10 best plants for balcony

If you have a balcony or small outdoor space, adding some greenery can brighten it up. Plants may require too much light, space, or maintenance for balconies. We compiled a list of 10 plants that are perfect for your balcony to help you choose. There are lots of balcony plants to choose from, whether you want vibrant blooms, fresh herbs, or lush foliage. Here are the 10 best plants for balcony gardening!

1. Lavender

Lavandula (commonly known as lavender) is a genus of 47 species of flowering plants in the Lamiaceae family. Throughout Europe, western and northern Africa, the Mediterranean, southwest Asia, and India, it is native to the Old World.

It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in temperate climates, as a culinary herb in temperate climates, and for the extraction of essential oils commercially.

The most commonly cultivated is Lavandula angustifolia, called lavender because of the color of the flowers. The traditional use of lavender in medicine and cosmetics dates back thousands of years. if you love lavender then this the perfect for your balcony.

2. Fuchsia

Fuchsia is a genus of flowering plants that consists largely of shrubs and small trees perfect for a balcony.

During his third expedition to the Greater Antilles, Charles Plumier discovered the first Fuchsia to be scientifically described, Fuchsia triphylla, on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola in 1696–1691.

Leonhart Fuchs is the name of the German botanist who named the new genus.

3. Sweet Alyssum

This plant is a member of the Brassicaceae family, and it is a species of low-growing flowering plant for balcony. The common name for this plant is sweet alyssum or sweet alison, but it can also be referred to simply as alyssum.

There are 4 white rounded petals with four pink, rose-red, or violet petals. Flowers are about 5 millimeters (0.20 in) in diameter, sweet-smelling, and have an aroma similar to honey. There are four sepals and yellow and lilac colors.

There are six stamens with yellow anthers. It is possible to enjoy the flowers throughout the growing season, or even year-round if you live in an area with no frost. The fruits are numerous elongated seedpods, with two seeds inside each, that are pollinated by insects. Wind plays an important role in seed dispersal.

4. Caladium

There are several species grown as ornamental plants in Europe since the late 18th century because of their large, arrowhead-shaped leaves marked with pink, red, and white patterns (somewhat resembling unrelated coleus).

There are two main forms of this plant: fancy-leaved and lance-leaved making it for balcony plant. Caladiums with heart-shaped leaves are most commonly seen and are the most traditional. There are more lance-shaped leaves on the latter.

Although dwarf varieties are now being cultivated, most Caladiums grow about 24 inches (60 cm) high and 24 inches (60 cm) wide. Caladium has amazing leaves that make it a beautiful plant. It is best for them to grow in a moderately shady location with indirect sunlight, high humidity, and a schedule for regular watering.

The caladium plant is a tropical plant native to Brazil. When water is not available for an extended period of time, it becomes intolerant to low temperatures. When Caladium leaves are not watered for a long period, they go dormant and droop.

5. Impatiens hawkeri

The plant was first collected in the Territory of Papua in 1884 and soon became popular as a greenhouse balcony plant.

A total of fifteen other similar New Guinea taxa were collected after its discovery, all of which were later determined to be I forms.

A wide range of flowers and leaves are available in nurseries. Impatiens aurantiaca and I. platypetala have been crossed to improve characteristics such as drought resistance.

6. Lobelia

There are 415 species of Lobelia in the world. Most of them are found in tropical and tropical-like regions, with a few species also occurring in cooler temperate regions.

Lobelias are generally known as such balcony plants. It is cultivated as an ornamental plant in many gardens. The most common of these is Lobelia cardinalis syn.

Among the most common lobelia plants are Lobelia fulgens, Lobelia siphilitica, and Lobelia erinus, which is used as an edging and in window boxes.

7. Torenia

Plants of the genus Torenia are classified in the family Linderniaceae. The Torenia plant belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family, which is a member of the figwort family. It is often called a wishbone flower, bluewings, or nanioola’a or ola’a beauty, and some species are grown as garden plants as well as balcony plants.

The last 30 years have seen a large number of hybridized F1 and F2 Torenia plants. There are a variety of colors available, including white, violet, blue, cobalt, lavender, and purple.Known for its beautiful two-tone lilac-purple flowers, the wishbone flower is a low-growing annual.

The plant prefers part sun to shade, especially in hot weather. It is best to plant your plants in rich, moist soil and mulch the roots to keep them cool. It is also possible to bring them inside during the winter.Plant this plant in a container, hanging basket, or at the front of a shade border.

You can pinch them back to maintain a bushier appearance.  A variety of cultivars and varieties are available to extend the color spectrum.

8. Rose

A rose is either a woody perennial flowering plant of the genus Rosa in the family Rosaceae, or its flower. There are over three hundred species and thousands of cultivars. They are shrubs, climbers, or trailers with stems often armed with sharp prickles.

Their flowers range in size and shape, are usually large and showy, and come in a variety of colors, including white, yellow, and red making it perfect for balcony plants.

Asia is home to the majority of these species, while North America, Europe, and northwest Africa have smaller numbers. It is widely grown for its fragrance and beauty, regardless of species, cultivars, or hybrids.

Many cultures have embraced roses as a cultural symbol. There are many different types of rose plants, ranging from small miniatures to climbers reaching seven meters tall. Different species of roses hybridize easily, allowing garden rose varieties to be developed.

9. Heuchera

There are over 100 species of Heuchera in the family Saxifragaceae, all native to North America. There are a number of common names for this plant, including alumroot and coral bells.

The leaves of Heuchera are palmately lobed, and the petioles are long and woody. It was named in honor of Johann Heinrich von Heucher (1677–1746), a German physician and Wittenberg University professor in the 18th century.

Although the genus includes approximately 37 species, taxonomy is challenging because the species are often intergraded, hybridized, and their flower proportions change significantly over time.

10. Pansies

The garden pansy is a large-flowered hybrid plant commonly cultivated as a garden flower. It is derived from species of the genus Viola, known as heartsease in Europe and Western Asia, which have been hybridized with various species of the Melanium.

There is also a variety known as V. tricolor var. Its scientific name is hortensis, but it is ambiguous. A flower with a diameter of 5 to 8 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) has two slightly overlapping upper petals, two side petals, and a single bottom petal with a slight beard emanating from the center.

There are usually white, yellow, purplish, or blue petals on these flowers. It can grow to a height of 23 cm (9 inches) and prefers sunny conditions and well-draining soil.

Conclusion

With plants around you, you can enjoy the many benefits of having greenery around you. Whether you want colorful blooms, fresh herbs, or air-purifying plants, there’s a perfect plant for your balcony among these ten best plants. Start your own balcony garden today for a peaceful and serene oasis right outside your door!