Plant for balcony privacy
10 Privacy Plants For Your Apartment Balcony – Ask the plantician
If you live in an apartment, you would know getting some privacy can get a little bit tricky when residents are compacted into a small building. Perhaps, winding down at the balcony can feel too close to your neighbors, or you get a sense that someone is watching you. If this sounds all too familiar, then I’ve got a solution for you – privacy plants as green screens!
Privacy plants for the apartment balcony will protect you from neighboring eyes and onlookers from the public. Plants that are ideal for the apartment balcony are ones that are adaptable to your balcony’s weather conditions. They also need to be well-fitted into your balcony’s layout, such as space and type of railings.
These plants for the apartment balcony provide excellent privacy screens:
1. Hollyhocks
2. Broadleaf Lady Palms
3. Lilly Pilllies
4. Goldstripe bamboos
5. English Ivies
6. Star Jasmine
7. Mandevillas
8. Lavenders
9. Ferns
10. Marigolds
Before shopping for privacy plants for your apartment balcony, there are a few things to note before heading to the local nursery: Environmental conditions and the structural features of your balcony.
Environmental Factors To ConsiderBefore exploring what privacy plants are best for your balcony, we need to assess the environmental conditions that it will be placed under.
Sunlight
The amount of sunlight your balcony gets throughout the day is crucial when choosing a plant. If your balcony is facing the north, you’ll be receiving the least amount of sunlight throughout the day compared to balconies facing in the other directions. South-facing balconies get sunlight throughout the whole day.
If you’re not sure which direction your balcony is facing, simply make an observation throughout the day. When you hang your laundry clothes out on the balcony, how quickly does it dry, and when does it get the most sun.
Taking note of the amount of sunlight is an important step before shopping for any plant.
Wind
Balconies susceptible to high winds risk getting their plants either damaged or blown away. The force and persistence of wind can damage fragile plants by tearing off their leaves, snapping stems, and breaking branches.
Also, constant winds take away moisture from foliage and increase moisture evaporation. This means soils tend to dry out quicker and require more frequent watering if your plant thrives on moist soil.
If you live in a high-rise apartment, bear in mind that winds are generally stronger the higher up. While you won’t experience much difference during the typical summer day, the wind effect can be experienced exponentially in the higher levels.
Balconies that are more prone to frequent winds should adopt hardy and wind-resistant plants.
Rainfall
Take note of the amount of rainfall your balcony receives. Perhaps your balcony does not receive a lot of rainfall because situated under the shelter of another residence.
Or perhaps you live in a region that is mostly dry until the winter season.
If your balcony is easily exposed to rainy weather, bear in mind that you will need plants that are heavy drinkers and are not prone to root rot.
Structural Features Of Balcony To ConsiderType of railing
The type of balcony railing you have can influence the type of plants you need for privacy.
For example, a glass railing that gives full viewing exposure of your balcony will encourage you to buy bigger pots and plants that will provide you with a broader cover.
Or if you’ve got metal railings, you can take advantage of their ability to hang and purchase hanging planters.
Space
This is fairly obvious. Your balcony floor space will limit the number and size of your privacy plants. Make a note of the available floor space where your plants can be placed. If you have any tables and chairs occupying the balcony, this will reduce space for your plants.
Now that you’ve done a bit of thinking of what’s suitable for your apartment balcony, we’re going to look at some great options to give your balcony some privacy.
Tall Plants For Balcony Privacy1. Hollyhocks
If you’re looking for a tall plant that also adds a burst of colors, the Hollyhocks could be the choice that brightens your balcony. The Hollyhocks can reach heights of 9 feet (2.7 meters) tall, and with the colorful flowers that it grows, it’ll sure make your balcony stand out from the rest!
The Hollyhocks is ideal for the sunny balcony that receives full sun. This plant is a short-lived perennial, meaning that most varieties will only live for two to three years. However, these plants easily reseed themselves, allowing them to continually grow more.
