Gardening in Small Spaces: How to Create a Balcony Garden

This project is perfect for beginners and can be completed in a few hours or over a couple of weeks, depending on your vision and schedule. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essential steps to start your own balcony garden, from considering climate and weight limits to selecting the right plants. Let's get started on your balcony garden project!

How to create your patio garden in six steps

Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating your own garden on any patio or balcony, regardless of space.

1. Consider the environment

Your location has an enormous influence on what types of plants and structures you should use in your patio garden. Factors to consider:

• Wind: How much wind does your balcony experience? The higher your balcony, the windier it’ll be, and excess wind can dry out your soil. If you have windy conditions, you may want to consider more frequent waterings and using a lattice or trellis to give your plants more support.
• Sun: How much shade does your balcony have throughout the day? If you have lots of sun, pick plants that will hold up well, like cacti, flowers, or vegetables. If your balcony faces north or is in the shade, consider planting low-light options, like ferns or begonias.
• Moisture: How much rain does your balcony receive? The moisture level on your patio directly influences which plants will thrive best in that location.

2. Pay attention to the weight

Every balcony has a weight limit, and gardening can contribute hundreds of extra pounds. Some of the biggest weight contributors are:

• The pot or planter
• The plant itself
• The soil
• The water

To combat excess weight, consider using plastic or fiberglass pots instead of terracotta or ceramic planters, or consider using smaller hanging pots on your wall or railing. 

3. Consider how much space you have

Floor space is at a premium on your balcony! If you’re worried about space, remember: You don’t need to sacrifice your floor to enjoy a beautiful garden.

Instead, hang planters from a windowsill, lattice, wall, or railing. You’ll still enjoy splashes of green and other vibrant colors, but you’ll still have plenty of room for a coffee table, your favorite chairs, or whatever else you use to keep your balcony cozy.

4. Decide how you’ll water your plants

Unless you’re planning on a garden of cacti and succulents, and other hardy plants, you should plan on regularly watering your garden. Questions to consider:

• Does your balcony have a nearby spigot you can tap into?
• Will you need to carry a watering can through the house to water your plants?
• Can you invest in a hose that attaches to your kitchen sink to simplify watering?

Your access to water—and your physical ability to regularly water your plants—directly influences the types of plants you can add to your garden. 

5. What’s your budget? 

Completing your garden can cost hundreds of dollars in supplies and materials—but it doesn’t have to. While you can certainly purchase the cute designer planters and accent pieces you find in your favorite store, if you’re on a tighter budget consider these cost-saving measures:

• Find used pots at yard sales or in local neighborhood groups.
• Buy seeds instead of buying mature plants. This will require a little extra love until your seed finally sprouts, but it can provide significant savings!
• Learn to make your own potting soil and compost to give your plants a rich foundation to grow in.

What plants to pick? 

Certain plants and vegetables do better than others when planted in pots and containers. What you select will be based more on your personal tastes and preferences but below are a few suggestions of flowers, small shrubs, and popular vegetables that do well in smaller spaces.

Of course, you can always mix and match plants; that’s where the fun is! Mix popular flowers like petunias, begonias, zinnia, and countless others for a color and sensory explosion!

Once you’ve finished, it’s time to sit down and enjoy some time next to your newest plant friends with your favorite drink in hand!

Talk to a garden expert

For even more support, contact one of our Experts on a video chat for support on everything from the best paint for your outdoor projects to learning how to construct your own plantboxes.