Hanging planters for balconies and gardens: The best geranium ideas

Hanging baskets take summer flowers to a new level – literally. They showcase blooms where there would otherwise be nothing but thin air. Hanging planters have adorned Europe’s gardens, courtyards and balconies for centuries. Even today, they still look like floating clouds of flowers on the patio or between trees in the garden.
Geraniums are perfect for hanging planters. They’re easy to care for, withstand wind and weather, and bloom for months in vibrant colours. Each hanging basket is a real showpiece, transforming even a small outdoor space into a blooming paradise.
Here are some creative ideas from Pelargonium for Europe’s design experts for special geranium hanging baskets. Be insired and brighten up your garden or balcony with suspended flower displays!

Table of contents

Why hanging baskets can enhance your outdoor space
Hanging basket ideas: creative inspiration
What hanging containers are available?
Which geraniums are suitable for hanging planters?
Tips for planting up hanging planters and baskets
The best places for geranium hanging baskets
Low maintenance and hardy: 3 simple care tips for geranium hanging planters
Questions and answers on hanging baskets

Why hanging baskets can enhance your outdoor space

Decorative hanging planters can transform your outdoor space into a stylish oasis of calm. They add a splash of colour to your patio, balcony or garden. Whether as a floating cloud of flowers on a pergola, a colourful accent on a house wall, or a contemporary design feature above a lounge area, modern geranium hanging baskets bring elegance and airiness to any outdoor area.

Why hanging planters can enhance your outdoor space

– They draw the eye upwards: Multiple levels make a space feel larger and more airy.
– They add stylish colour accents: they give character to outdoor spaces and bring flowers to eye level.
– They create a clean, airy feel: no jumble of pots, just a clean, elegant look.
Tip: Combine hanging baskets at different heights to create an intriguing play of colour – like a floating waterfall of flowers that gently sway in the breeze, bringing your outdoor space to life.

Hanging planter ideas: creative inspiration

Hanging baskets are not only practical – they make a statement. Whether you’re transforming your balcony into a stylish lounge, adding a Mediterranean feel to your patio or creating a romantic floral backdrop in the garden, choosing the right design makes all the difference.

Elegance in the air: simple, stylish hanging planters

Less is more. White geraniums in simple concrete or ceramic hanging containers look modern yet timeless. They contrast softly with the natural tones of the planters and the delicacy of the hanging mechanisms, to create a calm, stylish atmosphere.

🌿 Why this look works:
These hanging containers make the plants seem to float freely in the room. No bulky pots on the floor, no excessive decoration – just simple shapes and soft flowers that look light and airy.

💡 How to get the look:
– Minimalist concrete or ceramic hanging planters in muted colours create a sophisticated look.
– White flowering geraniums add to the calm, stylish aesthetic.
– Delicately trailing foliage plants add a playful, airy touch.

These hanging planters are the epitome of understated elegance. They’re perfect for modern outdoor spaces where simple shapes and quality materials are the focus. Minimalist, stylish and simply beautiful in the best sense of the word.

Boho vibes in the open air: macramé hanging basket

Light and airy macramé hanging baskets, warm natural tones and gently swaying trailing geraniums: This look conjures up a relaxed summer mood. These knotted pot holders look even better paired with fairy lights or paper lanterns. A perfect, playful way to decorate for special occasions.

🌿 Why this look is magical:
These hanging twine designs have an airy, laidback feel, with the macramé holders giving the planters a soft, natural look. The pots have been filled with easy-care, single flowered, trailing geraniums that will bloom for months with little effort. As geraniums need plenty of sunlight to bloom prolifically, this tree display is only suitable as a temporary feature – for a garden party, a wedding or simply to transform an outdoor space into a stylish boho oasis for a short period of time.

💡 How to achieve the look:
– Easy-care, single-flowering trailing geraniums emphasise the lightness of the design with their natural growth habit.
– Macramé hanging baskets made of cotton or twine make great outdoor displays.
– Fairy lights and paper lanterns bathe the garden in warm, soft light and round off the boho style perfectly.

This combination brings a boho feel to the garden with minimum effort – a touch of festival vibes, romantic and totally informal.

Warm terracotta & blooming geraniums: a covered seat as a design statement

Hanging baskets of red geraniums against warm terracotta walls bring a holiday feel to this patio. The combination of rattan, wooden furniture and palm trees creates a Mediterranean ambience.

🌿 Why this look is so inspiring:
The covered seat brings structure and depth to your garden, sheltering you from wind and prying eyes without closing off your space. A cosy reading nook, an inspiring workspace or a stylish lounge, it combines functionality and aesthetics to bring that holiday feeling home.

