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Creating a vertical garden on a small balcony is a beautiful way to bring life to our outdoor space.
As someone who is very much involved in urban farming, I’ve made a list of these plants from my personal experience and also being active in the urban gardening community.
This list includes all types of plants including herbs, colorful flowers, succulents, ferns, or even home-grown vegetables.
Also read my detailed blog on, the 12 Best Balcony Vertical Garden Ideas.
Why Vertical Gardening Works for Small Spaces
We all know that in cities like New Jersey, there isn’t much room for everything. Vertical gardening allows you to make the most of your small balcony by growing upwards rather than outwards.
This solution is efficient as well as nice to look at. Just picture it, turning your balcony into a fun little green paradise without congesting the floor!
Vertical gardens are becoming increasingly popular, particularly in urban environments where horizontal space is limited. Now, let’s dive into the best plants for a balcony vertical garden.
1. Herbs to grow on your balcony vertical garden
One of the best plants for balcony vertical gardening would be herbs. They are fast-growing and can be harvested repeatedly. Also, they bring fresh flavors to your kitchen
– Basil: My personal fave! Basil needs plenty of sunlight and is an ideal crop for vertical gardening. Fragrant, grows like a weed and can be used for everything from pesto to salads.
– Mint: If you like mint in your Mojitos or herbal teas, then this is a staple for you! It grows like wildfire but can easily be managed in a vertical garden setting.
– Parsley: Parsley is another versatile herb and can grow in partial shade, so if you have a balcony that gets partial sun a day then parsley may be the one for you.
– Rosemary: Rosemary enjoys heat and sun, so it is easy to plant outside and grow tall.
Tip: Herb plants will grow best in containers with good drainage and plenty of soil depth.
2. Vegetables that grow vertically
One of the best features of vertical gardens is that one can grow the most fresh and natural vegetables in the home even though you do not have a backyard.
After some trial and error, I’ve found these vegetables to work best in my balcony setup:
– Tomatoes: Big tomato plants are not ideal for a balcony vertical garden but cherry or grape tomatoes can be easily grown. Provide a trellis or cage for the plant to climb as it increases in size.
– Lettuce: An excellent option for vertical planters, lettuce is compact and has leaves that will grow up, not out. It is a fast-growing crop and its harvesting can be done in succession.
– Spinach: Like lettuce, this is perfect for vertical gardens. Because it prefers cooler weather, it works well in either spring or fall.
— Peppers: Almost all sweet and hot peppers are suited to pots, and it’s simple to stake them for an upward growth habit.
Top tip: In my experience, planting companion plants like marigolds near vegetables can help deter pests naturally.
3. Flowers for color and Pollinators
Flowers are a stunning choice to bring pops of color to your balcony garden. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they bring in bees and butterflies to help pollinate other plants.
– Petunias: These are bright and low maintenance, making them good candidates for hanging baskets or vertical planters. It will flower all season and make a wonderful burst of color in any garden.
– Marigolds: I always plant marigolds, as they not only add color to my garden but also keep the pests away. And the best part is they’re incredibly low-maintenance too!
– Nasturtiums: This lovely flower is an edible beauty! They provide a minor pepper taste and will frequently work in salads. They also are fantastic climbers, making them perfect for any balcony vertical garden you wish to construct.
– Fuchsias: Fuchsias do well in partial shades and will give you lovely hanging flowers. They do great in hanging baskets, which is also why they are ideal for vertical gardens.
On my balcony, I’ve arranged petunias and marigolds in stackable planters. They’ve completely transformed the space and brought in more butterflies than I expected!
4. Succulents for Low-Maintenance Vertical Gardens
If you want little succulents for a sunny balcony, not only do they need very little water, but they can also handle direct sunlight and are perfect for vertical installations.
– Aloe Vera: A lot of plants that will make your garden beautiful and a lot of others that will be rangers for different purposes. It’s an excellent plant to have around because it works well to calm burns and cuts.
– Jade: Jade is one of the succulents most classic and this has leaves large, fleshy. Low maintenance, does well in containers.
String of Pearls: This hanging succulent brings a fun appearance to any vertical garden. Its long leaves grow in bead-like form and create a cascading effect that is perfect for planting with hanging planters.
-Echeveria: Echeverias are available in several colors and shapes to add variety to the design of your wall garden.
Tip: Consider seeding your garden with succulents which are great for water conservation, thus being sustainable. I have discovered that they are so minimal attention required, making it ideal for an urban garden of someone who works.
5. Climbing Plants for Vertical Spaces
Climbing plants are natural fits for vertical gardening. They grow upwards, making the most of vertical space while adding height and dimension to your balcony garden.
– Clematis: If you’ve got a trellis waiting to be covered with beauty, this fast-growing vine will reward you once the blooms show up and climb their way to even more wondrousness.
– Morning Glories – Morning glories are abundant plants that you could send up a trellis or over your balcony railing in no time. Bright flowers open in the morning that will brighten your day.
– English Ivy: If you like the classic look of ivy, this is a reliable variety for your vertical garden. It’s hardy, fast-growing, and can quickly cover any vertical surface. Just be mindful of its invasive tendencies!
– Sweet Peas: Climbers that grow fragrant flowers in a rainbow of colors, great for vertical growing. They are also great for bringing both beauty and scent to your garden.
6. Ferns and Foliage for Shaded Balconies
Not all balconies receive full sun, and that’s where shade-tolerant plants like ferns come in handy. These lush plants add greenery to your space, even in low-light conditions.
– Boston Fern: Hanging or in a pot, these ferns are cool to look at and have you feeling tropical! They like shady and dark places with good humidity.
– Maidenhair Fern: This little fern grows lovely feathery leaves and performs well in shade, so it’s perfect in small shadows from above the ceiling on a balcony.
-Snake Plant: Also known as the ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’ is an almost immortal snake plant as well. It is great for starters and can survive low light.
My balcony has a shaded corner where I’ve placed a few Boston ferns. They thrive there, and the lush greenery really makes the space feel more serene.
The right choice of plants for your balcony vertical garden will depend on the climate that exists in which you live, how much sunlight the balcony receives throughout the day, and what you like.
If you have limited space and would like to go for low-water succulents, vibrant flowers, or even your own veggies, there’s something here for everyone with a green thumb.
Here I have combined the practical advice from my years of urban gardening with my own experiences. I hope these suggestions will inspire you to go out and create a whole new balcony vertical garden.
I hope you at least realize that it is possible to do so at home and perhaps grow some fresh, beautiful plants in such a small space.
