16 Apartment Balcony Garden Ideas That Make Tiny Spaces Feel Bigger & Greener

Introduction

Apartment balcony garden ideas work even in spaces as small as 2m x 1.5m. You don’t need soil, a plot, or usually even your landlord’s permission to create something genuinely appealing. 

The frustration that many apartment dwellers feel is understandable. A balcony can feel like wasted space with bare concrete, a railing, and perhaps a drainpipe. But with the right containers, plants, and a bit of vertical thinking, a balcony can become one of the most enjoyable areas in your flat. 

These 16 ideas address plants, containers, privacy, lighting, and furniture for balconies that receive sun, shade, and everything in between.

What makes a balcony garden different from a regular garden? 

A balcony garden faces challenges that don’t apply to ground-level gardens. Weight is the main issue. Most UK balconies can support a load of 150-250kg per square meter. A large ceramic pot filled with wet soil can weigh between 30-50kg. 

Wind is the second challenge. Balconies, especially those above the second floor, experience much more wind than ground-level gardens. Plants that thrive in a sheltered back garden might struggle on an exposed balcony at a height of 5m. 

Both challenges are manageable. Choose lightweight containers, use peat-free multipurpose compost (which is lighter than soil), and select wind-tolerant plants. The list below reflects all of this.

Which plants work best in a balcony garden? 

1. Herbs in a railing planter 

Herbs are the best starting point for a balcony garden. They are edible, aromatic, compact, and thrive in small containers. 

Railing planters, the long, narrow boxes that attach directly to balcony railings, cost £6-£15. They sit outside the main balcony floor space, which is important on a small balcony where floor area is limited. 

Best herbs for balconies include rosemary (full sun, very drought-tolerant), mint (partial shade, best kept contained), chives (full sun to partial shade, needs little water), and basil (full sun, requires regular watering). A packet of basil seeds costs around £1.50 at most supermarkets. 

2. Strawberries in a hanging basket or tiered planter 

Strawberries grow well in containers and at a height. A hanging basket costs £3-£6, three alpine strawberry plants range from £1.50-£2.50 each, and a bag of compost costs £5-£6. You can enjoy strawberries from June to September. 

Alpine varieties like ‘Baron Solemacher’ are great for containers. They are smaller, produce a lot of fruit, and don’t spread runners like standard strawberries. 

3. Ornamental grasses for wind tolerance 

Ornamental grasses genuinely thrive in windy, exposed spots. Festuca glauca (blue fescue) and Stipa tenuissima (Mexican feather grass) cost £4-£8 each and look great in any container size. 

Grasses sway gracefully in the wind instead of breaking. A pot of feather grass on a windy balcony appears lively rather than damaged. 

4. Lavender for the sun 

Lavender tolerates heat, drought, and the reflected heat from concrete, all common balcony conditions. Buy compact varieties: ‘Hidcote’ and ‘Munstead’ grow under 45cm and fit well in 20-25cm diameter pots. 

Both have the RHS Award of Garden Merit and are widely available in supermarkets from March to May for £2-£4 each. Source: RHS — Lavandula angustifolia ‘Hidcote’

5. Ferns and hostas for shade balconies 

North-facing balconies and those shaded by the building above can grow shade-tolerant plants that look lush all season. 

Hostas in containers look stunning. They are free from slugs (which typically don’t climb), their leaves are striking in small numbers, and varieties like ‘Halcyon’ and ‘Sum and Substance’ are available for £4-£8. 

Ferns like Dryopteris erythrosora (autumn fern) add warm copper-green color and handle shade and container growing well.

How do you create privacy on a balcony? 

6. Bamboo screening panels 

Bamboo screening rolls cost £8-£15 per 3m x 1m roll and can be easily attached to railings with cable ties. They block wind, provide visual privacy, and make the balcony feel more enclosed. 

Natural bamboo weathers to a silver-grey that looks nice over time. For longer durability, buy the lacquered version or treat it with exterior wood oil once a year. 

7. Grow a living screen with climbing plants 

Attach a panel of trellis or tension wire to the inside of the balcony railing (check with your building manager first about permanent fixtures) and let climbing plants grow up it. 

Best balcony climbers include black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata, an annual growing 1.5-2m in one season from a £2.50 seed packet), sweet peas (fragrant, fast-growing annuals), and passionflower (Passiflora caerulea, a perennial hardy to -10°C once established). 

8. Container-grown columnar plants 

Columnar plants grow tall and narrow, making them great for corners where floor space is tight. Bay laurel (Laurus nobilis), kept trimmed as a narrow column, thrives in a 30cm pot, grows to 1.5m-2m, and provides cooking herbs throughout the year. 

Columnar apple trees (‘Bolero’ and ‘Waltz’) are specifically bred for container growth and fruit well in pots of 40-50cm diameter. Young columnar apple trees range from £15-£25 in specialized nurseries.

How do you arrange a balcony garden in a small space? 

9. Go vertical, use a wall planter system 

Wall planters attach directly to the building wall (usually with no damage if you use outdoor-rated adhesive hooks). A modular felt wall planter system costs £15-£30 and holds 6-12 individual pockets. 

Each pocket can grow one herb, one trailing plant, or one compact flower. The entire system occupies no floor space. 

10. Use tiered plant stands 

A 3-4 tier plant stand costs £15-£30 at IKEA, Amazon, or garden centers. It can hold 4-8 pots in the space of a single large pot. It is great for displaying mixed herbs, flowers, and trailing plants at varying heights. 

Place it against the wall, not in the middle of the balcony, to maintain clear floor space for sitting. 

11. Double up on function 

Select furniture with dual purposes. A small storage bench (£25-£60) can hold cushions and tools inside while providing seating on top. A bistro table with a glass or mesh top keeps the floor area visible and prevents the balcony from feeling cramped. 

