Plants for Balconies

Start with sun, then wind

Track the sun for a day before spending a dollar. A north facing balcony with six or more hours of direct light will grow citrus, blueberries and most flowering plants. A south facing one may see no direct sun at all, which suits the Lady Palm, ferns and much of our indoor plant range living outdoors in the warm half of the year.

Wind is the balcony grower's real enemy, and above the third floor it is usually constant. Wind tolerant choices such as the Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly and the compact Baby Bay shrug it off, while large soft leaves like a fiddle leaf fig tatter quickly. If your balcony cops regular gusts, favour small, firm foliage and heavier pots.

The best balcony plants by job

For privacy, the Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly is the standout: naturally columnar at about 1m wide, happy in a large trough or planter at 60cm to 80cm spacings, and it screens a neighbouring building without swallowing the floor space. For perfume, Star Jasmine climbs a wire or railing frame and flowers in white drifts, and the Florida Gardenia packs the same punch into a 1.2m pot shrub. For harvests, dwarf grafted lemons stay near 2m in a pot, and low chill blueberries like Vitality crop happily in containers. For a no effort corner, snake plants and jade tolerate heat, drought and neglect.

Pots, weight and planting

Use the biggest pot you can justify: a 40cm to 50cm pot holds moisture for days, while a 20cm pot can dry out in an afternoon of summer wind. Always use premium potting mix, never garden soil, and make sure water can escape the base freely. Watered pots are heavy, so keep the biggest close to walls, choose lightweight planters for larger plants, and check your building's rules before lining a railing with troughs. Our pots and planters range includes lightweight options in every size.

Watering and feeding in containers

Pots hold only as much water as you give them. In summer, check daily with a finger in the mix, and water until it runs from the base. Feed with a controlled release fertiliser each spring and a liquid feed monthly through the growing season, because frequent watering washes nutrients out. Every second year, refresh the top few centimetres of mix or repot entirely.

Common questions

Which plants handle a windy balcony best?

Straight and Narrow Lilly Pilly, Baby Bay and star jasmine trained flat against a screen all take coastal and exposed positions. Small leathery leaves are the pattern to look for.

Can I really grow fruit on a balcony?

Yes, with six hours of sun. Dwarf grafted citrus trees stay around 2m in a pot, and the Eureka Lemon fruits close to year round. Blueberries need a pot of acidic mix and reward you within a season or two.

What grows on a shaded balcony?

The Lady Palm handles deep shade better than almost anything, and snake plants, ferns and most indoor foliage plants will summer outside happily in bright shade. Flowers and fruit are the trade off: shade grows leaves.

Do I need saucers under my pots?

On a balcony, yes, both for your waterproofing and the neighbours below. Raise pots slightly so they never sit in a full saucer, or roots will drown.

How do plants arrive in an apartment building?

Orders are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95 and no minimum order. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.