Bert Swope
Herbs for the balcony are easy to grow, especially if the area is sunny and cool. The best way to know whether they will do well in your space is to watch their behavior. Some herbs like to receive too much or too little sunlight, so make sure they get enough light and water. Others will struggle to tolerate the extreme temperatures, which will cause them to wilt and die. If you have a sunny balcony, Greek oregano is one of the easiest herbs to grow.
These plants grow quickly and need a sunny location. The best place for them on a balcony is on the south or southeast side. They tolerate full sunlight to partial shade and can reach up to six feet tall. Several varieties are edible, including basil, dill, parsley, and rosemary. Some even pair well with stews and other dishes. This means that they’re a great choice for a balcony.
Basil
If you have a sunny balcony, basil is one of the best herbs to grow on a balcony. Basil grows well in containers that are at least six inches in diameter. Basil grows best in soil that is slightly acidic or neutral, with a pH level of 5.5 to 7.5. Keep the soil moist, but not wet, and water the plants every day. Wet leaves and stems will encourage mildew and other diseases, so avoid overhead watering. Basil plants need to be placed in full sun most days, but if it gets too hot, move it to shade.
Basil is a perennial herb that requires a moderate amount of water. It prefers a sunny spot and full to partial sun. Chives are another great herb to grow on a balcony, as they are easy to maintain. They grow best in temperatures between 40 and 80 degrees. Make sure to bring them indoors at night so they don’t freeze. Basil can be grown year round on a balcony.
Broad Leaf Sage
Broad Leaf Sage is an easy herb to grow on a balcony, thanks to its low maintenance and annual growth. This perennial herb has soft, textured leaves, which turn yellow if wet or splashed. It is also susceptible to leaf-spot fungus. Sage flowers are edible and can be used in salads, desserts, and vinegars. When harvesting, cut the leaves before they reach their peak.
Broad Leaf Sage needs bright indirect light to grow well. It can tolerate moderate moisture, but should be grown in slightly acidic or neutral soil. Sage requires moderate watering and can tolerate some drought. Plant sage seeds about an inch deep in moist soil. Water them only when the top two inches of soil begin to dry. Sage needs a bit of moisture to thrive, but not too much, or it may develop rot.
When growing Broad Leaf Sage, select a sunny location. It can tolerate partial shade or full sunlight. You can harvest the seeds by pruning the brown flowers and storing them in a dry, cool place for up to three weeks. Coriander plants grow quickly and can reach up to six feet in height. The leaves are edible, and several varieties can be used in stews and other dishes.
Cilantro
Although cilantro, or coriander, is one of the most difficult herbs to grow, it is easy to cultivate. You can plant cilantro from late summer into early fall, and once it has grown and set seed, it will flower quickly. It grows well in partial shade or full sunlight. Be sure to water and fertilize the plant well, and harvest it when it reaches about five inches. Harvest the cilantro leaves before they go to seed, so the plant will continue to grow.
Cilantro grows best in well-drained soil that has a pH between 6.2 and 6.8. In warmer climates, it can benefit from a bit of afternoon shade. A soil amendment made from aged compost or other rich organic matter will improve the growth rate of cilantro plants. If you are growing cilantro in containers, use a premium bagged potting mix. If the plants don’t receive regular irrigation, use a soaker hose. You can also add water-soluble plant food to encourage prolific leaf production. Harvest cilantro leaves when they are large enough to eat, but don’t over-harvest.
Common Chives
If you’re short on space, consider growing a few common chives. These perennials have a taste somewhere between garlic and onion. They’re easy to grow in pots and don’t mind partial sun. They’ll also flourish on your balcony if you choose a window-facing spot. To make your balcony a more attractive place for guests to visit, consider growing a few potted chives, which are ideal for balconies.
Common chives are perennial plants, which means they grow well in containers. Unlike some herbs, chives will take over a garden if you let them go to seed. As such, they should be pruned after blooming and divided every two years. They grow up to a foot high and have a delicate onion flavor. Chives’ delicate flowers are edible and add a pleasant fragrance to your dishes.
Chives need six hours of bright sunlight each day. You can get the most from them by planting them near a south-facing window. Otherwise, they grow better in partial light. For the best results, avoid placing your potted chives near heating or cooling vents. Once they’ve grown, water the plants lightly until moisture begins to show through the drainage holes. They need water only when the top 1 inch of soil dries out.
Lavender
Growing lavender on a balcony is simple, but it needs a bit of space to grow well. It’s best grown in a warm, southern climate. In colder climates, lavender will stay short and dense. Lavender will grow well with a little shade and a little air circulation. Use a stone mulch to provide some warmth to the soil. Adding crushed oyster shell to the soil can improve its alkalinity level.
