Annual hanging baskets look great for one season, then you’re back to spending money on new plants next season (or worse, even sooner if they start to look tired). If you’re willing to put in a little extra effort up front, there is a lower-maintenance solution.

Perennial hanging baskets can return year after year. The challenge is finding perennials that actually work in hanging containers. Not all perennials adapt well to container life, and fewer still have the trailing habit that makes hanging baskets attractive. But the ones that do work well are worth the investment.

Perennial hanging baskets do require some winter protection in most climates. Most are only perennials in warmer USDA zones, so keeping them outdoors will mean growing them as annuals. But the effort of overwintering means plants still perform instead of you having to start over every spring.

Ivy Geranium

Cascading vines spill beautifully over baskets from spring to frost.

When it comes to reliable performers, ivy geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) top the list for perennial hanging basket plants. These trailing geraniums bloom from spring through fall and can be overwintered indoors easily for winter protection.

Unlike upright geraniums, ivy types have a naturally cascading habit that works perfectly for hanging containers. The waxy leaves are attractive even when plants aren’t blooming, and they’re more drought-tolerant than most hanging basket plants once established.

Bring containers indoors before the first frost and keep them in a bright location. They’ll come back to life when moved outside again. You can also take cuttings in fall and start new plants for next year to fill more hanging baskets with perennial plants.

Petunias

When kept happy, they’ll flower nonstop from spring through frost.

Most petunias are technically tender perennials, though gardeners treat them as annuals. In zones 9-11, they’ll return each year, and in cooler areas, you can sometimes overwinter them with protection.

These petunias establish quickly and bloom heavily all season long. The flowers cover the plants so completely that you can barely see the foliage. One of the major advantages is the many colors available to choose from, suiting any kind of garden design.

The main downside is their feeding requirements for prolific blooms all season. Petunias need regular fertilizing to maintain their flower production, especially if you’re trying to get them to flower again the following year. They can look pretty rough by mid-summer if not properly maintained.

Bacopa

It plays backup beautifully without crowding the headliners.

The tiny flowers on bacopa might not seem impressive individually, but they create a delicate effect that’s hard to beat. This tender perennial produces masses of small flowers on trailing stems that spill beautifully from hanging baskets.

This hanging basket perennial plant shines in cooler weather and can look a bit stressed during the hottest part of summer. But in areas with mild summers, it blooms continuously from spring through fall. While you can overwinter bacopa indoors and bring them back for a second season, some gardeners find it easier to buy new plants each year.

Bacopa works well as a filler plant combined with other trailing perennials. It doesn’t compete aggressively for space and provides a nice backdrop for showier flowers.

Verbena

This perennial fills a basket fast without demanding constant attention.

Heat tolerance is the main feature making trailing verbena a great perennial hanging basket plant. The clusters of small flowers come in a range of colors with contrasting centers. Most varieties have a naturally trailing habit that fills hanging baskets beautifully.

These plants are also quite drought-tolerant once established and don’t need the constant moisture that some hanging basket plants require. They bloom best in full sun and can handle challenging conditions better than many other options on this list.

Trailing verbena can be overwintered indoors, though it often gets leggy. Taking cuttings in late summer is often more successful than trying to keep whole plants through winter. Most gardeners prefer to grow them as annuals or keep them for two seasons maximum.

Creeping Phlox

Phlox shows off early, then settles in with soft texture.

Spring bloomers like creeping phlox put on spectacular shows early in the season, signalling the start of spring. Colors to choose from include pink, purple, and white, with some varieties offering striped petals.

After blooming, the needle-like foliage continues to add ornamental value to hanging baskets. The plants are also hardier than other choices and can survive winter in containers in much lower zones than heat-loving perennials.

The main downside is the relatively short bloom period. Creeping phlox puts on a spectacular show for about a month in spring, then provides mostly foliage for the rest of the season. It works well combined with other plants that bloom at different times.

Fuchsia

Fuchsia prefers the coastal chill and rewards with nonstop color.

Cool and humid conditions are best for fuchsias, making them perfect for coastal areas and northern gardens. These perennial hanging basket plants bloom all season with distinctive drooping flowers in bright color combinations.

The main challenge with fuchsias is their specific climate requirements. They struggle in hot conditions and need consistent moisture and some protection from afternoon sun in warmer areas. In ideal conditions, though, they’re hard to beat for continuous color.

Overwintering fuchsias requires bringing them indoors and keeping them in a bright location. They’ll go dormant but can be encouraged back into growth in early spring. Alternatively, you can take cuttings in fall.

Sedum

Sedum adds texture and quiet color with zero complaints.

If you need to fill sunny locations where hanging baskets generally struggle, try any of the beautiful trailing sedum species. Succulent foliage means you’ll have far less to stress about when it comes to care. And, you’ll get to enjoy occasional flowers too

Thick, fleshy leaves provide interesting texture and color variations, from blue-green to purple-red depending on the variety. Some produce small flowers, but the foliage is really the main attraction.

Sedums can survive winter outdoors in many climates if containers are protected from freezing conditions. They require minimal care once established and actually prefer being left alone, the perfect perennial hanging basket plant for beginners.

Hardy Geranium

Cool weather brings out the best in their leafy show.

True geraniums offer a different look from their Pelargonium cousins. Several varieties have trailing habits suitable for hanging baskets, and these hardy perennials can survive winter in containers in most climates with proper protection.

The flowers are typically smaller than annual geraniums but often more abundant. The foliage on these hanging basket perennial plants also remains appealing even when they aren’t blooming. They’re great staples you can complement with other annual hanging basket plants.

Most hardy geraniums prefer cooler conditions and may struggle in hot climates, particularly in tougher hanging basket environments. They work well in areas with moderate summers.

Nasturtium

Nasturtium keeps popping back each year like an old garden friend.

Although technically annuals, self-seeding nasturtiums often return year after year without any help needed. The trailing varieties work well in hanging baskets, producing edible flowers in eye-catching shades of orange, red, and yellow.

These plants prefer poor soil and bloom better when not fertilized heavily. They’re extremely easy to grow and can handle some drought once established. The peppery flowers and leaves are both edible and fun to experiment with in the kitchen.

In mild climates, nasturtiums may behave more like perennials, continuing to bloom through winter. Even in colder areas, dropped seeds often germinate the following spring, so don’t think empty baskets mean your plants are gone.

Coral Bells

Heuchera holds its shape like a tidy little garden sculpture.

If you prefer ornamental foliage, heucheras are the answer, with colors that annual flowers can’t match. The leaves come in many shades and combinations, providing season-long interest that doesn’t depend on blooming cycles.

Coral bells also produce delicate flower spikes to enjoy, but the foliage is really the main attraction. The plants form neat mounds that spill gently over basket edges. They don’t hang much, so you want to place these baskets slightly lower than others for full enjoyment.

Heucheras are quite hardy and can survive winter in containers in many climates. They prefer partial shade in hot areas but can handle full sun in cooler regions.

Lobelia

These perennials add a splash of continuous color when the heat takes a break.

Cooler weather brings out the best performance in these perennial hanging basket plants. The cascading stems produce masses of small flowers that create impressive waterfalls of color. Plant one color for a harmonious look or a few different options for more variety.