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Ideas for balcony gardens


Balcony garden ideas: 15 ways to create an oasis

(Image credit: Future / Paul Raeside)

These balcony garden ideas will help you create a beautiful space and reap the benefits of outdoor life, even if you live in the city and don't have a traditional yard out large outdoor space.

Considering the weather conditions, such as the amount of sunlight the balcony gets how windy it can be, and of course, how much space you have, will help when deciding which flowers to purchase or grow. 

And, if you're not sure where to start and need some fresh garden ideas to inspire you, we've asked the experts to share their balcony garden knowledge with us – just for you.

Balcony garden ideas

These are our favorite small garden ideas for balcony gardens – plus tons of design advice and inspiration. 

1. Use all surfaces of your balcony

(Image credit: Getty Images)

So much attention in gardening is focused downwards on digging, planting and weeding flower beds and lawns, but vertical gardens can make the most of a small space.

There's a good chance your balcony has limited square footage, so take advantage of all the surface area you have available. Vertical space can be maximized, for example, with hanging planters that hook directly onto your railing. 

2. Choose the right size planters

(Image credit: Getty Images - WestEnd61)

When you plan a small garden, it's important to factor in the size of the planters, and resist them temptation to overcrowd the space, so you can give plants enough room to grow. 

'The container needs to be large enough to support the size plant(s) you will be growing in it,' says Jeanine Standard of Proven Winners , one of the leading plant brands in the U.S.  'The more plants you are adding to the container, the larger it needs to be in order to hold a good amount of soil that will provide the water the plant needs.'

3. Choose a type of garden

(Image credit: Terrain)

Before you start planting, decide what type of garden you want to have, as well as the type that'll work for your outdoor space.

A balcony that gets lots of light is perfect for annuals like poppies or petunias or a vegetable garden, while one that's mostly in the shade can be better suited to flowers like Sweet Alyssum or boxwood shrubs.

When you're container gardening, it's also wise to separate annuals and perennials, that way come winter, you can move your perennial planters indoors. 

4. Use a plant stand

(Image credit: SuccyPlanters on Etsy)

A multi-tiered plant stand allows for plenty of pots without crowding the floor. Use all the same plant to make a cohesive statement, or vary your pots and planters for a cottage container garden feel. 

5. Grow a living wall vegetable garden

(Image credit: Growing Revolution)

When you think of a vegetable garden, you may think of a sprawling suburban yard or a large plot of farmland, but a balcony wall can offer a chance to incorporate a small vegetable garden into your limited outdoor space.

'A vertical garden makes green space accessible to the masses and as attention continues to turn to where our food comes from, we’re not hugely surprised that people are now thinking about what more their living walls can offer them,' says Matt Lindsay, general manager at Growing Revolution . 'With a fixture against an external wall or on a balcony, those in flats and other urban homes can reap the physical, mental and environmental rewards that gardening for production provides.' 

(Image credit: Ali Allen/Jacquie Melville/Nassima Rothaker)

Specialising in small-space gardening and the ever-popular trend of container planting, Isabelle Palmer of The Balcony Gardener is deftly positioned to provide expert balcony garden ideas that will transform bijou outdoor areas into ‘the fifth room’.

'When I first moved to London I had a flat with two very small balconies – it was a contrast to the large garden I was used to growing up, and I wanted to recreate a piece of that in my new home.

'At home now I have a balcony and a larger garden, so I feel connected to containers or landscaping. Both are enjoyable, but if I had to pick it would be containers, the main benefit being the instant gratification.' 

Here, a selection of colorful containers and pots – filled with fragrant plants – standout against a simple backdrop.

7. Set up a dedicated spot for an oversized planter

(Image credit: Ali Allen/Jacquie Melville/Nassima Rothaker)

Planting in balcony gardens can be more complicated than backyards as there’s no soil to plant directly into, and often the space is much smaller too – but this doesn’t mean that you’re unable to enjoy the beauty of plants and flowers.

Using containers and pots means that you can position your plants anywhere in the space and is a great way to personalise and add color to a balcony. Adapt the size and amount of pots to the space and your taste. 

Plenty of pots may add charm and personality, but you may prefer to take inspiration from these courtyard garden ideas and create a more minimalist space with just one oversized planter, as shown above.

8. Add a table and chairs to large balcony gardens

(Image credit: Ali Allen/Jacquie Melville/Nassima Rothaker)

Balcony gardens are the perfect place to enjoy a morning coffee or an afternoon tea, so why not set up a cozy spot to perch.

