“Taste every fruit of every tree in the garden at least once. It is an insult to creation not to experience it fully. Temperance is wickedness.” – Stephen Fry

If the thought of gardening makes you picture tilling compost across acres of land, think again. For those living in apartments (or just want to liven up an outdoor space), balcony gardens are where it’s at.

With the right plants and a few space-saving tips, you can grow a surprising variety of flowers and foliage in just a few compact containers. So keep reading for the best balcony garden ideas that will prove anyone can flex their green thumb.

1. Balcony Flower Garden Ideas

In the grand scheme of exterior design, gardeners frequently snug flower gardens in favor of lush greenery or exotic species. If you’re leaving the petunias, snapdragons, and geraniums to your grandma, though, you’re missing out!

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Annual flowers are the easiest to care for and typically come with the brightest blooms. Still, many perennial shrubs will thrive in the right container. Look for dwarf hydrangeas, roses, or hibiscuses to start your collection.

Flowering plants bring a ton of color to any garden, so think carefully about your palette as you go. If your space is fairly neutral, we suggest picking a single color and planting flowers within that family. Likewise, pair bold decor with a more diverse color scheme.

Want to give your balcony garden an eco-friendly twist? Some pollinator-friendly plants you could grow include lantana, fuchsia, and coneflower. Your pollinator garden might not attract as many visitors as it would on the ground, but you’ll be surprised by how many local critters are willing to make the trek.