2. Broadleaf Lady Palms
The Broadleaf Lady Palm looks is a multi-stemmed plant with clusters of fanned leaves. Their density creates a thick and bushy appearance, making it an excellent natural wall cover for privacy.
If left unpruned, this plant will grow to more than 14 feet (4 meters) tall.
The Broadleaf Lady Palm is ideal for the balcony that does not receive too much direct sunlight. This palm enjoys the indirect sun and moist soil, so be prepared to give it water once every few days in well-draining soil. As the tree ages, the lower leaves will become discolored. You’ll need to take the time for pruning to tidy up.
3. Lilly Pilllies
This one is for my Australian readers! The Lilly Pillies have been a common choice for hedging and privacy in Australian gardens because they can grow up to 16.4 feet (five meters) tall.
The recommended Lilly Pilly variety to provide high coverage and privacy for your balcony is the Lilly Pilly Pinnacle. It grows narrow, compact, dense foliage with bright glossy green leaves. Be prepared to water these hedges regularly as they dry out very quickly in pots.
4. Goldstripe bamboos
The Goldstripe Bamboo is one of the smallest and narrowest bamboos that provides upright screening.
If want a denser covering, there’s the Boniopsis Bamboo that provides thicker foliage covering to completely block your neighbor’s view! These tall bamboos not only look stunning but gives you a sense of peace and quiet.
5. English Ivies
The English Ivy is a common plant used to block inquisitive neighbors due to its vigorous growing habits. It’s commonly used to divide neighbors between houses and as cascading covers to form a wall for any area. Hence, there’s no reason why it cannot be used as a cover for your balcony. You just need to provide it with a trellis for the plant to climb. The English Ivy is also great for balconies with metal line rails as it can be hung to form a cascading private covering.
This Ivy grows under a wide range of lighting conditions, making it suitable for any balcony. As the plant grows vigorously, it can provide coverage quickly at a low cost.
6. Star Jasmine
The Star Jasmine is another rapidly-growing vine that spreads quickly on any supporting structure.
Like the English Ivy, it does an excellent job as a covering hedge, blocking the view of others while displaying beautiful white flowers. This plant is suitable for balconies that have part shade to full sun.
7. Mandevillas
Plant the Mandevilla close to railed balconies and let the vines attach themselves along the wire. This plant gives your balcony splashes of pink, white and red while acting as a privacy screen. These plants are twining vines and may splay in different directions, making it look a bit messy. This could be the plant for you if you enjoy the process of pruning and tidying.
Plants For Balcony RailingsIf you’ve got metal a balcony railing that runs horizontally across, you can get railing planters that hook onto them. This is great for those who seek partial privacy covering instead of a complete wall cover.
8. Lavenders
The lavender is a great choice to grow on your balcony railing because it copes well with the sun and wind.
It grows pretty quickly, and you can control its size by pruning it. Here’s a tip: Do not cut down to its leafless wood; otherwise, it will not grow new stems.
An advantage of growing lavenders on your balcony rail is that it repels moths, flies, and mosquitoes. This is ideal if your apartment is situated alongside a river where mosquitoes are in great numbers during the summer night.
9. Ferns
Ferns are another excellent plant for balcony railings because they do better in shallow containers. Most planters designed to be hung on balcony railings are usually short in depth. Ferns have shallow roots and prefer a smaller container to better water absorption.
10. Marigolds
Marigolds are a global favorite as they blossom cheerful flowers in colors of yellow, orange, white, red, and gold. These plants will attract butterflies, bees, ladybugs, and other beneficial insects.
Marigold plants are great for the kids to interact with as seeds quickly germinate and bloom flowers in about 8 weeks.
This gives kids a sense of satisfaction and surprise!
If the thought of taking care of real plants is a headache, then artificial plants are possibly the way to go. You can get synthetic plants basically anywhere. There’s a massive variety of fake plants online, or you can browse in stores like IKEA.
