Think of your basket as a garden in miniature. As it will be viewed from all sides, it needs to be designed and planted from the centre out.
Three planting layers is a good number to aim for, and is achievable with all but the smallest baskets. Select plants for a central feature, a mid-ring of lower species, and cascading plants for around the edge of your basket.

Gather your supplies

Plants; basket; potting mix; water crystals; sturdy bucket

HERE'S HOW

STEP 1 Position your basket on a bucket. Partially fill basket with potting mix and gently press down. Position pre-soaked water crystals on mix, we used Rechargeable Solid Water sachets.

TIP: A bucket is the best way to support your basket while you assemble it, and makes it easier to rotate the basket and work on all sides.

STEP 2 Cover crystals with more potting mix, pressing down gently as you go, until you achieve the right level for your central planting.

STEP 3 Position your central planting and fill around it with potting mix to the level appropriate for the surrounding plants. Hold the leaves of strappy foliage plants out of the way by bundling them gently with a large rubber band. This will make it easier to work on the rest of the basket.

STEP 4 Position the rest of your plant layers, working from the centre towards the edge. Fill in the gaps with potting mix, pressing it down gently until full. Don't overfill, leave about 2cm below the basket-liner lip. This allows for watering and a layer of mulch.

STEP 5 Mulch around your plants, making sure the mulch isn't up against stems - we used expanded coir block mulch. Hang your basket and water well with a diluted seaweed tonic such as Yates Nature's Way Seaweed Booster.