There’s just something magical about purple flowers swaying gently in the breeze—and when they’re spilling out of a hanging basket? Pure garden joy.
I started with one basket by the porch, and now I’ve got a little purple party going on all over. These blooms are not only gorgeous, but most of them are surprisingly easygoing too. No high-maintenance divas here, just lovely flowers doing their thing.
Here are 20 of my favorite purple hanging beauties, plus a few simple care tips to keep them looking fabulous.
1. Wisteria
Famous for its dramatic cascades of fragrant purple flowers that dangle like grape clusters from woody vines. These showstoppers can grow up to 30 feet, making them perfect for pergolas and arbors where they create a dreamy, romantic canopy.
Wisteria needs full sun and well-draining soil to thrive. Once established, it’s quite drought-tolerant but requires regular pruning to control its vigorous growth. With proper care, these stunning vines can live for decades, becoming more magnificent each year.
2. Clematis
Beloved for their star-shaped blooms in various purple shades from lavender to deep violet. The vining nature makes them perfect for trellises, fences, or hanging baskets where they create a stunning vertical display.
Keep clematis roots cool with mulch while the top enjoys full sun. Most varieties bloom in spring or summer, with some offering a second show in fall. Pruning varies by type, but generally, less is more with these gorgeous climbers.
3. Fuchsia
Charming teardrop-shaped flowers dangle like exotic earrings in striking purple and pink combinations. Their graceful, dancing blooms sway with every breeze, creating movement and life in hanging baskets or window boxes.
Fuchsias prefer morning sun and afternoon shade, making them perfect for east-facing porches. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy. Regular pinching encourages bushier growth and more of those enchanting bell-shaped flowers that hummingbirds simply can’t resist.
4. Trailing Verbena
Clusters of tiny star-shaped flowers form a carpet of vibrant purple that spills beautifully over container edges. This heat-loving perennial blooms continuously from spring through fall, providing months of color with minimal effort.
Trailing verbena thrives in full sun and tolerates drought once established. The sprawling habit makes it perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, or as a colorful ground cover. Deadheading spent blooms encourages fresh flowers and prevents self-seeding.
5. Morning Glory
Trumpet-shaped purple blooms open with the sunrise and close by afternoon, creating a daily magical display. The heart-shaped leaves and twining vines quickly climb trellises or spill from hanging baskets with charming enthusiasm.
Easy to grow from seed, morning glories need full sun and moderate water. Their fast-growing nature means you’ll enjoy flowers by midsummer. The self-seeding habit ensures volunteers year after year, though they’re easy to control if needed.
6. Lobelia
Masses of tiny, intensely purple flowers create a frothy cascade that softens container edges. This cool-season annual puts on a spectacular show in spring and fall, with some varieties continuing through summer in milder climates.
Lobelia prefers partial shade and consistent moisture, making it perfect for hanging baskets in morning sun locations. Regular feeding keeps the blooms coming, while trimming back leggy growth in midsummer can refresh plants for a second flush of flowers.
7. Passion Flower
Exotic, almost alien-looking blooms feature intricate purple filaments surrounding a central structure. The unusual flowers appear along fast-growing vines that can transform a trellis or pergola into a conversation piece almost overnight.
Many passion flower varieties are surprisingly hardy and return year after year. They prefer full sun to light shade and well-draining soil. The unusual flowers attract butterflies, while some varieties produce edible passion fruit as an added bonus.
8. Scaevola
Fan-shaped purple flowers spread outward like tiny open hands, creating a waterfall effect in hanging planters. This heat-loving plant blooms non-stop from spring through fall without deadheading, making it incredibly low-maintenance.
Scaevola thrives in full sun and tolerates drought once established. The trailing habit can spread up to three feet, providing excellent coverage in hanging baskets. Salt tolerance makes it perfect for coastal gardens where other plants might struggle.
9. Lavender
Fragrant purple flower spikes rise above silvery foliage, releasing their calming scent with every gentle breeze. Certain trailing varieties are perfect for hanging baskets where they create both visual and aromatic appeal.
Lavender demands excellent drainage and full sun to thrive. The Mediterranean native actually prefers slightly poor soil and minimal watering once established. Regular harvesting of flower stems encourages bushier growth and more of those wonderfully scented blooms.
10. Calibrachoa
Miniature petunia-like flowers blanket trailing stems in rich purple hues, creating a non-stop color show. These prolific bloomers flower continuously without deadheading, making them perfect low-maintenance options for hanging displays.
