Best Plants for Hanging Planters in Australia

Hanging planters are one of the best ways to add greenery to a balcony without using valuable floor space. They soften railings, add height, bring flowers closer to eye level, and can make even a small apartment balcony feel lush and layered. In Australia, they are especially useful because many balconies are compact, exposed to wind, or deal with a mix of strong sun and drying conditions. A well-chosen hanging planter can turn an empty corner into a feature and help create a cooler, greener outdoor space.

The key is choosing plants that actually suit hanging conditions. Plants in hanging baskets dry out faster than those in regular pots, and they often deal with more wind, more heat, and less root space. The best plants for hanging planters are usually trailing, compact, reliable in containers, and able to handle the changing conditions that come with balcony life. Some are grown for flowers, some for foliage, and some for both.

In this guide, we cover the best plants for hanging planters in Australia, including options for sunny balconies, shaded spots, coastal areas, and different climates across major Australian cities.

What Makes a Plant Good for a Hanging Planter?

Not every plant is naturally suited to life in a hanging basket. The best choices are usually plants that trail, spill, or mound attractively, rather than plants that grow upright and become top-heavy. Strong performers also tend to cope well with container growing and recover quickly if the potting mix dries a little between waterings.

• Trailing or cascading growth
• Compact root systems
• Good tolerance for containers
• Ability to handle wind and heat
• Long flowering or attractive foliage
• Low to moderate maintenance

For Australian balconies, it also helps if the plant can handle your local climate. A basket that looks amazing in Hobart may struggle on a west-facing balcony in Perth, while a tropical foliage plant may thrive in Brisbane but struggle through a Melbourne winter. Matching the plant to the position is the real secret.

Best Plants for Hanging Planters in Australia

1. Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’

Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ is one of the most popular hanging basket plants for good reason. It produces long trailing stems covered in soft silver foliage that spills beautifully over the sides of baskets and hanging pots. It works particularly well on sunny balconies and looks great in both modern and rustic planters.

It is usually grown for foliage rather than flowers, but that is exactly what makes it so useful. It adds movement, contrast and softness, especially when paired with flowering plants. It is also more tolerant of dry conditions than many soft leafy basket plants, making it a strong option for brighter Australian balconies.

Best for: sunny balconies, silver foliage, trailing effect

Good for: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth

2. Scaevola

Scaevola, also known as fan flower, is one of the best flowering choices for hanging planters in Australia. It has a naturally spreading, slightly trailing habit and produces masses of flowers over a long season. It is also a great option if you want something that feels at home in Australian conditions rather than a softer cool-climate annual.

Scaevola suits bright balconies and adds colour without looking too formal. It works well on its own or mixed with trailing foliage plants. Purple and mauve forms are especially popular, but white varieties are also beautiful in small-space gardens.

Best for: sunny hanging baskets, long flowering colour, native-style planting

Good for: Brisbane, Sydney, Perth, Adelaide

3. Brachyscome

Brachyscome, often called native daisy, is a lovely choice for hanging baskets if you want a softer and more natural look. It produces fine foliage and masses of small daisy flowers, often in purple, mauve, white or pink shades. It is ideal for relaxed cottage-style balconies and works well mixed with other Australian natives.

Because it is light and airy, it suits smaller baskets and does not feel too heavy or crowded. It can also attract pollinators, which is a bonus for wildlife-friendly balcony gardens.

Best for: soft colour, native balcony gardens, smaller baskets

Good for: Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart

4. Native Violet

Native violet is a very good option for hanging planters in part shade or filtered light. It has a neat trailing habit, fresh green foliage, and delicate purple-and-white flowers. It is not flashy, but it is dependable and well suited to Australian gardens.

On a shaded or semi-shaded balcony, it gives a softer, cooler feel than brighter sun-loving flowers. It is also a good choice for gardeners who prefer a more natural and less formal planting style.

Best for: part shade, native planting, soft green baskets

Good for: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Hobart

5. Bacopa

Bacopa is a classic hanging basket plant because it flowers neatly and trails gently without becoming too wild. It is often used in mixed baskets where it fills gaps, softens edges and adds a long season of white, blue or lilac flowers.

It is best on balconies that are not extremely hot or dry, and it performs especially well in part sun or bright shade. If you like tidy, pretty baskets with long-lasting flowers, bacopa is a strong choice.

Best for: mixed baskets, gentle trailing growth, long flowering

Good for: Melbourne, Sydney, Canberra, Hobart

6. Pelargonium

Pelargoniums are among the best plants for bright and breezy balconies. They bring reliable colour, cope reasonably well with dry periods, and are much tougher than many soft bedding plants. Some varieties stay more upright, while others trail or spill enough to suit hanging planters beautifully.

