Planning to start your balcony gardening but worried about the good plants for balcony? Don’t worry. You’re not alone.
When I started decorating my first balcony with plants, I was stuck with only three plants like Tulsi, Rose, and Money Plant. Then I expanded the list and I’ve now more than 30 plants on my balcony.
So, in this article, I’m going to give you the reason to buy each balcony plant so that you can decide easily. Here are a few categories that we are going to explore:
- All Season Flowering Plant
- Hanging Plants for Balcony
- Low Maintenance Plants
- Vegetable Plants
Even if you have a small balcony, you will find great plants in this list that are suitable for the Indian climate. So let’s check out amazing plants for a balcony that you can grow in India.
15 Best Plants for Balcony in India
To make it easier for you to choose the best outdoor houseplant, here are the 4 types of balcony plants.
- All weather flowering plants that bloom throughout the year.
- Low-maintenance plants so that you don’t have to spend much time maintaining them.
- Hanging plants if your balcony has limited space like mine.
- And lastly, the vegetables so that you can also eat fresh.
All Season Flowering plants for the balcony
1. Rose
Give your balcony a boost of colour and beauty with roses. You also know there is something extra pleasurable about the scent of roses. Isn’t their scent pleasant and strong?
2. Marigold
You can say goodbye to toothache, skin conditions, and swelling with marigolds. With its yellow and orange colours, the marigold plant will brighten up your dull balcony.
3. Lavender
If you have a sunny balcony, lavender is your best bet. You will get to enjoy the pleasant scent for a long time with the lavender plant.
4. Jasmine
A breath of jasmine fills you with energy. Aside from that, jasmine has also been used extensively in Indian pooja rituals for centuries.
Hanging plants for the balcony
5. Spider plant
With its long arching leaves, this easy-to-care terrace plant will add a playful look to your outdoor space. No matter how neglectful you are, the Spider Plant is a great outdoor houseplant!
6. Petunia
The delicate blooms of petunias sway in the wind, bringing a splash of colour to a garden. Any corner of your balcony will be brightened by these cheerful flowers.
7. Money plant
This lush, green terrace plant symbolizes prosperity and good fortune, bringing a touch of nature indoors. Besides bringing good luck to your home, it is also incredibly easy to maintain.
Low maintenance plants for balcony
8. Aloe vera
You will love this succulent superhero, a low-maintenance beauty that adds a touch of the desert. Its thin, fleshy leaves contain a soothing gel that can heal cuts, burns, and soothe skin irritations.
9. Snake plant
If you are a black thumb then the snake plant is your best friend. Even the harshest conditions won’t hurt snake plants. With its upright, sword-like leaves, it adds a sleek, modern touch to the balcony.
10. Indian Basil (Tulsi)
Featuring small purple flowers and delicate, fragrant leaves, it is a garden masterpiece. Traditionally, Tulsi is revered as a plant that promotes happiness in homes.
11. Jade plant
Taking good care of the jade plants can make you rich and successful. It’s a slow-growing beauty that can live for decades on your balcony.
Best Vegetable plants for balcony
12. Tomatoes
Why not grow your own bounty of sweet and savoury sun-ripened tomatoes on your balcony? With tomatoes’ red vibrant colour and delicious taste, your balcony will be the talk of the neighbourhood.
13. Chili
On the balcony garden, chillies are the hottest thing! You can add a pop of colour to your balcony and a kick of flavour to your meals with this terrace plant.
14. Coriander
This fragrant herb can enhance meals and give your balcony a touch of green. With its feathery leaves and delicate flowers, it makes a beautiful addition to any balcony garden.
15. Carrot
This sweet and crunchy root vegetable can be grown anywhere, even on your balcony. Just give them little love and care. You can grow carrots of every colour, from classic orange to, yellow, and red.
Now, for the best growth of these outdoor houseplants, let’s understand in detail about them along with how to care for them.
All Season Flowering plants for balcony
1. Rose
The most recognizable feature of the rose plant is its flowers. The flowers range in colour from white to yellow, orange, pink, red, and purple, and are beautiful and fragrant. For centuries, the plant has been prized as an ornamental plant.
