This post shows you hanging plant ideas for a balcony garden!
This site contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Looking for ways to decorate your balcony with your favorite plants for an extra lush vibe?
Hanging balcony plants from above instead of growing them in a pot on the ground gives you a bit more freedom with a smaller space and a major upgrade to your outdoor decor.
Go bright and cheery with vibrant flowers or create a moody and cozy aesthetic with trailing vines.
The only thing you have to worry about is the amount of sunlight you receive on your balcony.
For inspiration, here’s some hanging plant ideas that provide both aesthetic appeal and maximize vertical garden space!
Vertical Garden Tips
Vertical gardening with these hanging plant ideas might feel like a challenge, but with some patience and creativity, you can grow more options than you ever imagined!
Here are some tips for for hanging balcony plants:
- Observe the amount of sunlight. Depending on which way your balcony is facing, it may be a much hotter environment and you should choose plants accordingly.
- Choose the right container. Plastic is usually a good choice but you may want to consider fabric materials that can breathe easier.
- Get a good quality potting soil mix. With good soil, you can grow just about anything from flowers and vines to herbs, as well as the most common house plants!
Remember to consider the overall vibe that you’re going for and plan for a good watering system that doesn’t stress out your plants.
The goal of these hanging plant ideas is to blend into the rest of your area while maximizing balcony space.
21 Charming Hanging Plant Ideas for a Balcony Garden
1. English Ivy
If you’re looking for an incredibly resilient plant that can survive in various light conditions, English ivy should be on your list!
The plant is evergreen, which means you can enjoy beautiful foliage on your balcony year-round!
The best part? This vine is super low-maintenance, making it perfect for beginners.
Weave the vines through the railing or let them grow wild to create a natural privacy wall.
Add a chair and blanket for cozy moon garden vibes!
2. Spider Plants
For those still trying to find their green thumb, the spider plant is another one of the easiest hanging plants to grow.
It thrives in indirect light and can even tolerate occasional neglect if you’re a forgetful gardener.
Their unique “spider” appearance of the arching leaves is sure to add fun and whimsy visual interest to any space!
These plants are also natural air purifiers, which can enhance the quality of air on your balcony.
3. Boston Fern
Create a little natural privacy on your balcony with a sprawling Boston fern!
Boston Ferns are loved for their feathery fronds that cascade and grow out beautifully from hanging baskets.
These plants enjoy high humidity with indirect light, making them ideal for shaded apartment balconies.
If you’re looking for a lush and tropical feel to your balcony, you can’t go wrong with a fern. Mist and water regularly to keep them looking their best!
4. String of Pearls
String of Pearls features unique, bead-like leaves that trail down, resembling an actual string of pearls for a striking visual effect.
This succulent prefers bright, indirect light and requires minimal watering, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
This plant is sure to impress your guests as a unique conversation starter and is a must for any plant collection!
Its compact size makes it ideal for small balconies and adds a fun twist on balcony plant decor.
5. Trailing Jade
If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant that still has visual appeal, trailing Jade is a good pick!
With its thick and fleshy leaves, this succulent creates a fun and attractive cascading effect for display.
This plant is drought-tolerant and can withstand a variety of conditions, making it very adaptable.
It’s perfect for adding texture and visual interest to your balcony.
6. Petunias
Every garden needs flowers not only for a cute aesthetic but for a healthy garden!
Petunias are vibrant, trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a wide range of colors. They thrive in full sun and well-draining soil, blooming profusely throughout the summer.
These flowers attract some of the best pollinators like bees and butterflies, giving life to your balcony garden.
Their trailing habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets, creating a colorful cascade that looks straight out of a fairytale!
7. Burro’s Tail
This succulent has a unique look, with long, trailing stems covered in plump, blue-green leaves.
Give this plant bright light and minimal watering, making it the perfect option for beginner gardeners.
This plant is perfect for hot, sunny balconies where it can soak up plenty of light. Burro’s Tail adds a unique texture with its trailing, beaded appearance.
It’s also easy to propagate from cuttings, allowing you to expand your collection.
8. Lobelia
Lobelia features masses of small, vibrant flowers that can bloom in shades of blue, purple, and white.
