Have you ever dreamed of a vibrant cascade of flowers and foliage spilling over a sun-drenched balcony or porch? It’s a beautiful vision. But finding plants that can handle the intense heat and direct sunlight can be a real challenge. Many wilt and wither, leaving you with a sad, empty basket.
That’s where this guide comes in. We’ve selected the toughest, most beautiful hanging plants for full sun. These champions don’t just survive the heat; they thrive in it. Get ready to transform your sunniest spots into breathtaking displays of life and color.
Why Choose Sun-Loving Hanging Plants?
Choosing the right plant for the right place is the secret to a happy garden. Hanging plants designed for full sun offer incredible benefits. They are naturally resilient to heat and require less fuss. This means you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying their beauty.
These tough plants often produce the most spectacular blooms. Sunlight is pure energy for them, which they convert into a constant show of vibrant colors. They are perfect for adding vertical interest to your garden, patio, or any space that gets at least four to six hours of direct sun daily.
Our Top Picks for the Best Hanging Plants for Full Sun
Ready to find the perfect match for your sunny spot? We've gathered a list of ten incredible sun-loving hanging plants. Each one has unique charms, from brilliant flowers to lush, trailing foliage. Let's explore which one will bring your garden to life.
1. Geranium (Pelargonium x hortorum)
Geraniums are a classic choice for a reason. Their round clusters of flowers bring a timeless charm to any space. When planted in hanging baskets, their stems naturally spill over the sides, creating a full, mounded look. They offer a constant explosion of color all season long.
They are remarkably easy to care for, making them ideal for beginners. With just a little attention to watering and feeding, you'll be rewarded with a summer full of vibrant blooms. Their familiar scent also adds a lovely sensory element to your garden.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Prolific Blooms | Provides continuous color from spring until frost. |
| Drought Tolerant | Forgives you if you occasionally forget to water. |
| Easy Propagation | You can easily create new plants from cuttings to share. |
| Variety of Colors | Available in red, pink, white, and more to match any decor. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Produces abundant, long-lasting flowers. | Can get “leggy” and requires pruning to stay bushy. |
| Thrives in hot, dry conditions. | Â |
| Low-maintenance and forgiving. | Â |
| Comes in a huge range of vibrant colors. | Â |
2. Asparagus Fern (Asparagus densiflorus ‘Sprengeri')
Don't let the name fool you; the Asparagus Fern isn't a true fern. This makes it a fantastic choice for sunny spots where real ferns would struggle. Its long, arching stems are covered in fine, needle-like leaves, creating a soft, feathery texture. It adds a touch of airy elegance to your space.
This plant is incredibly tough and adaptable. It can handle a range of light conditions, but it truly thrives in the sun. Over time, it will produce tiny white flowers followed by attractive, non-edible red berries, adding extra visual interest to its delicate foliage.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Feathery Foliage | Adds a soft, delicate texture to your plant arrangements. |
| Drought Resistant | Stores water in its roots, making it very resilient. |
| Vigorous Growth | Quickly fills out a hanging basket for a lush, full look. |
| Produces Berries | Offers visual interest beyond its leaves with small red berries. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Creates a beautiful, airy, cascading effect. | Sheds small leaves, which can be messy. |
| Very tough and adaptable to different conditions. | Â |
| Low water requirements once established. | Â |
| Fast-growing for quick results. | Â |
3. Grape Ivy (Cissus rhombifolia)
Grape Ivy is a versatile vine that brings a touch of classic greenery. Its deep green, diamond-shaped leaves have a lovely, slightly fuzzy texture. While it can be grown as a climber, it truly shines as a cascading plant for sunny spots, draping gracefully from a hanging basket.
It’s a robust and forgiving plant. It handles both full sun and partial shade well, making it very adaptable. Its vigorous growth means it will create a lush curtain of green in no time. This plant is all about rich, elegant foliage that provides a perfect backdrop for flowering plants.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Lush, Dark Green Leaves | Provides a rich, dense foliage backdrop year-round. |
| Fast-Growing Nature | Quickly creates a dramatic trailing effect. |
| Adaptable to Light | Thrives in both sun and partial shade, offering flexibility. |
| Low Maintenance | Does not require frequent watering or special care. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly versatile and easy to grow. | Can become tangled and may require occasional pruning. |
| Tolerates periods of neglect. | Â |
| Its lush foliage looks great all year. | Â |
| Adapts well to various light conditions. | Â |
4. Coral Plant (Russelia equisetiformis)
Also known as the Firecracker Plant, this is a showstopper. The Coral Plant produces long, weeping stems that resemble a fountain of green. From spring through fall, these stems are covered in hundreds of small, tube-shaped red flowers that look like tiny firecrackers.
