Hanging baskets need to display plants that can live being root-bound in containers, instead of plants allowed to have root spread. Covered porch plants will see bits of sun and shade, depending on the time of day. The best hanging plants for covered porches must be able to be a container plant, and survive both sun and shade situations.

Pansy

Pansy, or Viola x Wittrockiana, is from the Violaceae, or violet, family. It will get 4-10 inches tall with deep green leaves. Flowers are 1 to 4 inches wide in many different colors. Plant a pansy flower in any soil in bright sun to partial shade (adaptable to both sun and shade makes a good covered porch plant). Propagate via seed or by cuttings.

Flossflower

Flossflower, or Ageratum houstonianum, is from the Asteraceae/Compositae, or aster/daisy, family. It will get over 2 feet tall but most are 6 to 12 inches tall. Flowers are blue primarily, with some being white, pink, or purple. Leaves get up to 4 inches long. Plant a flossflower in bright sun, but it will also live in partial shade (it is adaptable for covered porch use). Propagate via seeds.

Surprise Lily

Surprise Lily, or Lycoris squamigera, is from the Amaryllidaceae, or amaryllis, family. It is a fragrant, easy-to-grow perennial that attracts butterflies. It will get 2 feet tall with lilac pink fragrant flowers that are 3 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide. Plant this lily in any soil with full sun or partial shade (perfect for covered porch use). Propagate via bulb division.

Peacock Ginger

Peacock ginger, or Kaempferia laotica, is from the Zingiberaceae, or ginger, family. It is a perennial with leaves 8 inches long and 6 inches wide. Flowers are purple and tiny. Leaves have many different color patterns and are why the plant is purchased. Plant a peacock ginger plant in shady spots with moist well drained soil (good for covered porch use close to the house). Propagate by rhizome cuttings or by division.

Common Periwinkle

Common periwinkle, or Vinca minor, is from the Apocynaceae, or dogbane, family. It is a fast- and easy-growing perennial that is evergreen. Leaves are 2 inches long with flowers 1 inch wide and violet blue (mostly). Some other colors do exist by different cultivars. Plant a common periwinkle flower in any moist soil with full sun or shade (adapts to covered porch sun/shade situations). Propagate via shoot division.