Ferns love moist soil and shady conditions, but some are even known to thrive in hanging baskets.
While a fern requires more devotion and routine care when placed in a container environment than when planted in the ground, this extra labor has a definite payoff in the form of a lush and healthy fern.
Ferns in hanging baskets can dramatically improve the curb appeal of your home or add botanical charm to your patio space.
As long as you adhere to their specific sunlight, water, and fertilizer needs, the following ferns are among the ideal choices for hanging baskets.
Boston Fern
A happy and healthy Boston fern is a marvelous sight to behold. These old beauties pair amazingly well with even minimalist and modern home structures. Boston ferns do best in settings with full to partial shade. It’s common to find these ferns hanging beneath awnings or within screened porches where they have some protection from the sun.
Line your basket with rich organic soil before placing your greenery within it. These plants require consistently moist soil but take care not to overwater so that the earth becomes waterlogged.
The Boston fern is a light feeder, so you want to go easy on the fertilizer. A diluted, water-soluble fertilizer works best.
Boston ferns can grow quite large (up to three feet high and four feet wide), so be sure to hoist your plant up in a medium-to-large basket to accommodate its growth habit.
Lady Fern
The lady fern, known more formally as Athyrium, is a real charmer with its ornamental fronds and medium-green hue. Lady ferns require full to partial shade to thrive. One of the great things about this fern is its low-maintenance care requirements.
Outfit your basket with decent potting soil and be sure to water your lady fern routinely so that the dirt stays moist but not boggy. Lady ferns grow to about 20 inches tall so be sure to hang them with their growth habit in mind. Plan to fertilize your fern about once each month with a water-soluble fertilizer.
Although this fern looks beautiful on its own, it pairs well with other plants to create an eye-catching mixed arrangement.
Kimberly Queen Fern
The Kimberly queen fern is a real showstopper, which is why it often gets a prominent spot on front porches or patios. Kimberly is sometimes called a sword fern because its straight, narrow fronds grow outward.
This fern, striking for its dark green hue, will add both color and texture to any exterior space. This shade-loving tropical can grow to a height of 3 feet, so be sure you plant it in a basket that provides room for expansion.
The Kimberly queen fern tolerates general potting soil well, but be sure to keep it well-watered without waterlogging the soil.
Also, don’t over-fertilize this fern; experts suggest fertilizing this plant every six months. If you don’t have a shady spot for your basket, this fern will tolerate partial sun quite well as long as you consistently meet its watering needs.
Hay-Scented Fern
The hay-scented fern is an interesting choice for a hanging basket, but certainly a good choice. As its name implies, this fern features a hay-like fragrance that can leave your porch area with a fresh, country-inspired smell that’s pleasing.
The hay-scented fern can grow up to three feet tall, so be sure that your hanging basket is at least ten inches deep to provide sufficient room for growth. This fern does well in partial shade or partial sun, but it requires rich, well-draining soil and consistent moisture.
In the fall, this beauty’s lovely green fronds take on an orange hue that will add loads of curb appeal to your home’s exterior.
Maidenhair Fern
The maidenhair fern is a container-loving stunner that boasts unique, feathery foliage, but it has to be noted–it’s a bit of a diva. Insistent upon good air circulation as well as some humidity, the maidenhair fern should be placed in full or partial shade and provided with fertile, well-draining soil.
Be careful not to overwater this plant, or it could be susceptible to rot. If possible, water the maidenhair fern with distilled water and feed it with a liquid fertilizer about once a week.
If you need to bring this fern indoors during the winter, you can avoid fertilizing it. This fern features dazzling blue-green foliage that is sure to enliven your outdoor space. It will grow up to three feet, so be sure its basket allows for this potential growth.
Best Selling Baskets for Hanging Ferns
- Perfect Unique Hanging Planters: 4 Metal fall hanging baskets for plants outdoor, natural coco coir liners & plastic saucer included, natural coco fiber have stronger breath ability and water retention, make the plants not dry out in large hanging flower pots
- Weatherproof Designs: Beautiful outdoor hanging plant pot frame made of carbon steel and anti-rust powder coated, rustproof and safe to use outdoor, plastic saucer can keep suitable waters for your plants, save your time to water them. Make the plant grow more healthy and vigorous, prevent excess water from escaping and keep your floor clean
- Stylish Garden Decor: These Hanging flower baskets are charming outdoor decorations for garden, porch, patio, pergola, balcony, greening projects, Multi-purpose outdoor hanging plant holder, hanging pots perfect for home and garden lovers
- Easy to Use: Assembles quickly without tools,chains and hook installed make it so easy, just need to put the liner in the prepared hanging baskets and put plastic saucer in the coco liner,next put soil and plant in basket, then the planting work is easily completed
- Quantity & Dimension: 4 Pack 14 inch hanging planters for outdoor plants, measures approximately 14" Diameter X 22" Height (6.25" Deep) .
