Even a narrow city balcony can hold a surprising amount of green. Our garden designers share the approach they use on every makeover.
Most city balconies are small, and many are used for little more than drying clothes. With some planning, the same space can become a garden you sit in every morning. Our designers have made over hundreds of balconies across Bengaluru and Mumbai, and they follow the same few principles each time.
Start with the light
Spend a day noting when the sun reaches your balcony and for how long. Five hours or more of direct sun suits bougainvillea, hibiscus, jasmine and a dwarf lemon tree. Two to four hours suits areca palm, herbs and most foliage plants. A shaded balcony is perfect for ferns, peace lilies and money plants. Choosing plants to match the light matters more than any styling decision.
Think in three layers
A garden feels full when plants sit at different heights. Use one or two tall plants in floor planters to frame the space. Add a middle layer of medium pots on a bench or plant stand. Finish with trailing plants in hanging planters or railing boxes. This uses the height of the balcony and keeps the floor clear.
Keep the floor free
In a narrow space, every square foot of floor counts. Fix railing planters on the outside edge, hang macrame planters from ceiling hooks and use a slim ladder shelf against the wall. Leave room for a chair, because a garden you cannot sit in will be forgotten.
Limit your materials
Too many pot styles make a small space look busy. Choose two finishes, such as terracotta and white ceramic, and repeat them. Group pots in threes of different sizes.
Plan for water and weight
Balcony pots dry quickly in wind and sun. Self-watering planters and a simple drip line save a great deal of effort. Use saucers so that water does not run onto the neighbours below. Check the load your balcony can take before adding large planters, and choose lightweight potting mix.
Add scent and something to eat
A pot of jasmine by the door perfumes the whole house in the evening. A few herbs and a lemon tree make the garden useful as well as beautiful.
Need a hand?
Book a balcony makeover consultation and a designer will visit, measure the light and prepare a planting plan for you.
