All about hanging basket liners
Wire hanging baskets need a barrier to keep soilless potting mix and plants in place — that’s where liners come in. If you're planting up your own hanging basket, you’ll need to choose which liner will work best for you.
Since hanging basket liners are usually porous, though, it means that hanging baskets will dry out quickly. No matter which liner you choose, cut a piece of plastic, like a garbage or grocery bag, to fit and poke a few drainage holes into the center. Lay this over the liner before adding in potting mix to help lock in as much moisture as possible when you water. See more tips for planting a hanging basket here.
Here are three common materials you can use to line your wire baskets. Which one is best for you?
Sphagnum moss
Available as loose fibers or preformed liners, sphagnum moss has a soft, rustic look but doesn’t always retain moisture well. Soak loose moss in a bucket of water, then grab and squeeze handfuls to form the liner. Preformed liners should last a couple of years before you'll need to replace them.
Landscape fabric
Used for a variety of garden tasks, landscape fabric does a fine job holding in soil and moisture and is a smart choice if you already have a roll. Simply cut a length to fit inside your basket. Since it has a tighter weave than other liners, less water escapes, and you may not need to add a sheet of plastic before planting.
Coconut fiber
Reusable for at least a few years, coconut fiber liners come in an array of sizes but can have trouble staying moist. Before planting, soak this liner in water until it easily takes on the basket’s shape. Many gardeners like coconut fiber, also called coir, because it’s a renewable resource.
