A sunny balcony is the best place to grow lush, colorful plants that need a lot of light and warmth.
But you must remember that not all flowers like heat can handle direct sunlight and too much heat, so sometimes they need to be shaded and given a lot of water.
So, What kind of flowers would be best to use as balcony decor so that nothing wilts or dies before the first frost?
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Flowers For A Sunny South-Facing Balcony
Because the southern balcony is always hot and has a lot of UV light, it’s important to choose flowers that meet certain conditions:
- They can handle the burning sun well, like those in the desert.
- Can grow well in a small planter or pot;
- They can hold out for a few days if the soil dries out completely (in the case there is no way to water them in time and the moisture quickly evaporates);
- Easy to care for;
- Choose small plants with short stems for open balconies, or the wind will break them.
Sun-Loving, Easy-Care, Drought-Resistant Varieties With Photos
Gazania, Treasure flower, African daisy
The Gazania always opens up to the sun, making it perfect for a southern balcony; however, when clouds roll in, the Gazania will close up again.
Gazania’s bright flowers resemble the aster family, but their hues are more varied and, in many cases, gradient.
The Gazania is easy to take care of and doesn’t mind being dry, but it doesn’t bloom as brightly or as much as other plants.
Violets
African violets are delicate little plants with velvety leaves and colorful, globular blooms of varying sizes.
Since they don’t require much room, you can easily keep many pots of various kinds side by side. This way, you can create a carpet of flowers.
Violet leaves fade to white in direct sunlight, so keep them shaded during the day’s hottest hours.
Petunia
Though there are many different types of petunia, the ones best suited for growing in containers on a sunny balcony are the shorter ones.
This is because the sun can scorch large flowers and climb branches.
Marigold
The Marigold is a stunning addition to any arrangement, full of vibrant yellow and orange blooms.
In the garden, they bloom in August and September, but some indoor varieties bloom all summer if the flower heads are cut back early enough.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a potted plant that has so many tiny flowers that you can’t even see the green part of the plant.
Depending on the variety, flowers can be pink, blue, lilac, or white. The flowers continue to bloom throughout the entire summer and even beyond.
You need to plant more than one branch of lobelia in one pot. The thin shoots won’t live if you only plant one cutting.
But the result is a bush with many leaves and branches hanging down.
Although lobelia is a sun-loving plant, keeping it in a shady spot is best, so its flowers don’t wither from the heat.
Nasturtium
The nasturtium is a tiny flowering plant with leaves resembling a lily. It blooms all summer but needs to be fed and watered regularly.
Pelargonium
It is best to grow pelargonium on a glassed-in balcony, as the plant prefers bright sunlight but cannot stand strong breezes.
Even if you don’t water it for a few days, it blooms brightly and lushly. However, it needs to be fertilized every two weeks.
Sweet Pea
The fast-growing sweet pea (Lathyrus odoratus) is characterized by slender shoots draped in light green leaves and bright, fragrant flowers.
It grows by sending out thin stems covered with light green leaves and colorful, fragrant flowers. It needs support so that the shoots can grow in a controlled manner.
Fragrant peas survive in the scorching sun and shield the balcony from it. This means the patio stays cooler and less stuffy than it otherwise would be.
The most important thing is to prune the plant’s shoots before they spread and take over the entire balcony and everything in it.
Cobaea
The cobaea vine is another option for providing shade on a sunny balcony.
Finally, the “green wall” is a unique sight due to its long, twisted stems covered in large, green leaves and clusters of long, colorful flowers.
The only real caveat is remembering to snip away at any takes that are getting too long or unnecessary.
I suggest planting cobaea as seedlings in February and moving them to the balcony in May.
It takes a long time for the seeds to germinate and the plants to grow.
Calendula
Calendula is characterized by its many bright orange flowers that stretch upwards toward the sunshine.
It’s low maintenance, as long as you keep it in the sun and give it enough water. Next, decide on dwarf or low-growing plants for the balcony.
New flower buds will open in their place if you pinch off the old ones, allowing you to extend the flowering period.
Nicotiana alata
Sun, heat and consistent watering are all good for Nicotiana alata. It has fragrant flowers that open at night and release their scent through to morning.
The plant does not contain nicotine despite its common name. The downside is that it is hard on the soil and makes it hard to choose the right fertilizer.
Canna
Another flowering plant that can thrive in total exposure to sunlight.
Despite producing many large, colorful flowers, canna has no discernible scent, making it a better option for those who suffer from allergies.
Large, pointed leaves that are both fashionable and functional complement the lovely blooms.
Dahlias
Flowering dahlias come in a wide range of sizes and colors and look like large, bright balls.
