Balcony Garden Ideas for Small Spaces

You don’t need a garden to exercise those green fingers. All you need is a window box, balcony, or yard to enjoy a haven of green. So, if you’re stuck for space but still want to surround yourself with the energy of living things, you’ve come to the right place. Read on for balcony garden ideas. 

Whether you live in an apartment or have a tiny outdoor yard, any available sunny spot offers a valuable way to enjoy plants and flowers and even grow veg and herbs. Even shaded areas can thrive if you choose the right plants. 

This article offers a range of yard and balcony garden ideas that will transform your outdoor space into a lush oasis for relaxing, entertaining, and thriving. 

Ready? Let’s get started.

What is balcony gardening?

As the name suggests, balcony gardening is about, well: gardening on a balcony. But some considerations differ from typical garden spaces of which to be aware:

The climate

Balconies often have different climate conditions from open gardens. This is because the airflow around a balcony is typically different to gardens. 

If you’re up in the skies, you’re likely to experience more wind (the weather type 😉 ), while gardens tend to be surrounded by walls and fences that protect them from heavy gusts. An open balcony is often more vulnerable to the elements.  

Soil control

One of the best things about balcony gardening is that you better control the soil. If you have a garden, you’re at the mercy of your local environment — you might have heavy soil that becomes soggy and rots your plants’ roots or sandy soil that quickly dries out and loses nutrients. 

You’re going to use a lot of pots for balcony and yard gardening, so buy the best-quality compost and potting mix you can afford for optimal results. 

However:

Pots dry out quickly

Remember that pots don’t hold onto moisture as willingly as garden soil. So, you’ll need to water regularly. 

Some plants prefer dry soil, while others can’t bear it. So before choosing your plants, determine the needs of each and do your best to cater to their exact requirements. 

You could place all the thirsty plants on one side of your balcony garden and the less moisture-reliant ones on the other. This way, you’ll remember which to water more regularly. 

Advantages of a balcony garden

The advantages of balcony gardens extend beyond the purely aesthetic nature of the exercise, but these can’t be overlooked! 

Filling a space with plants and flowers brightens up the dullest of spaces but also introduces a genuine sense of calm. 

You genuinely can’t overestimate the value of green and luscious plants to provide an ambience of tranquillity — that’s way better than cracking open a bottle of wine to wind down at the end of the day. 

Air quality

Plants absorb carbon dioxide, which they use for photosynthesis, and release oxygen as part of the process. So, surrounding your outdoor space with plants is a great way to clear the air. 

And that’s perfect for those who live in cities surrounded by vehicle fumes. 

Grow your own food

Balconies make perfect environments for growing various fruit, veg, and herbs. I’ve found the best edibles to grow on a balcony are:

• Tomatoes — they thrive on sunny balconies
• Chillis — small plants that produce plenty of fruit
• Aubergines — beautiful plants that produce delicious spongey fruit
• Carrots — you can grow them in a pot in a cluster. Perfect for delicious, sweet baby carrots.
• Lettuce — I suggest growing “cut and come back” varieties for a continuous supply.   

Planning your balcony garden

Firstly, evaluate your available space. Consider the light and wind conditions of your balcony or yard space. And identify how much rain tends to hit your balcony. 

It’s essential to pay heed to these as they’ll dictate the types of plants that will thrive. 

Don’t worry if you get little or no direct sunlight — some plants love these conditions. 

Seating space

Most balconies are on the snug side, so determine whether you have the floor space for seating and build your plan around that. Can you fit a table for working or enjoying a coffee, or can you squeeze into a seat?

Remember, pots don’t need to sit on the floor — consider the benefits of a vertical garden, using the walls and the ceiling for beautiful hanging baskets. 

Make a sketch

It’s easy to get over-excited at the garden centre and buy everything in sight. But before filling your space with pots and plants, draw a basic sketch. 

So, think about the layout of your planters and pots, and consider using the walls and ceiling. 

The materials

Once you have a basic drawing, list the materials you’ll need. 

Consider:

• Pots
• Planters
• Potting soil
• Compost
• Fertilisers
• Tools, such as trowels and secateurs

You might even consider an irrigation system if you don’t have someone to water your plants while you’re away. 

The space

If you have a small space, then you should consider the spread potential of the plants you choose. 

So, always read the labels or the seed packets to find out how much room the plant needs at full size. 

Tempting as it might be, avoid overcrowding your space — it’s a recipe for poor growth, fungal diseases, and a lack of sunlight reaching your apartment. 

Choosing the correct plants for your balcony garden

So, now you have the basic facts and a plan, think about the plants that will bring your space to life. 

Popular balcony plants include:

• Petunias — striking multicoloured flowers; easy to grow and thrive in hanging baskets
• Geraniums — drought tolerant and brightly coloured. Great for sunny balconies
• Violets — hardy plants that produce tiny but abundant flowers. Perfect for flower boxes and hanging baskets
• Lobelia: delicate plants that flower abundantly in blue, purple, or white. Excellent spreading and trailing habits.   
• Herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary
• Veg, like tomatoes and peppers

Choose a mix of perennials and seasonal plants for year-round foliage and seasonal interest. 