Artificial plants can offer the same benefits of privacy as the real ones. Obviously, with fake plants, there’s no need to consider the weather conditions of your balcony. Whether it’s sunny, raining, hailing, the fake plants will survive all!
If you’ve got family members with plant allergies, then fake plants would be a good option as they have no smell and do not produce pollen which means that you can enjoy the balcony without the concern of a potential runny nose and itchy eyes. You also don’t need to worry about little pests, such as fungus gnats, that are only associated with problematic soils of natural plants.
Artificial plants are generally more cost-effective over the long term because they are easier to maintain. There’s no need for pruning, watering, fertilizing, and so on. You only just need to occasionally wipe off the leaves as they start to gather dust.
I would also add that fake plants are safer for the balcony as they are a lot lighter; they don’t require the weight of soil. This might be an important consideration if you live in an older apartment building with balcony damage or poor building material.
Now, I won’t make a list of recommended fake plants, as you can simply go online or the dollar store to explore your options.
Personally, I do not like using fake plants because it takes the joy out of looking after them. Most people take pleasure in watering plants and pruning them while enjoying the view from their balcony. However, if you’re simply looking for some hassle-free greenery to block the view of neighbors, then artificial plants are the ideal option for you.
There is no right or wrong when it comes to selecting privacy plants for your apartment balcony. It all comes down to personal preference and appeal. But one certain thing is that you must recognize your balcony’s sun, wind, and rainfall exposure before shopping for the right plant. This will ensure the longevity of plants, or otherwise, they will wilt and droop, thus losing the privacy green screen that you intended it for.
Sources
Bamboo Down Under
House Plants Expert
enjoycontainergardening.com
Image credit
Small balcony with umbrella by Alexa Zari
Hollyhocks by Susanne Nilsson
English Ivy by James St. John
Lavendar by Khanh To
26 DIY Garden Privacy Ideas That Are Affordable & Incredible
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If you need privacy in your garden, the 26
DIY Garden Privacy Ideas here are worth looking at!Also Read: 31 DIY Privacy Fence Ideas for Backyards
1.
Use Potted PlantsGrowing bushy potted plants gives you the cover you need. It’s an easy way to improve privacy that also adds some foliage to your outdoor space. Get plants that spread out wide as they grow.
Also Read: Balcony Privacy Ideas
2. Shutter Privacy Screen from Old Windows
Get old windows and doors with louvers and line them up against the fence on the side you intend to cover. The step-by-step idea is here!
3. Living Walls for Privacy
Image Credit: HometalkGrowing a living wall is a fabulous idea if you want to cover your exposed area, though a high-maintenance one. You can grow flowering plants too. Click here and here to see the tutorials!
Also Read: Best Botanical Gardens in the world
4. Grow Bamboos for Privacy
Growing Bamboo in pots is also possible. So leave your privacy concerns behind as they provide a well-concealed look as well as lush greenery. Here’s an informative Bamboo Growing Guide.
5. Vines for Privacy
If you want to cover your garden fences or railings in a balcony or rooftop, vines are good options. Here’s a helpful article on Gardening Know How to read!
Also Read: 24 Best Vines You can Grow in Containers
6. Bamboo Screens for Privacy
Bamboo screens become a great screening wall that restricts those prying eyes from peeping into your property. You can either buy or DIY them, not difficult. See the tutorial here!
7. Privacy Wall made from Wood Lattice
This wall is easy to make and has the benefit of making your patio prettier and more private. Add flower pots or small herb planters to hang on the lattice to make it look more appealing. Click here to watch the tutorial video!
Also Read: How to Improve Privacy of Rooftop Garden
8. A DIY Slat Wall
A slat wall isn’t too complicated to make, nor costly. What’s more, you can hang pots on it and grow plants vertically. DIY post is available here!
Also Read: Ideas To Create Privacy Using Plants
9.
