Watering Tips for Hanging Flower Baskets 

Summer is near, and as you move outside, you might want to move your hanging baskets outside too. Whether inside or outside, you will need to water your hanging baskets properly to keep your plants happy and healthy.

Types of watering cans for hanging baskets

The first thing you want to consider is the watering can. There is a wide variety out there, so you will want to find the right can or cans for your needs.

Styles

There are generally two styles of watering cans: free-flow and rose. Free-flow will have long narrow spouts and usually works better indoors because you can put the water exactly where you want it, and the rose variety has a wider spigot with a lot of holes, which is more appropriate for outdoors.

The watering can’s handle should feel comfortable in your hand because water is heavier than you think, and it can be difficult to water your plants if the handle doesn’t fit your hand properly. Also, make sure that the handle doesn’t get in the way of filling the watering can.

You might also want to look at using a mister or spray bottle. They will hold less water but will make watering indoor hanging baskets easier and less messy.

You may also want to look at bottles with a long, curved spout. You can place the downward pointing end of the spout over the basket, then squeeze the bottle, squirting water into the soil beneath the foliage.

Bottle Size

Water is heavy, heavier than you might think. If you have a large watering can, it will get heavy and hard to control as your arm tires, so look for one in the 32-64 ounce range for indoor hanging baskets. Outside, you can probably manage a larger watering can because slopping a little water over the edge of your baskets won’t create as much of a mess.

Materials

Watering cans come in a variety of materials, sizes, and shapes. Decide what you want to spend, then look for a watering can in that price range.

• Plastic cans tend to be cheaper, but they will come in a wider variety of styles, however, they might not last as long.
• Galvanized steel makes for a sturdy, long-lasting can, but will cost more than plastic. 
• Stainless steel will last a long time and look great, but you will pay a premium price.
• Copper might be the most attractive material, but like stainless, you will pay a premium price for it.
• If you are just watering hanging baskets outside, a watering wand on your hose might do the trick. It is inexpensive, easy to use, and will last a long time.

Make sure that the watering can fits your hand comfortably and that you can reach up high enough to tilt the can so that the water pours out into your basket.

Types of pots for hanging baskets

Before you do anything, make sure that the plant in your hanging basket isn’t root-bound. If it is, move it to a larger pot.

Your pot needs to drain, but you want to make sure that water doesn’t run out onto your floor. So pick a pot that has a saucer beneath it to keep you from accidentally watering the floor.

You can choose from the following:

• Ceramic
• Clay
• Plastic
• Resin

You will have a lot of choices–all sorts of colors and styles, along with methods to suspend them. Just make sure that they can drain without making a mess, and that they aren’t hanging so high that you can’t pour water into them.

The Best type of soil for hanging basket plants

Start with quality potting soil. You will want to add vermiculite and/or perlite to hold moisture because hanging baskets tend to dry out faster than pots on the ground or soil in your beds. Sphagnum moss and coco coir will also help your hanging pots retain moisture. One new product that you might want to look into is water-absorbing crystals. They absorb moisture when you water plants, then slowly release it as the soil around them dries.

When to water your hanging baskets

Whether your pots are hanging or on the ground, you will want the soil to be damp but not wet–however, this does vary with the type of plants in your basket.

Morning generally works best for watering–it gives your plants the water that they need during the heat of the day. Because weather, especially humidity and temperature, will affect the amount of water a plant needs, check the soil instead of sticking to a regular schedule.

Insert your finger and see how far down you need to go to find moist soil. You shouldn’t have to go down farther than an inch for most plants. Adding water sooner could provide too much water and damage the roots.

You can also look at the leaves. When they are limp, curled, brown, or dry, the plant needs water. Give them a good watering and they should quickly perk up.

How to water your hanging baskets

Tap water has chlorine and fluoride so you might want to collect rainwater or use bottled water for your hanging plants. (You can leave tap water in an open container for 24 hours, and the chlorine will evaporate).

Your water should be room temperature. So don’t use chilled water from your refrigerator.

If possible, when you water, water the soil, not the foliage. Water on the foliage can damage the leaves on some plants.

Indoor hanging baskets need less water than the same plants would outdoors. The warmer air and the constant breeze both tend to dry out the soil, so check your outdoor baskets more often. However, during the winter, the dry air inside could dry your baskets out quickly, so check them carefully during the winter, though some plants do go dormant during the winter and need less water.

When in doubt, it isbetter to under water–you can always add more later.

If you are mechanically inclined and find watering your hanging baskets tedious, you can set up a drip irrigation system that is almost totally automated. The components are easy to find online and you should be able to rig a system that will save you work and keep your plants happy.

As you get your hanging baskets ready:

• Make sure that you have a watering can or bottle that allows you to easily get the water into the soil in the pot easily without making a mess. 
• Make sure that your soil is fresh and will help keep your plants’ roots wet but not waterlogged,
• And make sure that you water them frequently enough but not too frequently.

As spring changes to summer, if you follow these recommendations, your house and patio will be adorned with beautiful blooms and foliage. You will be the envy of your friends and neighbors.