Decorative plants are the perfect way to add color and interest to a balcony. As opposed to things like herbs and vegetables, decorative plants are simply there to make a space more inviting.
While this might sound like a vague category, choosing the right decorative plants for a balcony can take some work. Read on to find out some of the best options for brightening up your balcony!
Considerations for Choosing Decorative Plants
Depending on the plant, some decorative flowers can take a lot of maintenance and need very specific conditions. As such, be sure to consider the following before buying decorative plants:
- Weather. This is a no-brainer, but make sure the plant can survive in your local climate. Some decorative plants can be very delicate.
- Layout. Make sure you know how big the plant can get and that you’ve got space for it.
- Colors. Decorative plants come in a wide range of colors, so make sure you’ve got a color scheme locked down before buying.
- Maintenance. Although you can get decorative perennials and annuals, most look their best in summer and fall. Think about how your balcony will look in the winter when most plants are dormant.
1. Honeysuckle
You can’t go wrong with honeysuckle as a decorative plant. There are species that bloom in the summer, fall and winter, and all of them smell great. Honeysuckle is a climber, so train it up a wall or along your balcony railing.
2. Bush Roses
Bush roses, also sometimes called tea roses, are perfect for balcony container gardening. As the name suggests, they grow as bushes rather than creeping or vining. This makes them suitable for compact spaces. You’ll find hundreds of varieties in all colors and sizes, and there’s also a massive range of scents.
3. Yucca Palm
If your balcony is warm and sunny, a yucca palm can be a great addition. They’re typically decorative house plants, but they’ll work outside if you live in the right climate. Better yet, they’re pretty low maintenance.
4. Cyclamen
Cyclamen are winter flowering plants, meaning they provide a burst of color when everything else has died back. Better yet, they don’t need much growing room, so you can pepper them through other planters to avoid losing too much space.
5. Nasturtium
Nasturtium is a decorative plant that’s easy to overlook. However, it produces abundant flowers, works great in railing planters, and is super low-maintenance. Also, its flowers and leaves are edible! You can also use nasturtium as a trap crop to protect delicate food crops.
6. Snake Plant
Snake plants are another house plant that can be grown outside in the right climate. They work as decorative plants because they come in all sizes, and most have variegated leaves for extra interest. Helpfully, they’re low maintenance, so don’t need watering too often.
7. Sweet Pea
Sweet peas are a great decorative plant for beginners. Put them in a pot with something to climb up, and there’s not much else you need to do. The flowers smell amazing and will continue giving off scent long after they’re cut, making them great for bringing indoors.
8. Black Bamboo
Black bamboo is ideal for creating privacy on a balcony and happily grows in a large planter. Bamboo itself isn’t super interesting, but this variety has jet-black stems, so it can add a great gothic element to a balcony space!
9. Succulents
Succulents are quite a broad category, but that’s part of their appeal. Obviously, you’ll need warm, dry weather for them. There are plenty of showy options available, so spend some time putting together an interesting display of potted plants.
10. Rubber Tree
Rubber trees are another house plant, but you could grow them outside in warmer climates. They can get massive, and many varieties have dark green or black leaves, making them super interesting to look at.
11. Spider Plants
Spider plants are highly decorative because they come in a wide range of colors and leaf types. Plus, they work best in hanging pots, meaning you can decorate more than just the ground level of your balcony. Check out our article for 5 different spider plant options.
Final Thoughts
The plants above are ideal for making your balcony more decorative and interesting. Be sure to combine plenty of the suggestions to cover all different areas, such as walls, railings, and the ceiling. However you go about it, don’t underestimate the power of decorative plants!