Summary
Have you ever looked at your tiny balcony and thought, “Can I really grow a garden here?” Well, the answer is a resounding YES! This post is all about how I transformed my apartment balcony into a thriving container garden. I’ll share the ups, downs, and a few sideways turns I took to make it work, plus give you plenty of ideas for setting up your own cozy garden oasis—even if you’re working with limited space. Spoiler alert: creativity and sunlight are your new best friends. So grab a cup of tea, get comfy, and let’s dig into the world of container gardening. When you’re ready, drop a comment or share your own setup. I’d love to see what you’re growing!
Table of Contents
- Gardening in a Balcony/Rented Space/Small Space
- What Kinds of Containers I Use
- How I Set Up My Space
- Ideas on How You Could Set Up Your Space
Gardening in Your Balcony
Did you know you could literally garden right off your balcony? Whether you’re renting or just have an underused balcony begging for some greenery, growing your own food is totally doable. No need for fancy garden beds or in-ground soil. Enter: container gardening. This magical method lets you grow most of what you’d plant in the ground, all in portable containers. I dive deeper into this technique HERE.
For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved the idea of growing my own food. But renting—and the whole “sky-high house prices” thing—made it feel out of reach. I figured I’d wait until I owned a home. That is, until I tried growing a few herbs from grocery clippings. Spoiler: I was hooked. Wandering out to my balcony mid-cooking for fresh herbs was a game-changer. Naturally, I did what any obsessed newbie would do—I planted more! My herb garden grew, and I started diving into research on how to take it to the next level. That’s when I discovered container gardening.
Now, I won’t claim your balcony harvest will replace your entire grocery list—especially if you have a big family. But for a small family or couple, container gardening can make a noticeable dent in your veggie and herb needs. With a bit of creativity, you can maximize your space and grow way more than you’d expect. Just remember: your balcony NEEDS sun!
Let me walk you through how I set up my little balcony garden oasis.
Plant Stands
When growing in a small space, optimizing every inch is crucial. This is where plant stands become your best friend! They come in all shapes and sizes, but the key is finding one with different levels to stack plants creatively. This practice is called vertical gardening.
Vertical gardening maximizes small spaces by growing plants upwards instead of outwards. Not all vertical methods work for container gardening (like in-ground trellises), but many do—especially with plant stands.
When shopping for plant stands, look for ones that:
- Are weatherproof
- Have multiple levels
- Allow light to reach as many plants as possible
- Fit comfortably in your space
Containers
In my opinion, the type of container matters less than how well it drains. Drainage is the secret to healthy plants. Without it, roots can rot or diseases can take over. Not fun.
I use a mix of terra cotta pots, which are naturally porous, and upcycled plastic containers like water bottles. For plastic containers, I make sure they have at least five drainage holes. (Drills are your friend!) Terra cotta pots usually only need one hole since they allow water to evaporate through the material.
Experiment with different container types to find your favorites. In Florida’s hot summers, I lean towards plastic containers since they retain water better. Just be cautious not to overwater!
Sunlight
Sunlight is crucial for plants to photosynthesize—that magical process where they make food. Without enough light, plants can’t produce vegetation, flowers, or fruit. Different plants need different levels of sun, but they all need some light, whether direct or indirect.
If your balcony is short on sunlight, don’t worry. Grow lights can save the day. Place them under your plant stand shelves to give those light-hungry plants a boost.
Tips for Grow Lights:
- Choose weatherproof lights
- Go for battery-operated or power-bank-compatible options
- Opt for high-intensity, full-spectrum LEDs
- Only run them 8-10 hours daily (plants need “sleep” too!)
Soil
Soil quality is everything in container gardening. Plants rely entirely on the nutrients in their pots, so starting with organic, high-quality soil is a must.
I like to make my own mix with worm castings, compost, peat moss, and vermiculite. (Download my exact soil mix guide HERE.) Not into DIY? No problem. Plenty of great ready-to-use options exist, including:
- Black Cow
- Fox Farm
- Happy Frog
- Down to Earth
- Miracle-Gro Organic Container Mix (great for beginners!)
Plants to Grow
Despite the small space, you’re not as limited as you might think. With smart planning, you can grow just about anything—minus giant trees or bushes. Even then, dwarf varieties are worth exploring.
Beginners, start with herbs. They’re easy, forgiving, and super handy in the kitchen. Check out my guides on:
How I Set Up My Space
One of the perks of container gardening is flexibility. You can rearrange your plants as needed! My setup includes:
- A multi-level plant stand from Amazon (functional AND pretty!)
- A couple of IKEA stands
- Various container sizes
In the past, I’ve used wall grow pouches (great for sunny walls or fences). I also recommend adding one or two large containers or grow bags to expand what you can grow.
Tips for Setting Up Your Space
- Measure your space and sketch a quick diagram.
- Identify the sunniest spots for plant stands.
- Choose plant stands that fit your space and maximize vertical room.
- Select containers with good drainage, leaving some floor space for larger pots.
- Decide on your soil mix.
- Start with beginner-friendly plants like herbs.
Remember: you can always tweak your setup as you go. Container gardening is all about adaptability.
Now that you’re armed with tips, tricks, and plenty of inspiration, it’s time to roll up your sleeves and start your own balcony garden. What will you grow first? Let me know in the comments or share your progress on social media.
Happy growing!
Don’t forget to check out our mindfulness section here.