This space mixes nature with surrounding structures, in a way that is very original. The style is undulating and looks like a beautiful picture. There’s structure, but there’s a wild harmony to it that fits with the overall design ethos. 

9. Create a fifth room with your balcony garden ideas

(Image credit: Ali Allen/Jacquie Melville/Nassima Rothaker)

Use your balcony to plan a small garden that complements the rest of your home decor.

'I approach designing balconies as I would do any other room in the house,' advises Isabelle Palmer . 'Clients will tell me about the sort of gardens they like, and we try and create a condensed version of that. I pick up on the style of the room that leads to the balcony.

'There might be a beautiful painting on the wall that will inform the color choices of the plants. I think of the garden as the fifth room and make the design fit the aesthetic. 

'The finished space should elongate the home, so interior design is as important as garden design when it comes to small gardens and balconies. '

10. Plant according to sunlight

(Image credit: Future / Mark Scott)

You need to consider how much sunlight your balcony gets. This may mean you have to position plants in certain places, and it will also help in deciding which plants to choose. 

If you get sunlight pretty much all day, choose varieties such as petunias or marigolds. If sun is hard to come by, primroses and foxgloves would be good options.

11. Take the weather conditions into consideration

(Image credit: Future / Annaick Guitteny)

If your balcony is quite high up, or you are planning a roof garden, your plants may have to also survive the harsh wind. If this is the case, try and find more sheltered areas to position the plants. 

Plants which are low-lying and therefore less likely to break in the wind, such as begonias, chrysanthemum, pansies and succulents, should fare better than taller plants such as delphiniums.

12. Pretty up with picture-perfect pots

(Image credit: Future / Carolyn Barber)

If you have no soil to plant directly into, containers are a great alternative and will provide the conditions needed to grow flowers. You can choose from pots, hanging baskets and window boxes. 

Containers are a great way to let your personality shine. For the eco-conscious, you could use an old wellington boot as a container or find a brightly colored pot to add some happiness and color to your balcony garden ideas.

13. Keep balcony plants hydrated

(Image credit: Future / Holly Jolliffe)

Plants will need to be watered in order to survive and thrive. Think about the best way to do this. If you can, install an outside tap that will save you carrying water from inside the building, or find a way to collect rainwater if you want to incorporate sustainable small garden ideas into your scheme.

If this isn’t possible, think about the number of trips you’ll have to do, and don’t get more plants than you’ll be willing to water. It's also a good idea to invest in a garden watering can for those top-ups for thirsty plants.

14. Experiment with pots, plants and heights

(Image credit: Future / Polly Wreford)

Consider the direction you want to grow your plants in. Using bigger pots and growing vertically is easier and definitely a popular option in balcony garden ideas.

Having several hanging baskets all at different heights against a bare wall can create a great feature, like in the balcony garden above, and could be the main focus of the space.

15. Choose the right colors for a small balcony

(Image credit: Future / Colin Poole)

'Choose the colors that you love, but don't go too vivid – restrict your palette to around three different colors that work well with each other,' advises Isabelle. 

If you want to make a small garden look bigger, Isabelle advises: 'Lighter color flowers really open up a space, so put your lightest flowers at the furthest point so that your eyes are drawn outwards.'

How do I arrange my balcony garden?

How you arrange your balcony garden will depend entirely on the size of available space – and, what you hope to achieve from this extra room. 

'Nearly every brief used to have "pretty and low-maintenance" at the top, whereas now it’s about more than that,' says Isabelle. 'Mindfulness and tranquility play a huge part in balcony garden ideas, and people want to feel connected to nature – it’s about creating a welcoming space for wildlife as well as family and friends.' 

'The therapeutic element means that people are happy to spend a bit more time growing and maintaining. Next year it will be even more about multitasking. We expect our balcony gardens to work a lot harder for us and become so much more than just a place to sit and have lunch. They are an entertaining space, a work place, a vegetable garden and a healing retreat.'

What plants grow well on a balcony? 

The plants that grow well in balcony gardens will depend which direction the space is facing and how much sunlight it receives during the day. 

‘I would always begin with an evergreen palette so you can maintain your garden all year round – choose things like gymeas and yuccas, ivy, and waxy leaf plants, because they are more durable in terms of gardening,' says Isabelle. 'Ferns are great, especially if you have a shadier area.’

You can even include one or two of the best trees for a small garden, planted in pots or containers.

How do I start a small balcony garden?

It is easier than you think to plan small balcony garden ideas. With a just little know-how, you will be well on your way to creating a space that meets your every desire.

