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A balcony has little floor but a lot of wall, railing and air. A vertical garden uses those, so a balcony 3 feet wide can hold forty plants instead of four.
The rules are simple: put light-loving plants at the top, thirsty plants where you can reach the water and heavy pots at the bottom. The ideas below are ordered from easiest to a full wall.
Plan before you plant
- Sun. Watch which wall gets sun and for how many hours. Herbs and vegetables need six or more; ferns and hostas are fine with less.
- Weight. Wet soil is heavy. Use light potting mix and check the wall and the balcony limit.
- Water. Water drips down. Put the plants that dislike wet roots at the top, and keep drips off the neighbors below.
- Wind. Tall balconies are windy. Choose sturdy plants and secure everything.
- Rules. Renters should prefer freestanding and clamp-on options over drilling.
The potting soil calculator tells you how much mix you need for the pots you choose.
01A ladder shelf
A leaning ladder shelf holds pots on each step and needs only a little floor. Put the largest at the bottom and herbs at the top.
02Railing planters
Boxes that hook over the railing hold herbs, lettuce and flowers without using any floor. Check the width of your railing and that the box locks on.
03Stackable planter towers
A stack of pots grows strawberries, herbs and flowers in one column. Water from the top and it moves down through the levels.
04Wall pocket planters
Felt or fabric pockets on a frame cover a wall with plants. They are light and suit shallow-rooted herbs, succulents and trailing flowers.
05A trellis for climbers
A trellis behind a pot turns beans, peas, sweet peas or clematis into a green wall that also gives privacy. See balcony privacy ideas.
06Hanging baskets
Hang baskets from the ceiling or a rail bracket for trailing flowers. Choose baskets with a built-in water reservoir so you water less often.
07A pallet or crate wall
Wooden crates screwed together form a shelf wall for pots. They give a rustic look but need a stable base. Use treated or sealed wood.
08Shelf brackets on the wall
A row of brackets and boards makes a shelf for pots at eye level. It is the simplest permanent solution if you own the balcony.
09A freestanding frame with pots
A frame with rings or hooks holds pots at several heights and moves with you. It suits renters who cannot touch the walls.
10A herb wall by the door
Put a small herb wall within reach of the kitchen door. Basil, mint, parsley and chives need little room and you will use them daily. The balcony herb garden guide shows what to start with.
What to plant where
- Top, full sun: thyme, rosemary, oregano and trailing flowers.
- Middle, easy reach: basil, parsley, chives and lettuce.
- Bottom, big pots: tomatoes, peppers or a climber on a trellis.
- Shade: ferns, hostas and mint.
Before you pay
- Check the maximum weight of every shelf and hook.
- Make sure pots have holes and a way for water to drain without dripping onto neighbors.
- Choose UV-resistant plastic, metal or wood for outdoors.
- Start with one or two pieces and add more as you learn what thrives.