Planting lavender in the outdoors is best done once the danger of frost has passed. Trim off any spindly growth to keep the plant compact. Water regularly to maintain good soil moisture. Lavender will produce a lovely flower and fragrance. It attracts pollinators and requires minimal maintenance. If you’re looking for an herb to grow on a balcony, lavender is the perfect choice.
Lavender does not need fertilizer or frequent watering, but it needs to be protected from frost and other harsh weather. It can survive harsh winters, but it requires only a little water from November to February. When pruning lavender, water it only on top of the compost. Fertilizing lavender during its dormancy can cause it to become woody. Woody parts will not produce new lavender stalks.
Another easy herb to grow on a balcony is sage. Sage is a perennial that requires minimal maintenance. It grows well in containers that are made of porous materials like plastic and glass. You can harvest the leaves when they’re fresh. It’s a great herb to grow with basil and parsley. You can also plant it in a container with thyme for even more fragrant options.
Lavender grows well in pots and windows. You can also grow other herbs if you don’t have a balcony. Hanging planters are another good way to grow herbs on a balcony. Make sure you choose sturdy pots and planters that are light enough for you to tend to them. You can also choose herbs that grow well on a balcony if they grow well in containers.
Lemongrass
One of the easiest ways to get fresh herbs is to plant them on your balcony. Garlic is one of the easiest herbs to grow on a balcony and it can help lower cholesterol levels, fight infections, and more. If you’re worried about space, you can grow it in containers. However, make sure that you don’t overcrowd it. Small planters are ideal for this purpose.
To start a balcony herb garden, you’ll need a few pots, potting soil, and herbs. You can choose to grow only herbs that you use regularly or blend a variety of herbs together. Make sure you choose plants that require minimal maintenance. These herbs will not leave a lot of mess, and they are easy to handle. Choose herbs that match your space and light requirements.
Sage: Sage requires a lot of sun to thrive. It should be planted in a sunny spot with 8 hours of direct sunlight. It should be watered only when needed. You can even use compost instead of fertilizer. However, it’s important to remember that herbs tend to taste best when grown in soil with very little nutrients. If you’re planning on using your herbs as a salad dressing, keep in mind that they need a little extra care.
Marjoram
This low-maintenance herb is a tender perennial that grows 12 to 24 inches tall and 18 inches wide when mature. It grows by spreading its root rhizomes and is also a self-seeder. If left unmanaged, marjoram will self-seed all over your garden, so it’s best to prune flowering stems to reduce the amount of seeds it produces. You can also divide mature plants to limit the spread of their root rhizomes.
For best results, plant marjoram in a sunny location. It can tolerate light shade, but full sunlight is ideal. Marjoram grows best in a soil that drains well. It prefers a neutral pH level of 6.7 to 7.0. Make sure to water your marjoram plant only when the topsoil is dry. Constantly moist soil can make marjoram taste less fragrant.
To plant marjoram, plant the seeds in early spring six to eight weeks before the last frost date. Plant seeds at least one inch below the surface of the soil. Once the seeds have germinated, they need a moist environment and grow light to help them develop. Aside from the scent, marjoram plants are delicious and versatile and make excellent plants for a balcony.
Harvesting marjoram is easy. Harvesting the leaves from marjoram should be done when the plant is four inches tall. During their early growth stages, you can harvest them with your fingernails, but they become woody when mature. If you want to preserve them for future use, simply clip off two-thirds of the plant at once. You can also dry the leaves before using them.
When growing marjoram, it is important to remember that it is susceptible to grey mold. This fungus is airborne and can affect your plants if you don’t take care of them. Affected plants will have brown, grey leaves and stems, and may be covered with furry growth. If you notice infected foliage, remove the plant as soon as possible to prevent grey mold. If your plant does suffer from this problem, you can treat the plant with neem oil or sulfur.
Mint
Some of the easiest herbs to grow on a balcony are sage, mint, and rosemary. These herbs require minimal maintenance and are spread out, so you can plant one or several. When choosing the containers for your herb garden, keep in mind that you should purchase several extra containers in case you need to move them later. Make sure that you use potting soil, which you can buy at garden centers or supermarkets.
Potting soil is usually quite dry and does not hold up well to the elements. If you’re planting in pots or hanging baskets, make sure that you use soil that is well-draining. You should also ensure that you disinfect the tools used to plant and remove weeds. Depending on the size of your balcony and the amount of space you have, you can choose a planter that will be easy to move around.
After you’ve chosen a plant, start by watering the soil. Some herbs need more moisture than others, so make sure to water it regularly. You’ll need to consider the type of soil, as some of them grow best in moist soil. You’ll also need to consider the type of herbs you’re growing. Sage, for example, prefers a dry soil, while mint and parsley thrive on moist soil.
