Finding plants that flourish in a limited container space while consistently providing the high-energy nectar required by hummingbirds is a specific gardening goal. These tiny, fast-moving birds need a reliable and visible food source to fuel their high metabolism, which makes a well-maintained hanging basket an ideal target. The selection process must balance the plant’s natural appeal to hummingbirds with its ability to adapt to the unique environment of a basket suspended in the air. Successfully attracting these pollinators depends on choosing species that produce abundant, accessible nectar and then maintaining the container to maximize bloom cycles.
Identifying Key Plant Characteristics
Hummingbirds are primarily attracted to flowers that possess a high concentration of nectar, which sustains their rapid wing-beat rate. The most effective flowers for these birds are typically tubular in shape, a form that perfectly accommodates their long, slender bills and tongues. This specialized structure limits access for many insects, ensuring a less competitive nectar source.
They are also highly visual feeders, drawn to bright colors, with shades of red, orange, and pink being particularly effective at capturing their attention from a distance. For hanging baskets, the plant’s form is important; flowers that dangle or protrude from the foliage offer a clear flight path and ample air space for the birds to hover while feeding. A suspended basket naturally offers a safe, elevated feeding location that provides excellent visibility and a sense of security.
Top Hanging Plants for Hummingbirds
Fuchsia species, especially those with pendulous, bi-colored flowers, are excellent choices for shaded hanging locations. Their blossoms naturally hang downward, making them perfectly oriented for a hovering hummingbird to access the nectar within the slender corolla tube. Fuchsias thrive when protected from intense afternoon sun and offer a continuous display of red, pink, and purple blooms throughout the season.
For locations receiving six or more hours of direct sun, trailing Petunias, such as the Supertunia varieties, are highly effective attractors. While their flower shape is not always strictly tubular, the sheer abundance of blooms and high nectar production make them a reliable food source. These plants have a naturally cascading habit that allows hummingbirds easy access to the numerous brightly colored flowers.
Lantana is another sun-loving option, valued for its drought tolerance and continuous clusters of small, tubular florets. The tiny flowers are grouped into dense heads, which often transition through colors like yellow, orange, and pink, providing a vibrant target for the birds. The trailing varieties spill beautifully over the edges of a container, making them a visible nectar reservoir.
Cuphea, commonly known as the cigar plant or firecracker plant, is practically engineered to attract hummingbirds. Its bright, slender, tubular flowers are a deep red-orange, mimicking a tiny firecracker, and provide a high-quality nectar reward. Cuphea performs well in hanging baskets. Calibrachoa, or “Million Bells,” also offers an abundance of small, trumpet-shaped flowers that are highly appealing to hummingbirds.
Essential Care for Nectar Production
Maintaining continuous bloom and high nectar content requires intensive care for plants in hanging baskets. The limited soil volume and exposure to air cause the potting mix to dry out much faster, often necessitating watering once or even twice daily during peak summer heat. Thorough watering until the excess drains from the bottom ensures the entire root ball is saturated, which is crucial for nutrient uptake.
Because nutrients leach out quickly with frequent watering, a consistent feeding schedule is necessary to support the energy demands of continuous flowering. Gardeners should apply a diluted, water-soluble fertilizer every one to three weeks to replenish these lost nutrients. Alternatively, a slow-release granular fertilizer applied at the start of the season, supplemented with a liquid feed by mid-summer, will ensure a steady supply.
Regular deadheading, the removal of spent flowers, is a simple maintenance practice that signals the plant to produce new blooms instead of setting seed. Giving trailing plants a light trim or “haircut” mid-season can also promote fresh, bushier growth and encourage new flower development.