💡 How to create the look:
– Build a wooden sturcture and paint it a warm terracotta red for a Mediterranean feel.
– Add hanging baskets of red geraniums to provide a splash of colour.
– Combine rattan and wooden furniture to bring out the natural look.
– Add palm trees and more geraniums for the perfect summer ambience.

This covered seat is both comfortable and unique. Perfect for reading, thinking or enjoying a glass of wine in the evening. If you want your garden to be all about style and enjoyment, then this is the perfect idea for you.

Hanging planters with vintage charm – nostalgia meets character

Why buy new pots? Upcycling makes this display unique: old ceramic lampshades are transformed into retro hanging planters. Combined with pink geraniums, the result is a colourful statement. Making your own hanging containers is so easy!

🌿 What makes this style special:
Here, discarded objects are given a new lease of life. Instead of conventional hanging pots, old ceramic lampshades transform this outdoor area into a stylish vintage oasis. Their curved shapes, the often handmade details and the warm colours make them special. The vibrant flowers energise and make the planters look like floating flower heads.

💡 How to create the look:
– Use old ceramic lampshades as hanging planters. The more detailed they are, the more impressive the result.
– Choose strong flower colours such as hot pink or red. This will make the geraniums stand out.
– Combine different shapes and hang them at different heights. This adds to the playful feel.

These unique hanging planters combine sustainability with creative design. They add personality to outdoor spaces, tell stories and transform gardens, patios or balconies into romantic retreats with character.

➡️ Fancy making a simple hanging planter from faux leather? Get the trend with a video tutorial!

Scandinavian airiness – hanging baskets with scented geraniums

Simple, woven baskets and delicately scented geraniums create a minimalist, natural look. Perfect for bright, airy outdoor spaces, covered patios or light-flooded rooms.

🌿 Why this look is so inspiring:
These hanging baskets float in the room but still have a presence and a subtle scent. They are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. As the pots contain only a small amount of soil, the right care is essential.

💡 How to create the look:
– Use woven baskets as hanging planters. They add a natural feel and texture to the room.
– Choose scented geraniums with white or pastel flowers. They emphasise the airiness of the design.
– Arrange several baskets in groups. This creates a harmonious overall look.
– Hang them in a bright, sheltered spot to keep them fresh and fragrant.

These hanging baskets create a gently fragrant, feel-good atmosphere – whether on the balcony, in the kitchen or on the windowsill. They bring the freshness of summer into your home and create a relaxed atmosphere even indoors, making everyday life more pleasant.

A clever combination of hanging planters and tubs – geraniums on multiple levels

More depth, more flowers, more wow effect! Standing geraniums in large containers and hanging geraniums in XXL hanging baskets create depth and a harmonious overall look.

🌿 Why this combination works:
More depth, more flowers, more wow! Zonal geraniums in large containers and trailing geraniums in extra-large hanging planters create depth and a harmonious overall look.

💡 How to get the look:
– Use large potted specimens and columns of geraniums as focal points. They add structure and height.
– Place lower varieties in baskets or small pots for fullness and soft transitions.
– Add trailing geraniums in hanging baskets to create a cascade of flowers.
– Combine colours. Different shades of pale and hot pink create a harmonious overall look.

This technique allows flowers to bloom on multiple levels. The display looks sophisticated but natural – perfect for anyone who loves lush but stylish planting.

What hanging containers are available?

There are basically two main types:
Hanging planters are closed containers with a suspension system that are planted from the top only. They come in a variety of sizes and materials – from simple plastic baskets to elegant ceramic or metal versions. There are models with and without drainage holes and with and without water reservoirs.
Hanging baskets are open wire baskets that can be planted all around. With the right technique and care, the result is a lush ball of flowers that covers the entire container.

Tip: Hanging planters hold water better and are easier to maintain than hanging baskets. The latter have a long tradition in English and French gardens. They require more frequent watering but will reward you with a spectacular display of flowers.

Which geraniums are suitable for hanging planters?

Geraniums come in many varieties – and all are suitable for hanging planters. Trailing geraniums (Pelargonium peltatum) are particularly good, growing up to 1.5m long with long, cascading shoots. They bloom profusely and make an impressive display. To save yourself a bit of work, look for self-cleaning varieties that will drop their dead flowers on their own.
Zonal geraniums (Pelargonium zonale) are also suitable for hanging containers. They provide a fullness at the top. Scented, butterfly, and ornamental leaf geraniums or regal pelargoniums are good for accents. Their eye-catching flowers and distinctive leaf structures work best in smaller hanging containers where they are not overshadowed by lush cascades.
Tip: If you love structure and variety, combine zonal and trailing geraniums in a large container to create an impressive hanging planter. The upright zonal varieties create volume in the centre, while the trailing geraniums flow loosely downwards. This creates a stylish, lush overall look.

