16 Best Flowering Plants for Indoor Hanging Baskets (Flowers for Indoor Hanging)
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Flowering plants in a hanging basket are an excellent way of adding a splash of color indoors as well as pleasant scents in the home. Most of the flowers for indoor growing have their origin in the tropics and will require warm and humid conditions to thrive and bloom.
Place the hanging basket plants where they will receive maximum amount of light like near the window, in the patio, porch, sunroom and other brightly lit areas as bright light is needed to promote flowering.
The flowering plants will benefit a great deal if they are given some outdoor sunshine in the warm season. However, do not expose them to direct sunlight before acclimating them to outdoor growing conditions.
To keep your plants thriving, keep in mind that the air above is much warmer and drier than at floor and windowsill level which means that the hanging basket plants may need more frequent watering than other plants in the same room.
We have herebelow outlined a list of 16 of the best flowering plants for indoor hanging and are easy to grow when provided with the right growing conditions.
16 Best Flowers for Indoor Hanging Baskets
The best flowering plants for indoor hanging baskets are Paper Flower, Trailing Kalanchoe, Fuchsia Plant, Ivy Geranium, Goldfish Plant, Queen's Tears Bromeliads among others.
1. Paper Flower
Botanical name: Bougainvillea glabra
Common name: Paper Flower
Origin: Brazil
Size: 12 ft
Bougainvillea glabra comes in many hybrids like Mrs Butt with large leaves and large, rose-crimson-flowers, Magnifica which is purple, Raspberry Ice whose flowers are a ravishing red and Alexendra which is pink among others.
Paper Flower is among the popular flowering plants on account of its showy blooms and can be grown as a shrub, a hanging basket plant, a bonsai or allowed to climb up a trellis.
Bougainvillea glabra flourishes in very bright light with at least 4-6 hours of sunshine, average warmth of 16-270C, average humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Paper Flower (Bougainvillea glabra)
2. Trailing Kalanchoe
Botanical name: Kalanchoe uniflora
Common names: Trailing Kalanchoe, Coral Bells, Coral Berry, Winter Bells
Origin: Madagascar
Size: 3 ft
Trailing Kalanchoe is one of the popular Kalanchoe varieties with fleshy, bright-green leaves and bright-red to red-violet, bell-shaped flowers.
Winter Bells provides a spectacular display in a hanging basket or on a pedestal where the pendulous stems and colorful flowers can hang down beautifully.
Kalanchoe uniflora prospers in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, moderate warmth of 18-280C, average humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, loose, free-draining, succulents potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Trailing Kalanchoe (Kalanchoe uniflora)
3. Fuchsia Plants
Botanical name: Fuchsia hybrida
Common name: Fuchsia Plant
Origin: South America, Central America, Newzealand
Size: 2-3 ft
The blooms in Fuchsia are showy sepals and petals which may or may not be the same color. They may be single, semi-double, double bells or clustered blooms borne on soft-stemmed bushes.
Fuchsia and Trailing Velvet Plant (Ruellia makoyana) are popular flowering plants for a hanging basket where the foliage and vibrant blooms can cascade downwards beautifully.
Fuchsia hybrida requires bright light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 15-230C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Fuchsia Plants (Fuchsia hybrida)
4. Ivy Geranium
Botanical name: Pelargonium peltatum
Common names: Ivy Geranium, Ivy-leaved Pelargonium, Cascading Geranium
Origin: Southern and Eastern South Africa
Size: 7 ft
Ivy Geranium is a perennial, scrambling plant with five shallowly or deeply lobed, circular to heart-shaped, glossy leaves and bears large, white to mauve, umbel-like inflorescences atop a long stalk .
Cascading Geraniums like Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum) are prolific bloomers with magnificent foliage and large, delightful flowers which may be single, semi-double or double.
Pelargonium peltatum flourishes in bright light to full sun, moderate warmth of 15-280C, humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Ivy Geranium (Pelargonium peltatum)
5. Goldfish Plant
Botanical name: Columnea gloriosa
Common names: Goldfish Plant
Origin: Tropical America and the Caribbean
Size: 3 ft
Goldfish Plant is an evergreen, trailing plant which bears glossy, dark-green leaves and abundant yellow or orange-red tubular flowers year after year.
