You can love apartment life and the buzz of the city – but still itch to connect a little closer to the natural world.
Never fear! Even in the middle of a concrete jungle, you can fill your world with plants and let your green thumb show! If you have a balcony attached to your apartment, a container garden is ideal. Not only can it become a natural sanctuary, but you can also make your home a pollinator pitstop and a source of culinary goodness that goes straight to your kitchen.
Even the smallest spaces can have abundant blooms. If you’ve ever dreamed of plucking sun-warmed cherry tomatoes from your own vine or brushing past fragrant lavender on your way to coffee, this guide is your first step.
Step 1: Know Thy Balcony
Before you plant a single seed, treat your balcony like a canvas. Each one is different and the microclimate matters. Here are three things to check before you start building your collection of plants:
- Sunlight: You need to track the amount of sunlight your balcony gets. Observe your space for a full day with a notebook in hand. “Full sun” means your balcony gets six or more hours a day of light, so your garden can support Mediterranean herbs, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers and strawberries. Partial sun (three to six hours) is better for leafy greens, like cabbage and kale, peas and root vegetables. Shady balconies, on the other hand, are where mint, ferns and beautiful begonias will thrive.
- Wind: High-rise balconies can channel winds like a canyon. Wind not only stresses plants but can wick moisture from the soil faster than you might realize. Shield your young plants from stress with trellises wrapped in burlap or mesh or small support posts.
- Weight and size limits: Check your lease or HOA rules. Wet soil is heavy – especially in large ceramic pots. Lightweight alternatives like grow bags, resin planters, or vertical wall gardens reduce the weight load and allow some diversity. Size limits are also important to know, in case your building has rules about how big plants are allowed to get on the balconies.
It may take a little trial and error to figure out what works best on your balcony, but prep work like this can be invaluable.
Step 2: Pick the Right Containers
Your containers are both tool and decor, so form and function are important considerations. They should support good plant growth and reflect your personal aesthetic. Consider the following:
- Material: Terracotta is earthy and breathable but dries out quickly and can be pricy. Plastic and resin pots retain moisture longer and are great for herbs and thirsty plants. Wooden boxes are stylish and natural but may need to be lined first to avoid rot. Grow bags are lightweight fabric pots with handles, and they’re affordable and root friendly.
- Drainage: Every container must drain well. Waterlogged roots are sad roots – and lead to dead plants. Look for pots with holes or add them yourself with a small drill. Use trays or saucers to catch overflow and protect your balcony from water and dirt stains.
Want to create a great, eclectic vibe for your space? Mix container sizes and heights for visual interest. Use an old step ladder, crate stack, individual plant stands or hanging planters to build layers in your design. Make it an ongoing project and hit the thrift stores for pieces you can add over time.
Step 3: Choose Balcony-Friendly Plants
Let your plants match your lifestyle. Do you cook often? Prefer flowers? Want to sip herbal tea under strings of lights? There’s something out there for you that will work. Consider the following:
- Herbs: Basil, chives, thyme, mint (in its own pot), oregano and lemon balm are popular choices for containers.
- Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, dwarf peppers, baby carrots, lettuce, arugula, radishes and scallions all do well in pots.
- Fruit: Strawberries (which are great in hanging pots and gorgeous), dwarf blueberries and even blackberry bushes can be used.
- Pollinator magnets: Nasturtiums, lavender, marigolds, calendula and butterfly weed are all great options.
- Shade-lovers: Impatiens, coleus and begonias all thrive in lower light.
Here’s a pro tip: Choose plant varieties labeled “compact,” “patio,” or “dwarf” for your container garden, because they’re specifically bred for small spaces. There’s no harm in making it easy on yourself!
Step 4: Get the Dirt Right
This is not the time for cheap backyard dirt. Containers require special blends that retain moisture but don’t suffocate the roots of your plants, so use high-quality potting mix, not garden soil. You can enrich your soil with compost (store-bought or homemade) to add nutrients and give your plants some extra growth.
Remember that container plants need regular feeding. Supplement their growth with a liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks during peak growing season.
Step 5: Master the Art of Watering
Overwatering is the number one mistake in container gardening – especially on shady or wind-protected balconies. Underwatering, however, is number two.
Here’s a trick you can use: Don’t judge a plant’s water needs on sight alone. Stick your finger into the soil an inch deep. If it feels dry, water. You should also water in the early morning so the plants have all day to soak it up and you don’t get mildew. When you do water, soak the soil until water comes out of the drainage holes.
Going to be out of town for a few days? Invest in water spikes so that your plants don’t wilt or wither while you’re gone.
Step 6: Tend With Intention
Plants respond to attention, even if it’s just a daily glance, so think of your garden as a relationship that needs regular tending and interaction. Here are some tips:
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
- Trim herbs regularly to keep them bushy and flavorful.
- Watch for pests: Aphids, spider mites and slugs can still find you.
- Rotate your containers now and then to balance sun exposure.
Finally, don’t forget to harvest what you produce. Pluck those herbs, cherry tomatoes and succulent strawberries for your table with joy – and cut those flowers and bring them indoors for your table. You deserve to celebrate what you’ve created!
Step 7: Elevate Your Balcony Garden Vibe
This is your sacred green space. Make it somewhere you want to be. Add ambiance with fairy lights, lanterns or a small solar fountain or bee bath. Add a small-space table and a hammock chair or a couple of pieces of padded lawn furniture. Hang those wind chimes and add a garden gnome and pinwheels if you want! You’re not just growing plants – you’re crafting a retreat from the world, so let your style shine.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to consign yourself to indoor plants (not that there’s anything wrong with having a few of those) just because you live in an apartment or a high-rise condo. And a container garden isn’t just a way to green your space – it’s a way to root yourself. It gives you something to care for, to watch change day by day. It connects you to the cycles of nature, even eight floors above the street.