It prefers partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil.
Lobelia is great for adding a splash of color to your balcony garden arrangements, especially in the cooler months.
Not only is this plant beautiful to look at, it also helps attract beneficial insects, helping to create a healthy balcony ecosystem.
9. Sweet Alyssum
Sweet Alyssum produces clusters of tiny, fragrant flowers that can bloom in white, pink, or purple.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-draining soil.
This plant is drought-tolerant once established, making it suitable for sunny balconies.
Sweet Alyssum’s sweet scent can make your balcony a pleasant place to relax.
It also attracts pollinators, enhancing the biodiversity of your balcony garden.
10. Fuchsia
Fuchsia plants are known for their striking, pendulous flowers in shades of pink, purple, and red.
They thrive in partial to full shade and require consistently moist soil.
Fuchsias attract hummingbirds, bringing life and energy to your balcony!
Their vibrant flowers add a dramatic splash of color, perfect for shaded areas.
Regular feeding and deadheading promote continuous blooming throughout the season.
11. Golden Pothos
Pothos, also known as Devil’s Ivy, is a versatile plant with heart-shaped leaves that can be variegated in green and yellow.
It thrives in a range of light conditions, from low light to bright, indirect light.
Pothos is easy to care for and tolerant of occasional neglect, making it ideal for busy individuals.
This plant is also known for its air-purifying properties, removing toxins such as formaldehyde and xylene.
Its trailing habit makes it perfect for creating a lush, green curtain on your balcony.
12. String of Hearts
String of Hearts is a charming succulent with heart-shaped leaves that dangle from delicate, trailing stems.
It prefers bright, indirect light and infrequent watering, making it easy to maintain.
This plant adds a touch of romance and whimsy to any balcony with its unique foliage.
String of Hearts is also known to produce small, tubular flowers under the right conditions.
Its compact growth habit makes it perfect for small spaces.
13. Begonias
Begonias are popular for their vibrant flowers and attractive foliage, which can be variegated or have interesting textures.
They thrive in partial shade and well-draining soil, making them suitable for balconies with filtered light.
Begonias can bloom continuously with proper care, adding color throughout the growing season.
They are also relatively easy to care for, requiring regular watering and occasional feeding.
Begonias can be grown for their flowers or their decorative leaves, offering versatility.
14. Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are known for their bright, cheerful flowers and edible leaves that add a peppery flavor to salads. They thrive in full sun and poor to average soil, making them easy to grow.
Nasturtiums are drought-tolerant once established and can self-seed, ensuring continuous growth.
Their trailing habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets, creating a cascade of color.
Additionally, nasturtiums can attract beneficial insects and deter pests, promoting a healthy garden environment.
15. Dichondra Silver Falls
Dichondra Silver Falls features silvery, trailing foliage that adds a touch of elegance to any balcony.
This plant is drought-tolerant and requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for busy individuals.
Dichondra Silver Falls creates a beautiful, cascading effect, perfect for hanging baskets and containers.
Its unique silver leaves add a touch of sophistication and contrast to other plants.
17. Creeping Jenny aka Moneywort
Creeping Jenny is known for its bright, yellow-green foliage that trails beautifully from hanging baskets.
It thrives in partial shade to full sun and well-drained soil. Creeping Jenny is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it ideal for busy gardeners.
Its trailing habit creates a lush, cascading effect, perfect for adding a pop of color to your balcony. This plant can also be used as a ground cover in containers.
18. Hoya
Hoyas, also known as Wax Plants, have thick, waxy leaves and produce clusters of fragrant, star-shaped flowers. They thrive in bright, indirect light and require infrequent watering, making them low-maintenance.
Hoyas are known for their long-lasting blooms and unique foliage, adding a touch of elegance to any space.
Their trailing habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets, creating a lush, green curtain.
19. Purple Heart
Purple Heart features striking, purple foliage that adds a bold splash of color to any balcony.
It thrives in full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil. Purple Heart is low-maintenance and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for busy gardeners.
This plant’s trailing habit creates a lush, cascading effect, adding visual interest to your space. Regular pruning helps maintain its shape and encourages more vibrant foliage.