Goldfish Plant is among the popular plants for a hanging basket or a pedestal where the trailing stems can be allowed to hang down freely.
Columnea gloriosa thrives in bright light away from direct sunlight (filtered light), average warmth of 18-260C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Goldfish Plant (Columnea gloriosa)
6. Madagascar Jasmine
Botanical name: Stephanotis floribunda
Common names: Madagascar Jasmine, Hawaiian Wedding Flower, Bridal Wreath, Clustered Wax Flower, Bridal Veil Vine
Origin: Madagascar
Size: 20 ft
Madagascar Jasmine is a vigorously growing, climbing, flowering plant with white, waxy, star-shaped, tubular, sweet-scented flowers which will flourish in a hanging basket, on a pedestal or up a trellis.
Though called Jasmine, Madagascar Jasmine is not a Jasmine. It belongs to the family Apocynaceae (Dogbane family) together with the Golden Trumpet (Allamanda cathartica), another beautiful plant for hanging baskets. True Jasmines belong to the family Oleaceae (Olive family).
Stephanotis floribunda thrives in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunshine, average warmth of 20-250C, humidity of 55-65% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Madagascar Jasmine (Stephanotis floribunda)
7. Queen's Tears Bromeliads
Botanical name: Billbergia
Common names: Queen's Tears Bromeliad, Friendship Plant
Origin: Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina
Size: 1 ft
Queen's Tears Bromeliad is one of the easiest Bromeliad plants varieties to grow indoors and is grown for the beauty of its drooping showy flower-heads which drip nectar.
The drooping flowers and leathery, arching, one foot long, grass-like leaves hang downwards beautifully in a hanging basket or on a pedestal.
Billbergia Bromeliads grow best in bright light away from direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, orchids potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Queen's Tears Bromeliads (Billbergia Bromeliads)
8. Christmas Cactus
Botanical name: Schlumbergera x buckleyi
Common names: Christmas Cactus, Holiday Cactus, Crab Cactus
Origin: South America
Size: 1 ft
Christmas Cactus bears fleshy segmented stems, slightly serrated on each side and flowers at the ends of the stems which hang downwards beautifully in hanging baskets.
The stems in Christmas Cactus are flattened leaves. The original flower color is red but hybrids may come in pink, purple, white and other colors.
Schlumbergera x buckleyi flourishes in bright filtered light, average warmth of 18-260C, average humidity of 55-65% and moderately moist, rich, loose, free-draining, cactus potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Christmas Cactus (Schlumbergera x buckleyi)
9. Wax Plant
Botanical name: Hoya carnosa
Common names: Wax Plant, Porcelainflower
Origin: Eastern Asia, Australia
Size: 15 ft
Wax Plant is climbing, flowering plant which bears fleshy leaves and and twining stems which can reach 15 feet or more making it perfect for a hanging basket or a trellis.
Hoya carnosa is among the popular Hoya varieties which are grown for their beautiful leaves and large flowerheads made up of waxy, fragrant and star-shaped flowers.
Hoya carnosa thrives in bright light with with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 16-260C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, hoya potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Wax Plant (Hoya carnosa)
10. Pink Jasmine
Botanical name: Jasminum polyanthum
Common names: Pink Jasmine, Winter Jasmine, Star Jasmine, French Perfume, Chinese Jasmine, Manyflowered Jasmine
Origin: Southeastern China
Size: 10 ft
Pink Jasmine is a vigorously-growing, climbing, flowering plant which bears fragrant flowers in clusters and is ideal for a hanging basket or a trellis.
Winter Jasmine is among the easiest to grow Jasmines and is mainly grown for the characteristic fragrance of its flowers and ability to keep off pests and diseases.
Jasminum polyanthum flourishes in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-240C, moderate humidity of 50-55% and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Pink Jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum)
11. Lipstick Plant
Botanical name: Aeschynanthus radicans
Common name: Lipstick Plant, Lipstick Vine, Basket Vine
Origin: Malay Peninsula south to Java.
Size: 3-5 ft
Lipstick Plant is an evergreen, vining, perennial plant which bears leathery, ovate to lanceolate, green leaves and terminal vibrant red tubular flowers with yellow throats.