- GRACEFULLY CURVING FRONDS: Sword-shaped fronds with shallow toothed pinnate gracefully hang down 40", adding an elegant, natural touch to any room
- LUSH, EVERGREEN BEAUTY: Overflowing with tiny evergreen leaves, this Boston Fern offers a full, vibrant look that remains fresh all year round
- VERSATILE DISPLAY OPTIONS: Ideal for hanging baskets, pedestals, or windowsills, this fern brings a simple yet stunning touch of greenery to any indoor setting
- SET OF 2, STAND-ALONE FERNS: Includes two individually potted Boston Ferns, perfect for placing them together or separately for a balanced décor look
- MAINTENANCE-FREE AND REALISTIC: Crafted from high-quality synthetic materials, these faux plants maintain their lush appearance with no watering or upkeep required
- HOME DECOR ACCENT: A beautiful lifelike plant perfect to accent any room or space for year-round greenery. The Boston Fern is one of nature's best-loved ferns. The reasons are obvious - it's big, billowy, has pretty stems and leaves reach out and dip downward in a pleasing effect... no wonder they are used to decorate worldwide. This large Boston Fern hanging basket perfectly personifies everything we love about this plant, with the bonus of never needing water or sun. Makes a great gift as well.
- CRAFTED OF QUALITY MATERIALS: Our designers have years of experience in the live plant industry; Nearly Natural fake plants, trees, and other artificial greenery are inspired by nature and crafted from premium materials to mimic the outdoors
- DIMENSIONS & SIZE: Product Dimensions: 42 In. W x 42 In. D x 22 In. H ; Hanging Basket Dimensions: H: 7 In. W: 10 In. D: 10 In. ; Measurements are calculated from each furthest outstretched dimension
- EASY TO MAINTAIN: Bendable branches and stems allow for easy reshaping to reach the desired fullness and shape. To ensure your artificial trees and faux plants always look fresh, dust once a month with a feather duster
- VERSATILE DECORATION: Perfect for filling a large area
- Set of 4:Hanging basket for plants is made of metal & cocoa fiber lining.Designed with your gardening needs in mind,best choice for decorating indoors or outdoors.
- Sturdy Material:Flower frame and chain surface are plated with black coating to prevent rust,coconut palm fiber can keep the moisture of plants,which is environmentally friendly and durable.
- Easy to install:3 chains and hooks can be installed quickly without tools.Metal hanging planter thickened palm pad has good bearing capacity.
- Multi Use:Hanging planter outdoors great for living flowers,cacti,succulents,violets and other plants.The classic country-style design is perfect for your house,garden,balcony,porch,etc.
- Easy to Maintain：This round hanging plant baskets are easy to maintain and require minimal upkeep, making them a convenient option for busy gardeners or those new to gardening. These hanging round plant baskets can be used to grow a variety of plants, from flowering annuals to fresh herbs, making them a versatile addition to any gardener's collection.
- 【Package & Size】Pack of 4 hanging planters. Hanging baskets for plants outdoor is 8 inches, the depth is 4.3 inches（Please note the size before ordering).
- 【Unique Design】With classic rustic-style design,With updated metal waterproof chain and the thick natural coco liner.Let plants back to nature! This wire hanging Planter baskets combined natural coconut fiber and traditional handmade iron basket.
- 【Easy to install】Hanging planter for outdoor plants 3 chains and hooks can be installed quickly without tools.outdoor hanging planters with pot thickened palm pad has good bearing capacity.
- 【Hanging Occasion】All the liners are made from natural coconut fiber, which has good air permeability.The thicker cocoa fiber and natural coconut shell layer contains a water-retaining lining. It is the savior of flowers, especially under the influence of sunlight and wind, it can also work perfectly in your hanging pot and retain moisture. You can also use them with various potted plants on the porch.
- 【Multi Use】Hanging planter outdoors great for living flowers,cacti,green leaf plants,succulents,violets and other plants.The classic country-style design is perfect for your house,garden,balcony,porch,etc.
Last update on 2025-04-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Ferns are susceptible to freezing, so if you live in a setting that experiences frost, you should plan to bring your ferns inside for the winter. With these care tips in mind, these ferns should thrive in your basket and enhance the look of your home’s outdoor space.