The Tin Wall Privacy ScreenYou can put the tin in the area you intend to cover, this will also provide an industrial look to your space. Dress it up and see how much it transforms your outdoor space. Visit Crafty Texas Girl to understand the idea in detail.
10. Grow Tall Ornamental Grasses
This idea is most suitable for city dwellers. Have large galvanized pots with long grass planted to cover the exposed area.
Also Read: Best Ornamental Grasses for Containers
11. Wattle Privacy Screen
Use twigs and branches to make this privacy screen. The screens can be moved around in the backyard, so you don’t have to build them overly broad. Visit the Apartment Therapy to see more of it!
12. Privacy Curtains
The curtains are quick and classy, as well as a convenient option to try. They cover the space well and can be removed anytime. See the idea in detail here.
13. Vertical Garden Privacy Screen
This idea is unique, works for almost every place, and serves its purpose well.
A great way to add more planting space as well. Visit One Man’s Garden to know more!
14. Use Repurposed Old Doors
If you have access to old doors (you can find a few unused ones from workshops), create a privacy screen from them. Click here and here to learn more about the idea!
15. DIY Slat Screen
If you have a minimalist house, this is what you need. The slatted screen covers the small area entirely and seems like part of the house. We found the tutorial at The Brick House.
16. Fabric Privacy Screen
It’s another privacy screen idea to try, but only if you’ve some carpentry skills. Visit the Diy Network to learn the DIY.
17. Use Wine Bottles to Make a Privacy Screen
Use empty wine bottles to try this unique idea. You’ll get the beautiful colored shadows during sunshine, light filtering through this incredible privacy screen. Watch the tutorial video here!
Also Read: DIY Wine Bottle Ideas for the Garden
18.
Use Jeans to Create PrivacyAn eye-catchy idea, which is bizarre too. Line the inside of the jeans with a plastic bag and then fill them up with soil and use a fence or metal rod to provide support and place them closely. The DIY is available here.
19. Wood and Aluminum Privacy Screen
The wooden frame holds the aluminum sheets in place. Your creativity in undertaking this project determines what the outcome is; it will look great no matter how you choose to do it. Lowe’s.com has the tutorial of it!
20. Wooden Privacy Screen with the Chevron Logo Design
It’s a wooden privacy wall but with a creative twist to it. Easy to build, and you’ll notice the beauty of it once you complete this DIY project.
21. Use Faux Hedges
You can enjoy having a green fence that you don’t need to maintain. Simply get some faux boxwood hedges, and you are good to go with them.
22. Curtain Privacy Screens
The curtains can match the color of the furniture, outdoors or indoors.
Use them to create privacy.
Also Read: Amazing DIY Garden Furniture Ideas
23. Freestanding PVC Pipe and Curtain Privacy Screen
Find PVC pipes and bedsheets to make this simple privacy screen. The movable screen can be used in different areas of your outdoor space and looks appealing and straightforward at the same time. Visit HGTV.com to see the tutorial!
24. Repurposed Shutters
Either leave them as they were or paint them and line the shutters across the area you want to cover, and that’s it.
25. Pallet Fences
If you enjoy working with pallets, then this is the kind of DIY you’d like to do to improve your privacy. We found this idea here! You can learn more about it at The Inspired Room.
26. Chicken Wire Privacy Fence
A simple and quick way to get things done. Just use chicken wires to fence the desired area and plant climbers or use twigs or something else to cover it, and that’s it.
Also Read: DIY Water Pond Ideas for Backyard
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20 fresh ideas — INMYROOM
Interior decor
Spring is finally here, which means it's time to improve the balcony to spend more time there. We will show you some great and simple ideas that will help you with this
Many of us sin by using balcony for storage. But it can be turned into a complete a room that will become your privacy corner, a place for snacks outdoors or even a small library. Today we will tell you how make the most of this usually small but promising space, and suggest ideas for its decor.
1. Arrange the seats correctly
arrange perpendicular to the path that the sun passes during the day so that it does not blind the eyes.
