Living in a city probably means that you live in a flat, and you probably also have a balcony, be it small or a big one. There’s always a question of what to do with that space and how to best decorate it. Besides furnishing it, balconies are always best friends with plants too! They look much better with all that green and colourful flowers and other plants. You can always put some edible plants, as well as fruits and vegetables, and make your balcony practical as well!
To help you with choosing the right thing, here are some of the best houseplants for your balcony:
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Patio Rose
These roses thrive in pots, as its name suggests. They’ll require lots of sun and water, as well as a rose-specific fertiliser, like all roses. Aside from that, they’re tough and won’t require any attention.
Patio roses are smaller than typical rose kinds and may be left outside in the winter (with a layer of mulch on top of the soil) if they are USDA hardiness rated for it.
Hosta
Hostas are commonly grown in shady areas of gardens and behind trees. But they can handle some direct sunlight as long as it is not excessive. They require good soil and plenty of water, although they may also be grown (and overwinter) in pots.
Hostas feature large green leaves (some are variegated, and in a gloomy location, the stripes will increase) and gorgeous lavender blossoms that shoot out above the foliage.
Rosemary
Rosemary is a robust plant that will survive the winter if kept outside on your balcony. Of course, you may cook with both fresh and dried rosemary. Nothing beats fresh chopped rosemary and butter over roasted potatoes. However, it can endure dry circumstances and grows swiftly and easily in full light.
Nasturtiums
Nasturtiums are tasty as well as beautiful, vivid yellow and orange blossoms surrounded by pert and pleasingly formed leaves. The blossoms have a subtle peppery flavour and look and taste fantastic in a salad in the summer.
As long as they have sufficient sun and water, they will likewise develop prolifically and enthusiastically. If you put them in a container with other plants, be cautious. They may take over the area and fall down the pot’s side.
Marigold
Bright, cheerful blasts of colour in any garden setting, orange and yellow marigold flowers are great for a balcony planter loaded with annuals. They’ll bloom all summer and even into October if they get enough water and sun. Marigolds may self-seed, so if you don’t alter the soil, you might see some grow up again the following year.
Stonecrop
Because these plants are little succulents, they provide a lovely soil cover for containers with taller plants. Because they require full sun, match them with plants that require the same amount of light. They may also be used as a stand-alone plant in a hanging planter.
There are over 600 distinct forms of sedum, and the majority of them are highly tough. Because sedum and stonecrops can endure cold conditions, they may be left outside all year.
Staghorn Fern
In tropical and subtropical climates, staghorn ferns may be grown outside in shadier settings, but in more temperate climates, they must be brought inside as soon as the weather cools.
These ferns grow on the sides of trees in their native environment, and while they may live in a pot, they thrive when mounted onto a board or other surface (a peat-like material should be placed between the fern and the surface it’s connected to). On a balcony, it may drape gently from above, giving you some truly entertaining alternatives.
Because these plants don’t have roots, they rely on their fronds to receive the majority of their nutrients and moisture, so plan ahead when deciding where to put them.
Fuchsia
Fuchsia is also known as hummingbird fuchsia because of its vividly colored blossoms that attract hummingbirds. These plants, which are frequently offered in hanging baskets, will die throughout the winter but will reappear in the spring.
Fuchsias are “heavy feeders,” which means they require a lot of fertiliser to develop and bloom again (a slow-release fertiliser will mean you can fertilise once and forget it).
Lemon tree
If properly cared for, this sun-loving tree will yield both delicious-smelling blooms and fruit. Because they are sun-loving, heat-loving plants, they thrive best outside, but they don’t like very low conditions, so this one is ideal for balconies in locations that don’t freeze. They require a well-draining container as well as plenty of fertiliser and water.
Mint
You can establish a nice little balcony herb garden by growing mint alongside rosemary or lavender, and you’ll have fresh mint to throw in salads or mash up for a mojito.
Mint grows well in pots and requires plenty of sunlight and watering on a regular basis. If you have a somewhat more shade than sun, there are a few types of mint that will thrive in your environment; seek for variegated leaves (green leaves with a white stripe or patterning) for shade-tolerant varieties.
Begonia
If well-watered and nourished, begonias produce a profusion of flowers all summer long, and they may overwinter in containers (though all their foliage will die).
They are a popular option for hanging baskets since they gently drape over the sides of containers, trailing leaves and blossoms over the edge of whatever they’re planted in. Begonias thrive in a combination of sun and shade, and they may even thrive in situations where there is more shadow than sun.
Boston Fern
A Boston fern is the perfect plant for a partially shaded balcony. They’re most usually seen in hanging planters, with their soft leaves dripping down and forming a mesmerising cloud of green, but they’re also lovely in a large pot on the floor.
Boston ferns may grow to be 3 feet tall and broad, so give them lots of room and keep them well-watered and misted. Ferns require a lot of moisture.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a robust plant that doesn’t require much watering and thrives in full sun to half-day sun. It’s also an excellent herb to have on hand for DIY beauty treatments, such as a soothing face mask.
Jade Plant
This succulent thrives in a range of environments in locations where it seldom freezes. It thrives in both bright and slightly sunny locations.
Its sculptural contrast to larger plants is its nicely formed, plump leaves, which contrast dramatically with its massive grey stem.
Because jade plants are succulents, they can get by with a little less water (though they need regular water in the spring, especially). And, because they grow slowly, they will last for decades, seldom requiring repotting because they can withstand somewhat bound roots.
English Lavender
Lavender is an excellent balcony plant if you have full sun or near it, since it can survive dry conditions once established and is really easy to cultivate.
You may smell the lovely perfume of lavender floating through your home from your balcony when the sun shines on it.
Gardenia
When it comes to aroma, few flowers can match gardenias. On a windy day, these evergreen plants produce pure white blossoms with a powerful, sweet aroma that may be perceived from a distance.
Gardenias, on the other hand, require a lot of humidity and well-drained soil to thrive. Because they attract insect pests and are susceptible to root rot, these plants can be short-lived. Even if your gardenia is only around for a short time, the beautiful aroma is definitely worth it.
Geranium
Geraniums have been around for a long time and they go well with almost any other container plant. These drought-tolerant plants, also known as zonal geraniums, come in a rainbow of colours, including pink, red, orange, and purple.
Geraniums can be low-maintenance depending on the cultivar (regal types can be a bit fussy). Whatever geranium you choose, remember to deadhead it often to keep the flowers coming throughout the season.
Mandevilla
The mandevilla vine is both beautiful and easy to maintain. Because it dies when temperatures dip below freezing, gardeners usually grow the heat-tolerant mandevilla as an annual. The blooming vine may be overwintered indoors, but it is deadly if eaten, so keep it away from pets and small children.
Golden Bamboo
Add a few golden bamboo plants to your area if you feel a touch too near to your neighbours. (Once they’re fully grown, you might not even need a fence.) If you don’t maintain your perennial plants in a wooden or terra cotta planter that’s at least 24 inches deep and broad, they’ll spread. It’s better not to grow golden bamboo in the ground since it’s invasive in some parts of the country, particularly in warmer climates.
Verbena
Verbena is another eye-catching alternative for balcony gardening. This drought-resistant blooming plant looks great in window boxes or fence planters since it may spill over the sides.
Verbena comes in a variety of hues, including white, pink, red, blue, purple, and bicolors. Verbena is a very straightforward plant to cultivate, however mildew, which appears as a white powdery covering on the plant’s leaves, can be a problem. Place the plant on a decent location where it will receive adequate air movement and avoid getting the foliage wet while watering to reduce the risk of this illness.