Trailing plants are a great way to add beauty and interest to any garden. They’re especially popular in full sun gardens. These plants often grow relatively fast, reaching up to 6 feet or more in length to cover large areas quickly. They’re also very drought-tolerant, so that you can water them less often than other plants.

If you’re looking for a way to add extra color and life to your garden, trailing plants are a great option. They also don’t need much care, so you can use them all year without worrying about upkeep.

In this article, I will list some of the best trailing plants for full sun gardens and explain why they’re such a popular choice. I hope you find this article helpful and that you choose one or more of the plants listed to add beauty and interest to your garden!

Things To Consider Before Choosing The Best Trailing Plants For Full Sun

Trailing plants can add beauty, color, and fragrance to any garden. Before choosing the best trailing plants for full sun, consider the following factors:

  • The type of soil your garden is planted in. Some plants are better suited to heavier soils, while others prefer lighter soils.
  • The size of the plant. Larger plants will need more room than smaller plants on the trail.
  • The climate where your garden will locate. Cool climates may not have enough heat to support some trailing plants, while warmer climates too hot for other types of trailing plants.
  • The type of sunlight your garden receives. Full sun provides the most energy for photosynthesis, while partial sun is still beneficial to a trailing plant’s growth.

16 Best Trailing Plants For Full Sun

Trailing plants can add beauty and interest to any garden, and they’re especially popular in full sun gardens. Here are sixteen of the best trailing plants for the full sun:

1. Boston Fern

Trailing Plants For Full Sun
Boston Fern

Boston ferns are among the most popular trailing plants, and for a good reason. They’re easy to care for, require little water, and quickly grow into large plants that provide much coverage. These ferns also have a rich green color, adding depth and visual interest to any garden.

2. Spider Plant

Best Trailing Plants For Full Sun

Spider plants are perfect for full sun locations, as they can tolerate a bit of direct sunlight. One of the benefits of this type of plant is that it can grow rapidly in size, so you may not have to replant it for a while. Spider plants also do well in moist but not soggy soil and in containers as long as they are kept wet.

3. Snapdragon Plant

Best Trailing Plants For Full Sun
Snapdragon plant

If you want a plant that will thrive in full sun, select a Snapdragon. This hardy annual is perfect for growing in coastal areas or regions with warm summers. Snapdragon plants are hardy and can grow to be short (6-12in/15-30cm), medium (15-30in/38-80cm), or tall (30-48in/80cm-1.2m). This makes them a great choice for planting near windows or doors. Also, these plants are known for their different-colored leaves and flowers, which can add much-needed color to any room.

4. Creeping Jenny

Trailing Plants
Creeping jenny

Creeping jenny is a trailing plant that’s perfect if you want something that will add height and beauty to your garden. These plants have delicate flowers that are a favorite among hummingbirds. They grow fast, so they can quickly cover a large area.

5. Goldenrod

Goldenrod
Goldenrod

The best trailing plants for full sun are typically goldenrod. This hardy perennial will thrive in most soils but is especially fond of fertile, well-drained soil. Goldenrod is a low-growing plant that can easily mow down and return quickly to its original size. The bright yellow flowers are a popular addition to prairies and meadows. The plant can also provide useful ground cover in lawns or gardens.

6. Buffalo Berry

Best Trailing Plants For Full Sun
Buffalo berry

Buffalo berry is a trailing plant that’s perfect if you want something that will add height and beauty to your garden. These plants have large, brightly-colored berries that are a favorite among birds, and They grow fast, so they can quickly cover a large area.

7. Creeping Charlie

Trailing Plants
Creeping Charlie

Creeping Charlie is a popular choice for gardeners who want to add some interest to their landscapes. This plant is low-maintenance and grown in a variety of soils and climates. Its long, creeping stems are ideal for filling spaces between other plants or around boulders.

8. Black-eyed Susan

Trailing Plants For Full Sun
Black-eyed Susan

Black-eyed Susan plants are some of the best trailing plants for full sun. They have long, trailing stems that can easily cover a large area. These hardy plants grow quickly, making them perfect for gardens or areas where you want a dense ground cover. Another great feature of black-eyed Susans is their bright yellow flowers.

9. Bleeding Heart

Bleeding Heart
Bleeding heart

Bleeding hearts are some of the most popular trailing plants because they add beauty and interest to any garden. They are perfect for full sun gardens, as they thrive in those conditions. However, bleeding hearts do best in moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Additionally, they appreciate regular waterings during dry periods. If you want to keep your bleeding heart healthy and thriving, you must be sure to give it the right care.

10.  Ziziphus Jujuba

This Mediterranean shrub is a great choice for planting in full sun locations. Not only does it make you look more beautiful, but the Ziziphus jujuba leaves also clean the air and lower the humidity inside your home. Additionally, the long trailing vines make this plant an ideal option for covering large areas.

