30 ideal balcony plants for shady locations
- Balcony plants for shade
- Plants from B to D
- Plants from E to G
- Plants from K to P
- Plants from S to Z
- Herbal plants for shade
Balcony plants are an asset to the urban ambience. They allow a bit of nature, even if you are not a garden owner, which makes them so popular especially in apartment buildings. Not every balcony is in a favorable position for the keeping of classical plants, which makes the use of balcony plants necessary for shady locations.
In search of suitable balcony plants for shady locations, significantly more species come into question, as you may think. Many plants have lived in dark places over the centuries and suffer quickly from too much sunlight. Exactly these properties can be used, if your balcony is oriented to the north or is located in an unfavorable place and therefore receives little sunlight . In addition to green plants, which are evergreen, there are species with picturesque flowers that create colorful nuances on the balcony.
Balcony plants for shade
30 shady balcony plants
The selection of balcony plants is large and even for the shadiest places there is the right plant. Keeping these species on the balcony will make dark corners much friendlier. You should always pay attention to the three different shadow types.
- clear shade: mild, diffused light reaches the plants throughout the day
- Partial shade: about four hours of sun per day
- full of shade: permanently under four hours of sun per day
While the definitions of halftone and full shade are clearly distinguishable, many people have problems understanding the light shadow . The diffused light is created by trees or other obstacles that do not completely shield the light like a roof or a wall, but let it shine through again and again. Thus, the plants still receive quite a lot of sunlight, only this does not seem directly to this. Differentiation into shadow types is important because each of the following 30 balcony plants prefers a different shade intensity.
Plants from B to D
Begonias (bot. Begonia)
A classic for shady balconies par excellence. Begonias can be perfectly kept in the pot and can easily withstand light to full shade. The final amount of sunlight determines the growth and so are begonias visibly more vital in the partial shade. They are so popular thanks to the wide choice of colors. These range from white to violet and yellow to soft pink. A must for your balcony.
Leadwort (bot. Plumbago)
The plants of this genus prefer sunny to partially shaded locations and reach in Wuchshöhe- and width dimensions of about 30 centimeters. Planted in tubs, the plants look good with their light to gentian blue, aged inflorescences.
Boxwood (offered by Buxus sempervirens)
Boxwood is cut-firm, can withstand shady places easily and thanks to the slow growth can be easily kept on smaller balconies. He is one of the few shade-tolerant balcony plants that does not have to go into the house over the winter and is thrilled with evergreen foliage.
Chrysanthemums (bot. Chrysanthemum)
If you are a Chrysanthemum fan or want to experience the many varieties of this genus, you can easily do so with a shadowed balcony. The balcony plants are particularly comfortable in partial shade and, depending on the selected variety, you can look forward to a long flowering period into the winter.
Dahlias (offered by Dahlia)
Yes, you can even keep dahlias in the bucket as balcony plants in partial shade. With good care they even keep full shade.
Violets (bot. Viola odorata)
Ideal for the light location, the fragrance violet presents itself with a beguiling scent and attractive flowers in a deep violet. When selecting a location, be careful not to leave too dark a space for the fragrance violet.
Plants from E to G
Ivy (offered by Hedera helix)
Ivy belongs to the uncomplicated shade plants, which you can hold on the balcony. You can put the plant itself in the darkest corners and be pleased about the rapid spread of the plant.
Angel Trumpet (bot. Brugmansia)
One of the most beautiful and at the same time most poisonous balcony plants, which tolerates the penumbra. If possible, you should treat it to a little more sun, otherwise the flower will be a bit miserable. Also, be sure to only hold the Angel Trumpet if you have a large balcony. The scents of the angel trumpet can lead to discomfort.
Fan flower (offered by Scavola saligna)
The flowers of the fan flower fall immediately into the eye. From a certain age, the shoots of the plant for the penumbra reach beyond the edge of the bucket.
Fire Sage (offered by Salvia splendens)
An interesting alternative to the well-known sage is Salvia splendens. This herb immediately catches the eye during the flowering season from May to early September due to the colorful flowers. These can shine either in a fiery red, a lovely pink or violet. The fire sage prefers light to partial shade.
Diligent Lieschen (bot. Impatiens walleriana)
The diligent Lieschen lives up to its name in the bucket on the balcony. The balsam (Bot. Impatiens) has an extraordinarily fast growth and a rich bloom in numerous hues. Due to the small height of 30 centimeters, you can easily place multiple copies on your balcony. Partial shade and full shade are preferred.
Fuchsias (offered by Fuchsia)
The fuchsias are just as popular balcony plants as begonia. Fuchsias are known for their hanging growth, high shadow tolerance and the many different varieties that delight with their own color variations.
Juggler flowers (offered by Mimulus)
Small, pretty flowers and lush green make this balcony plant for the penumbra.
Spotted deadnettle (bot. Lamium maculatum)
In partially shaded locations this deadnettle is at home. It enchants with its pretty flowers and dense foliage, which presents itself in a different color depending on the variety.
Bellflower (offered Campanula)
With bluebells on the balcony you can look forward to an appealing flower splendor in numerous variations. The individual varieties tolerate light to full shade, but they must not get any wet feet, as Campanula tolerates no waterlogging. Due to the handy size of some varieties and species even balconies can be provided with little space. An example is the dwarf bellflower (offered Campanula cochleariifolia) with a maximum height of 15 centimeters.
