What Can You Grow on a North-Facing Balcony?
A north-facing balcony gets little direct sun, but plenty still grows there — the best shade-tolerant herbs, greens and plants to try.
A north-facing balcony (in the northern hemisphere) gets bright light but little or no direct sun. That rules out tomatoes and peppers — but a surprising amount of leafy, useful and pretty planting still works.
What “north-facing” really means for plants
- Bright shade
Plenty of daylight but no direct sun on the plant. Leafy crops and woodland plants evolved for exactly this and often scorch in full sun.
Reflected light helps more than people expect. A pale opposite wall, a light-coloured floor, or a glass balustrade all bounce usable light onto the plants. Southern-hemisphere readers should read this as a south-facing balcony.
Best edibles for a shady balcony
| Crop | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cut-and-come-again salad | Fastest, most reliable; sow little and often |
| Mint | Thrives in shade; keep in its own pot |
| Parsley & chervil | Steady leaf all season; chervil actually prefers shade |
| Chives | Tolerates shade; flowers are edible too |
| Chard & perpetual spinach | Big leafy harvest; crops into autumn |
| Kale | Slow but tough; picks through winter in mild areas |
| Currants & gooseberry | Shade-tolerant fruit if you have a large tub |
Foliage and flowers for interest
- Ferns — hart’s tongue and soft shield fern cope with cool shade and wind.
- Heuchera — evergreen, coloured leaves, very forgiving.
- Hostas — bold leaves; watch for slugs after rain.
- Ivy and Boston ivy — reliable green cover for a railing or trellis.
- Fuchsia and busy lizzie — two of the few flowering plants that bloom well in shade.
For the full setup, see the beginner’s guide to starting a balcony garden.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow tomatoes on a north-facing balcony?
Not well. Tomatoes need at least six hours of direct sun to set and ripen fruit. On a north-facing balcony they grow leggy and produce little. Put that space into salad, chard and herbs instead.
What herbs grow in shade?
Mint, parsley, chives, chervil, coriander and lemon balm all tolerate shade. The Mediterranean herbs — basil, rosemary, thyme, oregano — need full sun and won't do well.
Will anything flower on a shady balcony?
Yes. Fuchsia, busy lizzie (impatiens), begonias, and hardy geraniums all flower in bright shade, and foliage plants like heuchera add colour without needing sun.