Balcony & Patio Gardening

Getting Started

Balconies and patios can produce herbs, salad leaves, fruit and vegetables as well as colour. Start by noticing how much sun and wind the space receives, then choose sturdy containers and crops suited to it. A few well-managed pots can make a productive, welcoming small garden.

How to do it

Check the weight limit and any rules for a balcony before bringing in large pots. Put containers where they receive the right light, keeping taller plants from shading smaller ones. Use pots with drainage holes, raised on feet or small crocks, and fill them with peat-free multipurpose compost. Begin with three or four containers rather than overcrowding the area. Water at the compost surface until it runs freely from below, especially during warm weather. Feed hungry flowering and fruiting plants according to the product label. Secure climbers and tall pots against wind, and leave clear, safe access around doors and railings.

Best plants

Sunny patios suit tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, dwarf French beans, strawberries, rosemary and thyme. For shadier balconies, try parsley, mint, chives, lettuce, rocket, spinach and violas. Compact courgettes can work in a very large sunny container. Trailing strawberries, nasturtiums and herbs soften hanging baskets, while blueberries thrive in sizeable pots of ericaceous compost.

Tips

Choose the largest containers your space can safely hold, as their compost stays moist for longer. Group pots together to create a sheltered, humid pocket and make watering quicker. Use saucers sparingly outdoors so roots do not sit in water. Pick leaves, herbs and ripe fruit regularly to keep plants productive.

Balcony & Patio Gardening: frequently asked questions

How do I get started with balcony & patio gardening?

Check the weight limit and any rules for a balcony before bringing in large pots.

What are the best plants for balcony & patio gardening?

Sunny patios suit tomatoes, chillies, aubergines, dwarf French beans, strawberries, rosemary and thyme.

What are some tips for balcony & patio gardening?

Choose the largest containers your space can safely hold, as their compost stays moist for longer.

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General guidance for UK gardeners. Match plant choices to your light and shelter. Page updated 19 Sep 2026.