The plant is aesthetically pleasing for weeks because it resembles a huge bouquet.
A sunny balcony is perfect for growing dahlias because they thrive in bright light and warmth (with abundant watering).
Zinnia
Zinnias are low-growing flowering shrubs that are typically propagated in containers of an elongated shape.
Depending on the type, flowers can be white, red, orange, or yellow. The shape of the petals can also change, but the smell is always the same.
Reseda
The Reseda (Reseda odorata) is a low-maintenance plant with a potent and alluring aroma. For a lot of flowers, you should water them often and cut off the bunches.
The fact that reseda can be both a bush and side shoots that spread out is one of its distinguishing characteristics. In addition, the array of colors used enhances its visual appeal.
Limonium
It is also called “sea lavender,” and it doesn’t like to be in the shade or cool, so a sunny, warm balcony is the best place.
Blooms abundantly and brightly, creating an aesthetically pleasing appearance. It can also thrive in low-quality soil and dry conditions, with little to no impact on flowering.
Phlox drummondii
There are varieties in almost every color, but the flower can usually handle the heat and sun no matter what color you choose.
The only requirement is to ensure the roots do not become overheated (loose soil and good drainage help).
Phlox is typically planted alongside other plants to make a visually appealing arrangement and shield the root zone from direct sunlight.
Ageratum
Ageratum is easily recognized by the dense, fluffy, mahogany-blue flowers that cover the entire plant’s top.
Even if the soil is not regularly loosened and fertilized, ageratum will still bloom, albeit less productive. However, doing so will increase the likelihood of abundant flowering.
Common Purslane
Common Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) is typically grown indoors in containers.
Still, a planter is ideal for a balcony because the branches and flowers will drape over the railing and provide a welcome shade.
Mix and match different species in the pot to create a more visually attractive bouquet.
Purslane thrives in the sun’s heat and can withstand the strongest rays.
Carnation
If you want to plant carnation (Dianthus caryophyllus) on your balcony without worrying about them getting blown over, pick a dwarf variety.
One of the most eye-catching plant configurations is one in which several different types coexist within the same container.
Since carnations don’t require spraying, don’t require a lot of water, and love the sun, the southern side is perfect for them.
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Also known as Matthiola incana, it is a plant that belongs to the Brassicaceae family and blooms for about a month, although with proper care, it can bloom for much longer.
It likes the sun and feels good when its rays hit it straight. However, it does not like it when the air around it becomes stale and stuffy and requires consistent watering.
Sage
Bright red, pink, or purple upright clusters of tiny flowers are a defining feature of sage (Salvia officinalis).
It thrives in bright light, nutrient-rich soil that is relatively loose, and adequate ventilation.
Since salvia does not do well in temperatures that are too low, you should bring it inside on chilly days, where it will be nice and toasty.
Cymbalaria
Cymbalaria’s benefit lies not in its showy flowers (which are tiny and nearly undetectable) but in its copious, dense foliage.
Plant it as an invasive species in a pot so its trailing stems can wiggle and dangle freely.
The cymbolaria shoots will die back during the winter if you don’t bring them in, but new shoots will emerge in the spring.
Sedum (Stonecrop)
This plant will thrive in any environment, including dry and poor soil. It has abundant clusters of tiny blossoms in various colors, including white, pale pink, greenish-pink, blue, and others.
You can create a truly unique composition by blending different species, and with some careful pruning, you can even make letters and symbols.
Succulents
Succulents come from deserts with a lot of heat and little water, so they do better than anything else on a sunny, hot balcony.
Furthermore, because they are available in various variants, shapes, colors, and characteristics, they can be put together to form an aesthetically pleasing whole.
Advantage: If you forget about succulents for a few days, they won’t die.
How Should You Decorate Your Balcony?
Several factors should be considered before deciding on which flowers to use to adorn the balcony:
- How well plants get along with each other;
- Harmonic distribution in terms of how things look;
- Alternating hanging and potted plants;
- Good location concerning the sun and wind.
Balcony Flower Care
If you want to use flowers as balcony decor, you should plant them in the early spring so they can grow to a suitable size before the summer heat sets in.
Then, around the end of April or the beginning of May, when it’s no longer too cold at night, take the flowers out onto the balcony and arrange them in a way you like that works well with the other flowers.
Care-depending on the needs of each variety. The sun on a balcony means you’ll need to water and spray your flowers more often and heavily, as the water evaporates quickly.
A sunny balcony isn’t just an excellent place to grow plants and put flowers around your house.
It’s a great chance to have a small flowering and shady garden in the apartment, even if it’s only a few square feet.