Nothing adds beauty to a balcony like live plants, whether you prefer flowers, herbs, vegetables, small trees, or hanging plants. Here are some suggestions for making a fantastic balcony garden, along with lists of the most popular balcony plants.
What to Consider when Balcony Gardening
Like any type of gardening, balcony gardening requires some planning. Things to consider before you start planting and potting plants include:
- How big is your balcony? Your balcony’s square footage determines how much you can plant. Even a small balcony offers enough room for some plants, but most gardeners prefer the largest balcony or patio possible. If you’re an avid gardener, consider this when you select Overture Senior Apartments.
- How heavy are your plant pots? Pots filled with soil are heavy, putting pressure on your balcony. Keep things light with lightweight plastic or fiberglass containers, or use fabric grow bags.
- How will you water your balcony plants? Watering cans are typically used to carry water to balcony plants, but you can also use drip irrigation or buy “self-watering” pots. If you use a watering can choose one that’s easy to fill from the kitchen sink or the bathtub.
- How much sunlight does your balcony get? The amount of sunlight your balcony plants receive depends on the direction your balcony faces. Typically, south-facing balconies get the most sunlight.
- How windy is your balcony? Balconies on the higher floors of apartment complexes get more wind than those below them. Wind, especially dry, warm wind, can dry out plants quickly, so you’ll need to water more often or select plants capable of surviving dry environments.
Types of Balcony Gardening
- Herb gardens take up little space and are quite low maintenance, making them ideal for balcony gardening. If you enjoy cooking, you’ll probably want a few herbs among your balcony plants.
- Vertical gardens help you make the most of your balcony space. Trellises, shelves, and hanging plants are ideal for vertical gardening.
- Container gardening is arguably the most common type of balcony gardening. Different container styles and colors add visual interest; you can plant everything from herbs to miniature fruit trees. You can also use pots to create small water features as focal areas of a balcony garden.
What are the best balcony plants?
Some plants do better than others as balcony plants. Many of the balconies and patios at Overture apartments boast thriving gardens that include the following:
Herbs
- Basil
- Chives
- Dill
- Mint
- Parsley
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Thyme
Bedding Plants
- Begonias
- Chrysanthemum
- Coleus
- Fuchsia
- Hydrangea
- Nicotianas
- Pansy
- Pelargoniums
- Petunia
- Zinnias
Edible Balcony Plants
- Beets
- Carrots
- Cauliflower
- Lettuce
- Onions
- Peas
- Spinach
- Spring Onions
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes
Balcony Trees
- Bay trees
- Boxwood
- Dwarf conifers
- Dwarf Korean lilac
- Japanese Maple
- Miniature lemon and orange trees
- Olive trees
- Pomegranate
Hanging Plants for Balcony Gardening
- Black-eyed Susan
- Blue fan flower
- Boston fern
- Burro’s tail
- Carnation
- Round-leaved oregano
- Small-leaved ivy
- Verbena
- Wandering jewel
Houseplants
- Cacti and succulents
- Calatheas
- Ferns
- Golden Pothos
- Peace Lily
- Philodendrons
- Snake Plant
- Spider Plant
Balcony Gardening and More at Overture Apartments
Balcony gardening is a favorite activity of many residents of Overture senior apartments, but it’s far from the only one. Our 55+ communities offer a wide range of activities, resort-level amenities, and luxurious living units. Check out our Overture Apartments Near Me page to see what life in an Overture community near you is like.