Avoid bulky furniture on small balconies; it makes the space feel closed off. Lightweight, leg-based furniture with open designs feels more open.

What containers work best for balconies? 

12. Lightweight plastic pots that look like terracotta 

High-quality plastic pots with a terracotta or stone finish cost £3-£12 and weigh much less than real terracotta. This is important for balcony use. A 30cm real terracotta pot weighs about 3.5kg when empty, while the same size in quality plastic weighs under 500g. 

Brands like Elho and Stewart offer plastic pots in appealing finishes that look good up close. 

13. Fabric grow bags 

Fabric grow bags are collapsible, very lightweight, and beneficial for plant root health. The fabric prevents roots from circling (a common issue in plastic pots) by air-pruning them naturally. 

A 10-litre fabric grow bag costs £2-£4. They are great for tomatoes, peppers, and larger herbs on a sunny balcony and can be stored flat during winter. 

14. Self-watering containers 

Self-watering containers have a water reservoir in the base. The plant absorbs water as needed. They are especially useful on balconies where daily watering may not be practical. 

A 25cm self-watering container costs £8-£20, depending on the brand. For anyone who travels frequently or works long hours, self-watering pots are a worthwhile investment. They keep plants alive through a week of warm weather without attention.

How do you light a balcony garden? 

15. Solar string lights along the railing 

A 5m solar string light set costs £6-£12 and clips or ties to the railing in about 10 minutes. Position the solar panel on the outer railing face where it receives the most sunlight. The lights turn on automatically at dusk. 

Use warm white bulbs with a colour temperature of 2700K to 3000K. They look natural and don’t cast a green hue on your balcony. 

For a complete guide on budget-friendly outdoor lighting ideas, check out our post on garden lighting ideas on a budget; it covers solar, battery, and plug-in choices with specific product recommendations. 

16. Battery lanterns on a bistro table 

A battery-powered LED lantern with a candle flicker effect costs £8-£20 and can sit on a table or balcony floor. There’s no wiring, solar panel, or mounting required. You can move it as needed. 

For outdoor dinners or a quiet evening with a book, one lantern on the table plus string lights on the railing is often enough. Two light sources at different heights create a more inviting atmosphere than one strong overhead light. 

Related reading

For ideas on what to do with the floor area under and around your balcony containers, see our post on small balcony decor ideas, which covers rugs, furniture scale, and colour choices for compact outdoor spaces.

If you’re building out a full outdoor area alongside your balcony, outdoor plants for small spaces covers species selection by light level, pot size, and maintenance requirement.

Useful YouTube resource

Epic Tomatoes and Balcony Garden Web: https://www.youtube.com/@BalconyGardenWeb

Balcony Garden Web covers container gardening, specifically species selection, watering systems, and seasonal care for apartment gardens. Practical and consistent.

What are the rules for balcony gardens in rented flats? 

Most tenancy agreements in the UK don’t stop you from having container plants on balconies. Here are some common restrictions:

– No permanent fixings to walls or railings without the landlord’s permission. 

– No items that could fall and cause injury; make sure all containers are secure. 

– No changes to the building’s structure.

Check your specific tenancy agreement. For non-permanent options like containers, railing planters, freestanding screens, and clip-on lights, most tenants have complete freedom. 

If you plan a large container setup, check the weight. If you’re unsure, contact your building manager and ask about the balcony’s load limit.

How do you keep a balcony garden watered? 

Containers dry out faster than ground soil, especially in warm weather and wind. A balcony in summer may need watering every day. 

Here are some options:

– Self-watering pots: these can reduce watering to once every 5–7 days in summer. 

– Drip irrigation from a timer (£15–£30 for a basic kit): waters automatically while you’re away. 

– Water-retaining gel granules (£3–£6 per bag): mix these into compost to hold water and release it slowly, extending the time between watering by 30–50%.

The RHS suggests watering in the morning to reduce evaporation and limit fungal problems. This applies to balconies just as much as ground gardens. Source: RHS – Watering Containers.

FAQ — Apartment balcony garden ideas 

What is the best way to start a balcony garden as a beginner? 

Start with 3–4 herb pots in a railing planter. Herbs are forgiving, useful, and rewarding. Once you’re comfortable with basic container care, watering, feeding, and deadheading, add flowers or vegetables. 

Can I grow vegetables on an apartment balcony? 

Yes. Tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and most herbs grow well in containers. You need a pot size of at least 20–30cm for most vegetables and a minimum of 5–6 hours of direct sunlight for fruiting crops. Salad leaves can work with just 3–4 hours. 

How do I stop my balcony plants from blowing over? 

Use heavier containers for taller plants, or weigh lightweight pots down with a layer of gravel at the bottom. Group containers together; clustered pots are more stable than isolated ones. Choose compact, low-growing plant varieties for exposed areas. 

What is the easiest plant for a balcony with full sun? 

Lavender, sedum, and portulaca (moss rose) are all drought-tolerant, full-sun, low-maintenance container plants. Portulaca seeds cost around £2 and produce dense, bright flowers from June to October. 

Do I need to feed balcony plants? 

Yes. Container plants use up their compost nutrients within 6–8 weeks of planting. After that, feed them with a balanced liquid fertilizer (like Miracle-Gro All Purpose, around £5–£8 per bottle) every 2 weeks during the growing season—April to September.

Conclusion

A balcony garden doesn’t need to be elaborate to be enjoyable. Three well-chosen plants in clean containers, a string of warm lights on the railing, and a chair that fits the space; that’s all it takes to make a cold concrete area into a comfortable spot. 

Start with what you have. Add one plant at a time. The space will come together quicker than you expect.