If your balcony gets lots of sun and you want something dependable rather than fussy, pelargoniums are worth considering. They suit both traditional and modern balcony styles and work well in terracotta or simple hanging pots.

Best for: hot balconies, colourful flowers, lower-maintenance baskets

Good for: Adelaide, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney

7. Plectranthus

Plectranthus is an excellent choice for bright shade or filtered light. It is grown as much for its lush foliage as for its flowers, which makes it a good option if you want a fuller, more leafy hanging display. Some forms also produce soft purple or lavender flowers, adding extra interest.

It suits sheltered balconies and can help soften hard walls, corners and railings. If your balcony is not suited to harsh full sun, plectranthus is often easier than many flowering basket plants.

Best for: bright shade, lush foliage, sheltered balconies

Good for: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

8. Tassel Fern

Tassel fern is a beautiful option for humid or protected balconies. Its arching, weeping fronds make it ideal for hanging positions where foliage can fall naturally below the basket. It creates a cool, tropical look and works especially well in green, foliage-focused balcony designs.

This is not the best choice for harsh western sun or very dry exposed balconies, but it is excellent in filtered light or humid coastal conditions. It can instantly make a balcony feel more lush and established.

Best for: tropical style, foliage baskets, humid balconies

Good for: Brisbane, coastal NSW, Darwin, tropical areas

9. Fuchsia

Fuchsias are a classic hanging basket plant in cooler climates. Their flowers dangle beautifully beneath the foliage, which makes them perfect for elevated planters where the blooms can be seen from below. They add a softer, more romantic look than many Australian sun-loving plants.

They are best for cooler or milder areas and usually need protection from harsh afternoon sun. On the right balcony, though, they are one of the most rewarding flowering plants you can grow in a hanging planter.

Best for: elegant flowers, cooler climates, morning sun

Good for: Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, cooler Sydney areas

10. Lobelia

Lobelia is ideal if you want a delicate flowering basket with lots of colour. It usually has a compact trailing habit and works well around the edges of baskets. Blue, purple and white varieties are especially popular.

It is not the toughest plant for very hot Australian summers, but in milder areas or in part sun it can look fantastic. It is often best used in cooler seasons or in southern Australian cities.

Best for: soft flowering displays, cool-season baskets, pastel colour

Good for: Melbourne, Hobart, Canberra, cooler coastal areas

11. String of Pearls

If you want a lower-water hanging planter, string of pearls is a stylish option. This succulent has long trailing stems lined with bead-like leaves and looks especially good in modern planters. It prefers bright light and very sharp drainage.

It is best for people who tend to over-love plants less rather than more. In other words, it performs better when not kept constantly wet. It is a great choice for dry balconies, especially where you want a clean and architectural look.

Best for: modern balconies, dry conditions, low-water planting

Good for: Adelaide, Perth, sunny Sydney balconies

12. Trailing Rosemary

Trailing rosemary is one of the best edible plants for hanging planters. It has a naturally cascading habit, handles plenty of sun, and gives you fragrant foliage you can harvest for cooking. It is especially useful on balconies where you want ornamental and practical plants in the same space.

It is much tougher than many herbs and suits hot, bright, drier conditions. As a bonus, the flowers can attract pollinators when in bloom.

Best for: edible baskets, sunny balconies, low-fuss planting

Good for: Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth

Best Hanging Planter Plants by Australian Climate

Sydney

Sydney balconies often deal with bright light, humidity, salt air in coastal areas, and warm summers. Good hanging planter choices include scaevola, native violet, pelargonium, dichondra and trailing rosemary. Shadier Sydney balconies can also suit plectranthus and bacopa.

Melbourne

Melbourne conditions can change quickly, and balconies often deal with wind, cool winters and warm but not overly tropical summers. Brachyscome, bacopa, lobelia, fuchsia, dichondra and native violet are all strong choices. On very exposed high-rise balconies, tougher plants usually do better than soft thirsty ones.

Brisbane

Brisbane is warmer and more humid, so hanging baskets can grow quickly but may also need good airflow. Tassel fern, scaevola, plectranthus, native violet and tropical foliage combinations can all work well. Choose pots with good drainage so baskets do not stay soggy during humid weather.

Perth

Perth balconies often face strong sun, dry air and hot summer conditions. Choose tougher plants such as pelargonium, trailing rosemary, dichondra and drought-tolerant succulents. Watering becomes especially important in summer, and west-facing balconies can be challenging.

Adelaide

Adelaide has similar challenges to Perth, especially on bright exposed balconies. Strong sun-tolerant plants such as rosemary, pelargonium, dichondra and string of pearls are often better choices than moisture-loving basket plants. Using larger hanging pots can help hold moisture for longer.

