A balcony or terrace does not need to be big to be beautiful. With a few pots and the right plants, even a small space can become your favourite corner. These ideas work for apartments and houses in Lahore and across Pakistan.
Watch the sun first
Before you buy anything, spend a day watching how the sun moves across your space. Note which spots get strong sun for six hours or more, which get only morning sun and which stay shaded. This tells you which plants will do well and which will struggle.
Plants for sunny spots
- Hibiscus for large red flowers
- Ixora for clusters of orange flowers
- Marigold seedlings for quick colour
- Gerbera for bright daisy-like blooms
- Baby sun rose for a sun-loving succulent
- Lemongrass for a tall, fragrant grass
Plants for shade and semi-shade
- Money plant in a hanging pot
- Spider plant for arching leaves
- Table palm for a soft, leafy look
- Golden palm for height and greenery
- Peace lily for a covered corner
Think vertically
If floor space is small, look up. Hanging pots, wall shelves and tiered stands let you grow many plants without crowding the floor. Trailing plants such as the money plant and the string of pearls look especially nice when they hang down.
Choose containers well
- Use pots with drainage holes and saucers, so water does not stain the floor.
- Pick a few matching planters so the space looks calm and neat.
- Light colours stay cooler in strong sun.
- Larger pots dry out more slowly, which helps in summer.
Group plants by their needs
Put plants that like the same amount of sun and water together. It makes watering easier, and plants look better in groups. Put sun lovers in the brightest spot and keep soft-leaved plants a little further back.
Add a place to sit
A small chair or stool, a side table and soft lighting turn a planted corner into a space you will use every day. Keep walkways clear so you can reach every pot to water.
Keep it healthy
- Water in the early morning, and read our guide to summer plant care.
- Remove dead leaves and flowers regularly.
- Turn pots now and then so the plant grows evenly.
Need help?
Layout ideas
- A very small balcony: one hanging pot on the rail, two floor pots in a corner and one wall shelf.
- A medium balcony: a tall plant in the corner, a row of pots along the wall and a small chair.
- A terrace: create zones. One for a seating area, one for sun-loving plants and one for herbs and vegetables.
A budget plan in four steps
- Step 1: buy a few good pots and saucers.
- Step 2: add three easy plants, one tall, one medium and one trailing.
- Step 3: add a small chair or stool.
- Step 4: add soft lights and more plants slowly.
Safety first
- Secure pots on a railing with brackets or a rail holder so they cannot fall.
- Do not put heavy pots at the very edge of a high balcony.
- Keep the drainage clear so that water does not collect.
- Check your building's rules if you live in an apartment.
Watering ideas
- Use a watering can with a long spout, so you can reach all the pots.
- Group pots together to make watering quick.
- For a trip away, use self-watering pots or bottle drippers.
- Empty saucers regularly. Standing water attracts mosquitoes.
Privacy and wind
Tall plants such as a golden palm can make a screen for privacy. In a windy spot, choose strong plants and heavier pots, and keep delicate plants in a sheltered corner.
Questions people ask
Which plants suit a hot, west-facing balcony?
Try the yucca, the baby sun rose and the hibiscus, with some shade in the hottest weeks.
Can I leave pots in the rain?
Yes, if they have good drainage. Move them if heavy rain is expected for several days.
How many pots should I start with?
Three to five is enough. Add more once you see how the space works.
If you would like help planning your terrace or balcony, or a gardener to look after it, see our landscaping and gardener services. You can also call or WhatsApp us on 03128018787 and tell us about your space.