Six Low Maintenance Balcony Plants

If you’re a city dweller pining for a garden, the good news is that there are many low maintenance balcony plants that can help you to create your very own oasis.

Considering that many of us are spending more time at home than ever before, it comes as no surprise that many of us are trying to bring the outdoors in. However, not all of us have the luxury of an expansive backyard or outdoor area in which we can soak up some precious time outside in a green space.

Thankfully, if you live in a flat, unit or apartment – particularly in one of Australia’s major cities – there’s a high chance that you will also have a balcony or patio space. Even if it is on the smaller side, there are many ways in which you can create an outdoor green space in your home. 

Low Maintenance Balcony Plants To Try 

Introducing a new batch of plants to your home is exciting, but it can be quite disheartening if they decide to abandon ship. Plants die for a number of reasons – a lack of water, pests, not enough (or too much) sunlight, or even a nutrient imbalance. If you’re time poor, or regularly out and about, the odds of your plants dying can tend to increase as you simply may not have the time to give them the attention that they require. 

Thankfully, there are plenty of low maintenance balcony plants to embrace if you don’t consider yourself to be a fully fledged green thumb, but still like the idea of some flora in and around your home. Whether you’re a beginner or just plain busy, these are our top five picks when it comes to plants that will be comfortable on a small balcony that don’t demand too much of your time, energy or attention. 

Petunias – The easy going nature of petunias means that they’re happy to be exposed to heat and humidity, and thus balconies. Petunias look particularly great in hanging baskets, especially with a mix of colours and varieties. With time, healthy petunias will cascade down the sides of baskets with plenty of blooms in spring, summer and if you’re ultra lucky, even in autumn too. 

Rosemary – Since it’s a Mediterranean dry climate plant that will happily grow in a pot, rosemary is one of the best low maintenance balcony plants Aussies could hope for. Not only does it flower in different shades of pink, white and blue, but if it’s your thing, it’s also a great staple to have on hand as a herb for cooking. 

Lavender – While not all lavender varieties are suited to the sun exposure of most Australian balconies, the dwarf varieties are known to be slightly tougher, and can thus handle growing in pots and containers slightly better than some of the other species. Not only do the purple blooms look beautiful, but lavender is also regarded as a natural relief to anxiety and stress. 

Monstera Deliciosa – Arguably one of the most popular indoor plant varieties trending at the moment, did you know that monsteras are also great balcony plants if you have too much shade for other options? While many people opt for ferns, they can be moody if not watered regularly. On the other hand, monsteras virtually thrive on neglect, and grow relatively quickly. 

Geraniums – There’s a reason why geraniums are a staple in many Australian gardens: not only are they super easy to grow, their blooms look great in pots and they’re very tolerant to heat and lots of sun. In turn, this makes them popular low maintenance balcony plants, particularly for those chasing colourful flowers as seen in the pink and red hues of this variety. 

Succulents – By selecting plants that work with your environment, it will make gardening so much easier than trying to fight nature. As a result, it’s not surprising that there’s a succulent or cactus to suit just about every balcony, watering schedule and even shade or sun exposure. Chat to your local nursery about which exact option will suit your area the best. 

Further Gardening Advice From The Professionals

Spending time outside and in the garden is not only good for our overall well being, but it’s also an easy way to start educating yourself on the importance of sustainability. 

If you’re noticing foreign invaders popping up in your balcony plants, a natural weed killer like Bioweed is a safe way to keep them under control. As a non-residual solution, it will break down into the soil in as little as 72 hours and can combat over 200 invasive weed species, making it safe for you, your family and your pets to navigate. 

Bioweed is the brainchild of well established agricultural leaders Greenpro, and is backed by over twenty years of research and development. Owned and manufactured in Australia, the primary ingredient of Bioweed is actually sustainably sourced pine oil, and is even approved by NASAA, ACO and APVMA for use around organic farms and food production.

If you’re on the hunt for a natural weed killer, more organic gardening solutions, or simply want to know more about eliminating weeds safely, check out other tips and tricks in our online advice forum, or contact us for any further queries.