Does your balcony need new life? Try potted herb plants! Having your herb plants in pots makes it easy because you can move them around (as you figure out the amount of sun your balcony gets). If you grow your balcony herb plants in pots, they are portable—so you can bring them indoors at the end of the season.
Balconies are all about natural light and you will want to go with herb plants like morning glories that grow well with a lot of light. Morning glories are fantastic because they can handle the bright reflection from your windows and also all the heat that a metal balcony will generate. Observe the amount and type of natural light, heat and intensity on your balcony during a normal day. Check to see which way your balcony faces and whether it gets 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.
Here are some herbs that I suggest for your balcony:
- Aloe vera: Adding an aloe vera plant to your balcony will be a cinch. It tolerates the sun very well and requires little watering. It is also very helpful for burns, just snip a little piece off and rub it on the burn. 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 dinner next time you grill out. This plant should do quite well on your balcony and add some color too.
- 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: I completely like hens-and-chicks. These do not need a lot of watering—they are water-holding succulents—and will tolerate the hot temperature and bright sun that you might have on your balcony. They are adorable to look at too!
- Lavender: Because lavender is a fragrant herb, you’ll be able to breathe in the soothing smell of lavender when you plant it on your balcony. It is also a wonderful plant that adds a nice pop of color.
You can choose a few nice-sized pots to put on your balcony or use a hanging balcony basket that has an inside layer from a coconut liner. I actually made my own balcony basket with chicken wire and moss. It was my first try at something like that. That basket was not the best thing since sliced bread, but it was functional. The key is to select a container or basket that can allow for good drainage.
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.
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