A charming front porch is an inviting feature that can enhance the curb appeal of any home. While furniture and decorative accents certainly help, one of the best ways to create an eye-catching entrance is with an array of lovely hanging planters.
Replete with cascading flowers, herbs, or trailing greenery, hanging baskets add vertical interest and a burst of natural beauty to front porches and entryways. They are a simple way to infuse color, vibrancy, and life into your outdoor space without taking up valuable floor area. Whether you have a cozy covered porch or a wide open veranda, read on to discover how hanging planters can transform the look and feel of your home’s exterior.
Choosing the Right Hanging Planters
When selecting hanging planters, you’ll first want to decide on the type of vessel or basket to display your plants. Here are some top options that are well-suited for outdoor use:
- Hanging baskets made from metal wire, plastic, or natural fibers like coir or rattan. Look for those with drainage holes in the bottom to prevent soil from getting waterlogged.
- Wall-mounted planters crafted from sturdy wrought iron, galvanized metal, or weather-resistant wood. These can be hung from screws anchored into the porch structure.
- Elevated plant stands, shelves, or racks that allow you to exhibit containers at different heights for added visual interest.
For any style you choose, durability is key since the planters will be exposed to sun, wind, and rain. Valuable features to look out for include weatherproof construction, rust-resistant materials, and liners or saucers to help retain moisture in the soil. Sturdy hanging mechanisms like chains and S-hooks are also a must for safely and securely displaying your plants on a porch.
Size Matters
Consider both the size of your porch and the mature size of plants when selecting a hanging planter. Aim for proportionality–a massive basket overflowing with flowers can be gorgeous on a sprawling wrap-around porch but may overwhelm a petite entry space. Here are some size guidelines for hanging baskets based on porch dimensions:
- Small porches: Opt for 8″ to 10″ diameter baskets
- Medium porches: 10″ to 14″ diameter baskets work well
- Large porches: Go for 14″ to 18″ diameter planters
Weighty Decisions
Take into account the weight of soil, plants, and water when determining hanging planter size and hanging mechanisms. A good rule of thumb is that a 10″ basket can weigh around 10-15 lbs when wet. Overloading hooks or chains poses a safety risk. Consider these solutions:
- Use strong screws, anchors, eye hooks, and chains that exceed weight needs
- Choose lightweight soil mixes and avoid overplanting
- Install retractable hanging systems to lower planters for watering
Selecting Plants for Hanging Baskets
When it comes to choosing plants for porch hanging baskets, the options are abundant. Consider these categories tailored to both form and function:
Flowering Plants
For pops of vibrant color, flowering annuals are perfect for hanging planters. Some top picks include:
- Petunias – Available in myriad colors with mounding or trailing growth habits.
- Fuchsias – Dainty flowers on profuse cascading stems.
- Million bells – Prolific bloomer with trumpet-shaped flowers.
- Begonias – Bold flowers and decorative foliage.
- Ivy geraniums – Evergreen trailer with clusters of blooms.
Go for a single variety or combine colors and textures for stunning impact. Trailing types are ideal to show off flowers suspended in midair.
Herbs
Grow culinary herbs in your hanging baskets to bring function as well as flavor to your porch. Basil, thyme, oregano, and more can be easily harvested for everyday cooking. Herbs also invite pollinators like butterflies and bees to visit your porch garden.
Ferns
With their graceful fronds and lush texture, ferns are a lovely choice for shady areas of the porch. Varieties like hart’s tongue fern, maidenhair fern, and autumn fern thrive in hanging baskets. Mix ferns with flowering annuals or position them in their own planters to really showcase their elegance.
Design Tips and Placement
When planning where to exhibit your hanging baskets, consider the layout and architecture of your porch. Place them at varying heights along railings, pillars, or beams. Bold colors can draw attention to entryways while cascading vines help soften corners. Here are some design ideas for aesthetically arranging planters:
- Group planters in sets of three, using the same or coordinating colors for cohesion.
- Alternate large and small hanging baskets for depth and dimension.
- Incorporate wall-mounted and elevated planters for height variation.
- Use symmetry to create pleasant repetition and balance.
Aim to space groupings of hanging baskets 3-5 feet apart to allow each planter to stand out. Before installing hooks, examine your porch’s structure to identify solid points for hanging. For safety, hooks and hardware should be rated to exceed the weight of wet soil and mature plants.
Prime Positioning
Consider these prime porch locations ideal for exhibiting hanging planters:
- Entryways – Greet guests with a burst of flowers or herbs.
- Corners and alcoves – Cover bare spots with new greenery.
- Steps and railings – Line walkways to welcome visitors.
- Ceiling beams – Utilize vertical space for aerial gardens.
- Walls and posts – Mount iron planters within view.
Caring for Plants
Although hanging planters add beauty to your porch with minimal effort, keeping plants healthy does require some routine care. Follow these tips for success:
Consistent Watering
Hanging baskets are prone to drying out faster than in-ground plantings. Check soil moisture daily, watering early in the morning if the top inch is dry. Avoid wetting foliage, as this can promote diseases. Here are some other watering tips:
- Install retractable hanging systems to lower baskets for easier access.
- Add water-retaining polymers to the soil mix.
- Use drip irrigation or automate watering with an outdoor hose timer.
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the bottom, avoiding dry spots.
Fertilizing
Feed plants with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Slow-release granular fertilizers incorporated into the soil provide nutrition over time. Be sure to follow label instructions to avoid over-fertilizing.
Deadheading and Pruning
Snip off spent blooms with pruning shears to encourage new flowers. For rampant growers like ivy geraniums, periodically prune trailing stems to shape plants and avoid bare spots. Remove damaged or yellowing foliage promptly to maintain healthy growth.
One of the best aspects of decorating your porch with hanging planters is being able to relax and enjoy their natural splendor. Here are some ways to make the most of your blooming baskets and lush potted gardens:
- Add seating areas near planters to fully take in their colors and scents.
- Incorporate herb gardens within arm’s reach for quick and easy seasoning.
- Use hanging flowers as transformative focal points during outdoor gatherings.
- Complement plantings with exterior lighting to extend enjoyment into the evenings.
Hanging planters breathe new life into tired front porches. Elevating plants in suspended containers saves space while creating an eye-catching vertical display. Plus, the options are virtually endless when it comes to choosing flowers, foliage, and planter styles tailored to your taste and porch architecture. Give your home a fresh face this season by sprucing up your front porch with gorgeous hanging gardens.
