Hanging Plant Ideas for Balcony – 19 Stunning Picks

Hanging plants are the fastest way to make a balcony look greener and more alive, especially when you have a tiny space or don’t get perfect sunlight. 

You can grow flowers, herbs, trailing vines, and even edible plants in baskets. 

The only thing that matters is choosing the right plant for your balcony’s light — full sun, partial sun, or shade — because that alone decides 80% of your success.

Below, I’m giving you super easy hanging plants for every balcony type. I am also including the best herbs, best vegetables, soil tips, summer-care, lighting, balcony layouts, etc.

 

Best Hanging Plant Ideas for Any Balcony

1. Spider Plant

Great for any balcony — full sun, shade, north-facing, anything.

Spider plants grow fast, hang beautifully, and keep giving new baby plants.

• Light: Indirect light is ideal, but it can handle low light too.
• Care: Water when the top layer feels dry.

If your balcony gets very little sunlight, spider plants pair well with pothos and ferns to help fill empty corners.

2. Pothos (Golden, Marble Queen, Neon)

This is honestly the easiest balcony hanging plant. Hard to kill.

Perfect if your balcony doesn’t get much light.

• Light: Low to bright indirect.
• Care: Water weekly; grows long trails fast.

If your balcony stays shady all day, check this too: Small Balcony Layout Ideas — good if you want to combine trailing plants with railing planters.

3. English Ivy

Excellent for cool or shaded balconies.

Ivy trails down nicely and gives a classic outdoor look.

• Light: Shade or 2–4 hours of mild sun.
• Care: Keep soil moist but not soggy.

It also works great if your balcony stays humid and doesn’t get harsh sun.

4. Wandering Jew (Tradescantia)

Colorful purple-green leaves that spill down beautifully.

• Light: Partial sun to bright shade.
• Care: You have to water every day; it will grow very fast.

This plant can fill empty spaces quickly, grow it especially if you want instant results.

5. Trailing Jade (Peperomia rotundifolia)

Small, round leaves, compact growth, and very low-maintenance.

• Light: Shade or indirect light.
• Care: Water lightly; avoid direct sun.

If your balcony stays on the cooler side, this plant will be happy.

 

Flowering Hanging Plants for Balcony

6. Petunias

One of the best hanging flowers for full sun balconies.

If you want nonstop flowers, this is perfect.

• Light: 5–7 hours of direct sunlight.
• Care: Water daily in summer.

If you’re dealing with a hot summer balcony, your Summer Balcony Plant Care Tips will help protect blooms from burning.

7. Bougainvillea (Dwarf Hanging Varieties)

It’s an amazing flowering plant if your balcony gets too much heat.

• Light: Full sun.
• Care: Low water; loves heat.

Hang it near a railing where it can drape naturally.

8. Begonias (Tuberous / Trailing)

Great for shade or low-light balconies. They bloom even without direct sun.

• Light: Shade or filtered light.
• Care: Keep soil slightly moist.

Matches perfectly with your shade-friendly plant guide, too.

9. Fuchsia

If your balcony doesn’t get harsh sunlight, fuchsia is perfect for hanging baskets.

• Light: Indirect sunlight or mild morning sun.
• Care: Loves cool shade.

Their hanging bell-shaped flowers look very premium.

10. Million Bells (Calibrachoa)

Looks like small petunias but blooms even more.

• Light: Sun-loving.
• Care: Fertilize lightly once a month.

Use a coco fiber basket so roots stay cooler in summer.

 

Edible Plants You Can Grow in Hanging Baskets

11. Mint

Mint becomes aggressive in pots, so a hanging basket actually keeps it under control.

• Light: 3–5 hours of sun or bright shade.
• Care: Moist soil; fast growth.

You can also check Best Herbs for Balcony Garden if you want to add basil or rosemary next to it.

12. Trailing Rosemary (Yes, It Exists)

Many people grow upright rosemary, but the trailing variety actually works well in hanging baskets.

• Light: Full sun or 4–5 hours of sunlight.
• Care: Let the soil dry between watering.

Great for people who want a Mediterranean-style balcony look.

13. Coriander & Fenugreek (Methi)

You can grow these in shallow hanging bowls easily.

• Light: 3–4 hours of mild sunlight.
• Care: Harvest regularly to keep it bushy.

If you plan to grow vegetables in small spaces, your Best Vegetables for Balcony Garden guide gives many more options.

14. Hanging Strawberries

Strawberries look extremely beautiful when they cascade over the edges.

• Light: Morning sun or filtered sun.
• Care: Water regularly; keep soil moist.

They do best in cooler spots or balconies that don’t get extreme afternoon heat.

 

Trailing & Foliage Plants That Look Beautiful in Hanging Baskets

15. Creeping Jenny

Bright chartreuse leaves that spill beautifully.

• Light: Partial sun, morning sun, or bright shade.
• Care: Keep soil slightly moist.

Best for balconies with mild light.

16. String of Pearls

Round bead-like succulent that hangs dramatically.