Additionally, there’s nothing like a rose in India to brighten your day all year round. Moreover, getting this plant to grow doesn’t take special effort, thanks to the Indian climate, they are perfect for this flowering plant.
Also, when it comes to roses, there are many varieties to choose from. Nevertheless, Desi Gulab (Rosa moschata) and Kashmiri Gulab (Phyllostachys Aurea) are flowers that bloom year-round and come in many colours. However, for the best bloom, make sure they get at least 6 hours of sun each day.
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Weekly watering |
| Soil | Loamy and well-drained |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
2. Marigold
You can add a vibrant touch to your dull terrace with these yellow and orange coloured flowers. Besides filling your balcony with colour, marigolds have medicinal properties and amazing fragrances.
Also, did you know that marigolds can treat toothache, swelling, and many other skin conditions?
With marigolds, you can enjoy a colourful space without having to plant new flowers every time. Their blooms will last all summer long and even into autumn as long as they get plenty of water and sun.
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Once a week |
| Soil | Sandy, loam soil with good aeration and drainage. |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic |
3. Lavender
With the sun shining on your balcony, the lavender will thrive. For a long time, you can enjoy the wonderful fragrance of these flowers.
To keep lavender blooming for a long time, Keep your plant warm, airy, and dry if it will be indoors for the winter. Also, slow down watering in winter. Generally, lavender prefers dry soil, and it can survive with just the rain that falls naturally.
I love lavender because it tolerates heat, drought, and wind. Also, you can use the flowers and leaves to flavor food and make crafts.
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Once or twice a week |
| Soil | Well-drained, slightly alkaline soils. |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
4. Jasmine
Jasmine is another flowering plant commonly found in India. Also, not only are they popular because of their cute look, but they smell amazing.
Depending on the variety, jasmine leaves are either lance-shaped or oval-shaped, smooth or toothed. In clusters, jasmine flowers have a star-like shape with five or more petals arranged in a circular pattern. Additionally, it blooms in spring or summer.
The fragrance of jasmine gives you energy each time you breathe it in. As well as that, jasmine is used extensively in Indian pooja rituals.
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Once or twice a week |
| Soil | Well drained, sandy, loamy soil |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
As the plants mentioned above love full sun, they are also perfect plants for your sunny balconies. Apart from marigolds, other flowering plants are non-toxic, so they make great terrace plants for homeowners with pets.
Hanging plants for balcony
5. Spider plant
It is lovely to see spider plants with their slender foliage in shades of green and cream. You can hang them or grow them in pots. As for its care, don’t worry about it. Even the most neglectful gardener can care for the Spider Plant due to its low maintenance requirements.
For hanging baskets, spider plants make perfect candidates because they cascade. As the plant matures, its long strapping leaves reach almost to the top of the pot. You can add some spider plant pups to make a stunning balcony display.
| Light | Bright to moderate indirect light |
| Water | Once a week |
| Soil | Loamy, moist, and well-drained |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
6. Petunia
When it comes to hanging baskets, hanging petunias are a great choice. On your balcony, petunias sway in the breeze with their ruffled blooms. Additionally, they brighten up any empty terrace with their playful petals.
Also, with a bit of effort, petunias will bring you masses of bright colours all summer long. That’s why when it comes to Indian homes, petunias are a definite choice. Furthermore, it provides long-term colour to a summer landscape.
When petunias are in bloom, you get to enjoy a bright and vibrant terrace plant. Furthermore, petunias can tolerate drought conditions, and won’t die if you go on vacation.
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Once or twice a day, reduce watering in winter |
| Soil | Rich, well-draining soil |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
7. Money plant
Normally oval or heart-shaped, Money Plant leaves are green, yellow, or green and yellow. You may also find money plants with variegated leaves in creams, whites, and pale yellows.
With a money plant as your outdoor houseplant, you will not only add charm but also ease stress. Several studies have found that the Money plant eases anxiety and stress. Also, money plants are believed to be wealth symbols.
It doesn’t require much sunlight, so place it in an area with less light. You won’t have to water it regularly, once a week will also do! Furthermore, there is no season when you can’t grow a money plant
| Light | Bright indirect light |
| Water | Once every one to two weeks |
| Soil | Sandy, well-drained |
| Toxicity | Mildly toxic |
Low maintenance plants for balcony
8. Aloe vera
In a rosette pattern, Aloe Vera leaves have thick, fleshy leaves. With a rough texture and sharp edges, the leaves are typically green and up to a foot long.
