Many plants tolerate bright midday sun rather poorly. Nevertheless, there are also a number of flowering and green plants for the south-facing balcony that love sunny locations. Below you will find tips and suggestions for choosing plants for the south-facing balcony and ideas on how to create natural shade.
Which plants are suitable for the south-facing balcony?
Sun-loving plants such as oleander, bougainvillea, citrus plants, hibiscus, geraniums, petunias and Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary, lavender, olives, sage and thyme are suitable for the south-facing balcony. Regular watering, fertilizing and shade at midday are required for good care.
The best plants for the south-facing balcony
Mediterranean plants in particular are in their element on the south-facing balcony. Oleander, bougainvillea, citrus plants and hibiscus thrive here. The less exotic, sun-loving balcony plants include geraniums and petunias.
| German name | Botanical name | Flowering time | Flower color | Special features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Fan Flower | Scaevola aemula | Early summer to frost | Violet | |
| Blue Daisies | Brachyscome iberidifolia | May to October | Blueish | |
| Brazilian Guava | Acca sellowiana | May/June | Pink-white with red stamps | Edible petals and fruits |
| Dahlia | Dahlia | July to November | Pink, red, orange etc. | |
| Dipladenia | Mandevilla | Red, pink, white etc. | From May until autumn | |
| Elfspur | Diascia | White, pink, purple | May to November | |
| Geranium | Pelargonium | Pink, white, violet, red etc. | May to October | |
| Hammerbush | Cestrum | White, orange, pink, red, violet etc. | June to November | |
| Hussar Button | Sanvitalia procumbens | Yellow | June to October | |
| Jasmine | Jasminum | White | June to September | Smells captivating |
| Cape basket | Osteospermum | All imaginable colors, including multicolored | May to October | |
| Fullflower | Polygala | Violet to bluish | March to April | |
| Liver Balm | Ageratum houstonianum | Bluish, pink, violet | May to September | Poisonous |
| Passionflower | Passiflora | White with blue stamps | May to September | Passiflora edulis produces passion fruits |
| Petunia | Petunia | Often pink, purple, but also other colors available | May to November | |
| Purslane frogs | Portulaca grandiflora | Many different colors | June to August | |
| African Lily | Agapanthus | Blueish, white | July to August | |
| Marguerite | Argyranthemum frutescens | White, pink | May to October | |
| Vanilla Flower | Heliotropium arborescens | Violet | June to Autumn | Poisonous, smells intoxicating, needs a lot of water |
| lantana | Lantana camara | Mostly yellow, orange, red but also white available | May to October | Poisonous |
| Verbene (verbena) | Verbena | Violet to bluish | May to October | Medicinal plant |
| Magic bells | Calibrachoa | Many different colors | May to October | Needs a lot of water |
| Zinnia | Zinnia elegans | Many different colors | July to October |
Herbs for the south balcony
Not only sun-hungry ornamental plants thrive on the south-facing balcony, some herbs also appreciate a lot of sun. Of course, these include, first and foremost, those from the Mediterranean region like:
- Rosemary
- Lavender
- Olives
- Sage
- Thyme
Properly care for plants on the south-facing balcony
In order for the plants on the south-facing balcony to thrive, they must be properly cared for:
- Water them daily during the hot season, possibly twice a day
- Never water at midday, but as early as possible and in the evening
- Fertilize nutrient-loving plants in spring
- If possible, provide some shade at lunchtime, e.g. with parasols (€34.00 on Amazon) or climbing plants
Create shadows naturally
To grow a wider variety of plants on your balcony, create some shade with climbing plants! Thanks to the light tendrils, you still have enough light for yourself and your plants, but at the same time they provide privacy. Plant annual or perennial sun-loving climbing plants, such as
- Ray pen
- Wisteria
- Clematis
- Climbing roses
No matter which climbing plant you choose, give it a stable climbing aid, which you stretch especially on the upper side on the main sunny side (south) in order to weaken the midday sun.
