{"id":2391,"date":"2026-07-06T05:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T02:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/?p=2391"},"modified":"2026-07-06T05:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T02:00:00","slug":"what-to-do-when-hanging-baskets-start-looking-tired-in-july-and-how-to-give-them-a-refresh-that-will-last-until-fall","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/?p=2391","title":{"rendered":"What To Do When Hanging Baskets Start Looking Tired in July \u2013 And How to Give Them a Refresh That Will Last Until Fall"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

The crescendo of many summer yards, hanging baskets bring color, height and a touch of creative drama to your outside display. From lining the porch, framing doorways to pepping up gazebos and pergolas, these elevated containers offer a brilliant opportunity to get creative with your planting.<\/p>\n

However, even when filled with the best plants for hanging baskets <\/a>many loose their floral oomph by July, struggling to prolong the show past midsummer.<\/p>\n

Fortunately there are a few revival tricks experts use, to keep them looking lush and vibrant through the rest of the season. Here we delve into the practical detail with our five top tips.<\/p>\n

Water Baskets Well and Often<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Pink<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Getty Images\/ Garys FRP)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

With the July heat upon us, it’s vital to water basket regularly – daily in most cases. This is especially important for any positioned in rain shadows; next to the house, under porches or covered decks. \u2018Baskets in full sun can lose over a quart of water on a hot day, so check daily, sometimes twice,’ explains Stephan Winterfeldt<\/a>, Horticulturalist at Park Seed. <\/p>\n

Watering in the early morning is most beneficial, as the plant’s roots can absorb moisture before it evaporates. Drip irrigation for hanging baskets <\/a> and moisture monitors – consider the Reyox Soil Moisture Meter from Walmart<\/a> – are handy options but there are low tech checks to try too.<\/p>\n

‘If the basket is heavy, it likely has the water it needs for the day,’ says Katie. Adding water retaining granules – such as these from Lowe’s <\/a>, plus using these water storing basket liners from Walmart<\/a>, will help conserve moisture. Alternatively consider a self watering basket with a visible water reservoir from Walmart.com<\/a><\/p>\n

‘The real problem usually isn\u2019t forgetting to water, it\u2019s watering too fast,’ Stefan continues. ‘Dried-out compost pulls away from the basket sides, so water runs straight through without wetting the roots. Water in slow passes with a 30-second pause between each. If bone dry, submerge the whole basket in a bucket of water for 30 minutes instead.’ <\/p>\n

Remove Fading Blooms <\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Petunias<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Getty Images\/ kynny)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Known as deadheading, pinching or snipping off faded flowers is a speedy task that makes a huge difference to hanging baskets.<\/p>\n

\u2018Deadheading promotes new growth that will continue throughout the Summer and also keeps the plant healthy during the heat,\u2019 explains plant expert Katie Sunderlage <\/a>. \u2018Keeping spent or dead blooms intact can promote diseases, fungus or insects especially when the temperature and humidity rises.\u2019<\/p>\n

Knowing which plants to deadhead in July<\/a> is key, as master gardener Tabar Gibson <\/a> explains. \u2018Petunias are the biggest divas in my baskets. They reward a little extra care with months of nonstop blooms. The trick is to remove not only the faded flower but also the small seed pod tucked just behind it.\u2019<\/p>\n

While some flowerheads easily break off with your fingertips (marigolds come away with a satisfying pop), others are best cut. A pair of micro tipped snips from Walmart<\/a> are pocket friendly.<\/p>\n

Avoid the issue of fading blooms altogether by growing self cleaning annuals that don’t need deadheading.<\/a><\/p>\n

Trim Back Growth to Restore Balance and Shape<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"Hanging<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Getty Images\/ Milamai)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ok, this may seem radical but a judicious cutback in July can provide the boost basket plants need.<\/p>\n

\u2018This is the step most gardeners hesitate to take, but it’s often the one that produces the biggest transformation,\u2019 says Tabar. <\/p>\n

\u2018If your basket has become long, stringy, or bare near the center, don’t be afraid to trim it back by about one-third. It feels dramatic, but bacopa, verbena, lobelia and sweet potato vine all respond with dense new growth within a couple of weeks.\u2019<\/p>\n

Depending on stem thickness, a clean sharp pair of snips, such as Corona Floral Scissors from Lowes<\/a> or Bypass secateurs from Walmart,<\/a> will easily handle the job. <\/p>\n

Revive Your Basket With Fresh Plants<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"planting<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Getty Images\/ StephanieFrey)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

July is a turning point for many hanging baskets as nutrients in the compost deplete. Blooms slow and foliage becomes lacklustre, making it time to reset.<\/p>\n

‘Mid-July is actually one of my favorite times to freshen containers,’ says Tabar. ‘I’ll remove anything that’s truly finished, top off the basket with a little fresh potting mix, and tuck in a few new plants that can carry the display through late summer and into fall.’<\/p>\n

To avoid disrupting the whole basket Stephan says, ‘pull the fading plant, loosen the soil pocket, add a bit of fresh compost, press the new plant in at the same depth, and water with a diluted high-potassium liquid feed right away.’ This narrow trowel with pointed tip from Target<\/a> is helpful.<\/p>\n

For sunny baskets, Tabar suggests calibrachoa,<\/a> Diamond Frost\u00ae euphorbia, sweet alyssum, compact zinnias or angelonia. ‘These establish quickly and blend naturally into an existing planting. For shade baskets, coleus immediately brightens the display without flowers.’<\/p>\n

Find calibrachoa plants at Amazon <\/a> as well as coleus at Amazon <\/a>. We also love silvery dichondra from Burpee<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Feed Baskets Regularly<\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
\n
\n

\"watering<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>

(Image credit: Getty Images\/ David Burton)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By this point in the summer, basket plants have exhausted the essential plant nutrients<\/a> within the potting compost and depend on us to provide them. Liquid fertilizers, especially formulated to encourage leaf growth and bud formation are the experts go-to solution and are quick and easy to manage. <\/p>\n

Dilute according to product instructions and use as part of your watering routine.<\/p>\n

‘Hanging baskets need regular feeding during the Summer months,’ says Katie. ‘Using a water soluble, slow release fertilizer tends to be the best option for continuous long-term fertilizing without root burning.’ <\/p>\n

Katie recommends using Jacks Blossom Booster fertilizer, find it at Amazon. <\/a> Annuals will benefit from a weekly dose of tomato feed; try Farmer’s Secret from Walmart<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What to Shop<\/h2>\n
\n
\n

\"Riare<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p><\/a> \n

\n
\n
Coco Liners <\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

These coco liners will give hanging baskets an instant refresh. They measure 12″ in diameter and are porous to aid drainage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

\"Miracle-Gro<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p><\/a> \n

\n
\n
Potting Mix<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

This potting mix is a special blend for containers and hanging baskets. It’s nutrient-rich and well-draining.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

\"Pink<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p><\/a> \n

\n
\n
Lovie Dovie Petunia<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n

Petunias are long-blooming until fall and look beautiful cascading from a hanging basket. This one has pink and white candy stripes.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Follow these five steps and you’ll be rewarded with containers that dazzle for weeks to come. Expand your repertoire by discovering the best vegetables for hanging baskets <\/a> and plants for winter hanging baskets<\/a>.<\/p>\n

If you love inspiring garden ideas, outdoor advice, and the latest news, why not sign up for our newsletter <\/u><\/a>and get the latest features delivered straight to your inbox?<\/p>\n<\/article>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The crescendo of many summer yards, hanging baskets bring color, height and a touch of creative drama to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2392,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-1"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2391"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2391"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2391\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2392"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tapyom.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}