Tips for planting up hanging planters and baskets

For geraniums to thrive in hanging planters, it’s important to have the right pot, correct placement and suitable soil. The container should be at least 18cm deep to give the roots enough room. A diameter of 20cm is fine for a single geranium, while larger containers offer more scope for combinations. Plant placement is also important, with zonal geraniums in the centre and trailing varieties at the edges. This creates a harmonious overall effect with a natural, flowing look. Good drainage is also crucial – either through pores in the soil or a layer of expanded clay, and a good instinct when it comes to watering. Important: Water any hanging planter slowly to allow the soil to absorb the water well. Avoid waterlogging.
A good quality potting compost will keep plants alive for a long time. A watering rim of about 2cm will prevent fluid from overflowing when watering.
Tip for hanging baskets: Line them with coconut matting, moss or garden fleece to help prevent the soil from escaping. This keeps it in place and allows the plants to develop undisturbed.

The best location for geranium hanging baskets

• Geraniums need sun – the more light they get, the more they will flower. Hang your finished basket in a bright spot where the plants will receive at least six hours of sunlight a day.
• On a patio or under a pergola, they create a Mediterranean feel. Suspended from wooden beams, they look almost like a flowering blanket and bring life to outside spaces.
• Patios and entrance areas are also perfect for hanging planters of geraniums. Their vibrant blooms welcome guests and make the house feel more inviting.
• In the garden, you can attach hanging baskets to sturdy branches. This looks natural and adds colour where green is the dominant colour. However, geraniums flower less well in partial shade, as shadows aren’t their natural habitat.
• Hanging scented geraniums in an (outdoor) kitchen combines floral displays with practical use. Their scent is said to repel mosquitoes and plants that are labelled as “foodstuff” are also edible.
• No fixed hanging point? No problem. Freestanding hanging baskets or metal arches can be positioned anywhere. So your geraniums always get what they need: plenty of sun.

Tip: When hanging containers, make sure dripping water doesn’t stain furniture, upholstery or floors. A suitable drip tray or a location above gravel, grass or flower beds will prevent unsightly water marks.

Low maintenance and hardy: 3 simple care tips for geranium hanging baskets

Geraniums are hardy and low-maintenance. They are tolerant of short periods of drought and require little care – they will flower for months with little effort. They also do well in hanging planters, which dry out more quickly than tubs or beds. A few simple measures will keep a finished hanging basket healthy and flowering.

Water correctly: Hanging planters allow water to evaporate from all sides, not just the top. On most days, a thorough watering in the morning is enough. In extreme heat, you may need to give extra fluid in the evening, especially for baskets, which dry out more quickly. Good drainage is important to allow excess water to run off and prevent waterlogging.

➡️ Click here for tips on watering hanging baskets.

The best location: Geraniums need sun. The more light they get, the more they will flower. A sheltered spot will prevent strong winds damaging the shoots or the soil from drying out too quickly.

Feed for long-lasting flowers: Lush geraniums grow best in hanging containers. Slow-release fertiliser in the form of granules or fertiliser sticks provides a steady supply. Alternatively, liquid feed will boost flowering.

➡️ Everything you need to know about fertilising geraniums. Follow the link!

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Questions and answers on hanging planters

Which plants are suitable for hanging planters?

Geraniums are ideal as they are sun-loving, hardy and low-maintenance. Trailing strawberries (sun), fuchsias (partial shade) or spider plants (all-rounders) also do well in hanging baskets.

How many geraniums per planter?

Two plants are fine for a hanging basket of 25-30cm diameter, larger containers of 35cm+ will hold three to five geraniums. Planting too close together will reduce growth.

How do I care for geraniums in hanging planters?

Water daily, and on hot days in the morning and evening. A slow-release or liquid fertiliser, applied according to the instructions on the pack, will keep the flowers in good condition. Remove dead blooms regularly.

What’s the ideal location?

Geraniums need at least six hours of sun a day. A spot sheltered from the wind will prevent shoots from breaking off or the soil from drying out too quickly.

Which hanging containers are suitable?

Hanging planters hold water better and are easier to maintain than hanging baskets. The latter, however, offer spectacular balls of flowers.