Calibrachoa prefers full sun and regular feeding to maintain their impressive flowering performance. Unlike their petunia cousins, they stay relatively compact and don’t get leggy. Their self-cleaning habit means spent blooms simply drop away, keeping plants looking fresh all season.
11. Torenia
Nicknamed ‘wishbone flower’ for the tiny wishbone-shaped stamens inside each blossom. The purple snapdragon-like flowers with yellow throats create a striking display as they spill over basket edges in partial shade locations.
Torenia thrives in the conditions that challenge other annuals—humid, shady spots. Regular watering keeps them blooming from spring through fall. Their compact, trailing habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets where their unique flowers can be appreciated up close.
12. Wave Petunias
Velvety purple blooms blanket these vigorous trailing plants that can spread up to four feet. Unlike traditional petunias, Wave varieties resist becoming leggy and continue flowering without deadheading throughout the season.
Wave petunias demand full sun and regular feeding to fuel their impressive growth. They’re surprisingly drought-tolerant once established but perform best with consistent moisture. Their spreading habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets where they create a stunning purple waterfall effect.
13. Heliotrope
Clusters of tiny, intensely fragrant purple flowers emit a vanilla-almond scent that perfumes the air. The trailing varieties create a beautiful cascade of color and fragrance when planted in hanging baskets near seating areas.
Heliotrope prefers morning sun and afternoon shade in hotter climates. Regular deadheading encourages continuous blooming throughout summer. The intoxicating scent intensifies in the evening, making these perfect additions to patios and porches where you gather after sunset.
14. Thunbergia
Commonly called black-eyed Susan vine for its distinctive dark centers surrounded by purple petals. The fast-growing vines quickly fill hanging baskets with heart-shaped leaves and charming flowers that bloom continuously all summer.
Thunbergia thrives in full to partial sun and appreciates regular watering. Starting seeds indoors gives these annual vines a head start on the season. Their twining habit means they’ll happily climb any support provided or cascade beautifully from hanging containers.
15. Lantana
Clusters of tiny tubular flowers in mixed purple and lavender shades attract butterflies by the dozen. Trailing varieties create a waterfall of color that changes subtly as flowers mature, creating a multi-toned effect.
Lantana loves heat and sun, making it perfect for hot spots where other plants struggle. Once established, it’s incredibly drought-tolerant and blooms non-stop without deadheading. The slightly aromatic foliage helps deter deer and other garden pests naturally.
16. Sweet Alyssum
Tiny four-petaled flowers form a fragrant purple cloud that softens the edges of hanging baskets. The honey-scented blooms attract beneficial insects while creating a delicate, lacy texture that complements bolder companion plants.
Sweet alyssum performs best in cooler weather, often taking a break during summer heat before reblooming in fall. A light trimming when plants become leggy quickly refreshes them. Their shallow roots mean consistent moisture is important, especially in hanging baskets.
17. Bacopa
Dainty star-shaped purple flowers cover trailing stems that spill gracefully from containers. This long-blooming perennial (grown as an annual in colder zones) flowers continuously from spring through fall with minimal care.
Bacopa prefers consistent moisture and will temporarily stop flowering if allowed to dry out completely. Morning sun with afternoon shade keeps plants looking their best in hotter climates. Their compact growth habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets or as spillers in mixed containers.
18. Purple Heart
Striking metallic purple foliage creates a dramatic backdrop for the small pink-purple flowers that appear in summer. The trailing stems cascade beautifully from hanging baskets, adding rich color even when not in bloom.
Purple heart (Tradescantia pallida) thrives in full sun, which intensifies the purple coloration. It’s drought-tolerant once established and overwinters indoors in colder climates. The succulent-like stems root easily where they touch soil, making propagation simple.
19. Bougainvillea
Vibrant paper-like bracts in rich purple surround tiny white flowers, creating a spectacular tropical display. The woody vines can be trained to cascade from hanging baskets where they create a dramatic waterfall effect.
Bougainvillea demands full sun and excellent drainage to thrive. These drought-tolerant plants actually bloom better when slightly stressed for water. In colder zones, they make excellent container specimens that can be overwintered indoors near a sunny window.
20. Trailing Bellflower
Delicate star-shaped purple flowers dangle from thin stems, creating a constellation of color that spills over container edges. This perennial bloomer (Campanula poscharskyana) creates a stunning display in spring and early summer.
Trailing bellflower thrives in partial shade but tolerates morning sun. It prefers cooler temperatures and well-draining soil. The semi-evergreen foliage provides interest even when not in bloom, making it a versatile addition to hanging baskets or rock garden edges.