'You need to begin by thinking about what you want to use the space for,' explains Isabelle. 'Quite often, balconies are incredibly tiny, so they're usually a place where you would sit and relax. However, you can also use balcony gardens strategically to screen off sections of a view that you don't particularly want to see, which is often the case in cities. 

'You can also use balcony garden ideas purposefully – to grow herbs or something to eat, like by incorporating some small vegetable garden ideas into your space. Think about zoning your balcony, and how to use the space for one specific purpose.

'In the end, balcony garden ideas are just about having a bit of fun. Include plants you like and don't take it too seriously. Everybody fails, even the best gardeners, so that's why you need to take things slowly and build up your confidence with time.’

Jennifer is the Digital Editor at Homes & Gardens. Having worked in the interiors industry for a number of years, spanning many publications, she now hones her digital prowess on the 'best interiors website' in the world. Multi-skilled, Jennifer has worked in PR and marketing, and the occasional dabble in the social media, commercial and e-commerce space. Over the years, she has written about every area of the home, from compiling design houses from some of the best interior designers in the world to sourcing celebrity homes, reviewing appliances and even the odd news story or two.

21 Balcony Garden Ideas for Beginners in Small Apartments

Learn the basics of planning and designing a small-scale balcony or rooftop garden, plus get tips for selecting the best plants and containers. By Anne Balogh

Photo by: Proven Winners

Growing plants in a limited space like a balcony or terrace can be a challenge even for an experienced gardener, but it’s also a great opportunity to be creative and have fun.

From deciding what to grow (an urban vegetable garden? a tropical paradise?) to choosing imaginative containers (such as an old watering can or wood crate), the entire process can be an adventure. Yes, you still must adhere to the strict confines of your space, but there are many tricks for making every square inch count. Here are some tips to help you get started:

On this page: Maximize Your Space | Know Your Restrictions | How to Water | What to Grow | Choose Your Containers | Balcony Garden Ideas

On this page:

MAXIMIZE YOUR SPACE

How much space do you need for a balcony garden? Surprisingly, not much at all if you take advantage of walls, railings, and overhead structures.

Turn your balcony into a vertical garden. Attach pots, shelves, or trellises to the walls; and if your balcony has a ceiling, add a few hooks for hanging plants. Cover the railings of your balcony with chicken wire to support climbing plants, or purchase plant hangers that can be attached to the top of a railing. (See more vertical gardening ideas.)

Think of your balcony garden as an extension of your indoor living space. If you choose plant colors and textures that echo the interior design, even the smallest balcony will look more expansive and welcoming.

KNOW YOUR RESTRICTIONS

In addition to the square footage of your balcony, there may be other restrictions that will limit what you can plant and where. If you live in an apartment building or condo, be sure to check what’s permissible by the building owner before you begin.

Weight. There may be weight restrictions and rules regarding what you can hang from balcony railings and walls. If the balcony is attached to your home, know how much weight it can safely support. The weight from large ceramic containers and wet soil can add up quickly.

Microclimate. The amount of sunlight the space receives is the most critical factor to consider, but wind exposure and temperature are important too.

Tip: If wind is a problem on your balcony, consider using balcony privacy screens as windbreaks to protect more fragile plants. You can also put plants that don't like the wind in low pots near a wall to give them more protection.

HOW DO YOU WATER A BALCONY GARDEN?

Few balcony or rooftop gardens have access to an outside water source, which means you’ll have to rely on water from a sink or bathtub to keep your plants well-hydrated. To minimize your trips back and forth lugging heavy jugs of water, try some of these strategies for watering your plants:

Keep in mind that the hotter and windier the conditions on your balcony, the more frequently you’ll need to water -- sometimes as often as twice a day. If a convenient water source is far from reach, make life easier by growing plants with low water requirements, such as cacti and succulents.

WHAT CAN YOU GROW IN A BALCONY GARDEN?

Photo by: Ania K / Shutterstock

Just about any plant you can grow in a container is fair game for a balcony garden, as long as you have the space for it and can give it the appropriate amount of sun or shade. If you live in a climate with cold winters, consider growing some plants that are hardy enough to leave outdoors year-round or that can be overwintered indoors so you don’t have to start from scratch again each spring.

WHAT CONTAINERS ARE BEST FOR A BALCONY GARDEN?

Anything that can hold soil and has good drainage has potential for a balcony container garden. The style can range from fancy to frivolous, depending on your tastes, but the container should be practical and suit the purpose. Some factors to consider include container weight, durability, weather resistance, ease of watering, and cost.