• Light: Bright indirect or morning sun.
• Care: Water rarely; needs good drainage.

If your balcony gets too much heat, place it where it gets light but not scorching afternoon sun.

17. Ferns (Boston, Maidenhair, Asparagus)

Good for humidity + shade balconies.

• Light: Shade or low light.
• Care: Mist if the air is dry; don’t let the soil dry fully.

If your balcony hardly gets sun, these will still grow well.

18. Philodendron Brasil

Beautiful trailing foliage plant that’s easy to maintain.

• Light: Indirect sunlight.
• Care: Water when the soil feels dry.

Good for balconies that stay bright but not sunny.

19. String of Hearts

Heart-shaped leaves with long vines.

• Light: Mild sun or bright indirect light.
• Care: Water only when the soil dries.

It grows long trails, so hang it high.

 

Which Hanging Plants Fit Your Balcony Type?

Choosing the right plant becomes easier when you match it to your balcony’s sunlight.

Full Sun Balcony (5–7 hours direct sunlight)

Best plants:

• Petunias
• Million Bells
• Bougainvillea
• Rosemary
• String of Pearls
• Creeping Jenny
• Mint (if kept moist)

In summer, plants may dry faster, so your Summer Balcony Plant Care Tips will help a lot.

Partial Sun Balcony (2–4 hours of sunlight)

Best plants:

• Begonias
• Fuchsia
• Wandering Jew
• Philodendron varieties
• Mint
• Coriander
• Strawberries (morning sun)

If you want to decorate or arrange them better, check your Small Balcony Garden Layout Ideas.

Shady or North-Facing Balcony

Best plants:

• Pothos
• Spider Plant
• English Ivy
• Ferns
• Peperomia Trailing varieties
• Begonias (shade types)
• Torenia

If you’re planning a cozy decorative spot, your Small Cozy Balcony Setup Ideas matches well with shade-friendly plants.

 

Best Soil Mix for Hanging Balcony Plants

Hanging baskets dry faster than regular pots, so the soil must be light, airy, and moisture-retaining.

Simple Mix:

• 40% potting mix
• 30% cocopeat
• 20% compost
• 10% perlite

For deeper details, you can check Best Soil for Balcony Plants.

 

Watering Tips for Hanging Plants on Balconies

Hanging baskets lose water faster because air hits them from all sides, so watering becomes important.

• Water early morning or evening: Helps prevent evaporation.
• Use deep baskets: More soil = slower drying.
• Add a thin mulch layer: Coco husk or leaves help retain moisture.
• Check drainage: If water stays inside, roots will rot fast.

If your balcony has drainage issues, my Balcony Garden Drainage Solutions guide is extremely helpful.

 

Best Hanging Basket Options

Coco Coir Hanging Baskets

• This is great for growing flowers and sun-loving plants.
• Allows airflow and looks natural.

Plastic or Resin Hanging Pots

• Good for shade plants because they retain moisture longer.

Metal Baskets with Liner

• Perfect for trailing plants like petunias and creeping jenny.

When decorating overall, you can take inspiration from Modern Balcony Decor Ideas to match baskets with the rest of your setup.

 

Arrange Hanging Plants for a Beautiful Balcony Look

Mix Heights

You can hang some of your plants high, some mid-level, and some low.

Combine Foliage + Flowers

Example combos:

• Pothos + Begonia
• Mint + Fuchsia
• Creeping Jenny + Rosemary

Use Corners

Corners stay cooler and are perfect for ferns or pothos.

Add lighting

Soft lights look beautiful with hanging plants.

Your Balcony Garden Lighting Ideas fit here.

 

Conclusion

Hanging plants are the easiest way to turn any balcony into a greener, fresher, and more relaxing place. And you don’t need big pots or a lot of space for them — even a small railing, ceiling hook, or corner is enough. 

You just match the plant with your balcony’s sunlight, use a light soil mix, and water it correctly. That’s it. 

And once you combine a few trailing plants with herbs or flowering baskets, your whole balcony will look like a mini garden without even using floor space.

 

FAQs

Which hanging plants are the easiest for beginners on a balcony?

Spider plant, pothos, mint, wandering jew, and strawberries are the easiest. They don’t need deep soil, they grow fast, and they tolerate mistakes. 

If your balcony gets low light, choose pothos or spider plants. For sunny balconies, petunias or rosemary will do well.

How many hours of sunlight do hanging plants actually need?

It depends on the plant. Sun-loving hanging plants like petunias and rosemary want around 5–6 hours of sun. Shade plants like pothos, ivy, ferns, and begonias will be happy with just indirect light or morning sun. 

So before choosing any plant, always check how much sunlight your balcony gets — that decides everything.

Can I grow herbs or vegetables in hanging baskets on my balcony?

Yes, you can do that 100%. You can grow mint, rosemary, coriander, fenugreek, spinach, and even strawberries in hanging baskets. 

Herbs don’t need deep soil, and leafy greens grow very well in shallow containers. Just give them 3–4 hours of mild sun, keep the soil slightly moist, and they’ll grow continuously.