How to Make Your Balcony Garden: Things, Tips and Ideas to Consider

Updated onOct 18, 2024

Want to give a personal touch to your home and interior? Balcony garden is the best to engrave your creativity. So it’s time to upcycle the waste, grow some new plants and let that corner of your home shine. 

So if you are wondering what to do, or how to design, relax and read the article. Make a to-do list that will help you to assess the things before organizing the real balcony set-up and tips to make a boring area a picture-perfect place. 

Things to Assess Before Designing a Picturesque Balcony Garden 

Balcony Garden

Now that you have decided to redesign your clumsy balcony into a dreamy garden, you are required to do extensive research and evaluation. 

Make a list of the factors mentioned below to keep everything handy when starting the process. 

Get Authorized Approval

If you are living in a rented house or apartment building, it is safe to seek permission from the concerned authority. However, this is not the condition in all cases, you may require it under a few circumstances including the small spaces and open railing structure. 

In addition, few buildings allow planting flowers and small shrubs but strictly prohibit the growing of vegetables to avoid birds and pest disturbances.

Space Recce

Understandably, there will be two different situations when coming to take a tour of your balcony space. One is a pre-designed balcony, which comes in ready-to-occupy flats. The second will contain, which has been designed according to your architecture under your close observation. 

But the idea for both conditions comes out to plan a vertical garden to get the most out of the space. Take the evaluation of the space and arrange the containers and planting ideas accordingly. 

Watering Techniques

Water is vital for the plants for enormous reasons. So bear in mind, to formulate an imaginary water irrigation system in your mind or paper to avoid any hassle afterward. Take into consideration plating the self-watering pots or look for a suitable connection. Also, make a checklist of a few questions, including will excess water rain down on the neighbours down there, what is the plan for the conditions of overflow and more. 

Sunlight and Weather Conditions Scope 

Like water, sunlight is another key source of energy for your plants and flowers. In the same way, wind and suitable temperature requirements are also important. So check out the weather changes on your balcony throughout the day like evaluating the sunlight, and wind exposure.

If the sunlight sustains for long hours or throughout the day, consider installing a shade to prevent the plants from dying out.  

Maintenance Required

Setting up a balcony garden is not a one-time investment. It requires maintenance on a regular basis. It includes the close monitoring of the plant’s correct direction of growth, checking signs of diseases, sprinkling the fertilisers as per the demands, and more. 

So, realising the future requirements, before assembling the setup will give you an approx estimate of the coming expenses. 

Budget Planning 

Plan the infrastructure of your balcony according to your budget. Setting up a budget will help you not go out of the box, keeping that corner of the house aesthetic and serene. 

To make the most of your creativity, place a touch of your DIY expertise, ask friends to share the seeds, upcycle your old containers and more to engrave your personal touch in the space. 

What Plants Should I Grow in an Apartment Balcony Garden?

Starting a balcony garden is not rocket science. All you need is a small space, a perfect setup and some suitable plants that can add cherry on the cake. 

That is why, here is a list of some popular balcony planting ideas mentioned below: 

Snake Plant 

Snake Plant

Growing in sword-shaped leaves, the snake plant is one of the best options to keep in the balcony garden. Coming to the benefits, are enormous including removing toxic pollutants, easy care and handling, and most importantly effective against allergies. 

Pothos 

Pothos plant

If you have poor lighting availability on the balcony, then Pothos is the masterpiece that can survive extreme conditions. It can turn out to be your best household plant that requires low maintenance, ensuring an ideal choice for beginners. 

Kalanchoe

Kalanchoe

Another popular plant that can be ideal for planting on a balcony is Kalanchoe. The tropical succulent plant only requires simple maintenance and wearing every day to grow cute colourful flowers that can relieve your prying eyes. 

Money Plant 

Money Plant

You might have heard often, that if the money plants grow out healthy, you will never face financial constraints in your life. This might be true or not, but money plants requires minimal upkeep, and that is a proven fact.  

Tips to Consider for Revamping Your Balcony Garden Ambience

Craving to feel the grass like feeling at home? Look no further and plan to set up an apartment balcony garden that takes you for a lush retreat. But to add unique elements and aesthetics, look further into the tips mentioned. 

