10 Best Hanging Plants for Hummingbirds To Attract Them to Your Garden

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If you're a nature lover, there's nothing quite like attracting hummingbirds to your garden. These tiny, vibrant birds are sure to add life and energy to any outdoor space! And one great way to attract them is by planting hanging plants.

In this article, we'll go over the top 10 best hanging plants for hummingbirds that will help you create the perfect environment for these little creatures.

Why attract hummingbirds to your garden?

Attracting hummingbirds to your garden has many benefits beyond just being a visually attractive sight. Hummingbirds play an important role in pollination and can help your garden thrive by spreading pollen from plant to plant. Plus, they consume large quantities of insects which is also essential for making our gardens healthy.

Benefits of planting hanging plants

Planting hanging plants is a great way to provide food and shelter for hummingbirds. Hang them near windows or patios so that you can watch the hummingbirds feed up close. They can also add color and beauty to areas where it’s difficult to grow traditional flowers or shrubs.

Here are some of the best plants you can choose from to make your garden more inviting for hummingbirds:

1. Fuchsia hanging basket

The delicate pink and purple hues of fuchsia flowers are just what hummingbirds need to be attracted to your garden. The best part about these plants is that they bloom in late summer, which coincides with the end of the hummingbird breeding season, so you can continue to enjoy their visit late into the season.

About Fuchsia

Fuchsia plants are native to Central and South America and come in a range of vibrant colors. They prefer low light, cool conditions, and moist soil.

Care Instructions

• Water fuchsia plants once a week, ensuring that the soil is moist but not waterlogged.
• Fertilize every two weeks to help promote blooming.
• Remove spent flowers to keep your plant looking its best.

2. Lobelia hanging basket

Another excellent choice for hanging baskets is Lobelia. These plants have upright stems covered with small, delicate flowers that come in either blue or white, which hummingbirds love.

About Lobelia

Lobelia is native to North America and prefers cooler conditions. It's an annual plant that grows well in containers and hanging baskets.

Care Instructions

• Water Lobelia plants regularly so that their soil is always moist.
• Fertilize with a balanced N-P-K fertilizer to promote blooms.
• Pinch back any dead flower heads to keep the plant looking neat and tidy.

3. Impatiens hanging basket

Impatiens are known for their vibrant bloom colors and come in shades of white, pink, red, purple, and even orange. They also attract hummingbirds like bees to honey, making them an excellent choice for hanging plants.

About Impatiens

Impatiens are native to east Africa and thrive in shady areas. They're commonly grown as annuals and can do well in hanging baskets with proper care.

Care Instructions

• Keep impatiens in a shaded area and avoid direct sunlight.
• Water regularly and ensure they have good drainage.
• Fertilize once a month with a 20-20-20 fertilizer to promote blooms.

4. Petunia hanging basket

Petunias are among the most popular choices for hanging baskets due to their vibrant colors and ease of growth. These plants come in a wide range of colors and patterns, and hummingbirds love them too!

About Petunia

Petunias originate from South America and prefer full sun and well-draining soil. They're typically grown as annuals.

Care Instructions

• Give petunias plenty of sunlight for optimal growth.
• Water deeply and allow the topsoil to dry out slightly between watering.
• Fertilize every two weeks with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for best results.

5. Salvia hanging basket

Salvias come in both annual and perennial varieties and produce spiky clusters of flowers that hummingbirds adore. They're also versatile and can be grown in a variety of settings, making them perfect for hanging or growing on trellises.

About Salvia

Salvias have been used for medicinal purposes for thousands of years and boast an impressive range of colors from white and pink to red and purple. They prefer full sun but can thrive in partial shade as well.

Care Instructions

• Plant salvias in well-draining soil.
• Water deeply at least once per week but avoid overwatering.
• Fertilize once a month with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer to encourage blooms.

6. Hanging begonia

Begonias come in several varieties, but the hanging variety is often the most popular when attracting hummingbirds. Their blooms can range in color from white to brilliant reds, oranges and pinks.

About Begonia

Begonias are native to tropical regions and prefer moist soil and partial shade. They're commonly grown as houseplants but do well outside in warm weather.

