Plants for Balconies

A balcony garden lives by different rules to a backyard: everything grows in a pot, the wind is stronger three floors up than it ever is at ground level, and the aspect you inherited decides what will flourish. This collection brings together compact, container happy plants that turn even a two metre apartment balcony into a genuine green retreat.

Aspect is your starting point. A north facing balcony bakes, so choose sun lovers and expect to water pots daily through summer, since containers dry out two to three times faster than garden beds. South facing balconies may receive almost no direct sun, which suits shade tolerant foliage plants far better than flowering species that sulk without light. East is gentle and forgiving; west combines afternoon heat with glare and demands the toughest plants of all. Wind matters just as much as sun on upper floors, so favour flexible stemmed and small leafed species over large soft foliage that shreds, and use pots of at least 300mm diameter, as small pots both blow over and cook roots. Apartment dwellers should also check body corporate weight rules before assembling large troughs, and always sit pots on saucers to protect the balcony below.

Style wise, a few generous pots beat a dozen tiny ones. One tall screening plant for privacy from neighbouring buildings, one mid sized feature and a couple of trailing plants spilling from the railing planter create a layered look without eating your floor space.

Not sure which pot size suits which plant grade? The pot and bag size guide lays it out clearly. Balcony growers should also browse the wider plants for pots range, and if you are working with a courtyard rather than a true balcony, plants for small gardens broadens the options. For fragrance in a small space, few plants earn their keep like the subjects of our gardenia care guide and rosemary care guide.