The aloe vera plant is not only low maintenance, but it also has numerous medicinal uses. The gel from aloe vera is known for its ability to heal minor burns.
Additionally, it soothes the irritation of the skin. You can also use this plant as a DIY beauty treatment, such as a face mask to relax your face.
A half-day of sun or a full day of sun is sufficient for aloe vera to grow, and it doesn’t require frequent watering.
| Light | Bright indirect light |
| Water | Once every week |
| Soil | Well-drained, sandy |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs and cats |
9. Snake plant
No matter how scary the name might sound, it is one of the best plants for balconies in India.
Your terrace corner can benefit from upright succulents with tall, stiff leaves and a central rosette. You can also get varieties with yellow or white edges and green leaves with distinctive banding.
In addition to being low maintenance, this terrace plant purifies the air, making it a perfect choice for homes. Also, you don’t have to water this terrace plant regularly, which is one of its best features.
| Light | Adaptable to all lighting conditions |
| Water | Once or twice a week |
| Soil | Free draining soil |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs and cats |
10. Indian Basil (Tulsi)
Get some peace, prosperity, and healing into your life by planting some Tulsi on your terrace.
Tulsi is considered a plant that brings peace and prosperity to any home in Hindu culture.
I love its tiny purple flowers and delicate, fragrant leaves. Also, choosing Indian Basil is a good choice if your balcony receives a lot of sunlight.
In India, basil leaves are widely used as flavourful garnishes on salads and vegetable dishes. So, you can snip off a bit whenever you want for cooking.
| Light | Direct sunlight |
| Water | Every two to four days, reduce watering in winter |
| Soil | Light and well-draining soil |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
11. Jade plant
There is a wonderful contrast between its beautifully shaped, fat leaves and the thick grey trunk of the jade plant. Moreover, the jade plant is easy to maintain and changes colour according to the amount of sunlight it receives.
Also, you can grow Jade plants in small pots and hang them from railings! As succulents, jade plants require less water (though they need water regularly in the summer).
What’s great about jade? Well, they will last for decades, rarely needing repotting, despite their moderate growth rate.
| Light | Full to partial sun |
| Water | Weekly watering; reduce watering in winter |
| Soil | For good drainage, mix potting soil with sand. |
| Toxicity | Toxic to dogs and cats |
Best Vegetable plants for balcony
12. Tomatoes
Get a taste of the farm on your terrace by growing sweet and savoury sun-ripened tomatoes! Also, I’m sure your neighbours will be envious when you display these bright red beauties.
Also, do you know there is no need for much maintenance when growing tomatoes on the balcony?
The only thing you need to do is choose the right spot and pot for the plant. Furthermore, you must water it regularly and provide the required nutrients, like calcium. After 60-75 days of transplanting, tomatoes will appear in the pot.
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Water once every two or three days |
| Soil | Sandy loam soil |
| Toxicity | Leaves and stalks of the tomato plant are toxic to cats and dogs |
13. Chili
You can’t go wrong with chilli plants and sunny balconies! With this fiery hot chilli, you can spice up your meal and add some colour.
In addition to looking decorative, their exotic fruits can be used fresh in the kitchen. Whether diced, dried, crushed, or raw, these little powerhouses will spice up your kitchen with a touch of the tropics.
I swear this cute veggie is a blast to grow on a balcony. Moreover, they are perfect for balconies facing south or west!
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Every other day or every third-day |
| Soil | Sandy – loam, clay loam, and loamy soils |
| Toxicity | The chilli plant is not toxic to dogs. However, capsaicin present in chilli plants can cause digestive issues if ingested. |
14. Coriander
One of the most commonly used herbs in all cuisines is coriander. With this versatile herb, your cooking will get a flavour kick and your home will have a touch of nature.
