Do you have an apartment with a beautiful balcony but aren't sure how to make it cozy? You're not alone. A balcony offers a wonderful open view and plenty of light, but it also presents challenges for your balcony plants. The wind often blows harder there, the sun can heat things up considerably, and traditional flower boxes often hang precariously from the railing. Fortunately, there's a way to transform your balcony into a green oasis without these frustrations. In this article, we'll tell you all about the best plants for your balcony and how to display them best.

The challenge of a balustrade balcony

Before diving into the world of balcony plants, it's good to consider the environment. A balustrade balcony is often 'more open' than a balcony with a solid parapet. This means your plants catch more wind but also receive light from all sides. For many plants, this is a blessing, provided they are sturdy.

At Vercony, we have developed a specific planter that doesn't hang from the railing but stands firmly on the ground. The planter is designed to fit precisely through the balusters. This keeps your plants safe and low to the ground (out of the strongest gusts of wind), while you still fully enjoy the greenery peeking out through the balusters. This creates a lush effect without sacrificing valuable walking space on your balcony.

Ivy and climbing plants: Natural privacy between the balusters

One of the most frequently asked questions is how to get more privacy on a balustrade balcony without losing its open character. The solution? Ivy (Hedera). Ivy is perhaps the most versatile of all balcony plants.

When you place ivy in the Vercony planter on the ground, you can easily weave its long tendrils through your balcony's balusters. Here are a few reasons why this is a winning combination:

• Green all year round: Unlike many flowering plants, ivy retains its leaves in winter. So your balcony never looks bare.
• Custom privacy: You decide how densely you want the balusters to be covered. Weave the tendrils horizontally along the lower balusters for a green 'skirting board,' or let them climb all the way up for a full green screen.
• Noise reduction: Do you live on a busy road? The leaves of ivy help to slightly dampen ambient noise.

In addition to classic ivy, you could also consider Clematis or Honeysuckle for some extra color and fragrance. However, these climbers need a bit more sun and lose their leaves in winter.

Also check out the top 10 climbing plants >

Sun-drenched balcony: Colorful sun worshippers

Is your balcony facing south or west? Then you're lucky with the amount of light, but your balcony plants need to be able to take a beating. The temperature in a planter can rise considerably on a sunny balcony. The following plants are true sun worshippers and thrive in the Vercony planter:

• Geraniums (Pelargonium): The classic among balcony plants. They are incredibly tough, tolerate sun well, and bloom all summer long in the most vibrant colors.

• Lavender: Not only beautifully purple but also wonderfully fragrant. Lavender loves the sun and needs little water, which is ideal for the wind-prone environment of a balustrade balcony.

• Petunias: These plants create a cascade of flowers. In our pass-through planters, they can grow beautifully downwards between the balusters, giving a very luxurious look.

See more plant inspiration for a sunny balcony

Shaded balcony: Green resting spots

Do you have a north-facing balcony? No worries, there are plenty of balcony plants that actually thrive in the shade. Since our planters are on the ground, they also catch plenty of indirect light there.

• Fuchsias: These plants come in hundreds of varieties and colors. They like a spot out of the harsh afternoon sun and bloom well into autumn.

• Begonias: A very easy plant that requires little maintenance. They are available in upright and trailing varieties and do excellently in the shelter of the balusters.

• Impatiens (Busy Lizzies): As the name suggests, these plants bloom tirelessly, even in the darkest corners of your balcony.

Read more about the best plants for a shaded balcony here

Edible greenery on your balcony

Who says you need a garden for a vegetable patch? Our planters are ideal for growing herbs and small fruits. For example, consider a combination of mint, basil, and chives. These herbs grow compactly and also look very decorative. Do you want something sweet? Strawberry plants do great on a balcony. The fruits hang out between the balusters, preventing them from lying on moist soil and rotting less quickly.

View more tips on vegetable and herb gardens on your balcony

Maintenance of your balcony plants

Choosing the right balcony plants is step one, but keeping them beautiful is step two. A balustrade balcony requires a slightly more active watering routine. Because the wind has free play, moisture evaporates faster from the leaves and soil.

Always use good quality potting soil in our planters and consider adding hydro granules to the bottom. This helps the roots not to stand directly in water after a rain shower, but it does retain a reserve for hot days. Preferably water your plants in the early morning so they are saturated for the warm day ahead. And remember: because our planters stand on the ground, they are much less susceptible to being blown over than planters balancing high on the railing. That saves you a lot of clean-up work after a summer thunderstorm!

Conclusion

Whether you choose the privacy of ivy, the color of geraniums, or the taste of home-grown strawberries, the right balcony plants make all the difference. By cleverly utilizing the space around the balusters with Vercony's unique pass-through planters, you create a professional look that is both functional and aesthetic. Your plants are safe, your balusters remain undamaged, and you have more room to relax.

Which plants will you put in your Vercony planter this season? With the right care and a little attention, you'll enjoy a beautiful green view all summer long, right through your balcony balusters.