Are you have trouble finding the perfect plants for a west-facing balcony? It can be depressing to see this area without any plant life. Honestly, it's a waste of a unique and beautiful space.
But these types of balconies offer ideal circumstances for a small number of plants. You'll need some capable of thriving in 60-70% direct sun during the late afternoon ( 2-6 PM). But you're in luck because we compiled a list of attractive options that will transform your balcony into a living tapestry. Let's dive into these examples and find the perfect plants for you!
1. Petunias
Petunias (Petunia) are a popular choice due to their beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers. These flowers should liven your balcony garden with relative ease. Their foliage will be branching, hairy, and a little bit sticky.
The Petunia family has a vast amount of variety: double blooms, single blooms, smooth or ruffled petals, veined or solid colors, and some even have fragrance. Make sure to use well-drained, sandy, or clay soil for peak growth when planting.
These Petunias bring some much-needed color to the city around them. Wouldn't it be nice to look on your balcony and see their vibrant red, pink flowers after a long day at work?
2. Marigold
Marigolds (Tagetes) will have no issues bringing a sunshine color to your balcony garden. This color usually ranges from yellow to dark orange. But other variations do exist, including yellow with red strips and orange petals with red edges.
You can expect them to thrive between grow zones 8 and 10. But this range will expand to any area between grow zones 2 and 11 during the warmer months. Planters should use a well-draining soil such as sand or loam mixture. Clay soils are a bit too heavy and will cut the plant off from oxygen.
This type of marigold set up could take your balcony to a whole new level. Their gorgeous colors will make any area a bit more exciting.
3. Begonia
Gardeners looking to bring a lot more color onto their balconies should think about planting Begonias (Begonia). These perennial herbs feature succulent stems and flowers in various colors. The colors include white, pink, orange, red, and yellow.
Begonias will grow well in any location within hardiness zones 3-11. But these plants can only survive the winter months in zones 8-11. Plant them using fertile, well-drained soil. Wet soil will cause stem and root rot, which means proper drainage is necessary.
Place some Begonias on your railings to offer a more tropical vibe. They'll bring a sense of relaxation, making your balcony a great place to unwind.
4. Vinca
Vinca (Vinca major) or vinca vine is a no-nonsense type of plant. It won't require much maintenance and looks cool overhanging a balcony. Their broadleaf foliage and leaves make for an excellent balcony plant.
But be cautious, as vinca vine tends to take over an area when left unchecked. These plants will also require good drainage, and they love soils rich in compost.
Vinca vine would be an excellent addition to occupy unused space in a balcony. Look how delightful these vinca vines are in this window box.
10 Purple Periwinkle Vinca Major Flower Seeds
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5. Geranium
Gardeners looking for large, stocky blooms should plant Geraniums (Pelargonium x hortorum). Their flowers come in many colors ranging from many shades of pink to dark red. Geraniums are known for leaving behind a pleasant fragrance as well.
As for their best grow zones, they can survive between zones 7 and 12. But these plants only survive the winter in zones 9 through 12. Growing them in organically rich, medium moisture, and well-drained soils would be ideal.
Your west-facing balcony will never smell fresher than with some Geraniums. There's nothing better than reading a good book and being surrounded by their wonderful flowers.
6. Morning Glory
Common Morning Glories (Ipomoea Purpurea) are known for their breathtaking trumpet-shaped purple-blue flowers. These plants will offer plenty of romantic vibes and charm.
After all, planters can expect them to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to their balconies. But Morning Glories will need something for them to climb on, such as railing, walls, or fences.
The vibrant color offered by a Morning Glory is hard to match. It's an eye-catching addition to any garden.
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7. Sweet Potato Vines
Do you need a plant to grow up a balcony's trellis? Sweet Potato Vines (Ipomoea batatas) would be a spectacular option. Their heart-shaped leaves and island-style foliage will spice up your balcony immediately.
In fact, their foliage comes in many colors: gold, bronze, brown, red, purple, chanteuse, and an almost-black coloring. But don't plant them in soggy soil; it makes them susceptible to rot. Stick with a well-draining, moist soil for the best results.
This purple sweet potato vine is the perfect example of what makes them an ideal balcony plant. It offers such a lovely island vibe to keep things from becoming too dull.
