Balconies are an extension of apartment living, offering fresh air, natural light, and outdoor vibes. Choosing the best plants for apartment balconies allows you to enjoy greenery without sacrificing space or convenience.

Plants improve air quality, reduce stress, and create a relaxing atmosphere in small outdoor areas. According to a 2023 survey, 72% of urban apartment dwellers reported improved mood after adding balcony plants.

Apartment balconies vary in sunlight, wind exposure, and space limitations, so selecting beginner-friendly and resilient plants is essential. The right choices thrive in containers, withstand temperature fluctuations, and remain visually appealing.

In this guide, we present the 10 best plants for apartment balconies, focusing on ease of care, aesthetic appeal, and adaptability to outdoor container environments.

10 Best Plants For Apartment Balconies

1. Lavender – Proven Winners – Best Fragrant Balcony Plant

Beginners seeking fragrance love Lavender by Proven Winners, perfect for sunny balconies. It thrives in full sun and well-draining soil. Its purple flowers attract pollinators while adding beauty to small outdoor spaces.

Additionally, Lavender is drought-tolerant, making it low-maintenance for busy apartment owners. Its aroma promotes relaxation and stress relief. It also serves culinary and decorative purposes.

Moreover, it grows well in pots or containers of varying sizes. Regular pruning encourages flowering and keeps plants compact. Overall, Lavender is fragrant, practical, and beginner-friendly.

Pros

• Fragrant blooms

• Low maintenance

• Sun loving

• Container friendly

• Pollinator friendly

• Decorative

• Drought tolerant

Cons

• Needs sun

• Prune often

• Short-lived flowers

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2. Geranium – Costa Farms – Best Colorful Balcony Plant

Beginners looking for vibrant blooms choose Geranium by Costa Farms, ideal for pots and railing planters. It thrives in partial to full sunlight. Bright flowers last long throughout summer.

Geraniums tolerate occasional neglect, making them beginner-friendly. They produce clusters of colorful flowers, enhancing visual appeal. Compact growth keeps them suitable for small balconies.

Moreover, Geraniums resist pests effectively, reducing care complexity. They complement both modern and traditional balcony designs. Overall, they provide lasting color with minimal effort.

Pros

• Vibrant flowers

• Low pest issues

• Sun tolerant

• Compact growth

• Container friendly

• Long blooming

• Beginner friendly

Cons

• Needs regular watering

• Sensitive frost

• Pruning required

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3. Snake Plant – The Sill – Best Low-Maintenance Balcony Plant

Beginners prefer Snake Plant by The Sill for balconies that receive varied sunlight. It tolerates shade or indirect light. Its vertical leaves fit narrow spaces, maximizing balcony area.

It is drought-resistant and easy to care for. Snake Plant purifies air while creating visual structure. It is ideal for urban apartment balconies with limited time for maintenance.

Moreover, the plant remains upright in windy conditions when potted securely. Its minimal water needs reduce the risk of overwatering. Overall, it is highly adaptable and resilient.

Pros

• Low maintenance

• Shade tolerant

• Air purifier

• Vertical growth

• Drought resistant

• Container friendly

• Urban friendly

Cons

• Slow growth

• Pet toxic

• Sensitive to frost

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4. Petunia – Proven Winners – Best Flowering Balcony Plant

Beginners seeking colorful flowers choose Petunia by Proven Winners for pots and hanging baskets. It thrives in sunny balconies. Its blooms come in a wide range of vibrant colors.

Petunias tolerate moderate neglect and are easy to grow from starter plants. Deadheading encourages continuous blooming. They are ideal for visually striking balcony displays.

Moreover, they attract pollinators, improving your balcony’s ecosystem. With proper watering, they flourish all summer. Overall, Petunias are bright, versatile, and beginner-friendly.

Pros

• Colorful blooms

• Easy care

• Sun loving

• Pollinator friendly

• Hanging friendly

• Container friendly

• Continuous flowering

Cons

• Sensitive to frost

• Needs watering

• Deadheading required

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5. Basil – Burpee – Best Culinary Balcony Plant

Beginners who want herbs choose Basil by Burpee for sunny balcony pots. It thrives in full sun and rich soil. Fresh leaves provide flavor for cooking and salads.

Basil grows quickly, ideal for container gardening. Regular pruning keeps plants productive. It also adds a fragrant touch to balcony spaces.

Moreover, it is pest-resistant and attracts beneficial insects. It is lightweight and easy to move. Overall, Basil combines utility, fragrance, and simplicity.

Pros

• Culinary use

• Fast growth

• Sun loving

• Container friendly

• Aromatic

• Pest resistant

• Beginner friendly

Cons

• Sensitive to frost

• Needs sun

• Frequent pruning

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6. Spider Plant – Bonnie Plants – Best Hanging Balcony Plant

Beginners love Spider Plant by Bonnie Plants for hanging baskets on balconies. It tolerates partial shade and indirect sunlight. Its trailing leaves create lush green cascades.