Lipstick Vine is one of the best trailing flowering plants for hanging baskets or a trellis where the beautiful leaves and vibrant flowers can be displayed beautifully.
Aeschynanthus radicans blossoms in very bright light, average warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Lipstick Plant (Aeschynanthus radicans)
12. Bluecrown Passionflower
Botanical name: Passiflora caerulea
Common name: Bluecrown Passionflower, Blue Passionflower, Southern Beauty, Wild Apricot, Jesus Flower, Passion Flower
Origin: Rain forests of Brazil and Argentina
Size: ft
Bluecrown Passionflower is a rampant climber whose stems bear deeply-lobed leaves, tendrils and short-lived flowers all through the growing season.
Blue Passionflower is ideal for a hanging basket or a trellis where it can display its beautiful flowers and leaves.
Passiflora caerulea prospers in bright light with 4-6 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-270C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, free-draining, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Bluecrown Passionflower (Passiflora caerulea)
13. Mandevilla
Botanical name: Mandevilla
Common names: Rock Trumpet
Origin: Southwestern United States, Mexico, Central America, the West Indies, and South America
Size: 10 ft
Mandevilla are evergreen, climbing plants whose stems are densely covered with glossy, dark-green oval leaves and bears brightly colored, large, trumpet-shaped flowers which come in white, pink, yellow, red or mixed colors.
The vining stems and large flowers beautifully cascade downwards in a hanging basket or on a pedestal. They can also be allowed to climb up a trellis. On account of its magnificent flowers, Rocktrumpets are among the best plants for the front porch or entrance.
Mandevilla Plants thrive in bright light with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, average warmth of 18-300C, humidity of 60-70%, and consistently moist, fertile, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with fortnightly feeding during the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Mandevilla Plants (Rock Trumpet)
14. Bleeding Glory Vine
Botanical name: Clerodendrum thomsoniae
Common names: Bleeding Glory Vine, Bleeding Glorybower, Tropical Bleeding Heart, Bagflower, Harlequin Glorybower
Origin: West Africa; Cameroon to Senegal
Size: 6 ft
Bleeding Glory Vine is a perennial climbing plant which bears bell-shaped, lightly scented, two-colored flowers; red and surrounded by white sepals.
The blooms in Bleeding Glorybower are borne in terminal clusters of 8-20 in spring and summer and appear bell-shaped and are lightly scented.
Clerodendrum thomsoniae blossoms in bright indirect light(dappled light), average warmth of 16-280C, humidity of 60-70% and consistently moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose soil coupled with monthly feeding during the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Bleeding Glory Vine (Clerodendrum thomsoniae)
15. Chenille Plant
Botanical name: Acalypha hispida
Common names: Chenille Plant, Philippine Medusa, Red Hot Cat Tail, Monkey Tail, Foxtail
Origin: Malesia and Papuasia
Size: 5-8 ft
Chenille Plant is a favorite indoor plant on account of its pendulous, brilliantly colored, furry flowers which are magnificient in a hanging basket or on a pedestal.
Unlike its relative Acalypha wilkesiana (Copperleaf Plant) which bears both male and female flowers on the same plant, Red Hot Cat Tail is dioecious which means that male and female flowers are borne on different plants.
Acalypha hispida prospers in bright, indirect light (filtered light), average warmth of 18-280C, humidity of 55-70%, and moderately moist, fertile, well drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Read more on how to grow and care for Chenille Plant (Acalypha hispida).
16. Rose Grape
Botanical name: Medinilla magnifica
Common names: Rose Grape, Showy Medinilla, Philippines Orchid, Pink Lantern
Origin: Philippines
Size: 2 ft
Rose Grape bears spectacular, pendant. rosy-pink flower-heads and can be grown in a hanging basket or on a pedestal where the flowers can beautifully hang downwards.
The inflorescences in Philippines Orchid are arching panicles of pink flowers, with showy pink basal bracts and are about 1.5 ft long.
Medinilla magnifica blooms in bright, indirect light (filterd light), moderate warmth of 16-240C, humidity of 60-70% and moderately moist, rich, well-drained, all purpose potting soil coupled with fortnightly feeding in the growing season.
Learn more on how to grow and care for Rose Grape (Medinilla magnifica)
