GARDENING FACT SHEET:
Click to View this Printable PDF file: “How to Make Patio Pot or Hanging Basket”
HOW TO MAKE A PATIO POT OR HANGING BASKET
Making a beautiful patio pot or hanging basket is a great way to add color and greenery to your outdoor space. Here’s how to do it:
1. Choose the Right Pot or Basket:
• Wire Baskets with Coco Liners: Great for drainage and airflow.
• Plastic Hanging Baskets: Retain more moisture, ideal for hot and windy climates.
• Ceramic Pots: Decorative and long-lasting. Place a plastic pot inside for easy movement and disposal.
2. Select the Best Soil:
• Use lightweight, well-draining potting mix (avoid garden soil, which is too heavy).
• Mix in slow-release fertilizer to feed plants over time.
• Add moisture-retaining crystals to help with retaining moisture.
3. Pick Your Plants: (Follow the Thriller-Filler-Spiller Method) Refer to our sheet “Thriller, Filler, Spiller Annuals” for a full list.
• Thrillers (Tall & Eye-Catching): Adds height and drama. Examples: Geraniums, Angelonia, Coleus, Dracaena spikes. (Thrillers are optional for Hanging Baskets)
• Fillers (Lush & Full): Adds volume and color. Examples: Petunias, Begonias, Euphorbia, Lantana.
• Spillers (Trailing & Flowing): Softens edges and cascades down. Examples: Bacopa, Sweet Potato Vine, Creeping Jenny, Ivy, Million Bells.
4. Planting:
• Start by placing the thriller in the center.
• Surround with fillers, leaving room for growth.
• Position spillers around the edges to trail over the sides.
5. Watering & Maintenance:
• Water daily in warm weather, ensuring water reaches the roots.
• Fertilize every 1-2 weeks with a liquid fertilizer for continuous blooms.
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
Patio Pot and Hanging Basket Combination Ideas for Different Situations:
Shade Loving Combo: Coleus, Fuchsia, Creeping Jenny
Heat loving Combo: Geraniums, Petunias, Sweet Potato Vine
High Wind Site: Geranium, Fan Flower, Vinca
Drought-Tolerant: Tall Purple Verbena, Lantana, Silver Falls Dichondra
Edible: Cherry tomato, Nasturtium, Strawberries
Hummingbird Attractant: Salvia, Petunias, Lobelia
