A plain square outdoor area can be transformed into a lush extension of your house with the help of balcony plants, which are both easy and elegant to use. However, when you go plant shopping, keep in mind your local conditions as they will be living outdoors.
Before purchasing plants for your balcony, take a look at it. How many hours is it in the sun? Perhaps it's always dubious. You can have a plant-filled balcony no matter the weather thanks to our selection of the best balcony plants, which includes some that thrive in the sun, others that require partial sun, and a few that prefer shade.
Warning
A few of the plants on this list are toxic to pets.
Read More: best-pots-for-outdoor-plants
1. English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender is a great balcony plant if you have full sun or near full sun because it grows very easily and, once established, can withstand some dry conditions.
You can smell the sweet aroma of lavender wafting through your house from your balcony when the sun shines on it.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun or close to it.
Water: Weekly; can tolerate drier conditions once established.
Soil: Regular potting soil.
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $9.90 (Amazon) Buy now
2. Patio Rose (Rosa Rosa)
This rose variety thrives in containers, as their name suggests. They will require lots of sun, water, and fertilizer designed specifically for roses, just like any other rose. Aside from that, they don't require a lot of care and are quite resilient.
If a patio rose is USDA hardiness rated for outdoor use, it can survive the winter outdoors (mulch the top of the soil). Patio roses are more compact than regular rose varieties.
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| Patio Rose |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun.
Water: Regularly and deeply.
Soil: Rich potting soil.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to dogs and cats.
Price at time of publish: $28 (Amazon) Buy now
3. Lemon tree (Citrus limonia)
If given proper care, this sun-loving tree thrives in pots and will yield fruit and fragrant blossoms. Since these are sun-loving, heat-loving plants, they do best outdoors but dislike extremely cold temperatures, so this one is for balconies in non-freezing areas. They require lots of water, a pot that drains properly, and fertilizer.
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| Courtesy of Amazon |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun.
Water: Regular, consistent watering.
Soil: Lighter, well-draining.
Price at time of publish: $119 (Amazon) Buy now
4. Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus)
Rosemary is extremely hardy and will survive the winter if left outside on your balcony. Of course, you can cook with fresh or dried rosemary (nothing beats fresh chopped rosemary and butter over roasted potatoes). However, it grows quickly and easily in full sun and can withstand dry conditions.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun.
Water: Every one to two weeks.
Soil: Light, well-draining.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to dogs and cats.
Price at time of publish: $24 (Amazon) Buy now
5. Mint (Mentha sp.)
You can claim a balcony herb garden if you grow mint alongside your lavender or rosemary. This way, you'll always have fresh mint on hand for salads or to mash up for a mojito.
Mint grows well in containers and requires regular watering and moderate sun exposure. Certain mint varieties may still thrive in your area if you have more shade than sun; look for variegated leaves, which have a white stripe or pattern on green leaves, as these are shade-tolerant varieties.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun.
Water: Regularly.
Soil: Potting soil.
Pet Safety: Toxic to dogs and cats.
Price at time of publish: $24 (Amazon) Buy now
6. Aloe Vera (Aloe barbadensis Mill.)
Aloe Vera is hardy, requires little to no watering, and grows best in full to partial sun. Additionally, it's a great plant to have on hand for do-it-yourself beauty treatments, like soothing face masks.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Bright, indirect.
Water: Once every week or two, let dry out fully between watering.
Soil: Well-draining, sandy.
Pet Safety: Toxic to dogs and cats.
Price at time of publish: $17 (Amazon) Buy now
7. Hosta
Hostas can withstand some direct sun, but not too much, which is why they are frequently planted in gardens' shady sections and beneath trees. They grow well (and overwinter) in pots as well, but they require rich soil and lots of water.
Hostas feature large, lush green leaves (some are variegated; in a shaded spot, those stripes will broaden) as well as lovely lavender blooms that emerge above the foliage.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Shade to partial sun.
Water: Regularly, keep damp but not wet.
Soil: Rich potting soil.
Pet Safety: Toxic to dogs and cats.
Price at time of publish: $29 (Amazon) Buy now
8. Begonia (Begoniaceae)
Begonias can overwinter in pots, though all of their foliage will die, and they have an abundance of blooms throughout the summer if they are well-fed and hydrated.
They are a popular choice for hanging baskets because they gracefully drape over the sides of containers, trailing leaves and flowers over the edge of whatever they're planted in. Begonias thrive in areas with more shade than sun, but they also like some sun.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Partially shady.
