Plants on a small balcony: what to consider about light and wind

Direct answer: before choosing plants for a small balcony, observe how many hours of direct sun it gets, what the wind is like (especially on high floors) and whether there are safety concerns and building rules to respect. Then choose species compatible with those conditions, instead of trying to adapt the space to any plant.

Three points to consider

1. Light. Watch the balcony at different times and note for how many hours the sun hits directly. Some plants need full sun for several hours; others tolerate partial shade or shade. The plant's label or description usually states the need. The facade's orientation, the floor and neighboring buildings all influence it.
2. Wind. On high floors, wind is stronger and more constant: it dries out the soil, breaks leaves and can knock over pots. Prefer sturdier plants, stable and heavy pots and, if possible, wind protection, such as screens or larger plants acting as a barrier.
3. Safety and rules. Hanging pots or pots resting on ledges can fall and cause accidents. Secure them well, avoid putting pots in unstable spots and check the building rules on weight, drainage and appearance. Watch out for water running down to floors below.

An example

Márcia has a balcony facing a side where the sun hits only in the morning, on a high, windy floor. Instead of plants that need sun all day, she chose partial-shade species and heavy clay pots, arranged against the wall. She also installed a light screen against the wind. She began to watch the watering, since wind dries the soil faster. This is an illustrative example.

Practical tips

• Start with a few plants and see how they adapt.
• Use pots with drainage holes and saucers that do not hold standing water.
• Water as needed, checking the soil moisture.
• Group plants with similar needs.
• Watch for signs: scorched leaves indicate too much sun or wind; pale, elongated leaves, lack of light.

Next reading

Also see the article on how to assess sun exposure before renting an apartment, which helps understand light in each orientation.