11. Salvia officinalis ‘Silver Blue’

Salvia officinalis 'Silver Blue'
Salvia officinalis ‘Silver Blue’

If you’re looking for a trailing plant that will thrive in full sun, look no further than Salvia officinalis ‘Silver Blue. This hardy perennial is perfect for areas with high humidity levels and frequent rain, as it tolerates wet and dry soil conditions. Salvia officinalis ‘Silver Blue’ is an easy-to-grow plant that requires little maintenance. Divide the rootball every couple of years to keep it healthy and prolific, and fertilize once a month during the growing season with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

12. Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea Purpurea
Echinacea Purpurea

Sun-loving plants are essential for any garden, but they are difficult to find in full sun spaces. One of the best trailing plants for full sun is Echinacea purpurea. This species can grow up to 2-4′ tall feet tall and has lovely purple flowers that stay in bloom throughout the summer. Echinacea purpurea also tolerates drought and low light well, making it a great option for gardens that don’t have a lot of sunlight.

13. Baptisia Tinctoria

Baptisia Tinctoria
Baptisia Tinctoria

Baptisia Tinctoria is a popular trailing plant because of its beautiful, variegated leaves and stems. This perennial herb can grow to 2-3 feet in length, making it perfect for filling spaces between other plants or creating a natural border if you want to discard the flowers early in the season. It’s easy to care for, requiring only occasional water and fertilizer when growing in soil or gravel gardens. If you’re looking for a versatile plant that’ll add interest to any garden space, Baptisia Tinctoria is a great choice!

14. Coreopsis Viridiflora

Coreopsis Viridiflora
Coreopsis Viridiflora

Coreopsis Viridiflora is a trailing perennial plant with bright green leaves and violet-blue flowers. It is often called prairie coreopsis. It is a popular garden plant and is found in many gardens throughout the United States. Coreopsis Viridiflora is an excellent choice for full sun locations as it will tolerate direct sunlight well. It has grown in containers or on the ground but does best when given plenty of water and fertilizer.

15. Lilac

Lilac Trailing Plants For Full Sun
Lilac

Best trailing plants for full sun include lilacs. These hardy, flowering plants adapt well to most landscape settings and can provide colorful interest year-round. Lilacs are tolerant of a wide range of soil conditions and grow rapidly. The common lilac grows 12 to 15 feet tall and 10 to 12 feet wide. There are many smaller dwarf varieties that mature at 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 7 feet wide. Japanese tree lilacs can reach 25 to 30 feet tall. If you’re looking for a versatile trailing plant that will add beauty and fragrance to your garden, choose a lilac!

16. Salvia Splendens

Salvia Splendens
Salvia Splendens

Suppose you want to create an impenetrable barrier around your plants and keep out pesky insects. Adding some trailing Salvia splendens is a great choice. This hardy perennial grows quickly and has long, luscious stems that can easily reach 3 feet in length. The bright green leaves will provide ample shade for your plants throughout the day. Making them more resistant to the hot sun. This low-maintenance landscaping option is affordable and easy to grow, perfect if you want to add a touch of glamour to your garden without breaking the bank.

How to care for a trailing plant in full sun?

Most of the time, plants that can trail along the ground are chosen. This could make any outside space look and feel more natural. It would help to consider what it needs to give a trailing plant the best care possible.

  1. Sun Exposure: When in bloom, you need to water and fertilized trailing plants often. Once the flowers have died, they will do fine with only the occasional pruning of branches that grow too close to the ground.
  2. Watering: Trailing plants receive enough water throughout life, especially during active growth periods. Water them deeply enough so that the water seeps down into the root ball and does not sit on top of the soil surface. Check water levels regularly and add more as needed, especially during hot weather when water loss is greater. Do not allow your plant to sit in standing water for more than 24 hours; this can lead to root rot. 
  3. Fertilizing: Fertilizing trailing plants is unnecessary unless you notice deficiencies such as yellow leaves or slow growth. For most plants, a balanced fertilizer made for Container plants is enough. You must ensure to water thoroughly after fertilizing to help dissolve the fertilizer.
  4. Pruning: Pruning trailing plants is necessary to keep them in shape and control branches’ growth. Generally, it is best if you pruned back a branch at a time until the new growth becomes visible. Do not prune too hard, or you may damage the stem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you put trailing plants in pots?

Usually grown in pots, trailing plants are either planted outside or close to a sunny window. However, suppose the trailing plant is kept inside. In that case, it is planted in a container with soil with compost or fertilizer added. Regular watering of the trailing plant is also necessary, and it needs rewatering when its leaves start to droop.

What are Hanging plants perennial?

Hanging plants are perennials, meaning they live more than one year but are shorter than a tree or shrub. This is because their roots don’t go deep, which allows them easily refreshed with new soil each year. They can also tolerate a wide range of conditions and can often propagate from cuttings.

How do you trail plants on a wall?

There are several ways to trail plants on a wall. One method is to suspend the plants from the wall using a hanger or framework. Another way to hold the plants is to use weights and a fishing line. Utilizing plant clips or ties is the third technique.

In Closing

Trailing plants can add beauty, color, and fragrance to any garden. They are especially well-suited for full sun gardens, as they will grow best in warm, sunny climates. These plants are a great addition to any garden. They can provide many benefits, such as adding insulation and reducing noise from wind. Trailing plants are a great addition to any garden and provide many benefits, such as beauty, color, and fragrance. Trailing plants are the perfect option if you want a plant that will grow best in full sun conditions.