  1. Draw a Rough Sketch: Before start setting up your apartment balcony garden, draw a rough sketch of exactly what you want and your creative imagination. Map out a blueprint containing the layout of the space and then make the purchases accordingly. 
  1. Add a Mix of Artificial Decor: To elevate your balcony interior, add a glimpse of artificial decors like grass turf, wooden furniture, old-school vintage small tables and more to ensure an aesthetic look on point. 
  1. Add Colours and Textures: To enhance your boring green colour-covered balcony, step on to grow some colourful flowers that can add a vibrant vibe to your space. Instead of buying artificial flower pots, invest in growing the original, authentic, and get a rush of natural scent. 
  1. Utilize the Railings: 

    If you are sceptical about climbers and creepers, utilize the railings and ledges of your planting balcony and redesign the boring rustic sense of style. You might not know, but climbers can give you tropical-like themes, ensuring a natural green privacy curtain. 

  1. Add lightning: To give an all-new enchanting look to your balcony garden that sets the mood for night socializing and chilling, add on some warm lights on the climbers or roof. Again to provide the vintage look, add on some lamps, lanterns, and wind chimes to purify the energy of the atmosphere. 
  1. Talk to an Interior Designer: If it’s one of the first times you are planning to set up an apartment balcony, then consider consulting an interior designer for better recommendations and space utilisation. 

25 Unique DIY Handmade Planters: Decorate your Home and Garden

Growing plants can give you sighs of relief from stress and relaxation in your mind. As you begin your planting journey, you wish to create something that looks attractive and doesn’t overload your pocket at the same time. If that is the case, then DIY can act as a saviour. 

So, pick your tools to try unique DIY to create some enchanting planter masterpiece that matches your home aesthetic vibe. 

Plastic Bottles Planters

To those who admire the concept of indoor wall-hanging, upcycled bottle plant pots are for you. Moreover, they can be designed in a variety of ways. And they can become your favourite planters. 

Plastic Bottles Planters

Food Packaging Containers Planters

Repurposing food packaging containers to make planters can be very useful. For more enhancement, you can paint them and tie string at both ends to make it an indoor wall planter or place them on the outdoor railings.

Food Packaging Containers Planters

Egg Trays Planters

Empty egg trays are a new-generation ideal for seed germination. The advantage is that they have clear different sections that can help you grow a variety of vegetables and flowers. 

Egg Trays Planters

Paper Bag Planters

Compact paper bag planters can add style to your aesthetic decor. In addition, brown paper bags can be used as a token of gift. 

Paper Bag Planters

Shoe Planters

You may prefer to throw away your broken and damaged heels or hiking shoes. But from now on, you can use them as unique planters. This can be a suitable planter for people with small garden spaces and railings. 

Shoe Planters

Rusted Cooking Pots Planters

If used as a planter, an old rusted pot or broken saucepan can add a vintage vibe to a garden. Besides this, a colander is one of the best choices for reusing kitchen utensils as it has built-in drainage holes. 

Rusted Cooking Pots Planters

Coffee Mugs and Teacups Planters

A broken, chipped coffee mug can be ideal for planting rosemary. Before setting up your plant somewhere in the sun, don’t forget to place an underneath to soak up excess water and moisture. 

Coffee Mugs and Teacups Planters

In addition, a bunch of colourful, different smiley-painted teacup planters can be placed to enhance your house corners. 

Glass Planters

If you have a few pieces left of wine glasses, or drinking glasses from your set, then buy a new pair and convert the old ones into the planters. You can make a cute little gift out of them with your creative DIY skills.

Glass Planters

Coconut Shell Planters

The coconut shell can be an eco-friendly planter as it lasts for years. Hence, use your waste coconut husk to give a beachy island touch to your garden. 

Coconut Shell Planters

Trophies Planters

You may find one of your drawing competition-winning trophies while cleaning your rooms. So paint your trophies, draw a minimal design and reward yourself with a planter in your room. 

Trophies Planters

Candle Holders Planters

Have you finished with your candle? If yes, revamp the empty holders into new mini planters for your corner table or a wall hanging.

