Creating a lush and vibrant garden on your balcony or rooftop is an excellent way to transform your urban outdoor space into a green sanctuary. With the right plants, pots and planters, and techniques, even the smallest spaces can become thriving gardens.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide, full of our expert top gardening tips for balconies and rooftop gardens. We’re here to help you make the most of your garden space, choose the best plants, and enjoy the seasons all year-round.
Top Gardening Tips For Balcony & Rooftop Gardens
Here are our top gardening tips for rooftop gardens and balconies to help your garden space bloom, whatever space restrictions you’re working with.
Choose the right planters for your space
The foundation of any balcony or rooftop garden lies in selecting the right planters. At Boma Garden Centre, you'll find a variety of options tailored to different aesthetics and practical needs:
- Terracotta planters: Perfect for Mediterranean plants like lavender and rosemary, these breathable pots prevent root rot and add timeless charm.
- Polystone and Fibreglass planters: Lightweight yet durable, these are ideal for balconies where weight is a concern.
- Glazed pots: Retain moisture well, making them suitable for thirstier plants like ferns or flowering perennials.
- Trough planters: Great for creating linear arrangements or sowing vegetable seeds or herbs.
Zinc Trough Window Box Planter
Select balcony plants based on light and climate
Understanding your balcony or rooftop's sunlight exposure is key to choosing plants that will thrive:
- Sunny rooftops: If you have a sunny balcony or rooftop, take advantage of the bright conditions by growing sun-loving plants. Opt for drought-tolerant plants like succulents, pelargoniums, lavender, and rosemary. Herbs such as oregano and thyme also flourish in full sun.
- Shaded city balconies: Hostas, bamboo (in pots), and ferns are excellent choices for low-light conditions or partial shade. However, Hostas are pretty thirsty plants and can attract pesky slugs, so just be aware if you’re not looking for a high maintenance plant!
- Windy locations: Consider hardy plants like palms or grasses in heavy planters to prevent tipping.
Trachycarpus Fortunei, Windmill Palm
Incorporate perennials and seasonal plants
For year-round interest, combine evergreens with perennials and seasonal blooms. The best plant varieties for balconies and rooftop gardens include:
- Evergreens: Star jasmine and fatsia provide structure and greenery throughout the year. It’s worth noting that Fatsia prefers part shade, so bear this in mind when organising your balcony evergreens.
- Perennials: Hydrangeas, salvias, clematis and David Austin roses (compact or patio varieties that won’t overwhelm the balcony) add bursts of colour annually.
- Seasonal bedding plants: Cyclamen brighten colder months, while petunias and geraniums thrive in summer.
Aqua Lollipop Planter, White Cyclamen
Maximise space with vertical gardening
Always make the most of your vertical space when it comes to smaller spaces. In fact, as a rule of thumb, when space is limited, think vertically:
- Use trellises or wall-mounted planters to grow climbing plants like jasmine or clematis.
- Install railing troughs for trailing plants such as ivy or nasturtiums.
- Create a living wall with herbs or small flowering plants for both beauty and functionality.
- Try Lasagne Planting like in our photo example below for continuous blooms across seasons. Spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and crocus are popular for this ingenious planting method!
Lasagne Planting Scheme
Add functional features
Balcony gardening doesn’t just have to be about aesthetics, make it practical too!
- Grow fragrant herbs like mint, basil, and thyme in small pots or troughs for easy access.
- Grow fruit and vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, carrots, and potatoes in containers with proper drainage. Aim for a pot depth of twelve inches and add a support (especially for tomatoes) to help them out as much as possible.
Address common challenges
Balcony gardens often face unique challenges such as weight limits, wind exposure, and watering needs:
- Before growing plants or installing shelving, check how much weight your balcony or rooftop can safely support. Overloading a balcony could create a safety hazard, putting you or others at risk. Small balconies are typically not designed to support 10 people or 15 heavy planters filled with large plants or small trees. Excess weight reduces the structure’s remaining load capacity, which is why lightweight pots are a popular choice for balconies.
- Use lightweight planters like fibreglass or polystone to avoid overloading your balcony.
- Secure pots against strong winds using heavy bases or brackets.
- Opt for drought-tolerant plants if regular watering is difficult or invest in drip irrigation and watering systems. Self-watering pots and capillary mats are also excellent low maintenance options.
Style your balcony garden for cohesion
Create a cohesive look by choosing planters that complement a specific style, for example:
| Style | Recommended Planters |
| Mediterranean | Terracotta Planters |
| Modern/Contemporary | Fibreglass or Metal Planters |
| Rustic/Natural | Stone Planters |
| Colourful & Vibrant | Glazed Pots |
Mix heights by placing taller plants at the back (e.g., bamboos) and shorter ones upfront (e.g., bedding plants), creating depth and visual interest.
Maintain your green space
Consistency is key to keeping your balcony garden thriving:
- Water regularly but avoid overwatering — make sure all pots have drainage holes and saucers.
- Feed your plants with appropriate plant food and fertilizers based on their needs.
- Prune dead leaves or flowers to encourage new growth.
Enhance Rooftop & Balcony Gardens at Boma
Transforming your balcony or rooftop into a thriving garden oasis is easier than you think with the right tools, plants, and expert advice. Whether you're working with a sunny balcony or a shaded corner, Boma Garden Centre offers everything you need to create a beautiful and functional outdoor space.
Explore Boma Garden Centre’s extensive range of outdoor plants, pots and planters tailored to suit all styles and spaces. From planters perfect for high-rise balconies to glazed pots that retain moisture for thirsty plants, Boma has options to meet your needs.
You’ll also find a variety of herbs, allowing you to grow your own produce while adding life to your rooftop garden or balcony.
Visit Boma today
Popular Questions
What is the best way to garden on a balcony?
The best way to garden on a balcony is to choose lightweight planters, utilise vertical space with wall-mounted planters or trellises, and select plants that match the light conditions, whether it's a sunny balcony or one with partial shade. Incorporate a mix of herbs, vegetables, and ornamental plants to maximise both beauty and functionality.
How to maintain a balcony garden?
Maintain a balcony garden by watering regularly while ensuring pots have proper drainage, feeding plants with appropriate fertilizers, and pruning dead leaves or flowers to encourage new growth. Securing pots in windy areas and addressing weight limits also helps keep the space thriving.
What plants are best for rooftop gardens?
The best plants for rooftop gardens include sun-loving plants like lavender, rosemary, and succulents for sunny areas, and hardy plants like palms or ornamental grasses for windy locations. For year-round interest, mix evergreens with perennials like hydrangeas and clematis.
