Best balcony plants: how to make a tiny outdoor space into a lush green oasis

Not all of us are lucky enough to have a garden, but if you have any kind of outdoor area at all you can make yourself a little plant-filled oasis.

Even a tiny balcony can be a peaceful green spot with the right planting. You just need to use the space smartly.

Before you start, consider the conditions on your balcony.

Is it sunny or largely shady? In either scenario, it’s likely to be fairly windy so you’ll need to find plants that can stand up to that. This means avoiding anything with delicate stems.

Think about including plants at a variety of heights and textures, to create interest.

If your balcony is shady, go for something with interesting foliage.

A Japanese maple will make a fabulous focal point. Its delicate leaves are gorgeous dark reds and yellows and it will stand up to a fairly stiff breeze.

Full sun can scorch young plants so a Japanese maple will be less likely to thrive on very sunny balconies.

Ferns or hostas will complement your maple and will make do in most conditions. They look great planted up in multiples in a wide pot.

Don’t discount how attractive and fragrant simple herb pots can be. Collect a variety for the best smells — and for some grab and go cooking ingredients.

If your balcony gets sun for a lot of the day or has glass sides, you’ll need plants that are happy to bask and won’t get scorched.

A dwarf fan palm will take as much sun as you can give it and there are plenty of different varieties if you want to give yourself a range of tones. Bees and butterflies love it. They'll also love the delicate bell flowers of a campanula.

Mix in some grasses for added texture and some relaxing sound as they rustle in the wind.

If you’re able to fix trellis to a wall and you’re not moving any time soon, consider jasmine or a climbing rose.

You’ll need to give them a few years to reach much height, but your hard work will be rewarded with lots of fragrant flowers that will transform your space.

Whatever you decide to plant on your balcony remember, plants in pots need regular watering (rain isn’t enough) and if anything doesn’t grow as you’d hoped, don’t worry, just try something new. Experimentation is all part of the fun.

Freddie Blackett is the Founder of Patch.

Whether inside or outside your home or office, Patch helps you discover the best plants for your space, delivers them to your door, and helps you look after them. Follow @PatchPlants on Instagram to get inspired by the world’s best indoor and outdoor urban gardens.