Many people who live in apartments miss the greenery that comes with having a garden, however that doesn’t mean you can’t create your own very little home makeover using your balcony! Although you may not have the benefits of garden beds, there are still so many beautiful plants that you can grow well on your balcony. We’re here to introduce just 5 of them today, but the world really is your oyster. We’ve got it all covered, from when to plant them and how much water they need and everything else.
How To Pot Your Plants
We’re going to start with some information on how to actually pot your plants on your balcony. All of these options will work whether you choose a freestanding flower bed or if you have individual pots, so you can make this work for the amount of space you have. Just make sure that whatever option you choose, they’re secure on your balcony and won’t be going anywhere in bad weather. Get yourself a pair of gardening gloves, some garden pruners and a few other tools and you’re good to go!
In terms of the soil, a light fluffy soil mix with good drainage tends to work well for most plants that are well suited to balconies. You will also want to make sure that you do a layer of something like perlite, as it helps to keep some moisture in the soil, to reduce the amount of water you need when you don’t have the rain fall to help you! A 1:5 ratio mixture of compost to soil also is a good way to give your plants the best start possible. If you get less than 3-5 hours of sunlight a day, then you may need to invest in houseplants instead, or ones that grow well without much sunlight at all.
5 Plants You Can Grow On Your Balcony
Herbs
First up, herbs are fantastic for growing on your balcony. You can grow all sorts of herbs, from basil to coriander, dill to mint, oregano, parsley and everything in between. There’s something special about stepping out onto your balcony to pick some herbs for your meal, so we’d definitely recommend growing herbs. If you’re choosing mint, we’d definitely recommend potting it on its own away from your flower bed or other herbs, as it grows so quickly it can take over in no time!
Well established herbs can grow all year round, although they will thrive in the summer, so planting in early Spring is best. Herbs are best when they get at least 6 hours of sunlight. Herbs are not only delicious but smell wonderful, so are a great addition to any balcony. You should water your herbs every few days in the summer and around once a week in the winter, making sure you avoid watering the plants in direct sunlight in the summer as this can damage the leaves, so early in the morning is best.
Ferns
A great option for plants on your balcony are ferns! They’re ideal as they don’t need lots of sunlight and are actually well suited to shady areas. As well, they’re really pretty plants that add some great greenery to the space. There are also quite a few different varieties of ferns to choose from! Ferns are best planted between May and September when it’s humid. In the summer, ferns should be watered every 4-5 days, then in the winter you can leave them longer, around every 7-10 days.
Hydrangeas
Next we have hydrangeas, which are a really beautiful plant that can bring both greenery and florals to your balcony! Not to mention, they can grow really well on your balcony. They’re best in a spacious pot, so start with a layer of clay pebbles in the bottom to help with drainage and then make sure there’s a hole in the bottom of the pot. Add your plant and then press down the soil. Plant in either the spring or autumn, when the soil isn’t frozen and also when it’s not too dry in the summer. When it comes to the colour of your hydrangeas, they usually flower in blues, pinks and white, but you also find stunning purples and reds.
Tomatoes
If you want to grow some of your own food, tomatoes are great for the balcony! For balconies that get less than six hours of sunlight, this might not be ideally suited to growing tomatoes. However, for those that do get 6 hours, it’s a great choice. Place your pots in the sunniest spot possible on your balcony, or you could get a mini greenhouse for the space to help them even more to retain the heat. Water them daily when the weather is really hot, or every few days otherwise, and make sure to prop up the stems with plant supporters to help them reach their potential!
Pansies
Last but not least, we have pansies. These are beautiful plants that grow well in partial shade, and thrive when watered every few days in the summer and every 1-2 weeks in the winter. Pansies grow well in anything from full sun to partial shade and make a stunning addition to your outdoor space.