8. Fuchsia
Fuchsia plants (Fuchsia) tend to be a common sight in summer gardens. They produce a vast number of gorgeous bell-like flowers for months, ranging from early June to the first frosts of fall. Gardeners love putting them in hanging baskets, beds, and a matter of other containers.
Read more: 10 Awesome Balcony Garden Containers
Maintaining them will consist of watering the plant once a week. This will keep the compost evenly moist but won't waterlog it. They're frost-tender plants, which means their perennial locations are restricted to grow zones 10-11.
There's nothing quite like the bellflowers on Fuchsia plants. You won't be able to look away from their beautiful coloring.
9. Hibiscus
If you're looking for a bit more flair, consider planting Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). Their trumpet-shaped flowers and dramatic stamens will offer a unique flavor to your balcony garden. Tropical Hibiscus plants produce flowers consistently, but each blossom will last a single day.
Growing them should involve using a well-drained potting mix. We suggest investing in one made for tropical plants rather than a standard option. These plants will need to be watered daily or twice a day in arid climates.
This is a perfect example of how Tropical Hibiscus plants could offer something new to your balcony garden. It makes the entire arraignment pop as nothing else could.
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10. Strawberries
People looking to add something delicious into their balcony garden should consider Garden Strawberries (Fragaria × ananassa). Honestly, who doesn't enjoy a strawberry from time to time?
Growing them isn't too difficult, either. Strawberries will require rich soil with lots of organic matter and an acidic pH (between 5.5 and 6.5). We suggest working in compost, some peat moss, and rotted manure at planting time.
Look at how well a strawberry plant blends into this balcony setting. It's a perfect addition that makes everything look a bit better.
11. Cherry Tomatoes
Cherry Tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum var. cerasiforme) are an excellent choice for salad lovers. These oval-shaped, tasty treats would be a wonderful thing to have right outside on your balcony.
Gardeners should grow them in slightly acidic soil, ranging from 6.2 pH to 6.8 pH. Watering requirements will vary based on the climate. But it should be done when the soil is dry two to three inches beneath the plant. It'd be wise to check the plant every few days.
Read more: How To Grow Tomatoes On A Balcony
Cherry Tomatoes are an ideal option to plant in hanging baskets. It's an easy way to give your balcony a little more texture.
12. Herbs
Most herbs will be well-suited for a balcony garden. But one of our favorites is Lavender (Lavandula). It's a strong-scented, bushy plant that's capable of offering a gorgeous purple coloring and lovely fragrance.
You should plant Lavender in the spring using a poor or moderate soil. Clay or heavy soil would be acceptable, but make sure to add in some organic matter. It will improve the drainage and keep the soil from getting too moist.
Place a Lavender plant in a window box so you can smell it as you walk onto the balcony.
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13. Verbena
Hanging baskets have never looked better than with Verbena (Verbena) inside them. Their trailing nature makes them an ideal fit for these containers as well. Verbena is also available in a wide range of colors and sizes.
These plants will need full sunlight and won't bloom in the shade. They would benefit from consistent deadheading, as it will promote better growth. In any case, most gardeners love them because they're known to attract butterflies.
This usage of Verbena might seem a bit much. But you can't deny how beautiful it looks!
14. Jasmine
Common Jasmine (Jasminum officinale) is a sizeable semi-evergreen climbing shrub that's a favorite among gardeners. This status comes from vigorous growth, pleasant fragrance, and elegant look.
Taking care of this plant does require a bit more effort than our other choices. It will grow quickly and will need full sun and well-drained soil. If it's left unchecked, Jasmine will take over your entire balcony without hesitation. This plant will need protection against the cold as well. It's best suited for warmer climates.
Common Jasmine would work well for covering up space on a balcony wall. It'll create a perfumed shield over it and make the entire area smell great.
15. Zinnias
One of the more rewarding summer flowers would have to be Common Zinnias (Zinnia Elegans). It'll provide a balcony with vibrant colors and prolific blooms over a long season, ranging from early June to those first frosts.
These plants will bloom best when placed in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. It'd be wise to wait until the final frost has passed before planting them. Cold settings don't suit them well at all.
It's hard not to get excited about planting Zinnias when seeing a picture like this one. Those abundant flowers would provide a lovely vibe for any balcony setting.