​​20 Best Winter Hanging Plants For Stunning Outdoor Baskets

Winter may seem like a time when gardens go dormant, but it doesn’t have to be that way! With the right selection of plants, you can keep your outdoor hanging baskets looking lush and vibrant throughout the colder months. This guide shows you the best winter hanging plants to create stunning displays that brighten up any garden or patio space.

Winter hanging plants.YayImages

Best Winter Hanging Plants

When creating winter hanging baskets, it’s important to choose hardy, resilient plants that can withstand colder temperatures. Let’s take a look at the best winter hanging plants:

1. English Ivy

English ivy plant growing in a hanging basketYayImages

English Ivy is a perfect plant for winter planters thanks to its hardy, evergreen nature. Its trailing vines and glossy, lobed leaves create a lush, cascading effect that adds depth and texture. 

Ivy is particularly versatile, thriving in both shaded and partially sunny conditions. This plant also requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for colder months when outdoor upkeep may be more challenging.

2. Winter Pansies

Row of pansies in hanging baskets outside red brick houses.YayImages

Winter pansies are wonderful hanging basket ideas, known for their ability to withstand frost while providing vibrant color. Available in shades of purple, yellow, and white, these flowers continue to bloom even during the colder months. 

Winter pansies prefer full sun to partial shade, ensuring they remain versatile for a range of garden settings. Their bright, resilient blooms are sure to liven up any hanging baskets, front porch displays, and window boxes.

3. Winter-Flowering Heather

Blooming pink flowers Erica carnea Winter Heath or winter flowering heather in the snow. Spring background, gardening concept.YayImages

Winter-flowering heathers like Erica carnea are wonderful additions to hanging pots and baskets. Their small, bell-shaped flowers bloom during winter, adding winter interest and texture to your outdoor space. 

Trailing heather thrives in well-draining soil and looks beautiful in winter containers, where it can spill over the sides for a dramatic effect. With their subtle yet colorful flowers, winter-flowering heathers are ideal for hanging plant arrangements during the colder months.

4. Evergreen Ferns

Close-up image of a Hart's tongue fern.YayImages

Evergreen ferns bring a lush, woodland aesthetic to winter hanging baskets with their delicate, arching fronds. Hardy varieties like the hart’s-tongue fern (Asplenium scolopendrium) can withstand colder temperatures and shaded environments. 

These ferns provide texture and fullness, adding depth to any arrangement. Their ability to thrive in low light makes them perfect for shaded patios or entryways during winter.

5. Cyclamen

Different shades of pink Cyclamen flowers in a garden setting.YayImages

Cyclamen, particularly the hardy Cyclamen hederifolium, is a stunning addition to winter hanging baskets. Its heart-shaped leaves and delicate blooms in shades of pink, red, and white bring vibrancy to any winter display. 

Cyclamen prefers partial shade and well-drained soil, making it adaptable to a variety of outdoor spaces. This plant is not only beautiful but also resilient, enduring colder temperatures with ease.

6. Ajuga

Blooming blue Ajuga or bugleweeds growing in a meadow.YayImages

Ajuga, also known as bugleweed, is a semi-evergreen ground cover that brings rich color and texture to winter baskets. Its foliage, which comes in deep burgundy, bronze, or green hues, offers year-round interest, especially during the winter.

Ajuga thrives in partial to full shade, making it ideal for darker corners of the garden. Its low-maintenance nature ensures that it will continue to look stunning even with minimal care during the colder months.

7. Lamium

Purple dead nettle plant growing in a garden.YayImages

Lamium, or dead nettle, is a hardy plant known for its attractive silver-patterned leaves and trailing habit. This plant thrives in shaded areas, making it perfect for winter baskets that don’t receive a lot of sunlight.

Lamium’s subtle pink or white flowers bloom in colder weather, adding a delicate touch to your outdoor display. Its resilience and unique foliage make it an eye-catching, low-maintenance option for winter gardens.

8. Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Heuchera coral bells in a pot with other winter container plants.YayImages

Heuchera, commonly known as coral bells, is renowned for its vibrant foliage, which comes in a range of colors including purple, bronze, and green. These evergreen perennials adds bold texture and color to winter hanging baskets.

Heuchera thrives in partial shade and can tolerate cold weather, making it a great addition to winter gardens. Its striking leaves are the perfect way to keep outdoor spaces lively during the colder months.

9. Hellebores

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Hellebores, also known as Lenten roses, are winter-blooming perennial plants that offer elegant blooms in shades of white, pink, and purple. These hardy perennials thrive in shaded areas and can withstand freezing temperatures, making them ideal for winter hanging baskets.

Their large, cup-shaped flowers bring a sense of sophistication to any winter garden display. Hellebores also have evergreen foliage, providing year-round interest even when not in bloom.

10. Sedum

Sedum autumn joy in the garden with pink flowers.YayImages

Sedum varieties such as ‘Angelina’ and ‘Autumn Joy’ are excellent choices for winter baskets, offering both structure and color. These hardy plants have trailing, fleshy leaves that can tolerate frost and drought, thriving in full sun.

Sedum adds a unique texture to any hanging pot or basket, and their late-season blooms provide lasting beauty into the winter. Their low-maintenance nature makes them perfect for gardeners who want striking displays with minimal upkeep.