Care Instructions

• Give begonias plenty of bright, indirect light.
• Water regularly and ensure they have good drainage.
• Feed once a month with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for optimal growth.

7. Honeysuckle vine hanging basket

A honeysuckle vine is perfect for hanging baskets because it requires trellising, which makes its branches dangle down perfectly. Honeysuckle vines produce fragrant flowers that have a unique trumpet shape, which hummingbirds seem to love.

About Honeysuckle

Honeysuckle vines are native to Asia and North America and prefer full sun to partial shade. They're hardy plants that require minimal maintenance.

Care Instructions

• Provide ample sunlight.
• Water frequently so that the soil is always moist.
• Fertilize annually with a slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer to promote growth.

8. Hummingbird mint hanging basket

Hummingbird mint, also known as Agastache, produces vibrant blooms that last all summer long. They're perfect for planting in hanging baskets or containers and will attract hummingbirds for weeks on end.

About Hummingbird Mint

Hummingbird mint, as the name suggests, is a favorite of hummingbirds. These plants require full sun and well-draining soil to do their best.

Care Instructions

• Give hummingbird mint ample sunlight.
• Water regularly, making sure not to overwater.
• Fertilize once a month with a balanced 20-20-20 fertilizer to promote blooms.

9. Geranium hanging basket

Geraniums come in a wide range of colors from soft pink or white to vibrant reds and oranges. They're perfect for dangling baskets and can add a pop of color to any outdoor space.

About Geranium

Geraniums are native to South Africa but have been popular across the world for many years. They prefer sunny, warm conditions and require regular watering.

Care Instructions

• Provide at least six hours of direct sunlight each day.
• Water geraniums deeply but allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings.
• Fertilize once a month with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for best results.

10. Hanging trumpet vine

Finally, if you want a unique and tropical look in your garden, consider a hanging trumpet vine. These vines produce large, trumpet-shaped flowers in bright hues like orange or red, which hummingbirds love.

About Trumpet Vine

Trumpet vines are known to be very vigorous climbers that require strong support to grow properly. They prefer full sun and need watering regularly while young.

Care Instructions

• Plant trumpet vines in well-draining soil.
• Water with enough frequency to keep the soil moist to encourage growth.
• Fertilize every other month with a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer for optimal blooms.

Having hummingbirds visit your garden is both magical and rewarding. By planting hanging plants like fuchsias or petunias, lobelia, and impatiens, you can create a beautiful environment that will attract these tiny creatures. Once these hummingbird magnet plants have bloomed, they regularly become an occasional treat spot for hummingbirds to feed on. Add Honeysuckle vine, Hummingbird mint or Geranium hanging baskets, and Hanging Trumpet vines to provide more variety and beauty.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about attracting hummingbirds to your garden.

What is a hanging plant?

Hanging plants are usually potted plants that are hung from ceilings, walls, or hangers. These plants come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are commonly used to add greenery to a room's décor or to draw attention to outdoor spaces.

Do I need a hanging basket to grow these plants?

While you can certainly plant the above species directly into the ground, growing them in hanging baskets offers several benefits such as keeping animals away and conservation of space.

How do I attract hummingbirds to my garden?

Attracting hummingbirds to your garden is relatively easy. You can start by selecting plants that produce rich nectar to act like hummingbird magnets. Be sure to place feeders and water features strategically, providing open spaces for the birds to fly around. Also, avoid using pesticides and insecticides in your garden, since these chemicals can harm hummingbirds.

What other accessories can I use to attract hummingbirds?

Feeders offer an additional way to attract hummingbirds to your garden. But you may also opt to plant shrubs or trees that give them a habitat to hide.

How often should I water these hanging plants for them to thrive?

Overwatering and underwatering are harmful to plant growth, so it's essential to select pots with proper drainage holes or baskets with sustainable watering methods, such as automatic watering systems. You can't have specific instructions on the exact frequency of watering different plants. Each species requires different amounts of water, which they usually indicate and care instructions.

Can I use these plants indoors as well?

Most of the mentioned hanging plants above do well in containers inside the house, especially fuchsias or impatiens, lobelia, and petunias. Just make sure you have adequate light for certain species and choose a big enough