be cheap when done right.

If you have time to plan, create your own hanging baskets from seed. Start them indoors or in a cold frame in late winter and early spring to get a jumpstart on growth and flowering. If you’re in need of instant gratification and a boost in curb appeal, opt for fast-growing annuals to bring high color quickly. A few nursery starts, like bedding annuals, work fast to grow and produce. Even a vigorous singular specimen lends a lush look. 

Whether growing edibles or flowering annuals and perennials in hanging baskets, we’ll highlight inspiration for uncomplicated, cheap hanging basket plants to tailor to your aesthetic. In midsummer, there’s still time to grow for color until frost. Choose a container with ample drainage holes and invest in a quality potting mix (or make your own) for the best aeration, moisture retention, and nutrition.

Cherry Rose Jewel Nasturtium

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Cherry Rose Jewel Nasturtium Seeds

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Petite Charmer Blend Petunia

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Petite Charmer Blend Petunia Seeds

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Cool Summer Breeze Viola

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Cool Summer Breeze Viola Seeds

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Petunia and Calibrachoa

Petunia and calibrachoa bring a wave of lasting color, with the calibrachoa as a mini version of the larger petunia. With trumpet blooms in a range of sizes and a rainbow of colors, the duo easily fills any hanging basket affordably. Even a single petunia does the trick, but a blend of two or more makes it luxe. 

For added trailing interest and contrast, add white bacopa and blue lobelia. The petite blooms enjoy the same growing conditions as petunia and million bells. They’ll gently fill and spill along with the mounding, cascading stems of the larger flowers.

Petunia

	botanical name Petunia spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-2’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Petunias, with their single, double, and ruffled flowers in nearly all colors, easily make a beautiful single specimen to fill and spill over a suspended planter. The sizeable summertime annuals flower through frost, taking a break in peak summer heat.

Opt for easy performers like the Supertunia® and Easy Wave® series for dense blooms on stems that both mound and trail. They boast improved heat performance, and while more expensive than some others, their durability ensures lasting summer color across climates.

Petunias also grow easily from seed and cuttings, even rooting in water. Propagate the selection (unpatented varieties) to make more plants for fresh infill. The ambitious gardener can overwinter petunias for continued enjoyment.

Calibrachoa

	botanical name Calibrachoa x hybrida
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 3-9”
	hardiness zones 7-11

Calibrachoa, or million bells, is an easy-going annual plant perfect for cheap hanging baskets, adding color-draped stems and small bell blooms. Flowering from spring through fall, they’re resilient in the heat and also withstand short dry spells. Look for the Superbells® series for abundant bloom coverage and dense stems.

Like petunias, calibrachoa handles afternoon shade, especially in southerly climates. Rich, well-draining soils show the best growth and flowering. Calibrachoa also fills a pot as a single specimen for a full, budget-friendly display.

Sweet Potato Vine and Geranium

Sweet potato vine is the go-to for a lush, fast-growing, cheap hanging basket and quintessential trailing plant. The easy vine has broad leaves on sprawling stems that shine in sharp shades like chartreuse and deep purple.

Sweet potato vine roots easily from cuttings, in soil or water, if you’re interested in propagating more spillers. The neutrals pair well with any blooming annual, from bright geraniums to petunias to New Guinea impatiens, as well as foliage interest like coleus and Persian shield.

Sweet Potato Vine 

	botanical name Ipomoea batatas
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-3’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Ornamental sweet potato vine trails with large leaves that are deeply lobed or heart-shaped in chartreuse, dark purple, and variegated. With a tropical look, they bring bold color in lime green, mahogany, plum, and near black.

The low-maintenance vines tolerate dry spells, high heat, and humidity. Dappled afternoon shade offers relief from intense rays and temperatures, which cause temporary wilting. Resilient, the vines perk up with regular moisture and evening’s cooling.

With a dramatic look, the “spiller” goes with everything and provides instant fullness. Look for ‘Margarita’ for a refreshing burst of chartreuse with large, bright leaves and vigorous mounding, trailing stems. The classic lime variety trails five to six feet for lush color and takes trimming well to reign them in.

‘Blackie’ shows deeply lobed leaves in dark purple-black. The bold tones contrast with other leafy greens and blooms, and the black foliage offers eye-catching punctuation. ‘Blackie’ is a good producer of the vine’s lilac tubular blooms that attract pollinators.

Geranium

	botanical name Pelargonium spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-2’
	hardiness zones 9-12

Geraniums are a hanging basket classic, and investing in a small selection in early summer grows full with continual blooms. A larger, singular specimen brings handsome foliage and flowers from the get-go and makes a lasting investment. Rich, color-saturated flower clusters emerge on thick stems above attractive, broad leaves. In cherry red, coral, magenta, lavender, and white, the showy blooms continue all season.

In addition to common garden geraniums, there are ivy-leaved and scented species. They bring interest in leaf shape and flowers (ivy) and aromatic herbal foliage (scented-leaved) from lemon to rose. Try overwintering these indoors to enjoy from season to season.

Geraniums do best with protection from direct afternoon sun in hot climates. Pinch off spent blooms at the base of the stem to encourage more flowers and a full, leafy form. They thrive with regular moisture in well-drained soils, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. 

Nasturtium

	botanical name Tropaeolum spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1-10’
	hardiness zones 9-12

Nasturtium is a natural fit for both the ornamental and kitchen garden, with edible blooms and leaves. The easy, economical hanging basket flowers bear large, showy trumpets that draw hummingbirds for their nectar. Stems run and trail with attractive round leaves.