Plants from K to P
Nasturtium (bot. Tropaelum majus)
The medicinal plant can be kept well on shady balconies due to the growth characteristics, since the abundance of flowers does not depend on the number of hours of sunshine. With a maximum height of up to 30 centimeters, it can be used to save space between other plants.
Climbing hydrangea (bot. Hydrangea petiolaris)
Even a hydrangea on the balcony is no problem if you choose the climbing style. This can be excellently planted in pots and holds like other taxa of the genus easily any amount of hours of sunshine. Climbing Hydrangeas are especially recommended if you live in urban centers, as these are resistant to typical urban climate.
Globular primrose (bot. Primula denticulata)
One of the most popular primroses ever, which can be easily kept on the balcony due to the high level of shadow tolerance. The large variety of species and early flowering from March to May make Kugelprimeln excellent balcony plants.
Male loyal (offered by Lobelia erinus)
Männertreu is another plant that is popular because of its flower colors. She keeps half shade, but enjoys as much sun as possible. If you want a hanging variant, you should choose the Hanging Lobelia (bot Lobelia richardii) as an alternative.
Orange flower (bot. Choysia ternata)
An attractively flowering shrub whose flowers smell wonderfully like oranges. They feel especially comfortable in the partial shade.
Pennywort (bot. Lysimachia nummularia)
A groundcover for the semi-shade with yellow flowers and attractive for bees. The pennywort spreads over the entire substrate within a short time and delights with the abundance of leaves and flowers. Particularly appealing are the longer shoots that can grow over the pot edge.
Plants from S to Z
Snowflake flower (bot. Sutera diffusus)
A pretty flower that looks great in the hanging beam or over a railing. It does not bloom in white, but in violet, light blue or a delicate pink despite its name. Partial shade is enough for the snowflake flower.
Star Jasmine (bot. Trachelospermum jasminoides)
The star jasmine is a climbing plant for the balcony, which despite its native land of the Mediterranean is used to partial shade. Similar to the fragrance species of the genus Jasminum.
Streak fern (offered asplenium trichomanes)
Of course, a fern may not be missing here, as they are used to shady places. The striped fern can be used for different balconies depending on the shade type. In the full shade of the plant remains small and is suitable for an equally low space requirement. In the light or partial shade, however, it reaches its full size to 30 centimeters.
Bleeding heart (offered by Lamprocapnos spectabilis)
One of the prettiest poisonous plants, immediately recognizable by its characteristic pink or white flowers. The Bleeding Heart completely foregoes the sun and feels comfortable in the shade all year round. Be sure to pay attention to the toxicity of poppy plants (bot. Papaveraceae).
Vanilla flower (bot. Heliotropium arborescens)
Known for its scent reminiscent of vanilla, the solstice is an aesthetic sight on the balcony. The balcony plants should be placed either in light or partial shade.
Violet shrub (offered by Iochroma cyaneum)
The violet bush forms decorative tubular flowers that shine in different shades even in partial shade.
Forget-me-not (offered by Myosotis sylvatica)
Forget-me-not on the balcony is not just for lovers. The picturesque flowering plant withstands all shadow types.
Ornamental asparagus (offered asparagus densiflorus)
This non-edible version of the asparagus can be easily kept in the light or partial shade. The dense green provides a fresh aspect on the balcony.
Ornamental tobacco (bot. Nicotiana)
The nightshade prefers the half-shade and makes itself well in pots. The plant can not be smoked.
They all have one thing in common: they are all kept in pots . Buckets on the balcony allow not only the attitude of the plants away from the flowerbeds, but the easier hibernation. Balconies are hardly isolated and for this reason it comes quickly to the freezing of the pot when it is in the winter over the winter. Thanks to the bucket, you can winter the plants over the winter without major problems in the house, without the risk of frost damage.
Tip: Do not forget to fertilize the flowering balcony plants sufficiently and at regular intervals. Only in this way you get the flowering of the plants, which shows itself decoratively on the balcony.
Herbal plants for shade
Alternative: shadow herbs for the balcony
If you do not just want to keep flowers, shrubs and vines on the balcony, but you want to plant herbs, you're in the right place. It is known that many of the most popular herbs of the Germans come from the Mediterranean and therefore prefer a lot of sun. Shady locations are not ideal for these, but there are other species that are ideal for such balconies .
These are herbs that come either from the Central European forests or from East Asia. These have a much higher adaptability to shady balconies and can therefore be easily grown. These include the following.
- Woodruff (bot. Galium odoratum): Shadow
- Wild garlic (bot. Allium ursinum): shade
- Wasabi (bot. Wasabia japonica): partial shade
- Watercress (bot. Nasturtium officinale): partial shade
- Japanese parsley (bot. Cryptotaenia japonica): partial shade
- Mints (offered by Mentha): Partial shade
Woodruff and wild garlic are well-known herbs that have been used in Germany for centuries and thrive on the balcony as well. The watercress is also known, the Japanese parsley on the other hand, a true newcomer, which can also be kept without much problems. If you decide to grow wasabi, you must be patient. If you are so happy and the plant grows despite the high demands on the balcony, it can take up to 18 months before you can harvest the first rhizomes.
Tip: If you want to grow fruit instead of herbs, this is also possible with a shady balcony. For this select a small columnar apple (bot malus), because apple trees tolerate partially shaded locations very well and can therefore be kept on your balcony.
