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Hardy, uncomplicated and still blooming well into autumn - this is how flowers for the balcony should ideally be. In fact, many popular balcony plants have very few care requirements and are quite forgiving if you forget to water them. Those who have little time for plant care or simply do not have a "green thumb" are well advised to choose the following 17 species.
Uncomplicated balcony flowers
As uncomplicated as the balcony flowers presented here may be, they all still need a minimum of care. The plants are dependent on a regular supply of water and nutrients simply because they cannot take care of themselves as they can in a garden because they are planted in a planter with a very limited amount of substrate. In this context, "uncomplicated" does not mean that you can neglect the plants. All it means is that the flowers will generously forgive the odd care mistake and still grow healthily and bloom for a long time.
In order for balcony plants to remain healthy, they primarily need a location that is suitable for the respective species. Even balcony flowers that are advertised as insensitive do not thrive if they get too much or too little sun. For this reason, we have sorted our suggestions for your balcony according to the location preferences of the different flowers. You can see at first glance which species grow best on a sunny balcony and which on a half-shady or even shady spot.
tip: Incidentally, not only flowers are suitable for pot culture. Many vegetable plants and fruit trees, but also grasses and ferns are ideal balcony plants because they are uncomplicated and hardy. Berries such as strawberries, raspberries, blackberries or physalis are particularly recommended, but also lettuce and herbs as well as robust vegetables such as radishes, kohlrabi or chard.
Balcony flowers for all locations
The balcony flowers mentioned in this section grow in both sunny and semi-shady locations, as long as it is neither full sun nor hot.
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Bergenia (bot. Bergenia)
Bergenien are ideal balcony flowers, because they are extremely easy to care for and insensitive to bad weather and diseases. The "Shrub of the Year 2022" has large, thick, leathery leaves that retain water. For this reason, the plants don't mind if you forget to water them. However, bergenias are not only pretty when they are in bloom, they also show delightful leaf colors in autumn.
- Alternative names: giant saxifrage, oxwort
- Growth height: 30 to 40 centimeters
- Growth form: upright
- Colours: pink, hot pink
- Flowering time: April to May
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: humus
- Life cycle: perennial, hardy
- Special features: evergreen, bee-friendly
Bergenia
Blue daisy (bot. Brachyscome iberidifolia)
This fast-growing perennial bloomer is also ideal for keeping in a bucket. The numerous daisy-like, lavender-blue flowers appear for months. The blue daisy thrives best in the sun, but also does well in partial shade. Water regularly, fertilize with a flowering plant fertilizer about every two weeks and cut away faded flowers.
- Growth height: 20 to 30 centimeters
- Growth form: slightly overhanging, bushy
- Colours: lavender blue
- Flowering time: April to October
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: humus
- Life cycle: annual
- Special features: sensitive to frost
tip: The bright yellow Hussar heads go perfectly with the pretty Blue Daisy.
Boxwood (bot. Buxus)
Does it always have to be flowers? The common boxwood is a low-maintenance tree that, with its small, numerous and fresh green leaves, also comes into its own in a large tub - especially if you cut the easy-to-cut plant into a ball, pyramid or other shape. Regular fertilization with a boxwood fertilizer makes sense.
- Growth height: up to 400 centimeters depending on the variety
- Growth habit: upright, very dense
- Colours: green
- Flowering time: March to April
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: humic, calcareous
- Life cycle: perennial
- Special features: evergreen, frost hardy
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Snow Heather (bot. Erica carnea)
The snow heather shows its pretty bell-shaped flowers at a time of year when it's otherwise gray and cold - perfect for adding a splash of color to the balcony. Once established, this cushion-shaped dwarf shrub requires little care. Just don't let them dry out, because the plant is quite sensitive to drought.
- Alternative names: winter heather
- Growth height: 10 to 30 centimeters
- Growth form: cushion-like
- Colours: pink, rose, white
- Flowering time: December to April
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: sandy-humic, slightly acidic
- Life cycle: perennial, frost hardy
- Specialties: Winter bloomers
winter heath
Pansies (bot. Viola wittrockiana)
This classic should also not be missing on any balcony: the pansy, a representative of the violets, is an indestructible balcony box dweller with colorful flowers and has few requirements in terms of location and substrate. Fertilize the pansies monthly, keeping the potting soil slightly moist but not wet.
- Growth height: 10 to 20 centimeters
- Growth form: compact, bushy
- Colours: One to two-tone, almost all shades available
- Flowering period: September to December
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: humic, nutritious
- Life cycle: biennial
- Special features: conditionally hardy, needs winter protection
pansies
tip: Other representatives of the violets, for example the horned violet (bot. Viola cornuta) or the sweet violet (bot. Viola odorata) are easy-care balcony plants.
Flowers for a sunny balcony
Most flowers prefer a sunny balcony, ideally facing south or south-east. The balcony plants listed in this section bloom very lush and long-lasting if there is sufficient light and warmth. Some species are quite uncomplicated in terms of location and care, but need regular water - the sunnier the place, the more likely the substrate dries out. However, they are all insensitive to inclement weather, pests and diseases.
tip: If you are looking for a little exotic flair for your sunny balcony, a hardy palm tree is also very suitable. The Chinese hemp palm (bot. Trachycarpus fortunei), for example, is very robust and insensitive to German winters.
from F - G
Stonecrop (bot. Sedum)
The sedum plant is the perfect plant for the easy-care balcony, after all, the succulent plant requires almost no care. The species, which is available in many colors, needs little water and fertilizer, is not sensitive to heat or frost and grows practically all by itself.