Water: Generously and regularly.
Soil: Potting soil with good drainage.
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $33 (Amazon) Buy now
9. Marigold (Tagetes)
Bright and cheery orange and yellow marigold flowers add a pop of color to any garden area, making them perfect for a balcony planter full of annuals. They will continue to bloom into autumn as long as they receive plenty of sunlight and water during the summer. Because marigolds can self-seed, if you don't alter the soil, you might even see some reappear the next year.
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| Courtesy of Amazon |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun.
Water: Regularly.
Soil: Rich, well-drained soil.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $10.99 (Amazon) Buy now
10. Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica)
Due to the small birds' strong attraction to the brightly colored blooms, fuchsia is also known as hummingbird fuchsia. These plants, which are frequently offered in hanging baskets, will wither away in the winter and reappear in the spring.
As a "heavy feeder," fuchsias require a lot of fertilizer to grow and bloom again; however, slow-release fertilizers allow you to fertilize once and forget about it.
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| Courtesy of Amazon |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Bright, indirect light.
Water: Regularly, don't let them dry out completely.
Soil: Regular potting soil.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $11 (Amazon) Buy now
11. Staghorn Fern (Platycerium bifurcatum)
In tropical and subtropical regions, staghorn ferns can be grown outdoors in shadier spots; however, in more temperate climates, they must be brought inside as soon as the weather cools.
These ferns grow naturally on the sides of trees; while they can survive in a pot, mounting them on a board or other surface works best for them (you'll want some peat-like material between the fern and surface it's attached to). This allows it to hang gracefully from above on a balcony, giving you some really fun options.
When deciding where to plant these, keep in mind that they are primarily nutrient- and moisture-absorbing through their fronds because they lack roots.
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| istockphoto |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Indirect light.
Water: Enjoys misting and regular watering.
Soil: Mature plants absorb nutrients through their fronds.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $19 (Amazon) Buy now
12. Jade Plant (Crassula ovata)
This succulent grows well in a range of environments where freezing temperatures are uncommon. Both fully and partially sunny environments will benefit from it.
It provides a more sculptural contrast to fuller plants because of the way its beautifully shaped, fat leaves contrast with its thick, grey trunk.
Because jade plants are succulents, they require less water, though they do require regular watering in the spring. They also tolerate fairly bound roots, so even though they grow at a moderate rate, they will continue for decades without often needing to be replanted.
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| istockphoto |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full to half-sun.
Water: Weekly in spring, less frequently in winter.
Soil: Potting soil with some sand mixed in for good drainage.
Pet Safety: Toxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $10 (Amazon) Buy now
13. Sedum or Stonecrop (Crassulaceae)
Because they are small succulents, these plants make beautiful soil covers for planters that contain taller plants. Make sure to plant them alongside other plants that require full sun, as they require that much light. In a hanging planter, they can also function well on their own.
Sedum comes in about 600 different varieties, the majority of which are extremely hardy. Stonecrops and sedum can be left outdoors all year round because they can tolerate below-freezing temperatures.
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| Courtesy of Amazon |
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full to half-sun.
Water: Weekly in spring, less frequently in winter.
Soil: Any soil.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $9.80 (Amazon) Buy now
14. Boston Fern (Nephrolepis exaltata)
A Boston fern is the ideal plant for a balcony that receives partial shade. Their soft leaves cascade down to form a cloud of green, which is how hanging planters are most often seen with them, but they also look fantastic in a large pot that is placed on the ground.
Boston ferns require a lot of moisture to grow, so allow them plenty of room to spread out and keep them well-watered and misted. Ferns can reach heights of up to three feet in width.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Part shade, indirect light.
Water: Frequently, whenever the soil is dry.
Soil: Rich potting soil that will retain moisture.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $22 (Amazon) Buy now
15. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum)
Nasturtiums are edible in addition to having lovely, vivid yellow and orange blooms that are encircled by flirtatious, attractively shaped leaves. The flowers taste and look fantastic in a summer salad, and they have a hint of pepper.
When given enough sunlight and water, they also grow rapidly and vigorously. Be warned that if you place them in a container with other plants, they might overtake the area and tip over the side of the pot.
Plant Care Tips
Light: Full sun.
Water: Frequent, regular watering.
Soil: Potting soil with good drainage.