Spider Plant is resilient and forgiving. It produces baby plants for propagation. This makes it ideal for small balcony spaces.

Moreover, it purifies air and adds softness to industrial balcony structures. Minimal care requirements make it beginner-friendly. Overall, it is decorative, hardy, and versatile.

Pros

• Trailing foliage

• Air purifier

• Shade tolerant

• Easy care

• Beginner friendly

• Produces offsets

• Hanging friendly

Cons

• Needs occasional trimming

• Sensitive to cold

• Watering needed

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7. Succulents – Altman Plants – Best Sun-Loving Balcony Plants

Beginners appreciate Succulents by Altman Plants for sunny, small balcony containers. They thrive in full sun and require minimal water. Varieties include Echeveria, Sedum, and Haworthia.

Succulents are drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. Their unique shapes and textures create visual interest. They are ideal for modern balcony décor.

Moreover, they grow slowly and fit compact pots. They tolerate heat better than most plants. Overall, succulents are perfect for busy urban balconies.

Pros

• Low maintenance

• Sun loving

• Drought resistant

• Compact

• Decorative

• Beginner friendly

• Unique shapes

Cons

• Needs sun

• Slow growth

• Sensitive to frost

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8. Marigold – Proven Winners – Best Pest-Repellent Balcony Plant

Beginners benefit from Marigold by Proven Winners as it naturally repels pests. It thrives in full sun. Its bright blooms add cheerful colors to small balconies.

Marigolds are hardy and resilient. They bloom continuously with basic care. Ideal for container gardening in apartments.

Moreover, they improve soil health and reduce harmful insects. They are lightweight and moveable. Overall, Marigolds provide beauty and protection.

Pros

• Bright blooms

• Pest repellent

• Sun loving

• Easy care

• Fast growing

• Container friendly

• Hardy

Cons

• Needs watering

• Short-lived blooms

• Sensitive frost

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9. Lemon Balm – Burpee – Best Aromatic Balcony Herb

Beginners enjoy Lemon Balm by Burpee for fragrant greenery on balconies. It tolerates partial sun and rich soil. Its leaves release a lemony aroma.

Lemon Balm grows fast and is suitable for pots or railing planters. It is also edible and attracts beneficial insects. Regular harvesting promotes fuller growth.

Moreover, it is hardy and low-maintenance. Its aromatic leaves improve balcony relaxation. Overall, Lemon Balm is practical and fragrant.

Pros

• Aromatic leaves

• Edible

• Partial sun

• Fast growing

• Easy care

• Beginner friendly

• Container friendly

Cons

• Spreads aggressively

• Needs pruning

• Sensitive frost

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10. Rosemary – Burpee – Best Hardy Balcony Herb

Beginners benefit from Rosemary by Burpee, a sun-loving, drought-tolerant herb. It thrives in containers with good drainage. Its fragrant needles are useful in cooking.

Rosemary grows vertically, saving balcony space. It tolerates wind and moderate neglect. Regular trimming improves plant density.

Moreover, it repels pests and attracts pollinators. It is long-lasting and decorative. Overall, Rosemary combines fragrance, resilience, and functionality.

Pros

• Culinary use

• Hardy

• Sun loving

• Drought tolerant

• Pest repellent

• Container friendly

• Beginner friendly

Cons

• Needs sun

• Pruning required

• Sensitive to frost

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FAQs – Best Plants For Apartment Balconies

1. Which plants are best for sunny balconies?

Lavender, Basil, Succulents, and Rosemary thrive in full sun.

2. Can balcony plants survive winter?

Most need protection or indoor relocation during frost.

3. What is the easiest balcony plant for beginners?

Snake Plant and Spider Plant require minimal care.

4. Can balcony plants improve air quality?

Yes, Spider Plant, Lavender, and Marigold improve indoor-outdoor air.

5. Which plants are suitable for small balcony spaces?

Succulents, Lavender, and Geraniums are compact and container-friendly.

6. Are aromatic plants good for balconies?

Yes, Basil, Lemon Balm, and Lavender add fragrance and repel pests.

7. How often should balcony plants be watered?

Most require weekly watering, more during hot or sunny periods.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the best plants for apartment balconies combines aesthetic appeal, resilience, and functional benefits like fragrance and air purification. Beginners benefit most from low-maintenance, sun-tolerant, and container-friendly options.

The best overall choice is Lavender, thanks to its fragrance, drought tolerance, and versatility in pots or railings.The runner-up is Snake Plant, offering minimal care, air purification, and adaptability to varying balcony conditions.

Each plant on this list enhances balcony spaces uniquely, whether through color, scent, or structure. Begin with one of these best or runner-up plants today and create a green, relaxing outdoor retreat for your apartment.