Candle Handle Planters

Lotion Bottles Planters

Other than the plastic bottles, you can also use your used lotion, shampoo bottles and whatever is suitable to make an indoor wall-hanging planter by attaching it to a rope or thread. 

Lotion Bottles Planters

Toilet Rolls Planters

Cardboard toilet paper rolls can be a great technique to grow delicate sprouts and seeds. You can also use an aluminium foil roll or tissue boxes for the germination of seeds.

Toilet Rolls Planters

Wheelbarrow Planters

Turning a wheelbarrow into a portable planter can be useful to grow plants. This is because you can smoothly move the plants according to the sunlight requirements.  

Wheelbarrow Planters

Basketball Planters

Upcycling the ripped basketball as a planter can add a sporty and vibrant look to your garden. You can also attach a metal string to hang them on your window panes. 

Basketball Planters

Purse Planters

Unusual DIYs for gardening can be fun. Likewise, a torn, ripped handbag or purse can be a surprising planter for your visitors. You just need to cut a hole for drainage, add some soil, and plant a flower, and you are all done.

Purse Planters

Dustbin Planter 

You will be surprised to know that the thing we generally throw out can be reused as a planter. Yes, we are talking about a dustbin and to add more they are cheap but look great besides your main gate entrance. 

Dustbin Planters

Wine Cork Planters

If you have enough wine cork lying in your drawers, you can glue them together to make a square-shaped planter. To your knowledge, it can be ideal for the succulents.

Wine Cork Planters

Old Furniture Planters

You can incorporate your different old or unused furniture in the decoration of the garden. By that, you can use different furniture like chairs, shelves, and bathtubs, and can draw your creativity without any limitations.

Old Furniture Planters

Water Dispenser Planters

Utilizing the 5-gallon water dispenser as a planter can be useful for growing fresh vegetables in your garden. Hence, you can also make a self-watering DIY with them to prevent root rotting.

Water Dispenser Planters

Old Tyres Planters

Upcycling old and unused tires can be a great deal for growing vegetables or flowering shrubs. All you need to do is drill some holes in the tires to promote drainage, prepare soil around it, and place the seeds. 

Old Tyres Planters

Wine Bottles Planters

Wine Bottles Planters

From now on, you can decorate your empty wine bottles and use them as a stylish planter for one of the central corners of the house.

Books Planters

You create some planters out of the books instead of keeping them on a dusty shelf for a lifetime. To do so, cut the centre of the book, place a plant on a plastic sheet with some pebbles and adjust it in the book to make a fancy book planter for small-sized planters. 

Books Planters

Milk Jug planters 

Milk jug planters can be a fun DIY if done along with the kids. You can also paint the body of the jug with funny faces with vibrant colours to make them appealing and attractive. 

Milk Jug planters

Chandelier Planter

This spring season, turn your old chandelier into a planter for herbs and small flowers. Hang them at your rooftop shed and call it a plantelier. 

Chandelier Planter

The above-outlined DIY ideas are proven to help convert your plenty of waste items into a useful yet elegant masterpiece.  

Conclusion

Your home is a place where there are set bars for creativity. Moreover, you can design and execute everything according to your taste and preference. Just like that, the aforementioned balcony garden guide are some quick ideas to add more planters and serene surroundings to your collection. 

So, execute your ideas and give your indoor and outdoor space a ravishing look. 

Frequently Asked Questions
What plants are good for balcony containers?

Marigolds, Petunia, Ferns, Jasmine, Lavender, and more are considered good for balconies.

How to make a cheap balcony garden?

Upcycled tyres, furniture, pots, and bottle hangings can be great for making a cheap yet attractive balcony.

What plants you should not grow in a container?

Potatoes, cucumbers, and broccoli are the plants that you should avoid growing in the containers.

How to make a balcony look like a garden?

To make your balcony look like a small garden, you can add more shelves to increase the space and add more pleasing plants to the layout.

Can I grow vegetables in my balcony?

Yes, you can grow a few vegetables on your balcony. Those include basil, tomatoes, carrots, peas, and lettuce.