By Kai Iris
If you have an apartment balcony that you want to beautify with plants, you are in the right place. But, before we start talking about different kinds of plants you can grow on your balcony, there are some things you need to know. Firstly, your balcony must be positioned so that it receives enough sun. Secondly, your balcony must be sheltered so that wind and rain do not damage your plants. And, thirdly, your balcony must be strong enough to support any cement or terracotta pots you plan on placing there. If all of these conditions are met, you are good to go. All that is left now is to choose what kind of plants to start growing on your apartment balcony. We have some ideas, so keep on reading.
All Sorts of Herbs
Yes, herbs are mainly used for spicing up those summer meals. But, who says that they can not be used as decorative plants for your balcony too? They look amazing, they smell amazing, and they taste amazing! Moreover, most herbs are relatively small and can thrive with minimal effort. All they require is a sunny place on your balcony and watering once or twice a week.
Some of the herbs you can choose for your balcony are, for instance, basil, rosemary, thyme, chives, sage, cilantro, etc. All of these can grow in their original pots, or they can be re-potted into something more stylish – it is up to you. And later on, when winter comes you can just incorporate your herbs into your interior design as they thrive well both outside and inside.
Bring Your Indoor Plants Out
If you have some indoor plants, just bring them outside. Let them have their summer vacation – they deserve it! However, you must be careful when doing this. Although all plants need sun for their survival, some like it more than others. Cactuses and succulents, for instance, love direct sunlight. But, philodendrons and calatheas, will be killed by it. Thus, do your research before taking your indoor plants outside. See what thrives in what conditions and position your plants on the balcony accordingly.
The same applies to moving your indoor plants into your new home. You cannot just put them in a moving truck and home for the best: You need to know how to protect them while on the road! If you do not, better leave this job to the professionals.
Strawberries
There is not a person in the world who does not like strawberries! And, believe it or not, you can actually grow them right on your balcony, or even on your window sill. You can plant them in any pot you have, in a hanging basket, or in any plastic container you have on hand. In order to plant them, you need to buy the seeds and follow the instructions on the seed’s package – that is it! The best part is that you will have a nice-looking plant that will keep on producing delicious, organic strawberries all summer long.
However, do not confuse planting strawberries with planting raspberries or blueberries, or any other berries for that matter. Only strawberries can be grown in the ‘balcony’ conditions. Other berries are a lot bushier, bigger, and taller, and most importantly, other berries require more soil and a lot more space.
Tomatoes
In the past, nobody would even think about planting tomatoes on their balconies or even in their yards. Yes, tomatoes are used for eating, but who says that you can not beautify your apartment balcony with them too? You will have a green plant during the whole summer, and the tomatoes you get out of it will be a great, healthy bonus that you will be proud of.
There are many tomato species you can choose from, but, if your balcony is rather small, we recommend choosing cherry tomatoes. They do not grow as big as regular tomatoes, and you can control their height without affecting their products.
And, if you do not like the look of the tomato plants in your small balcony garden, you can always mix it with other plants. Or even better, mix it with some stone garden ornaments. Play around with your plants and outdoor decorations and you will have a balcony that will make everybody jealous.
All Sorts of Bulbs
Everybody loves bulbs! However, because they look so extravagant, people think that planting and growing them is complicated. But, trust us, there is nothing complicated about growing bulbs – any kind of bulbs. They just require a bit more attention than other plants. For instance, they should not be placed somewhere where they will be exposed to direct sunlight. Moreover, you should know exactly how and when to water them. You should water them only when their soil is dry, a couple of times a week with just a little bit of water – overwatering will kill them.
Daffodils and tulips are the best kinds of bulbs for your balcony during the spring. Hyacinths are great for the summer and cyclamens for the winter. But, they all have one thing in common – their beauty.
But, be very careful with these kinds of plants – they are very fragile. If you have to move them to a new home, better don’t! But, if you must, leave this job to City Movers, or to any other professionals who know how moving plants is done.
Jasmine
If you want your summer days and nights to be scented naturally, jasmine is the perfect plant for that. They look amazing and they have a very fragrant scent – you, and your neighbors will certainly enjoy them. Jasmine plants can be controlled, that is, you can control how much of them you want on your balcony. If you do not trim them, they can grow a lot, they can even climb onto your neighbor’s balcony too. This can actually be a great, natural, fragrant, screening for your balcony if you allow it. But, if this seems just too much, you can always trim it every couple of weeks and it will remain just a nice, small, bush-like plant.
Bonus décor tip – bring your Jasmine plant inside when hosting a party or some get-together. Small Jasmine plants can be a great centerpiece for your table!
Japanese Maple
Last but certainly not the least plant to consider for your apartment balcony is the so-called Japanese maple. It is a recent favorite among many plant-lovers. Its leaves resemble the maple tree leaves, they are just a lot tinier. This plant too comes in many shapes and colors, so it is up to you to choose the one you like the most. We recommend going for Crippsii or Baldsmith varieties of Japanese maple. They are dwarfish – perfect for any balcony. And, they are low-maintenance.
But, be careful, this plant does not like direct sunlight. It thrives only in the shade. So, if your balcony is sheltered, this may be the perfect plant for you. Just make sure you water it all the time and bring it inside if it becomes too chilly outside.
Meta Description: If you were wondering what plants to get for your little open space outside, look no more. Let us share with you your guide to the best plants for an apartment balcony.
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