A balcony garden requires more thought than a ground-level garden — every element is in a container, wind exposure is usually higher, and weight limits matter. But the results can be spectacular.
Check Weight Limits First
This is often overlooked. Balconies have structural weight limits. Saturated soil is heavy — a standard 40-litre container filled with wet compost weighs around 50 kg. Use lightweight alternatives:
Cluster heavy containers near load-bearing walls, not at the edges.
Assess Your Light
Most balconies are sunny, but aspect matters:
Wind
High-floor balconies can be very exposed. Wind desiccates plants quickly and can break tall plants. Use windbreaks (bamboo screening, trellis with climbers). Stick to compact, sturdy varieties.
What to Grow
Best balcony vegetables: Tomatoes (patio varieties), courgettes, salad leaves, spring onions, peas, beans.
Best balcony herbs: Basil, mint (keep isolated — it spreads), thyme, rosemary, chives, parsley.
Flowers for pollinators: Lavender, marigolds, nasturtiums, sweet peas.
Watering
Containers dry out fast — especially in full sun and wind. Water daily in hot weather, and consider a drip irrigation system on a timer for holiday periods.