2. Consider floor heating
Balcony floor heating - is no longer a luxury, and this idea can be implemented in two ways: cable heating system or install a warm film floor.
3. Lay carpet
Don't forget about carpets. Durable woolen or bright synthetic - they will not only become indispensable assistants in creating a unique image of your balcony, but also give warmth and comfort.
4. Turn your balcony into a patio
overdo it with its size and quantity. Small table and a couple of chairs this is already quite enough to enjoy a glass of wine with friends on fresh air, turning your balcony into a full-fledged patio.
5. Create a social area
Do you have a large balcony? Then don't underestimate the effectiveness of simple solutions: chairs located around the perimeter of the balcony or benches with free space in the middle - a convenient option, suitable as for socializing and for enjoying the view.
6. Paint chairs
Metal chairs - an economical and practical option: they are resistant to moisture, compact, and easy to paint in any color with an aerosol can - you can change the palette every season!
7. Opt for a functional table
Modern compact solution for the balcony - a small multifunctional table, which at the same time is plant holder, which can be used both for work and in as a minibar.
8. Set up a mini garden
Plants can be placed at any level of the space, lie on the floor, hang from the walls and ceiling. Not only abundance looks good different colors, suggestive of a luxurious tropical garden, but also neat monochrome.
Those who like to fence themselves off the outside world will like the idea of a lattice and a wild grapes or sweet peas, or a low green fence of shrubs or dwarf cypresses. Flowering gardenia and jasmine shrubs will give a unique aroma, bright begonias - color.
Garden flowers, of course, suitable for a balcony better than indoor plants, but the latter can also be train them by taking them outside for a few hours a day.
9. Choose the pots
Pay special attention to the pots for plants. Oblong low boxes made of clay or stone are suitable for planting tall shrubs. Bright small flowers will look good in special narrow hanging boxes. Choose vases and pots of the same color palette or style, you can experiment with their shape.
10. Pay attention to the lighting
For accents and multi-level lighting, combine different types of lamps: wall, desktop, floor, ceiling, built-in. To visually expand the space of a small balcony, focus on lighting the walls. Lighting, directed to the ceiling and floor, better suited for larger balconies.
11. Add original light
Unusual, modern and effective solution - LED strip along the windowsill or ceiling.
12. Focus on plants
Plants also need lighting, especially if they are on the balcony during the winter.
small accent lamps will help make up for the lack of daylight and make the balcony look more stylish.
13. Add accessories
Patterned bench cushions, colorful tapestries and paintings, artificial skins on the chairs and even a small fountain - all this will give your balcony character, of course, will create comfort. The main thing - observe the measure!
14. Zone the space
If you are the proud owner of a long or wide balcony, zone it with plants or use screens of fabric or mahogany; screens from bamboo is suitable for more exotic interiors.
15. Find the right curtains
Choose the right window solution for your needs. Roman blinds - "accordion" are very compact and suitable for small balconies, the blinds look modern, functional and comfortable to wear. handling, and roller blinds absorb light well.
16. Hang a hammock
A hammock will not only help you relax and spend time in comfort, but will also become an original balcony decoration.
17. Attract birds
Bird chirping lovers can get special bathing suits and beautiful feeders for our little brothers.
18. Get a mirror
Mirrors will help visually increase the space of the balcony and the amount of greenery on it. It is better to use mirrors without a frame.
19. Decorate the balcony railing
You can install not only flower pots on the balcony railing, but also various beautiful objects, accessories, decorate it with garlands.
20. Activate the cornice
Window cornice – a space with great potential! It can be covered with a beautiful tablecloth, turned into an exhibition space or a book shelf.
Flowers on the balcony. How to create a green corner in the stone jungle? | Plants
Balcony floriculture is very close to indoor floriculture, although the balcony is almost a street, but not quite. If it is not glazed, then the conditions are as close as possible to the conditions of open ground.
