Small Balcony Gardening: 10 Perfect Plants for Limited Spaces
If you have a small balcony, you do not have to let go of your love for gardening. Even the tiniest of balconies can be transformed into a green oasis with the right choice of plants! These plants are easy to care for, need less space, and can survive in a wide range of climates, lending serenity and beauty to your balcony, if you really want to take your balcony experience over the top, explore our complementary article on balcony decor for creative styling ideas. Here’s a guide to the best plants you can grow in a small balcony garden.
1. Herbs (Basil, Thyme, Rosemary)
Because they require little space and can be easily grown in containers, herbs are great for balcony gardening. Herbs such as basil, thyme and rosemary pair perfectly with each other, bringing flavor and greenery to your outdoor space. The light green leaves of basil or the smell of rosemary can freshen the whole balcony.
Why Choose These Herbs?
That is why these kinds of herbs are good for container gardening. They grow in small pots, hanging baskets, or even vertical planters. And they beautify the cooking while providing you with fresh ingredients which is like a two-in-one function sort of.
Care Tips:
Sunlight — These herbs require approximately 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.
Watering: Keep the soil a little bit wet by watering regularly. One major difference is that basil likes moist soil whereas rosemary and thyme can survive drier conditions.
Design Idea:
Different herbs can be placed in pots of various vibrant colors and placed on multiple shelves or hung from a railing for a vertical herb garden. This layout creates depth in your room without consuming any floor space.
2. Succulents (Aloe Vera, Echeveria, Jade Plant)
If you like your plants low-maintenance — we mean real low-maintenance — succulents are the ultimate champions of balcony gardening. Thick leaves that minimize water loss make these drought-tolerant beauties a great choice for sunny spots. Succulents (Aloe vera, jade plants and echeveria) — Succulents can grow in a variety of climates and fit into small spaces.
Why Choose Succulents?
Everyone loves succulents because they are resistant to death. They are slow-growing and need little to no care. Not to mention that their trendy and minimalist design makes a great addition to your balcony.
Care Tips:
- Sunlight — Most succulents love 4-6 hours of sun.
- Watering: Water once every two weeks (or fully only if the soil has dried out).
Design Idea:
Group the succulent in a shallow, wide planter to make a succulent garden. Hanging pots or wall-mounted planters can display your succulents in a creative way to free up space.
3. Pothos
Pothos is a trailing plant that thrives in low-light areas, with limited space. This really does beautifully in hanging baskets or tall planters due to the cascading vines. A hardy plant that is ideal either for new gardeners or those with a shaded balcony.
Why Choose Pothos?
It has air-purifying properties and grows beautifully even in low light conditions. They can range in color from green to variegated, and will definitely add a tropical element to your balcony with the heart-shaped leaves.
Care Tips:
- Light: Pothos thrives in indirect sunlight or partial shade.
- Water: When the top layer of soil was thoroughly dry.
Design Idea:
Pothos can also be hung in a macramé plant holder to allow the vines to trail down over it for a green curtain effect. Or, Put it up on a shelf so the vines spill over the sides.
4. Lavender
Lavender is beautiful with its purple flowers and also smells good. Lavender — A fragrant flower often associated with relaxation, you can grow this in a sunny balcony and it also brings splashes of color to your garden.
Why Choose Lavender?
It’s a drought-tolerant plant, so if you tend to forget to water from time to time, it may be a good option. It adds aesthetic value and peace to any outdoor space with its tall spikes and fragrant leaves.
Care Tips:
- Sun: Full sunlight, approximately 6-8 hours per day.
- Watering: Let the soil dry out completely between waterings. Well-drained dry soil is the soil that lavender favors.
Design Idea:
Lavender should be used in smaller pots or containers and placed in proximity to where you will be sitting so that you can enjoy their fragrance. You can plant lavender hedging along the edge of your balcony as well.
5. Cherry Tomatoes
If you delight in the suggestion of having the ability to grow your very own food, cherry tomatoes are a terrific plant for little balconies. These are space-saving fruits and can be grown in pots or grow bags.
Why Choose Cherry Tomatoes?
Simply putting a few tomatoes in pots will do the job fine without really needing a whole deal of space. This makes their cheerful red fruits a lovely touch for your balcony, but also a functional one if you wish to grow some organic produce yourself.
Care Tips:
- Sun: 6-8 hours of full sun per day
- Water: Water your peace lily regularly, their soil should stay moist, but you must not saturate the soil.
Design Idea:
Support the cherry tomato plants with upright stakes or a trellis. Put them in a corner that receives lots of sunlight and they will grow up, saving you space.
