Grow Potted Flowers and Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

Hanging flower baskets and planters are a great way to brighten the view almost anywhere. But if you have potted plants that also attract hummingbirds, the scene can be even more spectacular. Imagine several gorgeous hummingbirds hovering around your hanging baskets, each vying for a dining spot. And once they find your flowers, it’s likely they’ll return again and again all season long. Luckily, it’s not difficult to make that dream a reality. Just start with the simple tips and ideas to choose potted flowers and plants that attract hummingbirds.

1. How to Choose Potted Plants That Attract Hummingbirds

There are several factors to consider when choosing hummingbird flowers that will thrive in containers or hanging baskets.

Nectar

First, look for nectar-rich, tubular blooms, such as those on penstemon, salvia and petunia. Hummers are able to access the nectar easily with their long, narrow bills and tongues.

Plant Form

Since hummers typically feed while hovering, flowers that stick out from a plant’s foliage, by either protruding or dangling, provide ample air space so the birds’ beating wings easily clear any leaves.

Color

People often associate hummingbirds with the color red, and for good reason. These inquisitive birds can see red from a great distance, so offering nectar-rich red flowers should always get their attention. However, they’ll eagerly sip nectar from flowers in almost any hue, including orange, pink, purple, white and yellow.

Did you know: hummingbirds can see even MORE colors than humans, according to researchers.

Number of Flowers

The amount of blooms a plant produces also plays a big role in attracting these tiny birds. Plants with multiple flowers in open clusters are more appealing than plants that feature a small selection of large blooms.

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Think Like a Hummingbird

How much more enticing is a buffet table laden with multiple food offerings than several tables spaced 10 feet apart, each featuring only a few dishes of food?

Bloom Time

Plants with a long flowering season will provide nectar for an extended period of time. Another way to achieve this is to choose flowers with staggered bloom times—whether in one basket or by offering several hanging baskets.

Psst—check out frequently asked questions about feeding hummingbirds.

2. Choose a Container for Hummingbird Flowers

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Hummingbirds aren’t going to care what type of container you use—whether you select plastic, wood, pottery or a wire basket lined with sphagnum moss. However, the size of the planter will affect its upkeep and placement.

Hanging baskets for hummers should be at least 12 inches in diameter. Lightweight pots or smaller containers are easier to handle, but larger containers hold more plants, make for a more eye-catching display and keep plant roots moist longer.

Just remember that a heavy pot or large container can easily weigh 50 pounds or more when filled with damp soil and plants. These will need heavy-duty hooks and require strong support.

3. Design a Garden With Potted Flowers That Attract Hummingbirds

Courtesy Nancy MacDonald Uggla

The sky’s the limit when it comes to the variety of flowers and foliage that work well in hanging baskets. Reader Barbara Wiser of Dodge City, Alabama, asks, “What can I plant in baskets to hang near my hummingbird feeder? It’s mostly sunny and I don’t want them to be too heavy.”

Gardening expert Melinda Myers says, “You have quite a few options. Petunias look great in hanging baskets, and many of the new varieties require less deadheading. Another longtime favorite, geranium, will help attract hummingbirds, too; look for heat-tolerant varieties like Maverick. Or grow Blizzard, Cascade or Summer Series ivy geraniums that can take the heat. Bidens and lantana have lovely flowers, tolerate heat well and look nice in hanging baskets. Cupheas such as firecracker plant and bat face are real hummingbird magnets and usually thrive in your climate.”

You can always count on traditional hummingbird favorite flowers—fuchsias and nasturtiums, for instance—to create a spectacular hanging display. Cigar plant, coral bells, lobelia, salvia, verbena and zinnia are good choices, too.

But even vines and upright perennials, such as garden phlox, veronica or penstemon, can look attractive in larger baskets and appeal to a hummingbird’s appetite.

Here are some other design factors to consider.

Color and texture

A combination of both foliage and flowers creates the most alluring effect. For example, the purple foliage of some coral bell cultivars add drama, while the blooms provide nectar. Combine different leaf shapes or forms for a striking arrangement, and create special tactile interest by using plants with different textures.

Height and form

Bring depth and visual interest to your hanging garden by combining potted flowers and plants that attract hummingbirds with staggered heights and habits. For example, you could place mounding or upright plants, such as salvia, penstemon or zinnias, toward the center of the pot, then accent with trailing plants—such as verbena, parrot’s beak or trailing petunias—positioned along the outer edges to spill over the sides.

Plant requirements

No matter what combinations you select, be sure that plants destined to share the same basket also share similar water and light needs.

4. Gather Materials for Baskets

Now that you know what you’ll be planting, it’s time to gather the materials needed to make your baskets. Start with the soil. A good lightweight potting mix is a must, preferably one that includes peat moss and perlite or vermiculite to provide aeration and drainage.

Next, plan the arrangement. It’s a good idea to set out your plants ahead of time to figure out the best arrangement. The spacing needed between each plant will depend on the varieties and the container you’ve selected, and the nature of the plant’s growth habits and characteristics.

Smaller plants can be spaced closer together than larger plants, so the total number will vary. But as a general rule, a 12-inch container will house about five to seven plants. Wire baskets fit more plants since you can also plant in the sides.

5. How to Plant Your Potted Flowers

Now it’s time to position your potted plants that attract hummingbirds. Once you’ve determined the arrangement, fill the pot two-thirds full with potting mix and plant the largest plants and those in the center first, followed by the smaller plants and those around the outer edges of your container.

Be sure to place the plants at the original depth as they were in their containers. Then secure them in place with additional soil and water well. Wire baskets are a bit different because in addition to the top, both the sides and even the bottom of the container can be planted, creating a colossal sphere of living color.

Line the basket with a thick layer of damp sphagnum moss or a preformed fiber mat liner. Plant the bottom and sides by poking holes through the moss or liner and gently pushing in the plants’ roots from the outside. Add potting mix and secure the roots as you work your way toward the top of the basket. Then plant the surface as you would for a regular basket.

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6. The Best Locations for Potted Hummingbird Flowers

When hanging your basket, choose a sunny, sheltered location within easy viewing range so you can watch the hummingbirds up close. Or, if your basket contains low-light garden plants, pick an appropriate spot in the shade.

And don’t limit locations to areas near windows—think of the other places you spend time outside. Add pizzazz to boring entrance areas by hanging several baskets near the front door, bring a new dimension to walls and doorways, or add colorful charm to a courtyard. Or, why not expand your hanging garden to a balcony, garden shed, arbor or gazebo?

Wherever you decide to hang your potted flowers that attract hummingbirds, be sure to include a comfortable place nearby where you can sit back, relax and enjoy the view.

Courtesy Mary Lynn Giacomini

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