Canberra and Hobart

Cooler southern cities suit a different palette. Fuchsia, bacopa, lobelia, brachyscome and native violet often perform better in these climates than heat-loving tropical plants. Morning sun and protection from severe frost will usually give the best results.

Darwin and the Tropical North

In tropical areas, humidity and heavy wet-season growth change the way hanging baskets behave. Ferns, plectranthus and lush foliage baskets often perform better than cool-climate flowering plants. Strong drainage, airflow and regular trimming are especially important.

Best Hanging Planter Ideas for Different Balcony Positions

For Full Sun

• Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’
• Scaevola
• Pelargonium
• Trailing rosemary
• String of pearls

For Part Shade

• Native violet
• Bacopa
• Plectranthus
• Brachyscome
• Lobelia

For Bright Shade

• Plectranthus
• Tassel fern
• Native violet
• Bacopa
• Fuchsia

For Windy Balconies

• Dichondra
• Pelargonium
• Trailing rosemary
• Scaevola
• Hardier succulents

How to Make Hanging Planters Last Longer

Even the best plant will struggle if the basket setup is wrong. Hanging baskets dry out faster than normal pots, and they are often harder to water properly because the soil sits above eye level. Good setup makes a huge difference.

• Use premium potting mix rather than cheap fill soil
• Choose a basket size large enough for the plant to establish well
• Make sure drainage holes are clear
• Use lightweight pots if weight is a concern
• Water deeply until excess runs out
• Feed regularly during active growth
• Trim leggy growth to keep plants full and balanced
• Group plants with similar watering and light needs together

If your balcony gets harsh afternoon sun, larger hanging pots are often easier than very small baskets because they hold moisture longer. If your balcony is shaded and humid, focus on airflow so baskets do not stay wet for too long.

Simple Plant Combinations for Hanging Planters

Sunny Australian Mix

Combine scaevola, brachyscome and dichondra for a soft native-style hanging planter with flowers and trailing foliage.

Cool Soft Colour Basket

Mix bacopa, lobelia and fuchsia for a fuller basket in cooler or part-shaded conditions.

Low-Water Hanging Planter

Use string of pearls with a trailing succulent mix for a bright balcony that gets plenty of light and dries quickly.

Leafy Shade Basket

Combine plectranthus, tassel fern and native violet for a soft green basket in filtered light.

Common Hanging Planter Mistakes

• Choosing plants that are too thirsty for a hot balcony
• Using baskets that are too small
• Letting plants dry out repeatedly
• Mixing shade lovers with sun-loving plants
• Ignoring wind exposure
• Overwatering succulents and dry-climate plants
• Hanging baskets where they are difficult to reach and maintain

Final Thoughts

The best plants for hanging planters in Australia are the ones that suit your balcony, not just the ones that look good at the nursery. Full-sun balconies usually do best with tougher plants such as dichondra, scaevola, pelargonium and trailing rosemary. Shadier spaces often suit bacopa, native violet, plectranthus and tassel fern. Cooler southern cities open the door to fuchsias and lobelia, while tropical areas suit lush foliage baskets.

If you start by matching the plant to the light, wind and climate, hanging planters can become one of the easiest and most effective ways to transform a balcony. They add colour, save space, and help create a layered garden feel even in very small outdoor areas.

FAQ

What are the easiest plants for hanging planters in Australia?

Some of the easiest options are dichondra, scaevola, pelargonium, native violet and trailing rosemary. They are reliable, attractive and generally handle container life well.

Which hanging planter plants are best for full sun?

For full sun, start with dichondra, scaevola, pelargonium, trailing rosemary and some succulents. These plants are usually better at handling bright light and faster drying conditions.

What are the best plants for hanging baskets in shade?

For shade or bright filtered light, native violet, bacopa, plectranthus, tassel fern and fuchsia are all strong choices depending on your climate.

Do hanging planters need more watering than normal pots?

Yes, usually they do. Hanging baskets are more exposed to wind and sun, and they tend to dry out faster than pots sitting on the ground.

Can I grow edible plants in hanging planters?

Yes. Trailing rosemary is one of the best options, and some gardeners also grow strawberries, cherry tomatoes or trailing herbs in larger hanging containers.

Which plants are best for windy balconies?

Hardier plants such as dichondra, pelargonium, trailing rosemary and tougher succulents usually cope better with wind than delicate soft-stemmed flowers.

What is the best native plant for a hanging basket?

Scaevola, brachyscome and native violet are all excellent Australian native-style choices for hanging planters, depending on whether your balcony is sunny or more shaded.

How do I stop hanging baskets from drying out so quickly?

Use a larger pot, premium potting mix, mulch lightly if suitable, and water deeply. Choosing plants that match your conditions also makes a big difference.