How to Start a Balcony Garden: A Beginner's Guide
A simple step-by-step guide to starting a balcony garden — choosing pots, plants, light and watering, even if you rent.
You don’t need a garden to grow food or flowers. A balcony, a few large pots and a few hours of sun are enough to get started — this guide walks through it in order, without wasting money on the wrong things.
1. Work out how much sun you get
Light is the single biggest factor in what will grow. Before buying anything, watch your balcony across one clear day and note when the sun is directly on it.
- 6+ hours of direct sun: full sun. Tomatoes, chillies, most herbs.
- 3–6 hours: partial sun. Salad leaves, many herbs, chard.
- Under 3 hours: shade. Focus on leafy crops and shade-tolerant plants.
2. Choose containers
Bigger pots are more forgiving: they hold more water and don’t overheat as fast. Aim for at least 30 cm deep for most crops, less only for shallow-rooted salad and radish. Every pot needs drainage holes and a saucer or tray to catch run-off.
Plastic and glazed pots hold moisture longest. Terracotta looks good but dries out quickly. Fabric pots are light and drain well.
3. Pick your first plants
Start with a few reliable crops and add more once you know your space.
| Plant | Min pot depth | Light | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Herbs (basil, mint, parsley) | 20 cm | 4+ hrs sun | Easy |
| Salad leaves | 15 cm | 3+ hrs sun | Easy |
| Radishes | 15 cm | 3+ hrs sun | Easy |
| Cherry tomatoes | 30 cm | 6+ hrs sun | Medium |
| Chillies | 25 cm | 6+ hrs sun | Medium |
If your balcony faces away from the sun, don’t give up — see what to grow on a north-facing balcony. For a container-only edible list, see the best vegetables for small containers.
4. Plant and water
Add a drainage layer
A few centimetres of gravel or broken pot pieces over the holes stops the mix washing out and keeps roots off standing water.
Fill with fresh potting mix
Use peat-free multipurpose compost. Leave a 2–3 cm gap below the rim so water doesn’t run straight over the edge.
Plant at the same depth
Set each plant so the top of its rootball sits level with the mix. Firm it in gently and space plants a little further apart than the label suggests.
Water in well
Water slowly until it runs from the drainage holes. After that, check daily and water when the top 2–3 cm is dry.
Before you start
- Know roughly how many hours of direct sun the balcony gets
- 3–5 pots, 30 cm+ deep, with drainage holes and trays
- One bag of peat-free potting mix
- A watering can with a rose, or a jug
- A short list of easy plants suited to your light
Common first-year mistakes
- Pots too small — they dry out and starve roots. Go bigger than feels necessary.
- Using garden soil — it compacts in pots and drains badly.
- Too many plants per pot — crowding cuts airflow and invites mildew.
- Forgetting to feed — potting mix runs out of nutrients after 4–6 weeks; start a weekly liquid feed for fruiting crops.
Frequently asked questions
Can I start a balcony garden if I rent?
Yes. Use free-standing pots rather than anything fixed to the wall or railings, keep heavy containers off the outer edge, and use trays to avoid drips. Everything can move with you.
How much does it cost to start?
A basic setup of five large pots, one bag of peat-free mix, and a few plants or seed packets typically costs about the same as a couple of takeaways. Reusing containers brings that down further.
When is the best time to start?
Spring is ideal because light and temperatures are rising. You can also start hardy salad and herbs in late summer or early autumn for a second crop.
Do I need special tools?
No. A hand trowel, a watering can with a rose, and scissors cover almost everything on a balcony.