Your Balcony Herb Garden

February 17th, 2010 by Geoff Marks

You can bring a new image to your balcony by adding a few potted herbs. Using containers is helpful because you can easily change their location as you experiment with the quality and amount of natural light they get. If you grow your balcony herbs in pots, they are portable—so you can bring them inside at the end of the season.

Your best bet for your balcony herb garden is any plant that does well with lots of sun, like a morning glory. These little plants will tolerate the reflection from the windows and doors and also the heat that a metal balcony captures. Check out your balcony at different times of the day to see the quality of natural light, the heat and the intensity. Check to see which way your balcony faces and whether it gets more morning or afternoon sun.

A good rule of thumb for balcony plants would include any plant with a thick leaf or a velvety texture as well as any herb that is gray or silver. Their unique features prevent the loss of water in evaporation.

Try some of these fantastic herbs on your balcony:

  • Aloe vera: Aloe vera is an easy herb to grow. It tolerates the sun very well and requires little watering. You can use aloe vera easily by snipping off the tip and rubbing it on a burn or other skin problem. It will cool the place, but it will be sticky!
  • Cayenne pepper: With cayenne pepper on your balcony, you can always add a little spice to your meal next time you grill out. This herb should do very well on your balcony and add some color too.
  • Cucumber: A trailing vine, like the cucumber, can provide an added touch to your balcony. You can also use cucumbers in cosmetics—like facials! You can also grab a few cucumbers to slice for your salads, straight from the balcony!
  • Hens-and-chicks: These are among my most favorite plants. These don’t require a lot of watering—they are water-holding succulents—and can tolerate the hot temperature and bright light that you might have on your balcony. They are cute to look at too!
  • Lavender: Just one whiff of the soothing aroma of this fragrant plant and you will be more at ease. The wonderful purple buds can make a colorful balcony even better.

Select a collection of interesting pots for your balcony or try a hanging basket lined with a coconut husk for good results. I used chicken wire and moss to make my own herb balcony basket. It was my first try at something like that. That basket wasn’t the best thing since sliced bread, but it worked for me. The key is to choose a pot or basket that can allow for good drainage.

Good luck with your herb gardening. Be sure to let me know how your herb garden grows.

Here is more information on Windowsill Herb Garden. Here is a website with a free mini-course dedicated to Herb Gardens.

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