π Balcony
Garden Guide
A wealth of vegetables, herbs and fruit can be grown on even a small balcony. The right plant for your balcony depends primarily on its orientation β south, west, east or north.
Best starter plants for any balcony
For beginners: basil, chives, lettuce, radishes and (on a south-facing balcony) cherry tomatoes. These are forgiving, fast and rewarding β you'll be harvesting within weeks.
What to grow β by balcony orientation
6+ hours of direct sun. You can grow almost anything. Water daily in summer β south balconies dry out fast.
Vegetables
- π Tomatoes
- πΆοΈ Peppers
- π₯ Cucumbers
- π« Courgettes
- π« Climbing beans
- π₯ Lettuce
- π± Radishes
- π₯¬ Spinach
Herbs
- πΏ Basil
- π± Chives
- πΏ Thyme
- πΏ Rosemary
- πΏ Sage
- πΏ Lavender
- πΏ Parsley
Fruit
- π Strawberries
- π« Blueberries
- πΆοΈ Chillies
4β6 hours of direct sun. Most vegetables thrive. Cherry tomato varieties perform best.
Vegetables
- π Cherry tomatoes
- π₯ Lettuce
- π± Radishes
- π« Beans
- π« Peas
Herbs
- πΏ Basil
- πΏ Parsley
- π Mint
- π± Chives
Fruit
- π Strawberries
2β4 hours of direct sun. Choose shade-tolerant varieties. Salads and herbs grow well; fruiting crops struggle.
Vegetables
- π₯ Lettuce
- π₯¬ Spinach
- π₯ Rocket
- π± Radishes
- π« Peas
Herbs
- πΏ Parsley
- π± Chives
- π Mint
- πΏ Chervil
Fruit
- π Strawberries (smaller)
Less than 2 hours direct sun. Only shade-loving crops will succeed. β No tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers or basil.
Works on north balconies
- π₯ Lettuce
- π₯¬ Spinach
- π Mint
- πΏ Parsley
- π± Chives
- πΏ Chervil
Does NOT work
- β Tomatoes (need 6h sun)
- β Peppers (need 6h sun)
- β Cucumbers (need 6h sun)
- β Basil (needs warmth + sun)
π₯¬ Vegetables for the balcony β quick overview
| Plant | Min. container | Sun | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| π₯ Lettuce | 5 litres | βοΈ/π₯οΈ | Ready in 5β6 weeks |
| π± Radishes | Window box | βοΈ | Ready in 4 weeks |
| π₯¬ Spinach | 5 litres | π₯οΈ | Spring and autumn; bolts in heat |
| π₯ Rocket | Window box | βοΈ/π₯οΈ | Fast-growing; successive sow |
| π Cherry tomatoes | 10β15 litres | βοΈβοΈβοΈ | After May 15; daily watering |
| πΆοΈ Peppers | 10 litres | βοΈβοΈβοΈ | After May 20; south balcony |
| π₯ Cucumbers | 15β20 litres | βοΈβοΈ | Needs trellis; daily watering |
| π« Peas | Window box | βοΈ/π₯οΈ | Needs 1 m support |
| π§ Spring onions | Window box | βοΈ | Sow from March |
πΏ Herbs β ideal for balcony beginners
Herbs are the perfect starting point β low-maintenance, fast-growing, and you can use them straight from the pot in cooking.
2 l+ Β· βοΈβοΈ Β· After May 15 Β· Frost-sensitive
Window box Β· βοΈ/π₯οΈ Β· Perennial Β· Very easy
3 l+ Β· βοΈ/π₯οΈ Β· Biennial Β· From April
Own container! Β· π₯οΈ Β· Spreads aggressively
3 l Β· βοΈβοΈ Β· Drought-tolerant Β· Perennial
5 l+ Β· βοΈβοΈ Β· Drought-tolerant Β· Perennial
5 l Β· βοΈβοΈ Β· Repels pests Β· Perennial
20 cm deep box Β· βοΈ Β· Direct sow only
πͺ΄ Container sizes
- β Salads, radishes, herbs: 3β5 litres
- β Strawberries: 2β3 litres per plant
- β Cherry tomatoes: 10β15 litres
- β Peppers: 10 litres
- β Cucumbers: 15β20 litres
- β Blueberries: 20 litres
π§ Watering on a balcony
Watering is the most important aspect of balcony gardening. Containers dry out far faster than garden beds.
Summer watering frequency:
- π Tomatoes, cucumbers: every day
- πΏ Basil, parsley: every other day
- πΏ Rosemary, thyme, lavender: once a week
- π₯ Lettuce, spinach: every other day
Frequently asked questions
What are the easiest plants for a balcony beginner? βΌ
Recommended starters: basil, chives, lettuce, radishes and cherry tomatoes (on a south-facing balcony). These are forgiving, fast and very rewarding β you'll harvest within weeks of planting.
What can I grow on a north-facing balcony? βΌ
On a north-facing balcony with little direct sun: lettuce, spinach, rocket, mint, parsley, chives and cress all do well. Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and basil need a minimum of 6 hours of sun and won't perform without it.
When can I start growing on my balcony? βΌ
Hardy crops (herbs, lettuce) can move out from April. Tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers) must wait until after May 15, when the Ice Saints frost risk has passed. The balcony advantage: containers can be moved indoors if late frost threatens, giving you a 5β7 day head start over garden beds.
Can I grow tomatoes on a small balcony? βΌ
Yes. Bush and trailing varieties such as Tumbling Tom, Balcony Yellow and Mini Tom are bred specifically for containers and small balconies. A 10-litre pot and a south-facing balcony is all you need. They produce abundantly from July to September with daily watering.
Get personalised balcony planting advice
Enter your balcony orientation and size β get a tailored growing plan with frost and drought alerts.
Try balcony calculator β