See more tips for choosing the right container.

Featured in: Garden Design's Top 10 Garden Trends for 2022 ("Maximizing Balconies & Porches")

BALCONY GARDEN IDEAS

Most herbs will flourish on a sunny balcony or terrace and require very little space to grow. If your balcony doesn’t have good sun exposure, some herbs that grow well in partial shade include parsley, chervil, cilantro, and tarragon. Photo: Franz Peter Rudolf / Shutterstock

On a small balcony, take advantage of vertical space to maximize your growing room. Wood pallets turned on end, old book shelves, or tiered planters are all practical solutions for gardening up rather than out. Photo by: Eurybia / Shutterstock

Don’t be afraid to play with colors and plant types. A mix of small trees, shrubs, foliage plants, and colorful annuals will add interest and diversity to your balcony garden. Photo by: Udo Kroener / Shutterstock

Flowers cascading over railings and climbing up trellises bring breathtaking color and fragrance to this charming European balcony garden. The symmetrical arrangement of the plantings helps define the space and create balance. Photo by: Leigh Trail / Shutterstock

Slatted walls covered in climbing plants and other greenery turn an open balcony into a private retreat. The walls also function as windbreaks, protecting the delicate foliage. Photo by: Tapui / Shutterstock

A dwarf olive tree is the perfect choice for a balcony garden because of its low water requirements and resistance to high winds and subfreezing temperatures. If you plan to use the tree as a focal point, uplight it at night to reflect the beauty of the silvery foliage. Photo by: Ania K / Shutterstock

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Ideas for a vertical balcony garden

Did you know that balcony gardens are not just about beauty? Green "walls" absorb sounds and protect us from street dust. And they also distract us from painful and bad thoughts and set us up for positive. In addition, a balcony garden can have a completely practical purpose: you can plant greens and vegetables here. Here are some ideas on how to organize space for a garden on a balcony.

Natalia Ozhogina

Legion Media

What could be better than going out on the balcony in the evening with a cup of tea, sitting on a chair, turning on the flashlight and breathing in the scent of greenery and flowers... If you don't have a dacha, arrange yourself a mini-garden on the balcony.

Contents of the article

What to look for

It is important to understand the microclimate on your balcony. Is there a lot of sun here and at what time does it get here, which corners are best lit. It's also good to know how hot your balcony gets during the day. There is such a thing as a solar calculator that will show you exactly what is the amount of accumulated heat from the sun in this area.

Be honest with yourself about how much time you intend to spend caring for your plants. They cannot take care of themselves. And if you decide to go on vacation for a couple of weeks in the summer, keep in mind that your garden and your mini-crop may not wait for you. In this case, it is better to give the keys to relatives or neighbors.

How to plan a garden on a balcony

Before you start "populating" the balcony, take the time to clearly plan out what and where will stand and grow. So you can figure out where to place light-loving plants, and where shade-loving ones. Tall flowers should not stand in front of low ones and block their light. Flowering plants can help create spectacular accents, they are best planted separately from each other and put in the foreground, or they can be hung in flower pots on walls or placed on vertical shelves.

Make a detailed plan with a schematic representation of all plants, furniture and accessories. Where do you plant vegetables and where do you plant flowers? Use the entire space as much as possible, not only the floor, but also the walls and even the ceiling. Your plan will help you understand how much the balcony will be forced to, as well as estimate the load on the balcony base slab. Keep in mind that some pots of soil and plants can weigh more than 10-15 kilograms. If your apartment is in an old housing stock, it is not a fact that you can afford too much.

6 ideas for vertical gardening on the balcony

No.

1. Hanging planters

A great idea that allows you to save space as much as possible, as well as make bright accents from flower arrangements. Your main task is to assemble a “company” of planters that will look harmonious, as well as take care of the quality of their fastening.

No. 2. Stepladder or Ladder

Simply put this "gadget" against the wall and place small pots and planters on it. Such a "hotel" can accommodate many small "residents".

No. 3. Base with sewn-on pot pockets

Attach the base to the wall, sheathed in thick fabric, on which many pockets are sewn. Many small pots can also be placed in such pockets. Here you can also attach greens (dill, parsley, green onions), which can be gradually planted and which will delight you all summer.

No. 4. Mounted modules

The very case when the designers and manufacturers of ready-made modules have already decided everything for you. You only need to walk to the store with a tape measure and buy something to your taste.

No. 5. Flower stands

Same with flower stands. Well, it’s just that your eyes run wide: a huge assortment of plastic, wooden, forged, with different support methods, shelves and brackets.