Moreover, coriander makes the perfect balcony plant because of its adaptability. Among the benefits of coriander are lowering blood sugar, boosting the immune system, and protecting the brain.
| Light | Full sun to partial shade |
| Water | Twice a week |
| Soil | Well-drained |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
15. Carrot
Growing these sweet and crunchy root vegetables is easy even on your very own balcony. Its classic orange color, along with funky hues like purple, yellow, and red, makes carrots a garden favourite.
On a sunny balcony, carrots can flourish in window boxes, crates, tubs, buckets, or containers.
You can easily grow carrots in pots at home. It only requires six to eight hours of sunlight every day to grow well.
Furthermore, if you want to grow carrots on the balcony of your apartment, you can choose a short variety of carrots.
| Light | Full sun |
| Water | Once a week |
| Soil | Well-drained soil with a good mix of clay and sand |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic |
Still confused about what to choose from the list? Don’t worry, in the following section, I will give you some questions, answer them and you will know which ones you will pick from the list. Take it easy, I will guide you through the answers as well,
What to consider when choosing plants for balcony garden?
Do you have an apartment or condo?
It’s important how you are living. If you are living in rent, you should ask the owner of your apartment if they are okay with it. Many owners don’t like vegetables to grow on their balconies, mainly because they attract pests, birds, and squirrels and can create molds in their walls and bird waste can ruin the paint. But usually, nobody opposes flowers on their balcony, so you can make an agreement and go for a flowering garden.
Do you have pets?
If you have a furry companion in your house you definitely need to choose the species that are non-toxic for them. Especially if you have a cat, you need to be careful, cause they are always curious.
I have mentioned in the table after each plant about which plants are toxic and which are not. Choose from them.
How sturdy is your balcony?
If your balcony can’t take the weight of a terracotta or ceramic pot full of wet soil, don’t go for it. Use plastic or fiber containers and grow plants that are small in size like lavender, petunia, money plant, jade plant, etc.
What is the atmospherical condition of your balcony?
Choosing the plant according to your balcony’s sun-reaching condition is most important. There’s no point in keeping a plant under stress when it can thrive with the right selection.
South-facing balcony usually gets full sun the whole day, so choose sun-loving plants like tulsi, tomato, chili, lavender, etc.
North facing balcony stays shaded most of the time, so select plants like jade, and alovera that can survive in the shaded area.
How hot is your balcony in summer?
If you have a glass window near your balcony, there’s a chance light will reflect and make the atmosphere of the balcony hotter. In this kind of situation herbs like cilantro will simply wilt, so go for succulents like jade plants.
Do you have time for your plant?
Busy forgetful gardeners and beginners both should stress on this point. When plants live in a small space they need attention and if you don’t have time for it, it will simply suffer and die. So, choose plants that can forgive your forgetful nature. I will advise you to choose plants from the low-maintenance section above.
FAQs
Q1. Which plant is best for the balcony?
Ans. Lavender and Indian Basil are among the best plants for a balcony.
Q2. Which are low-maintenance plants for the balcony?
Ans. Aloe vera, Echeveria, Snake plant, and spider plant are low-maintenance plants for the balcony.
Q3. Which plants are good for a sunny balcony?
Ans. Marigolds, mums, geraniums, and petunias are highly suitable plants for a sunny balcony. Flowering plants such as these like to soak up the sun, so they make perfect balcony plants.
Q4. Which are the best flowering plants for the balcony?
Ans. Rose, Jasmine, Marigold, and Petunia are the best flowering plants for the balcony.
Conclusion
With these balcony plants, you will enjoy gorgeous blooms all year long. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of time maintaining balcony plants because the list has low-maintenance plants such as aloe vera and jade plants.
In addition, aloe vera has medical properties as well. However, if you have pets, aloe vera may not be the best terrace plant for you.
Besides that, you can grow herbs and vegetables used in Indian cooking. You can try the Indian basil plant, which is very popular in India. There are also cute tomatoes, spicy chillies, and carrots that you can try out for.
Hanging plants such as spider plants or other flowering plants are also a good option if you don’t want to take up too much space. Without taking up a lot of space, spider plants or petunias are sure to add beauty to your balcony.
So, from flowering plants to hanging plants, you have a wide range of options for growing plants on the balcony. So, invest in a balcony plant today and transform the look of your balcony.
You are welcome to share your opinions on plants for a balcony in the comments section below.
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