Balcony Garden Ideas: Containers, Wind and What Survives

Getting it right

Buy bigger pots than you think you need. Anything under about 12 inches (30 cm) across dries out by lunchtime in July, and roots cook against the sides. Check the balcony's weight limit before you commit, and use a potting mix lightened with perlite rather than garden soil. Screen the prevailing wind with a slatted panel rather than a solid one, group pots so they shade each other's sides, and fit a watering timer if you're ever away in August.

How to plan it

Note which way it faces first. A south- or west-facing balcony gets intense afternoon sun and suits lavender, rosemary, herbs and tomatoes; an east-facing one gets gentle morning sun; a north-facing or covered balcony suits coral bells, Japanese sedge and ferns. Above the fourth or fifth floor, assume wind from every side.

Keep the floor clear for a small table and two chairs, and put the planting on the railing and walls: rail planters secured on the inside of the railing, a wall-mounted trellis for a climber, and one or two large pots in the corners, where the structure is strongest.

Watering is the daily job. Self-watering containers or a simple drip kit on a battery timer save most balcony gardens in summer. Check your lease or HOA before fixing anything to walls or railings, and make sure drainage water doesn't drip onto the balcony below.

Plants that work

Botanical names come first so you can order the right plant anywhere. Heights are for mature plants in the ground.
Plant	Type	Light	Water	Height	Hardy to
English lavenderLavandula angustifolia	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	16–28 in (40–70 cm)	−4 °F / −20 °C
RosemarySalvia rosmarinus	Shrub · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	2–5 ft (0.6–1.5 m)	10 °F / −12 °C
ThymeThymus vulgaris	Herb · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	8–12 in (20–30 cm)	−4 °F / −20 °C
BasilOcimum basilicum	Herb · Deciduous	Full sun	High	12–24 in (30–60 cm)	Grown as an annual
StrawberryFragaria × ananassa	Edible · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	8–12 in (20–30 cm)	−13 °F / −25 °C
Zonal geraniumPelargonium × hortorum	Perennial · Deciduous	Full sun	Moderate	12–20 in (30–50 cm)	Grown as an annual
Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides	Climber · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	10–20 ft (3–6 m)	10 °F / −12 °C
Blue fescueFestuca glauca	Grass · Evergreen	Full sun	Low	8–12 in (20–30 cm)	−22 °F / −30 °C
Japanese sedgeCarex oshimensis	Grass · Evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	12–18 in (30–45 cm)	−4 °F / −20 °C
Coral bellsHeuchera (hybrids)	Perennial · Semi-evergreen	Partial shade	Moderate	12–20 in (30–50 cm)	−22 °F / −30 °C
English ivyHedera helixInvasive in parts of the US. Check your state's list.	Climber · Evergreen	Shade	Low	7–33 ft (2–10 m)	−13 °F / −25 °C
TomatoSolanum lycopersicum	Edible · Deciduous	Full sun	High	3–7 ft (1–2 m)	Grown as an annual

Surfaces and materials

Composite deck
Terracotta pots
Zinc planters
Trellis
Slatted wood screen
String lights
Shade sail

Works well when

You rent and cannot build
The yard is small
There is a structural weight limit
You want to grow food
Neighbors can see in

Think twice when

The site is open and windy
There is no outdoor spigot
You want low maintenance

Common questions

What grows well on a windy balcony?

Small-leaved, low and flexible plants: lavender, rosemary, thyme, blue fescue and Japanese sedge. Avoid big soft leaves and tall plants in light pots, which get shredded or blown over.

How much weight can my balcony hold?

It varies widely from building to building, so ask the building manager or check the building documents rather than guessing. Wet potting mix is heavy, and a few large pots can weigh more than people expect; lightweight mix and plastic or fiberglass containers help.

Can I grow vegetables on a balcony?

Yes, if it gets at least six hours of sun. Cherry tomatoes, basil, strawberries, lettuce and herbs all do well in containers, with at least 5 gallons (19 liters) of mix for each tomato and 1 to 2 gallons (4–8 liters) for herbs.

Is English ivy good on a balcony?

It's tough and evergreen, but English ivy is invasive in much of the US and works its way into walls and gutters. Star jasmine in mild climates, or clematis on a trellis, makes a better balcony climber.