5 Tips for Balcony Plants
With today’s expansion into the sky with high rises and condos galore, terraces and balconies are the outdoor space connected to our home. The only thing missing on the 15 the floor is some greenery in the form of a balcony plant. Terraces and Balconies are perfect for outdoor plants. Balcony plants shade the interior space in summer, keeping electric cost lower, they are aesthetically pleasing and provide a sense of elegance. They also provide privacy and can help dampen noise from the city below.
Here are a few tips for adding a beautiful plant to your balcony:
- Pick the right plant. Plants come in all shapes, colors, styles, and most importantly heartiness. You want to have a plant on your balcony that is strong enough to endure the elements. Be it 100 degree days in Texas or 60 mph winds in Chicago, you want to have a plant that can handle the temperature changes and weather that goes with it. A woodsier plant will retain moisture better and if water retention is an issue, then look into a cactus varietal.
- Pick the right planter. Picking a planter is sometimes the easier choice when going to the terrace, as it is something that fits your style and interior design scheme. The most important thing about your terrace planter is the weight. You want it to be sturdy and be able to hold your plant through anything. If your planter is too light, you can add stones, concrete, or anything heavy to the bottom or around the plant when adding it to the planter.
- To plant in Planter or Not. Most people believe that they have to repot every plant they buy into a planter filled with soil, we are here to tell you this is not always the case. If the plant for your terrace isn’t able to handle all weather conditions it is best to do it like the pros by leaving it in the grow pot for easy removal during inclimate weather. Also, for those plants planted directly into the planter, there needs to always be drainage. So make sure your planter has a hole in the bottom for excess water to seep out.
- Water consistently. On a high rise balcony or terrace there is generally a little more wind. Wind removes moisture very quickly from plants and can cause the plant to die. Not to mention the baking sun and the fact that the roots can’t dive deeper into the soil to find a source of moisture, you have to be the water provider. If the temperature is extremely hot it may require one or even two waterings per day, if you are in a more temperate environment, such as Florida or California it may only require water every other day. Learn about your plants needs as no plant or terrace are alike.
- Pick a Plant Company. Lastly, Find a company that specializes in Terraces and Balconies. Many interior landscape companies like ourselves have monthly maintenance contracts that can address your terrace plant needs and can also add some foliage to your indoor space. Companies that specialize in balconies and potted plants have tricks to alleviate the need for watering daily by adding sub irrigation or watering elements to your space.
To conclude, Terraces and Balconies are a vital part of many high rise condos, businesses, and homes. Plants add that special touch that frame the view and bring nature up to your level. We at Plantkeeper are here to assist in all of your terrace and balcony needs. Give us a call today at 214-752-5750, to see what we can do for you.