№ 6. Living wall

You can create it yourself. Fasten to the wall or "sew" the surface of the slab enclosing the balcony and the edges of the ceiling with strong threads or twine. This will be the base for the climbing plants that form the green wall. Such a green balcony will look simply stunning, you will increasingly be drawn to go to your little summer "cottage".

Here are some more beautiful ideas for the balcony, which blogger "Garden and Kitchen" offers:

How to create a cozy garden on a balcony: 10 tips from a landscape architect

We asked Olga Stepanova, a landscape architect and teacher at the Details school, what plants to choose, how to place them correctly, and what will help turn a balcony into a cozy garden, like in a country house.

Publication date: 05/18/2020

Material prepared: Julia Sakharova

“My motto is: we turn problems into opportunities,” says Olga Stepanova. - First, let's try to imagine not just a balcony in a multi-storey building, but a real hanging garden. The limited space of the balcony will be an occasion to create a garden microcosm, a cozy corner in which there will be all the best: flowering thickets, a sofa for relaxing, and a wooden covering, like on a terrace. You went out onto the balcony - and you are already at the dacha.

Photo: press office


A short formula for a cozy balcony garden

Using specific examples, we show how great these techniques work.

1. Use any free space for plants

At the end of the balcony, you can organize a place to relax. Why not, if there are many different surfaces for plants. Flowering annuals can take a light hanging box, and plants from the room can move to a narrow rack and window sill.

2. Choose simple solutions and handy tools


Use the simplest handy tools, such as a cargo pallet as a base for an ottoman or a drawer as a table. This will give the garden on the loggia ease in the spirit of country style. Plant simple plants that are easy to care for. For example, a petunia will bloom all summer long, a thuja in a pot will turn green at any time of the year, and creepers will create a green wall - it will be cozy here for at least five months a year.

Photo: IKEA


3. Decorate an open balcony correctly


If the balcony railings are as open as possible, then geranium, begonia elatior and vertically climbing ivy, as well as flowering annuals: surfinia, nasturtium, lobelia, will serve as an excellent decor for them.

4. Place foldable garden furniture


Place foldable garden furniture on the balcony: it saves space even visually.

Also take a look at hanging planters: they will help decorate the upper level of the space with greenery. Pay attention to multifunctional things: perforated containers are used instead of planters on this balcony. A bag of soil was inserted into each such container, the plants took their places in the cells. In this case, tulip bulbs and greens were planted. In the same way, you can plant gacinths and mini-daffodils.

Hardy plants - geranium, sansevieria, and a small ficus lyrata - were placed on the tables. Good choice, take note.

Photo: IKEA


5. Get by with houseplants, but big ones


It's easy to get by with just houseplants, but they need to be big enough. For example, the Nephrolepis and Schefflera fern are quite resistant and will not experience any stress if they are transferred to the street. Just make sure that they are not damaged by sudden frosts, and this happens even in June.

6. Create the illusion of an arbor with ivy


Even on a small balcony, you can arrange a cozy seating area - with a place to relax, pillows, a table, lanterns. Vertical gardening with vines (in this case, ivy) creates the illusion that you are in a gazebo outside the city. That's why creepers are worth using. True, for the winter the ivy will have to be moved into the house. Alternatively, climbing annuals like nasturtium can be used.

Also add flowers to this composition that will bloom all summer, such as Wittrock Violets ("pansies").

7. Combine large and small plants


Be sure to find a place for a real garden chair. In the company of a mattress and homemade pillows, it is a cozy place to relax. Large indoor plants in this mise-en-scene play the role of trees, while medium and small ones play the role of bushes, flowers, grass. Pay attention to white flowers: a garden, solved in white, will always look elegant.

8. Set up a garden or mini-garden in hanging containers


If you need to save space, here's a useful idea: hanging balcony containers. In addition, to save space, plants can be placed on wall hanging shelves. A tiny herb garden is an elegant solution. Chives, any mint, parsley and dill, as well as small-fruited remontant strawberries are well suited for growing - the berries will be until autumn. Only a sunny place, rich soil and timely watering are needed.

9. Add romance


Paint the balcony walls with different shades of white: eggshell, limestone, chalk. If you love romance, decorate your balcony with pink flowers. They will create a mood of tenderness.

10. Create color contrast

Do not be afraid of radical solutions and compositions based on contrast. An example is this loggia. The bright pink wall mural contrasts sharply with a splash of greenery, and this is an example of an actual color combination.

Photo: Farrow&Ball


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