7 Hanging Basket Plants That Won’t Wilt in Summer Heat

Adding potted plants and hanging baskets of colorful flowers is an easy way to spruce up a front porch or back patio. But with the dog days of summer and a heat wave or two, it’s not uncommon to find sad, wilted flowers in your baskets no matter how well they are watered. But don’t fret. There are some plant varieties that don’t just handle the heat, they thrive in it, providing a steady stream of pretty blooms or foliage when others are wilted. Ahead, we spoke with gardening experts to learn which plants to prioritize in hanging baskets for the hot, steamy days of summer.

Meet Our Expert

Related: 13 Fragrant Flowers That Thrive in Pots—and Make Any Outdoor Space Smell Incredible

01 of 07

Purslane

Purslane (Portulaca) features vibrantly colored blooms and succulent-like leaves, which help the plant retain moisture during summer heat. The pretty flowers and tendrils can withstand the hot days and thrive with six to eight hours of direct sun. “Native to hot, arid regions and boasting succulent-like leaves that store water, portulaca can cope well during dry spells of heat when other traditional bedding plants could wilt,” says David Deyner, a floral expert with Eflorist. “You should avoid overwatering a portulaca and remember to place it somewhere that receives a lot of direct sun.”

02 of 07

Petunia

Cheery petunia flowers (Petunia spp.) are a staple in summer hanging baskets, and for good reason—they’re heat-tolerant. “As long as they are regularly watered and fed every week or two with liquid fertilizer, modern varieties of petunias have adapted to cope exceptionally well with hot summers and will showcase some of their brightest displays during the highest temperatures,” says Deyner. Petunias thrive with six full hours of sun a day and need a good regular soak each day—the water should stream out of the bottom of the basket when you do it.

03 of 07

Geranium

Geraniums (Geranium spp.) offer beautiful, low-maintenance blooms in a variety of colors, from cherry red to bright violet. They’ll also withstand the summer heat in your hanging basket. “Geraniums remain a dependable choice for summer hanging baskets, as they actually prefer drying out slightly between waterings and continue to bloom during prolonged periods of hot weather,” Deyner says.

04 of 07

Verbena

Verbena’s (Verbena spp.) showy clusters of colorful flowers are perfect for a summer hanging basket and can withstand high temperatures. “Once established, verbena is known for its ability to cope well with short periods of hot, dry weather,” says Angelika Zaber, a gardening expert with Online Turf. “Its fine foliage minimizes moisture loss through evaporation, along with the plant having an extensive root system, which efficiently absorbs any leftover water from the compost before it dries out.”

05 of 07

Lantana

Credit: Photos from Japan, Asia and othe of the world / Getty Images

Lantana (Lantana spp.) loves the heat, as it’s native to tropical regions. There are several varieties of lantana; for a hanging basket, you’ll want to go with a trailing or spreading type. “Boasting a vigorous root system that efficiently makes use of the available moisture, lantana is impressively drought-tolerant,” says Deyner. “Just be sure to let the soil of this tropical plant dry slightly in between watering to encourage stronger growth and more blooms that will last well into autumn.”

06 of 07

Sweet Potato Vine

Sweet potato vine (Ipomoea batatas) features lush green foliage that trails beautifully from hanging baskets. As a native to tropical climates, this tender perennial thrives in hot weather and won’t tolerate cold conditions. “Sweet potato vine is a tropical plant that has tuberous roots for storing water and energy,” Zaber says. “As a result, once established, it can handle drought well. On top of this, it also thrives in direct sunlight.”

07 of 07

Ponyfoot

Cascading stems of silvery green foliage and subtle, star-shaped blooms make ponyfoot (Dichondra) a dramatic choice for a summer hanging basket. It thrives in hot, sunny weather, requiring at least six hours of direct sun a day. “Dichondra, especially silver falls dichondra, prefers free-draining soil and less water, making the drier conditions that the hanging baskets offer the perfect solution,” says Zaber.

Read the original article on Martha Stewart