Grow Flowers on a Small Balcony

My favorite spot for balcony flowers is the one you can see from your chair. Before choosing a planter, take your morning cup outside and sit where you usually do. That view is a good place to start.

Save a seat first

Set out your chair, open the balcony door, and walk between them. Then try an empty box where you imagine the flowers going. Can you still pull the chair out and reach the far end of the balcony? It’s easier to move a cardboard box than a planter full of damp soil.

Choose a planter for the space

A floor pot works well beside a chair or against a wall, especially if the railing is too wide for a bracket. A railing planter can bring flowers up to eye level and leave the floor clear. Before choosing one, measure the rail and check that the mounting hardware fits its shape and supports the weight of the filled planter. Choose a place where you can reach the soil and manage runoff when you water.

Let the light guide your flowers

Notice when direct sunlight reaches that exact spot. A balcony can be bright in the morning while the planting area stays shaded behind a solid railing. Use the light requirements and mature size on the seed packet or plant label to narrow your choices. If you’re combining flowers in one container, choose varieties with similar light and watering needs.

Start with one planter where you’ll see it every day. Once you know how the light moves and how quickly the soil dries, you’ll have a better idea of what belongs beside it.