It is a magnet for hummingbirds, bringing delightful activity to your garden. This plant is incredibly heat-tolerant and loves the sun. It’s a perfect choice for adding dramatic texture and vibrant color to vertical gardens, hanging baskets, or retaining walls.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Tubular Red Flowers | Creates a stunning “firecracker” look and attracts hummingbirds. |
| Fountain-like Habit | Its cascading stems provide beautiful movement and texture. |
| Heat Loving | Thrives in the hottest parts of your garden without wilting. |
| Long Blooming Season | Flowers continuously for months, ensuring a long-lasting display. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique, eye-catching appearance. | Does not tolerate frost or freezing temperatures. |
| Attracts hummingbirds and other pollinators. | Â |
| Very low-maintenance and drought-tolerant. | Â |
| Blooms for an exceptionally long period. | Â |
5. Yellow Jasmine (Jasminum mesnyi)
Yellow Jasmine is a cheerful and vigorous plant that signals the arrival of warmer weather. Its arching branches create a naturally pendulous shape, making it one of the best hanging plants for full sun. In spring and summer, it’s covered in bright, sunny-yellow flowers.
This plant is a scandent shrub, meaning it can support itself while still creating a beautiful weeping effect. It grows quickly and requires little water once established. It's a fantastic choice for adding a bold splash of yellow to your garden with minimal effort.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Bright Yellow Blooms | Offers a cheerful and vibrant splash of color. |
| Scandent Growth | Creates a full, weeping shape without needing extra support. |
| Fast Growth Rate | Quickly fills in space for an impressive display. |
| Low Water Needs | An excellent choice for water-wise gardening. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Produces a spectacular floral display. | Can become large and may need regular pruning. |
| Very easy to care for and drought-tolerant. | Â |
| Its natural arching form is perfect for baskets. | Â |
| Grows quickly, providing fast results. | Â |
6. Dipladenia (Mandevilla spp.)
Dipladenia, also known as Mandevilla, is a tropical beauty prized for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers. Available in shades of pink, red, and white, these blooms stand out against the plant's glossy green leaves. Though a natural climber, it performs beautifully as a trailing plant in hanging baskets.
It loves heat and sun, blooming profusely throughout the summer. The flowers have a light, pleasant fragrance that adds to its appeal. Dipladenia provides a lush, tropical vibe to any patio or balcony, making every day feel like a vacation.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Large, Trumpet Flowers | Creates a bold, tropical look with stunning visual impact. |
| Glossy Green Leaves | Provides an attractive, lush backdrop for the flowers. |
| Heat Tolerant | Blooms continuously even during the hottest summer days. |
| Controlled Growth | Grows well without becoming overly aggressive or invasive. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stunning, showy flowers. | Requires consistent watering to perform its best. |
| Blooms all summer long. | Â |
| Adds a vibrant, tropical feel to your space. | Â |
| Good growth habit for containers. | Â |
7. Plumbago (Plumbago auriculata)
Plumbago is adored for its clusters of delicate, sky-blue flowers. These unique blooms appear on the plant from spring until fall, creating a soft and airy look. It can be trained as a shrub or climber but looks wonderful spilling from a large hanging basket or window box.
This plant is tough and resilient, tolerating heat, sun, and even cooler temperatures. Its growth is rapid, allowing it to quickly create a beautiful cascade of blue. Plumbago brings a sense of calm and serenity with its cool-toned flowers, a rare find among sun-loving plants.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Sky-Blue Flowers | Offers a unique and calming color palette for your garden. |
| Long Blooming Period | Provides color for most of the year in warm climates. |
| Vigorous Grower | Quickly establishes itself and fills out its container. |
| Temperature Resilient | Tolerates both high heat and cooler conditions well. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Produces beautiful and unique blue flowers. | Can get woody and requires pruning to encourage new blooms. |
| Very hardy and adaptable plant. | Â |
| Fast-growing for a quick cascading effect. | Â |
| Attracts butterflies. | Â |
8. Peanut Grass (Arachis repens)
While commonly used as a groundcover, Peanut Grass is a hidden gem for hanging baskets. Its trailing stems are covered with small, rounded green leaves that resemble peanut foliage. When grown in a hanging pot, these stems create a dense, verdant waterfall.
