If you do not have a sun-lit balcony, then don’t worry. Here are the bestPlants for North Facing Balcony Garden that will do great in shade.
When it comes to balconies that do not get much sun, you have limited options in plants that you can grow with ease. To make it easy for you, we have an all-inclusive list of the Best Plants for North Facing Balcony Garden!
Table of contents
Here are the best plants for south-facing balcony
Best Plants for North Facing Balcony Garden
North is just opposite of South, meaning, it is never going to get much sun and will be in shade most of the time. Make sure that the plants you pick, are the ones that do well in shade.
Flowers
1. Begonia
Botanical Name: Begonia semperflorens cultorum
The fleshy, waxy foliage with colorful blooms will look adorable on your north-facing balcony. It can tolerate both full sun and partial shade.
Have a look at the best types of begonias here
2. Impatiens
Botanical Name: Impatiens walleriana
Impatiens are an ideal choice for north-facing balconies as they manage in complete shade and also tolerate sunny locations. The flowers bloom in many shades of red, pink, coral, and orange.
Check out the most beautiful Impatiens here
3. Bleeding Heart
Botanical Name: Lamprocapnos spectabilis
This perennial can also be grown on your shady north-facing balcony. The clusters of white-pink blooms on arching stems look attractive in the spring months.
4. Periwinkle
Botanical Name: Vinca minor
Also known as creeping myrtle, it flowers in May and June and produces lavender, white, and blue flowers. It favors partial shade to full shade, making it a good option for your north-facing balcony garden.
5. Climbing Hydrangea
Botanical Name: Hydrangea anomala ssp. petiolaris
This woody climbing vine does well in north-facing balconies – white blooms occur from May to July. It will look beautiful climbing over the railings.
Learn how to grow Hydrangea in pots here
6. Fuchsia
Botanical Name: Fuchsia
Grow colorful flowers of fuchsia in hanging baskets and attract hummingbirds to your balcony garden. It does well in cool or coastal areas.
7. Forget Me Not
Botanical Name: Myosotis scorpiodes
The lovely five-petaled blue flowers with yellow centers appear from May to October. This perennial does well in the north-facing balconies as it prefers shaded locations and moisture-retaining conditions.
8. Wishbone Flower
Botanical Name: Torenia fournieri
Bring colors to your shady balcony with trumpet-shaped flowers of Wishbone in the shades of dark blue-purple and lavender with yellow patterns. It does well in partial to full shade.
Ornamental Plants
9. Caladium
Botanical Name: Caladium
The heart-shaped and large leaves of caladiums are an excellent choice for shady areas of your balcony garden. You can grow it in full to partial shade outdoors.
Here are the best Caladiums you can grow
10. Coleus
Botanical Name: Plectranthus scutellarioides
This colorful ornamental plant can brighten up any shaded area of your north-facing balcony. Choose the best coleus variety here.
11. English Ivy
Botanical Name: Hedera helix
This trailing houseplant looks attractive and inviting in balconies – all ivy varieties prefer indirect sunlight and do well in a north-facing spot.
Here are the best types of Ivys you can grow
12. Ferns
Botanical Name: Polypodiopsida
Any fern variety can be grown in the north-facing balcony as they favor indirect light. For an appealing look, grow them in hanging baskets.
Check out our article on the best type of ferns here
13. Hosta
Botanical Name: Hosta
Hostas cannot resist direct sun for an extended period, making them a good choice for north-facing balcony gardens. Choose a spot that receives bright, indirect light.
Have a look at the most beautiful types of hostas here
Vegetables
14. Spinach
Botanical Name: Spinacia oleracea
You can grow spinach in a window box or railing planter of your north-facing balcony garden as it bolts in full sun – keep it in an area with some shade.
Learn how to grow spinachhere
15. Lettuce
Botanical Name: Lactuca sativa
Lettuce has shallow roots, so you can grow it in windowboxes on your balcony. In cool zones, it prefers sunlight, but you can also grow it in partially shaded areas as well. Read more about growing lettuce here.
16. Asian Greens
Bok Choy, Tatsoi, or Mizuna can be grown on a north-facing balcony. Plant them during spring and fall in moist, rich, loamy soil in an area that receives morning sun.
Herbs
17. Mint
Botanical Name: Mentha
Mint can tolerate some shade outdoors, but it also requires at least 3-4 hours of direct sun. So, place your mint planter where it receives sufficient air circulation and some sunlight.
Check out our article on the best types of mints here
18. Parsley
Botanical Name: Petroselinum crispum
Parsley can manage in a bit of shade. In cool climates, it prefers a sunny or partially shaded location. Whereas in hot climates, grow it in partial sun and provide shade in the afternoon.
Learn how to grow Parsley here
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
I'm a horticulture enthusiast with a deep understanding of plant care and gardening. I've spent years cultivating various types of plants, from flowers to vegetables, and have gained practical knowledge through hands-on experience. Additionally, I've extensively researched and studied the specific needs and characteristics of different plant species, allowing me to provide tailored advice for various gardening scenarios.
Best Plants for North Facing Balcony Garden
When it comes to north-facing balconies that receive limited sunlight, it's essential to choose plants that thrive in shade. Here's a comprehensive list of the best plants for a north-facing balcony garden:
Flowers
- Begonia: This plant features fleshy, waxy foliage with colorful blooms and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade.
- Impatiens: Ideal for north-facing balconies, these flowers bloom in various shades and can thrive in complete shade as well as sunny locations.
- Bleeding Heart: Known for its clusters of white-pink blooms on arching stems, this perennial is suitable for shady north-facing balconies.
- Periwinkle: Also known as creeping myrtle, it produces lavender, white, and blue flowers and favors partial to full shade.
- Climbing Hydrangea: This woody climbing vine with white blooms does well in north-facing balconies and looks beautiful climbing over railings.
Ornamental Plants
- Fuchsia: These colorful flowers can be grown in hanging baskets and do well in cool or coastal areas.
- Forget Me Not: With lovely blue flowers, this perennial prefers shaded locations and moisture-retaining conditions, making it suitable for north-facing balconies.
- Wishbone Flower: Known for its trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of dark blue-purple and lavender with yellow patterns, it thrives in partial to full shade.
Vegetables
- Spinach: Ideal for window boxes or railing planters in north-facing balconies, spinach prefers areas with some shade as it bolts in full sun.
- Lettuce: With shallow roots, lettuce can be grown in window boxes on balconies and prefers sunlight in cool zones but can also thrive in partially shaded areas.
- Asian Greens: Bok Choy, Tatsoi, or Mizuna can be grown on a north-facing balcony, preferably in moist, rich, loamy soil in an area that receives morning sun.
Herbs
- Mint: This herb can tolerate some shade outdoors but requires at least 3-4 hours of direct sun, so it's important to place the planter where it receives sufficient air circulation and some sunlight.
- Parsley: Parsley can manage in a bit of shade and prefers a sunny or partially shaded location in cool climates, while in hot climates, it should be grown in partial sun with shade in the afternoon.
These plants are well-suited for north-facing balconies and can thrive in shaded environments, providing a beautiful and vibrant garden space even without direct sunlight.
