The best plants for a shady balcony

Not every balcony gets hours of sunshine. Balconies that face north, sit under an overhang or are surrounded by tall buildings may only get bright, indirect light. The good news is that many beautiful plants prefer exactly these conditions, and they often struggle in harsh sun.

How shady is your balcony?

• Bright shade: no direct sun, or only an hour or two in the early morning, but the sky is clearly visible. Most plants on this list will do well.
• Partial shade: two to four hours of gentle morning or late-afternoon sun. You can add some flowering plants and herbs.
• Deep shade: very little light, perhaps under a deep overhang. Choose the toughest foliage plants such as snake plant and ZZ plant.

Foliage plants

Money plant (pothos). Trailing or climbing, it thrives in bright shade and roots easily from cuttings. Train it along railings or let it spill from a hanging basket.

Peace lily. Glossy leaves and white flowers even in moderate light. It droops when thirsty and recovers quickly after watering.

Snake plant. Upright, architectural leaves that cope with low light and occasional neglect. Water sparingly.

Ferns. Boston fern and bird's nest fern love humid, shady spots. Keep the soil lightly moist and mist in dry weather.

Areca palm. A lush, feathery palm that prefers bright indirect light over direct sun, which scorches its fronds.

Caladium and aglaonema. Colourful leaves in pink, red, silver and green that bring brightness to a shady corner.

Flowering plants

Impatiens (busy lizzie). One of the few annuals that flowers freely in shade, in pinks, reds, purples and whites.

Begonias. Wax begonias and rex begonias offer flowers or patterned leaves and grow well in bright shade.

Anthurium. Long-lasting red, pink or white flowers in bright, indirect light and high humidity.

Fuchsia (in cooler climates). Hanging flowers that attract attention in baskets.

Herbs for partial shade

Most herbs prefer sun, but some manage with three to four hours:

• Mint: grows almost anywhere; keep it in its own pot, as it spreads.
• Coriander and parsley: leafy herbs that bolt less in partial shade.
• Curry leaf: slower in shade but still productive in a bright spot.
• Lemon balm and chives: easy and fragrant.

Caring for plants in the shade

Water less. Pots in shade dry out much more slowly than those in sun. Always check the soil before watering; overwatering is the most common cause of failure on shady balconies.

Feed lightly. Plants grow more slowly in lower light, so feed at half strength once a month during the growing season.

Keep leaves clean. Wipe dust from broad leaves so they can make the most of the available light.

Rotate pots. Turn containers every couple of weeks so plants do not lean towards the light.

Use light colours. Pale pots, walls and flooring reflect light back onto your plants and brighten the whole space.

A simple shady balcony plan

1. A tall areca palm or a group of snake plants in the darkest corner.
2. Peace lilies and ferns at floor level along the wall.
3. Money plant trailing from a railing planter.
4. A window box of impatiens or begonias for colour.
5. Pots of mint and coriander in the brightest spot.

With the right plants, a shady balcony can be the coolest, calmest and greenest room in your home.