While you may not be able to grow a full garden, you can still grow some herbs on your balcony. One of the easiest herbs to grow on a balcony is garlic. Consuming a half clove a day of garlic has been known to reduce cholesterol, lower blood pressure, and fight off infections. Other herbs that grow well in containers include thyme, chives, and coriander.
Choose containers that are large enough to accommodate the herbs you’d like to grow. Potted plants are easy to care for, and can be easily placed on shelving units or on the floor. They’re sturdy enough to be moved around the balcony, and you can choose from a variety of potting soils for each herb. Different herbs require different types of potting soil, so choose the right one. Also, try not to plant invasive herbs in one container; they’ll spread quickly.
Oregano
Oregano is an herb that grows well in containers and can be harvested when it is about four to six inches tall. When harvesting oregano, prune it closely to the next set of leaves. It will grow bushier if you cut off more than one-third of the plant. The flower buds will grow on the stems so they should be removed as soon as they appear. If you want to use oregano in cooking, try adding it to olive oil marinades and salads.
Another easy herb to grow on a balcony is oregano, which is an aromatic perennial plant native to the Mediterranean. This plant can tolerate temperatures as low as 40 degrees Fahrenheit and can grow year-round in most climates. Watering it regularly is important to keep the soil moist but not wet. To promote branching, trim the leaves regularly. Unlike basil, oregano is not a fast grower.
Other herbs to grow on a balcony include oregano and chives. Both plants require regular watering and partial sunlight. Parsley does best in temperatures between forty and eighty degrees Fahrenheit, but it’s a good idea to bring it inside at night to avoid freezing temperatures. If you can’t find a window, place a grow light on the balcony.
Coriander is another herb that you can grow on a balcony. It’s an easy plant to grow, but you’ll need to prepare the soil first. Coriander seeds need to be stored in a cool place for at least three weeks before germination. Coriander doesn’t transplant well, so if you want to grow multiple plants, you can sow them about three weeks apart.
Other herbs to grow on a balcony include lavender, oregano, thyme, chives, and sage. They’re easy to grow, need little maintenance, and are versatile. Sage leaves can be harvested when they’re fresh. Combine it with basil, parsley, and thyme to make a tasty combination. The scent of lavender is a summertime favorite.
Parsley
While growing parsley is not difficult, it does need some basic care. The plant needs consistent moist soil, and partial sunlight. It prefers soil that stays between 40 and 80 degrees. Parsley doesn’t do well in dry soil, so make sure to plant it in a container that has a drainage hole. Parsley is best grown in containers that are a minimum of 12 inches square, but you can use larger pots if you’re growing it in an outdoor space.
Growing herbs is not difficult, and the flavor of fresh-picked herbs is always better than those bought from the store. Herbs grown from seeds also give you control over the soil and water, and you can decide which ones to grow. Parsley is an annual in cold climates, but can withstand frost in milder climates. It will go to seed and then produce flowers. You can use the flowers for cooking or drying, but the leaves are bitter. The seeds can be harvested.
Rosemary
There are many benefits of growing herbs on a balcony. The most obvious benefit is that you can grow them year-round. In a well-lit area, they can be used for a variety of cooking purposes. Not only will you have a fresh supply of herbs for cooking, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the fragrance of your favorite herbs without having to venture outdoors. Easy herbs to grow on a balcony are a great way to experiment with cooking and enjoy the fresh flavors.
Some herbs grow in the shade, and you can even grow them indoors. Basil grows best in containers that are at least 12 inches in diameter. Larger pots provide insulation for the roots, so they’re less likely to suffer from fluctuations in soil temperature. You can harvest leaves from your basil plant at any time during the growing season. Basil is an excellent choice for growing on a balcony and can be used in recipes.
Thyme
One of the easiest herbs to grow on a balcony is sage. This perennial herb requires very little maintenance and tastes great. Its leaves are harvested when they are fresh and can be used for cooking and seasoning. Sage is a good choice for combination with basil, parsley, or thyme. For an elegant display, plant it next to a container filled with glass pebbles.
Depending on the size of your balcony, you can choose between different types of herb plants. Plants that thrive outdoors may be difficult to adapt to the smaller, drier conditions of a balcony. If your balcony is large enough, you can try planting herbs in windowsill pots or hanging baskets. A few important tips for planting herbs on a balcony include proper location, watering, and pruning.
Most herbs require some nourishment, but a high-quality Miracle-Gro will do the trick. If you are unfamiliar with plant care, consult a plant expert. Most herbs require minimal maintenance, but the amount of watering and fertilization depends on the type of herbs you select and your set-up. However, for a beginner, it’s normal to water and fertilize their herbs every week or two.