The real surprise is its charming little yellow flowers. These bright, pea-like blossoms dot the foliage for much of the year, adding a cheerful touch. It’s an incredibly low-maintenance trailing plant for sun that thrives on neglect and provides a unique look.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Dense, Trailing Foliage | Creates a lush, thick cascade of green. |
| Small Yellow Flowers | Adds a bright, cheerful contrast to the dark leaves. |
| Drought Tolerant | Perfect for low-water gardens and forgetful gardeners. |
| Attracts Pollinators | Its flowers provide a food source for bees. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very hardy and easy to maintain. | Can look sparse if not pruned to encourage fullness. |
| Provides year-round green foliage. | Â |
| Unique and unexpected choice for a hanging plant. | Â |
| Flowers attract beneficial pollinators. | Â |
9. Inch Plant (Tradescantia zebrina)
The Inch Plant is famous for its stunning, colorful foliage. Its leaves feature stripes of silver, green, and purple on top, with a rich magenta underside. This color combination is incredibly eye-catching and adds drama and flair to any container.
It grows incredibly fast—you can almost watch it grow an inch a day! This rapid growth makes it perfect for quickly filling a hanging basket. The more sun it gets, the more intense and vibrant its purple coloring becomes. It is one of the easiest and most rewarding hanging plants for sunny spots.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Colorful Striped Leaves | Provides striking color and pattern without relying on flowers. |
| Extremely Fast Growth | Offers almost instant gratification as it fills out a pot quickly. |
| Easy to Propagate | You can create dozens of new plants from a single stem. |
| Color Intensifies in Sun | The sunlight brings out its most vibrant purple hues. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Incredibly beautiful and unique foliage. | Needs regular pruning to prevent it from looking thin. |
| Very easy to grow and propagate. | Â |
| Fast-growing for a lush look in no time. | Â |
| Thrives in bright, sunny conditions. | Â |
10. English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy is a classic, elegant vine that never goes out of style. Its lobed, deep green leaves provide a timeless look. While often grown in shade, many varieties are surprisingly tolerant of full sun, especially if they receive consistent moisture.
When used in a hanging basket, its long, trailing stems can grow to impressive lengths, creating a dramatic, curtain-like effect. You can choose from many variegated types with white, silver, or yellow markings to add extra brightness. It's a hardy, reliable choice for year-round green.
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Classic, Elegant Foliage | Adds a touch of timeless sophistication to your space. |
| Vigorous Trailing Habit | Can grow very long, creating a stunning green waterfall. |
| Air-Purifying Qualities | Helps to clean the air around your home. |
| Many Variegated Varieties | Offers options with splashes of white, cream, or yellow. |
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very hardy and easy to care for. | Can be invasive if it escapes the pot and grows on the ground. |
| Provides lush, green foliage all year. | Â |
| Excellent for creating a long, trailing effect. | Â |
| Variegated types brighten up sunny areas. | Â |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How often should I water my full sun hanging plants?
Hanging baskets in full sun dry out very quickly. You will likely need to water them every day, especially during hot, windy weather. Check the soil by sticking your finger about an inch deep. If it feels dry, it's time to water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom.
What's the best soil for hanging baskets in the sun?
Use a high-quality potting mix designed for containers. Look for mixes that contain moisture-retaining crystals or coir. These materials help the soil hold onto water longer, reducing the stress on your plants between waterings. Adding compost will also provide essential nutrients.
How do I stop my hanging plants from drying out so quickly?
Besides using moisture-retentive soil, choose a larger basket. More soil means it will hold more water. You can also line the basket with plastic (punching drainage holes) before adding soil. Grouping baskets together can also create a more humid microclimate, slowing evaporation.
Can I use indoor hanging plants in a sunny outdoor spot?
It depends on the plant. Some, like the Inch Plant, do well both indoors and out. However, most typical indoor plants will get scorched by direct outdoor sun. It's best to choose plants specifically known to be heat-tolerant hanging plants, like the ones on this list, for your sunny outdoor spaces.
