Balcony plants can add a touch of color and an exotic feeling. Whether it is a big or tiny balcony space, you can extend the beauty of your indoors to outdoors.
However, there is a lot to consider when picking the best plant for a balcony. Knowing how much sunlight the balcony receives in a day is an example of such.
Lavandula angustifolia
| Botanical Name | Lavandula angustifolia |
| Common Names | English Lavender, True Lavender, Lavender |
| Origin | Mediterranean |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial, Flowering plant |
The English Lavenders are perfect plants for a sunny balcony, as they do love exposure to full sun to produce their stunning blooms.
They are easy to take care of as they also possess little watering needs and are and do well in small balconies where they don’t take up too much space.
With proper access to direct sunlight, the Lavandula angustifolia produces beautiful light purple flowers that are blessed with a nice scent.
Be careful when planting them on your balcony, as they could be harmful to children and pets when ingested in large quantities.
Any well-draining potting soil should be great for the English Lavender flowering plant.
Hardy Fuchsia
| Botanical Name | Fuchsia magellanica |
| Common Names | Hardy Fuchsia, Hummingbird Fuchsia |
| Origin | South America |
| Family | Onagraceae |
| Plant Type | Flowering plant, Trailing Annual |
Hardy Fuchsia is an annual, trailing flowering plant that would require more of a hanging basket than a balcony planter box.
It can be found growing in the lower regions of South America, however, there countries like Tahiti and New Zealand are known to produce some species of the Fuchsia magellanica.
It features eye-catching reddish pink blooms that are surrounded by stiff, tailing dark green stalks.
When growing the hardy Fuchsia, provide adequate access to bright but filtered sunlight and regular watering would be needed.
Fertilizing should be done once a month except for winter seasons when the plant goes into dormancy.
Marigold
| Botanical Name | Tegetes |
| Common Names | Marigold, English Marigold |
| Origin | Guatemala and Mexico |
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Plant Type | Perennial , Flowering plant |
Members of the Tegetes genus are often regarded as full sun balcony plants as they require direct exposure to sunlight to produce their gorgeous blooms.
Known for their brightly colored flowers that range from yellow to gold to red. Their dark green leaves produce a pungent aromatic scent and they are the best plants for apartment patio spaces.
They require a well-draining potting soil that retains little moisture and is rich in compost. It should be watered once a week or perhaps 2 weeks.
When growing the Tegetes plants, ensure you keep them away from the reach of pets and children as they are toxic when eaten.
Crassula ovata
| Botanical Name | Crassula ovata |
| Common Names | Jade plant, Money plant, Money tree |
| Origin | Mozambique and South Africa |
| Family | Crassulaceae |
| Plant Type | Succulent, Evergreen shrub |
The features of the Jade Plant is short oblong foliage that is dark green and fleshy when touched. It hangs on woody stems that are thick and resembles a small tree.
It should be grown in outdoor balcony planters or a mid-sized pot and placed on a small balcony as it doesn’t take up too much space.
Considered a low-maintenance plant as little watering is required during all seasons except for spring. It can survive in any light intensity (full or filtered), however, ensure it is bright and adequate.
Whatever soil type used is acceptable to the Crassula ovata, ensure it is well-draining and rich in organic compost.
Keep the potted Crassula ovata plant away from the reach of kids and pets as they contain calcium oxalate crystals that are toxic to them when eaten.
Tropaeolum
| Botanical Name | Tropaeolum |
| Common Names | Nasturtium |
| Origin | South America |
| Family | Tropaeolaceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous Flowering plant |
Tropaeolum genus is home to over 50 different species of attractive plants that flourish in mountainous terrains in the South American continent.
Known for its eye-catching bright colored blooms of orange, red and yellow that are carried by thin dark-green colored stalks with dark-green leaves to match.
The flowers produce sweet nectar and are known to be edible, being used in salad dishes to offer a peppery taste.
They are good balcony plants that grow in compact balconies with sufficient access to direct sunlight. Frequent watering is a must and it is recommended that you keep the soil moist and well-draining.
Staghorn Ferns
| Botanical Name | Platycerium |
| Common Names | Staghorn Ferns |
| Origin | Australia and New Guinea |
| Family | Polypodiaceae |
| Plant Type | Bifurcatum, evergreen plant |
The Staghorn Fern plants are the best plants for balcony railing planters. This is because they do well growing off irregular surfaces.
They don’t possess roots and feature leathery dark green fronds with white coverings that are thin like hairs.
Grow them in humid conditions and ensure that they are provided with enough access to bright but filtered sunlight.
Watering should be kept frequent and all the nutrients they would require would be absorbed through their leathery fronds.
Staghorn Ferns aren’t toxic to pets and children, however, avoid eating them in large quantities to keep safe from stomach upset.
Lemon Tree
| Botanical Name | Citrus Limonia |
| Common Names | Lemon Tree |
| Origin | Asia |
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Plant Type | Evergreen small tree |
Lemon trees are suitable terrace plants that would do well with proper access to direct sunlight. It’s a small tree so be sure to have enough balcony space before growing it.
It is known for its bright yellow fruits which are edible and offer a sweet scent. It also features green oval-shaped leaves with little thorns and young branches.
The Citrus limonia requires average maintenance with frequent watering and good light, well-draining soil, and plenty of liquid-soluble fertilizer.
Humidity should be kept high as they hate cold climates and might suffer during the winter season.
Mint
| Botanical Name | Mentha |
| Common Names | Mint |
| Origin | Mediterranean |
| Family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant Type | Herbaceous evergreen shrub |
Pairing the Mint plant with your Lavandula angustifolia would produce a nice mix of sweet aromatic scents that would be very relaxing.
Mints feature green stems that are square-shaped, their foliages are also green, and they produce tiny blooms that are purple in color.
Considered a low-maintenance plant, grow your mint in a small pot and provide them with access to direct sunlight.
Regular watering is needed, so keep it at once or twice a week. Picking a variegated mint plant could offer some unique aesthetics to your balcony.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not all indoor plants can be grown on the balcony as light intensity would need to be regulated.
The Golden pothos does require protection from direct sunlight, so a shaded balcony should be good.
A few trees like a Lemon tree, Olive tree, and crepe myrtles are perfect trees for the balcony
Depending on the succulent, adequate sunlight would be required.
Aside from Staghorn Ferns, Spanish moss, lucky bamboo, and some philodendrons can survive without soil.
