Growing Herbs on your Balcony
You can bring new life to your balcony by adding a few potted herb plants. Having your herb plants in pots makes it simple because you can move them around (as you figure out the amount of sun your balcony gets). Their portability also helps for bringing your herb plants inside at the end of the growing season—you don’t want to leave your herb plants on the balcony all winter.
Your best bet for your balcony herb garden would be any plant that does well with lots of sun, like a morning glory. These little plants can tolerate the reflection from the windows and doors and also the heat that a metal balcony captures. Check out your balcony at different times of the day to see the quality of light, the heat and the intensity. You will also want to know which way your balcony is facing—will you get more morning or afternoon sun?
A good rule of thumb for balcony herbs would include any plant with a thick leaf or a velvety texture as well as any herb that is gray or silver. They will do well because they lose less water to evaporation.
Try some of these great herb plants on your balcony:
- Aloe vera: Aloe vera is an easy plant to grow. It tolerates the sun very well and needs little watering. You can use aloe vera easily by snipping off the tip and rubbing it on a burn or other skin problem. It will cool the spot, but it will be sticky!
- Cayenne pepper: With cayenne pepper on your balcony, you can always add a little spice to your meal next time you grill out. With a bright pop of color, cayenne pepper will be great on your balcony.
- Cucumber: A trailing vine, like the cucumber, can provide an added touch to your balcony. Cucumbers are wonderful for facials, ladies. You can also grab some cucumbers to slice for your salads, straight from the balcony!
- Hens-and-chicks: These are among my very favorite plants. These don’t need a lot of watering—they are water-holding succulents—and will tolerate the hot temperature and bright sunshine that you might have on your balcony. They are cute to look at too!
- Lavender: Because lavender is a fragrant plant, you’ll be able to breathe in the soothing aroma of lavender when you put it on your balcony. The lovely purple buds can make a colorful balcony even more colorful.
Choose a collection of interesting containers for your balcony or try a hanging basket lined with a coconut husk for wonderful outcomes. I used chicken wire and moss to make my own herb plant balcony basket. It was my first try at a project like that. It wasn’t amazing, but it worked. It will work best if you carefully consider the drainage when you are buying your basket or pot.
Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.
Here is more information on Windowsill Herb Garden. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.