And on a glazed loggia, plants are still more protected, so the selection of their species for landscaping a balcony is made individually in each case. A glazed balcony can be easily turned into a little jungle by simply placing many indoor plants here for the warm season. For them, this is very useful: fresh air literally transforms not only the appearance, but also the pace of development of indoor residents.
In addition, many garden annuals with abundant long flowering can be added to the range of indoor plants. First of all, we can recommend petunias, marigolds, daisies, lobelia, viola (pansies), nasturtium, godetia, zinnia, asters, annual phloxes, salvia, cloves and many others. And literally a few matthiola seeds planted in a pot will develop into inconspicuous-looking plants that fill everything around with a unique aroma on summer evenings.
Fragrant muscariPhoto: Irina Lukyanchik, personal archive
Many bulbs also grow well on balconies: muscari, galanthus, tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocuses.
Small varieties of lilies, dahlias, gladioli are also quite suitable and bloom willingly with proper plant care. Tuberous begonia will delight with a whole cascade of flowers, the variety of its varieties allows you to even populate the entire balcony with it alone and never repeat in shades. By the way, rose lovers can also choose varieties and varieties that are suitable in size.
Walls can be decorated with ampelous indoor or garden flowers. Easy to grow under these conditions are long-climbing varieties of nasturtium, morning glory, sweet peas, ornamental beans, and kobeya. In general, lovers have plenty to choose from when forming an assortment of plants designed to decorate a balcony. That's just moisture-loving and shade-tolerant people from the tropics will feel unwell on an open balcony due to low humidity. Undersized marigolds - an indispensable decoration of the balcony
Photo: Irina Lukyanchik, personal archive
Plants for growing on the balcony are planted in advance for seedlings, either they buy ready-made seedlings and quickly fill the selected containers with them, or they sow seeds directly into boxes and pots.
For planting balcony flowers, plastic and wooden boxes, pots and tubs, hanging planters, decorative wicker baskets are used. The main thing is that in terms of volume they should not be too tight for the roots and be wide enough not to collapse under the weight of adult plants. Wooden containers are coated with a special anti-fungal coating for wood to extend their service life. Pelargonium is an indispensable attribute of any balcony
Photo: Irina Lukyanchik, personal archive
All containers must have holes for water drainage. A drainage layer of 3-4 cm is necessarily poured at the bottom, and then it is already filled with earth. At the same time, it is advisable not to fill up to the upper borders of 2-3 cm, so that when watering, water does not overflow over the edges.
The soil for planting is selected not too light, store-bought peat mixtures should be "weighted" by adding fertile garden soil.
After all, small containers, being outdoors around the clock, will heat up more strongly by the sun and too light soil in them will quickly dry out. It is especially necessary to take this into account with the sunny orientation of the balcony (southeast, south, southwest) and do not forget that the higher the floor, the greater the susceptibility to drying out of the soil also due to stronger winds. The most suitable composition of the soil mixture is made up of equal parts of sod land, humus and peat. Lilies
Photo: Irina Lukyanchik, personal archive
Flower care on the balcony consists of regular watering, loosening the soil and feeding the plants with mineral or organic fertilizers.
The number of irrigations depends on many factors: on the moisture-loving nature of the planted plants, on the structure of the soil mixture, on the orientation of the balcony, on weather conditions.
It is clear that on the south side the land will dry out faster than on the north, and in cool rainy weather, watering is not needed at all. In addition to sunlight, the wind quickly dries the soil, so in windy weather, as in hot weather, you need to water the flowers more often.
Photo: Irina Lukyanchik, personal archive
But spraying from a spray bottle early in the morning and in the evening will be good. The main thing is that wet plants are not exposed to intense sunlight: burns may appear that spoil the appearance. Since intensive growth combined with a small amount of soil contributes to the rapid consumption of nutrients, during the season the flowers need to be regularly fed with fertilizer solutions. Given some specifics of balcony floriculture, you need to know that fertilizers can be applied after spilling the soil with clean water in cloudy weather or only in the evening .