Pet Safety: Nontoxic to cats and dogs.
Price at time of publish: $29 (Amazon) Buy now
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Watering, Pruning, and Fertilizing Tips
Balcony gardens are a great way to add some greenery and peace to your city apartment. Taking good care of your balcony plants is crucial to their success. We will examine all the important elements of balcony plant maintenance in this extensive guide, with particular attention to watering, pruning, and fertilizing advice.
I. Watering Tips
Act of Balancing
Maintaining plants on your balcony requires careful balance. While underwatering can result in stress and stunted growth, overwatering can cause root rot. To maintain the health of your plants, follow these watering guidelines:
✔ Know Your Plants: Water needs vary depending on the species. Find out what requirements each plant on your balcony has.
✔ Consistency: To give your plants regular moisture, make a watering schedule. This is particularly crucial when the plants are growing.
✔ Container Drainage: Make sure the drainage holes in your plant containers are large enough to keep water from collecting at the bottom, which can cause root issues.
✔ Finger Test: Insert your finger about an inch into the ground. At that depth, if it feels dry, water it.
✔ Morning Watering: When the weather is cooler in the morning, water your plants. To stop evaporation, avoid watering during the hottest part of the day.
✔ Use a Saucer: To catch extra water, place a saucer underneath your pots. By doing this, water won't harm the furniture or floor of your balcony.
II. Pruning Tips
Maintaining and Shaping
An important part of caring for plants on a balcony is pruning. It promotes new growth, keeps your plants in good health, and preserves their attractive shape. Observe these pruning pointers:
✔ Remove Dead or Yellowing Leaves: Make sure to frequently inspect your plants for yellowing or dead leaves, and cut them off. This encourages airflow and guards against illness.
✔ Pinching: To promote bushier growth, pinch back the tips of your plants. This is especially helpful for flowering plants and herbs.
✔ Size Control: Prune overgrown vegetation to keep it small enough to fit on your balcony.
✔ Diseased Plant Parts: To stop the problem from getting worse, cut off any diseased or pest-infested sections of the plant as soon as you see them.
✔ Timing: Depending on the type of plant, spring or early summer are the ideal times to prune. As it can stress the plant before winter, avoid doing extensive pruning in the fall.
III. Fertilizing Tips
Feeding to Promote Growth
Nutrients are essential for balcony plants to flourish, and because of the restricted soil volume in containers, fertilization is frequently needed more frequently. Observe these fertilization pointers:
✔ Choose the Right Fertilizer: Pick a liquid, slow-releasing, balanced fertilizer that is appropriate for the kinds of plants you have. Read the manufacturer's instructions and abide by them.
✔ Frequency: During the growing season, which is normally from spring to early fall, fertilize. During the dormant season, cut back on or cease fertilizing.
✔ Avoid Over-Fertilizing: Fertilizing your plants too much can harm them. Adhere to the suggested dosage and keep in mind that less is frequently more.
✔ Application: Instead of applying fertilizer directly to the plant, apply it to the soil's surface, and then water the area to disperse the nutrients.
✔ Micronutrients: Supplementing certain plants with micronutrients, such as iron or magnesium, may be beneficial. Pay heed to the needs of particular plants.
Conclusion
Taking care of plants on your balcony can be a fun and fulfilling hobby. Gaining proficiency in watering, pruning, and fertilizing will guarantee that your plants on your balcony stay vibrant, healthy, and a source of both beauty and tranquility. Keep in mind that every plant is different, so the secret to successful balcony gardening is knowing each one's specific needs. Your balcony can grow into a vibrant urban oasis with proper maintenance.
FAQ's:
1. How often should I water my balcony plants?
Answer: The watering frequency depends on the plant type and local conditions, but a general rule is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
2. What are some low-maintenance balcony plants for beginners?
Answer: Consider plants like succulents, mint, and rosemary, which are relatively easy to care for.
3. Are there any balcony plants safe for pets?
Answer: Yes, some plants are non-toxic to pets, like patio roses and certain succulents. Always ensure the safety of your pets when choosing plants.
4. How can I encourage bushier growth in my balcony plants?
Answer: Pinching back the tips of your plants can promote bushier growth. This is especially useful for herbs and flowering plants.
5. What is the best time to fertilize my balcony plants?
Answer: Fertilize during the growing season, typically from spring to early fall. Reduce or stop fertilizing during the dormant season, as per plant requirements.