11. Skimmia Japonica

Closeup photo of Skimmia japonica flower in a winter garden.YayImages

Skimmia japonica is a compact evergreen shrub that offers glossy green leaves and bright red berries, making it perfect for festive winter baskets. This plant thrives in partial shade and cooler climates, requiring little maintenance throughout the season.

Its rich green foliage creates a beautiful contrast with its vivid berries, adding a decorative touch to winter landscapes. Skimmia is ideal for hanging baskets that need a bold pop of color during the winter months.

12. Liriope

Liriope monkey grass growing in a gardenYayImages

Liriope muscari, or monkey grass, is an evergreen perennial that brings grassy texture and purple flower spikes to winter hanging baskets. This plant’s arching, narrow leaves create a cascading effect, perfect for adding depth and movement to your winter displays.

Liriope thrives in both sun and shade, and its hardiness makes it well-suited for colder weather. With its evergreen foliage, Liriope ensures your baskets remain full and vibrant even in the depths of winter.

13. English Primrose

Primrose with red flowers potted flower on an outdoor cafe table.YayImages

English primrose is an early bloomer that brings vibrant color to winter hanging baskets, with flowers in shades of yellow, pink, and purple. These cold-tolerant perennials thrive in partial shade, making them perfect for winter garden displays.

Their rosettes of bright flowers stand out against their lush green foliage, creating a cheerful winter display. English primroses add a pop of color when most other plants are dormant, making them a must-have for winter baskets.

14. Winter Jasmine

Winter jasmine yellow flower.YayImages

Winter jasmine is a deciduous shrub with arching stems that trail beautifully from hanging baskets. Its bright yellow flowers bloom in late winter, providing a burst of sunshine in cold, gray months.

Winter jasmine thrives in full sun and is hardy, tolerating a variety of soil conditions. Its cascading habit and early blooms make it a great choice for adding color and movement to winter displays.

15. Snow-in-Summer

Cerastium tomentosum or snow-in-summer is an herbaceous flowering plant and a member of the family Caryophyllaceae.YayImages

Snow-in-Summer is a hardy perennial with silver-grey foliage that remains attractive throughout the winter. Although it blooms mainly in late spring, its foliage adds striking texture and color contrast in winter hanging baskets.

Snow-in-Summer thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, ensuring it can withstand colder conditions. Its trailing habit makes it ideal for filling out the edges of hanging baskets, providing a soft, cascading effect.

16. Wintergreen

Decoration pot with santa claus and Gaultheria Procumbens - WIntergreen plant.YayImages

Wintergreen is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and bright red berries, offering festive color during the winter months. This low-growing plant thrives in shaded areas and colder climates, making it a perfect choice for winter hanging baskets.

Wintergreen also has a delightful minty fragrance, adding a sensory experience to your garden. Its resilient nature ensures it will look fresh and lively throughout the season.

17. Ornamental Cabbage

Ornamental Cabbage covered with hoarfrost in winter.YayImages

Ornamental cabbage is a showstopper in winter hanging baskets, with its large, textured leaves that come in shades of purple, pink, and white. This hardy plant can tolerate frost, adding bold color and structure to your garden when most other plants are dormant.

Ornamental cabbage thrives in full sun and provides lasting visual interest, even in cold temperatures. Its unique foliage adds an eye-catching element to winter baskets, ensuring they remain vibrant.

18. Carex

Carex or sedge grass growing in a winter container.YayImages

Carex is an excellent choice for adding soft, cascading texture to winter baskets. This evergreen grass comes in various shades of green, gold, and bronze, bringing subtle color and movement to your winter displays.

Carex is cold-tolerant and thrives in both sun and shade, making it a versatile plant for winter gardens. Its fine, arching leaves provide a graceful, flowing effect that complements other plants in your hanging baskets.

19. Wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei)

Wintercreeper Emerald Gaiety - Latin name - Euonymus fortunei Emerald Gaiety.YayImages

Wintercreeper is a resilient evergreen vine that thrives in cold weather, making it perfect for winter hanging baskets. Its dense, glossy foliage stays vibrant all season long, providing a rich green backdrop for other plants.

Wintercreeper is adaptable to both sun and shade, and its creeping habit makes it ideal for trailing over the edges of hanging baskets. This hardy plant requires minimal maintenance, making it a dependable addition to any winter garden.

20. Japanese Spurge

Pachysandra terminalis or Japanese spurge.YayImages

Pachysandra, or Japanese spurge, is a low-growing evergreen that offers glossy, dark green leaves, perfect for winter hanging baskets. This hardy plant thrives in shaded areas and tolerates cold temperatures, making it a great option for adding structure to winter displays.

Pachysandra’s dense foliage helps fill out baskets, creating a lush, full appearance throughout the season. Its resilience and minimal care requirements make it an excellent choice for maintaining a beautiful garden year-round.

Hedera Helix or Devil's ivy in a pots for a winter hanging basket.YayImages

Conclusion

Winter is a good time to get creative with your flower baskets and create displays that brighten up your garden. From winter-flowering heathers to hardy evergreens, these great plants ensure your outdoor space stays beautiful through the cooler months. 

By choosing the types of plants that thrive in winter conditions, you’ll create beautiful hanging baskets that provide lasting color and texture. Whether you’re looking to make a statement by your front door or keep your garden full of life, these winter hanging plants will see you through until next spring.

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