These potted plants do well in full sun (south-facing):

• Lantana
• Petunia
• Canna
• Begonia
• Lavender
• Bougainvillea
• Verbena
• Zinnia 
• Coleus

These plants thrive in partial shade (east/west-facing):

• Hostas
• Impatiens
• Hydrangeas (although these can grow large!)
• Ferns
• Heuchera
• Coleus
• Begonia
• Lily of the Valley

These potted plants do well in shaded areas (north-facing):

• Hosta
• Ferns 
• Caladium
• Begonia
• Fuchsia
• Touch-me-not
• Coral bells
• Coleus
• Astilbe

Typically, fruiting edibles such as tomatoes, peppers, and chillis need good sun exposure to ripen. However, you can ripen fruits by wrapping them in newspaper and storing them in a dark drawer. 

Use the railings

If your balcony is enclosed with open railings, consider inviting trailing plants to creep around the rails. This provides greater privacy for your balcony garden and a lovely organic barrier between your home and the outside. 

Consider:

• Climbing roses
• Honeysuckle
• Ivy
• Clematis
• Wisteria
• Jasmine (smells delightful on summer evenings)

Types of balcony gardens or gardens

It’s not just about pots; there are several ways of revitalising your outdoor space:

• Vertical gardens — these make use of the walls and ceiling. Ideal if you have limited space or want to reserve your floor space for furniture. Check out our expert guide to building a vertical garden. 
• Herb garden — enjoy fresh herbs directly from your window box or balcony. Most herbs need very little space to thrive — my favourites for small spaces are mint, basil, oregano, thyme, and even rosemary. 
• Mediterranean garden — think lavender, dwarf olive trees, potted palms, and hibiscus. It might sound unlikely, but many Mediterranean plants do well on sunny balconies if protected from the wind. 

A step-by-step guide to creating a balcony garden

OK. So, we have an idea of the types of plants, tools, and materials we need for our balcony garden. But don’t dive head-first in yet. 

Follow these steps:

1. Prepare the space — clean your balcony and ensure it’s free of debris, dust, and dirt, which can promote disease later on. Ensure your balcony is strong enough to take the weight of your plant pots and repair any defects before you get started.  
2. Purchase materials — buy enough pots, potting soil, fertiliser (never forget the fertiliser!), and hand tools. If you’re installing trellising or wall mesh, you may need a drill, screws, and a screwdriver. 
3. Buy your plants — consider your balcony’s exposure conditions and choose plants from the lists above. Of course, our list is in no way exhaustive, so always read the label of any plants not listed for sunlight and protective requirements.  
4. Repot if necessary — if you’re using planters, you’ll need to fill them with plants. Always avoid overcrowding a planter; it results in poor growth and potential fungal infections. 
5. Arrange your pots — earlier in the process, you identified the sunny spots and the wind-exposed areas. Arrange your plants to suit these conditions. Ensure your plants have the space to grow and that the soil drains well to prevent root rot. 
6. Water and fertilise — remember: balcony gardening requires ongoing input. So, water your plants well after repotting and placing them, and keep them watered. Fertilise regularly (following the packet’s instructions) because pots run out of nutrients more quickly than garden soil. 
7. Maintain your plants — prune big plants back regularly to keep them healthy and from overgrowing. And remove dead leaves while keeping an eye on signs of pest infection. Always tackle infections as soon as you spot them to prevent them from spreading. 
8. And enjoy! — ultimately, you’ve created your stunning balcony gardening to enjoy it. So, sit back and enjoy!

Ongoing maintenance of your balcony garden

You’ve set up your garden. Now, ensure you keep it thriving.

• Watering — pots dry out quicker than garden soil. Press your finger into the top inch of soil — if it’s dry, give your plant some water; if it’s moist, you can leave it. 
• Feed — potted plants only thrive with plenty of nutrients, so fertilise regularly. Read the packet. For example, you can feed indoor potted plants every two weeks with BabyBio. 
• Pruning — keep your plants compact and in good shape by pruning a couple of times a year. Remove dead leaves and flowers to promote growth. 
• Fighting pests and disease — check your plants for signs of diseases or pests. Opt for natural pesticides wherever possible.
• Protect from extreme weather — frost and intense heat are the enemies of many plants, so cover them with horticultural fleece or bring them indoors during prolonged frost.  

FAQs 

Any questions?

I hope I’ve answered all your questions about creating a thriving balcony garden. But if you have any questions, get in touch.

Or explore our comprehensive Help & Advice section — for everything lawn and garden-related. 

Thanks for reading. And happy gardening. 

Louis Hooft

Founder & Lawn expert

Introducing Louis Hooft, the founder of MOOWY and your reliable expert. With a profound love for stunning lawns and extensive experience in garden maintenance, Louis is here to assist garden enthusiasts in achieving a greener and livelier outdoors than ever before. Count on Louis for invaluable tips, clever tricks, and top-notch products to make your garden flourish!