- Alternative names: Stonecrop
- Growth height: between 15 and 50 centimeters
- Growth form: creeping, upright or overhanging
- Colors: pink, pink, white, yellow
- Flowering time: depending on the variety in summer or autumn
- Location: warm and sunny
- Substrate: dry, poor in nutrients
- Life cycle: perennial
- Specialties: goes very well with heather carnations, thyme and soapwort
Sedum, stonecrop
Geraniums (Pelargoniums)
Geraniums - which are actually called pelargoniums in botanical terms - are the classics on the balcony. The flowers are uncomplicated and hardy, bloom tirelessly throughout the summer and are also available in a wide range of colours. Tips for proper care: keep the substrate moist and fertilize weekly.
- Growth form: upright or hanging
- Colours: one or more colours, red, pink, white, apricot or purple in different tones
- Flowering period: May to October
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: nutritious-humic
- Life cycle: perennial
- Special features: can be cut back over the winter in the cellar
Gold coins (bot. Asteriscus maritimus)
The sun worshiper from the Canary Islands is not bothered by bad summer weather and can easily withstand rain and wind. This flower is perfect for the balcony, as it is as hardy as it is uncomplicated.
- Alternative names: ducat flower, beach star, gold coin
- Growth form: bushy, wide
- Colours: bright yellow
- Flowering time: April to October
- Location: full sun
- Substrate: loamy-sandy
- Life cycle: annual
from H - L
Houseleek (bot. Sempervivum)
Frugal and attractive: the various types of houseleek cut a fine figure not only in the bed, but also in the window box. The succulent balcony plant is hardy and needs very little care.
- Alternative names: Badger
- Growth height: 10 to 25 centimeters
- Growth form: rosette-shaped, cushion-shaped
- Colours: green, red
- Flowering period: June and July
- Location: sunny, warm
- Substrate: poor in nutrients
- Life cycle: perennial
- Specialties: also thrive with very little soil
Large-flowered houseleek, Sempervivum grandiflorum
Hussar button (bot. Sanvitalia procumbens)
The Husarenköpfchen with its numerous, bright yellow cup-shaped flowers also needs little fertilizer and water. But the pretty flower is also very resistant to wind and rain.
- Growth form: compact, bushy
- Colours: bright yellow
- Flowering time: April to October
- Location: sunny to semi-shady
- Substrate: normal potting soil
- Life cycle: annual
Lavender (bot. Lavandula angustifolia)
As long as the robust lavender is warm and dry, you can enjoy the bright violet flowers for a long time. Otherwise, the lush shrub does not need much care and even keeps many pests away with its intense scent.
- Growth height: 40 to 50 centimeters
- Growth form: upright
- Colours: violet blue
- Flowering period: June to August
- Location: sunny and warm
- Substrate: dry, poor in nutrients, calcareous
- Life cycle: perennial, frost hardy
- Special features: valuable forage plant for bees and butterflies
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Everlasting flowers (bot. Helichrysum bracteatum)
Persistent and colorful flowering as well as robust and drought-loving: These characteristics make the immortelle, which is available in many colors, perfect for the balcony culture. Only a regular supply of fertilizer is necessary, because straw flowers have a high nutrient requirement.
- Growth form: bushy
- Colours: red, orange, pink, yellow, white or purple
- Flowering period: May to September
- Location: sunny and warm
- Substrate: nutritious
- Life cycle: annual
- Special features: also very good as a dried flower
Marigold (bot. Tagetes)
The intensively scented marigolds are uncomplicated in terms of location and care and thrive practically almost anywhere. They also keep pests away and are therefore perfect for the colorfully planted balcony garden.
- Growth form: bushy
- Colours: different shades of yellow and orange but also multicolored and filled
- Flowering period: May to October
- Location: sun to semi-shade
- Substrate: normal potting soil
- Life cycle: annual
- Special features: sensitive to frost
Balcony plants for partially shaded places
Of course, not every balcony is in the sun, some face east, west or even north and therefore do not have light at all times of the day. The following easy-care balcony plants also thrive in semi-shady to shady locations.
Begonia (bot. Begonia elatior)
The fleshy leaves of the lush flowering begonia store water very well, which is why these balcony flowers only need to be watered a little. She feels most comfortable in a bright, but not directly sunny place.
- Growth height: 30 to 40 centimeters
- Growth form: bushy
- Colours: orange, yellow, apricot, red, white
- Flowering period: May to October
- Location: semi-shady to shady
- Substrate: humus
- Life cycle: perennial
- Special features: not frost hardy, but can be overwintered well
Begonia tuberhybrida, tuberous begonias
Busy Lizzie (bot. Impatiens walleriana)
The hard-working Lizzie does not bear its name for nothing, because the plant produces flowers tirelessly throughout the summer. Tips for care: do not let it dry out completely, water every two weeks, regularly cut off faded flowers.
- Growth form: bushy
- Colors: pink, pink, red, orange, purple, white, also multicolored and filled
- Flowering period: May to October
- Location: semi-shady to shady
- Substrate: rich in nutrients, humic
- Life cycle: annual
Fuchsias (bot. Fuchsia)
The fuchsia, which is available in many colors, is an undemanding and robust balcony plant that feels most comfortable in a partially shaded and not too bright place. However, it needs a lot of water.
- Growth form: bushy, standing or hanging
- Colours: pink, pink, red, lilac, white, one or two-tone, also filled
- Flowering period: April to September
- Location: semi-shady to shady
- Substrate: humus
- Life cycle: perennial, sensitive to frost
- Special features: the black berries are edible
Purple bells (bot. Heuchera)
However, it does not always have to be flowers: the purple bells are an evergreen and easy-to-care-for ornamental plant with large, colored leaves.
- Growth height: 30 to 40 centimeters
- Growth form: bushy
- Colours: white, dark red
- Flowering period: June to August
- Location: semi-shady, shady or off-sun
- Substrate: moist, nutritious
- Life cycle: perennial
- Special features: small, delicate flowers