Nasturtiums grow quickly from seed. They tolerate partial shade and dry conditions once established. They perform best in climates with moderate, and not hot, summers. In hot climates, grow them in spring or fall to enjoy as cool-season annuals. As a bonus, hang them in a sunny spot indoors to enjoy year-round.

Cherry Tomato and Petunia

We’ve already mentioned the merits of petunias as affordable investments in suspended planters. Here, they complement their fellow nightshades and Solanaceae family members, cherry tomatoes. This colorful and novel blend brings the unexpected and delicious, with easy access to tomatoes.

Cherry Tomato

	botanical name Solanum lycopersicum
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2-3’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Cherry tomatoes are dual-purpose in hanging baskets. Well-suited to container culture, they bring the benefit of edibility and easy picking along with a unique ornament. Cherry types pack the flavor in a bite-sized, easy-to-grow package. Compact, determinate varieties make the best hanging basket specimens, with short stems that cascade and bear in clusters without the need for staking or caging.

‘Cherry Falls’ and ‘Patio Choice Yellow’ are two top-performing, tidy varieties for hanging baskets. ‘Cherry Falls’ cascades with clusters of cherry-red fruits on sturdy stems. They appear early in the season for quick gratification. ‘Patio Choice Yellow’ is diminutive in stature and adapts to baskets. It brightens with showy, sunshine-yellow petite globes. 

Growing tomatoes in hanging baskets is relatively carefree. They grow best in consistently moist, organically rich, and well-draining soils. The advantage of suspended planters is good air circulation around stems to help stave off disease. In addition to flowering annuals, pair them with companion plants like lettuce, basil, and bush beans. Edible blooms like calendula and nasturtium make a nice touch.

Strawberries

	botanical name Fragaria x ananassa
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 6-12”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Everbearing strawberries bring sweetness in both looks and flavor to hanging baskets. Nothing beats the homegrown taste, and you’ll save money on fresh fruit. The berries emerge in a heavy flush in spring and about every six weeks until frost.

Their neat habit lets them flourish in containers while we enjoy the suspended berries. Look for ‘Albion’ or ‘Seascape’ for compact selections.

Plant strawberry crowns in the spring in northern climates where they enjoy cool, mild temperatures. In climates with hot summers, plant them in the fall to enjoy in the cool months. You can also grow them from seed. ‘Red and Yellow Wonder Blend’ alpine strawberries produce small, highly aromatic fruits. Start them indoors before the final frost for first-year berries.

For a tropical flair, consider pineberries. This hybrid between red and white varieties has white fruits dotted with pinky-red seeds and pineapple notes. They take on a pink blush in the sun. Pink-flowered varieties, too, brim with charm. Mix and match for all sorts of berry appeal.

Herbs

Herbs are a perfect pairing in planters. Choose those that enjoy the same cultural preferences, and provide enough room in the basket for a blended arrangement.

Since several of our favorite herbs like oregano, mint, and lemon balm spread vigorously in the landscape, potted growing helps keep them in check. Use a blend of herbs or mix them with edible blooms for a luxurious culinary selection.

Try overwintering them indoors or use cold-hardy specimens with extra winter protection in cold climates.

Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-3’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Mint is a versatile, cold-hardy perennial herb that creates a soft, spreading mass of freshly-scented leaves. In numerous varieties and flavor profiles, the variation in foliage texture makes a lush display.

Mint and other herbs benefit from frequent harvests and trimming to promote fresh growth and to keep them from flowering and seeding. With regular trimming, it pairs well with thyme, oregano, lemon verbena, and a host of others for culinary goodness.

Thyme

	botanical name Thymus spp.
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1-18”
	hardiness zones 4-9

Thyme lends a variety of flavors to the kitchen. Common thyme (Thymus vulgaris) is used most with an earthy, clove aroma. Lemon, orange, and nutmeg are others with unique fragrance and flavor notes that diversify the scheme. Thyme tucks into small spaces, including pockets in hanging planters, and is durable.

Though the perennial herbs are tough, thyme has a delicate look with fine leaves on wiry stems. Its small flowers attract pollinators. Place thyme in full sun for the best vigor, though it also tolerates partial shade along with mint and parsley. Fast-draining soils are essential, and once established, thyme is drought-tolerant. Avoid overly wet conditions to stave off root rot.

Parsley

	botanical name Petroselinum crispum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 12-18”
	hardiness zones 3-9

Parsley thrives in cool conditions and makes a feathery filler not only among other herbs but also with flowering annuals like pansies, calendula, and snapdragons.

The herb’s fanning leaves are flat or curly, depending on the variety, and bring a refreshing, minty, peppery flavor. Look for ‘Moss Curled’ for a mild taste that’s useful across cuisines.

Parsley is a biennial that does well treated as an annual for its first-year leaves. In the second year, it produces flowers and seeds while the leaves become bitter and die back. 

Violas & Pansies

	botanical name Viola spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”
	hardiness zones 3-8

Both in the Viola genus, violas and pansies are lovely to nestle into pockets among other cool-season flowers and greens. Their cheery faces, profusion of color-rich blooms, and compact forms make them ideal for fall, winter, and spring baskets, depending on the climate. Trailing varieties like ‘Cool Wave®’ offer delicate blooms that spill over a pot.

The sweet annuals grow from seed or are economical in bedding packs for an abundant composition. Pair them together with Swiss chard, parsley, lettuce, and ornamental cabbage and kale for a robust planter. Deadhead spent blooms to direct energy into continued flowering rather than seed production.