Evergreens are a fantastic choice for adding some year-round life to your balcony or patio. Since they generally handle container life pretty well, they’re perfect for creating a little urban oasis. The secret is to stick with dwarf or compact varieties. With just a little bit of TLC, these hardy plants will stay happy and healthy in their pots for a long time.
Choosing the Right Evergreens
When you’re shopping for your balcony, look for “compact” or “dwarf” on the label. These varieties are bred to thrive in smaller spaces. The best part? There’s a huge variety to choose from! You can find different growth habits, needle textures, and colors ranging from deep forest green to silvery blue. For a really professional look, try mixing and matching different heights and shapes to create some visual interest.
Finding the Perfect Spot
Every plant is a little different, so it’s worth checking the tag for specific light requirements. That said, most evergreens are pretty easygoing and do best in a spot that gets partial shade or gentle, filtered sunlight.
Picking the Right Pot
You’ll want a pot that gives the roots plenty of room to breathe and grow. A good rule of thumb is to choose a container that is about one-third larger to twice as big as the current root ball. While plastic pots are light, clay or ceramic pots are actually much better for evergreens because they’re more stable and breathable.
To keep your plant from getting “soggy feet,” start with a layer of expanded clay pebbles, broken pottery shards, or gravel at the bottom for drainage. For the soil, a high-quality, loose potting mix works great—feel free to mix in a little compost or sand to keep it airy.
Care and Maintenance
Since they’re in containers, your evergreens will rely on you for regular watering and fertilizing. If they start looking a little shaggy, don’t be afraid to give them a quick trim or pruning to keep their shape.
Every year or two, plan on repotting your trees into a slightly larger container with fresh soil to keep them thriving.
Winter Protection
If you’ve picked a hardy variety, your evergreen can stay outside all winter long. However, pots can freeze through easily, so it’s a good idea to place the container on an insulating base like wood or Styrofoam. You can also wrap the pot in winter fleece or burlap for extra warmth.
One pro tip: don’t forget to water them occasionally during the winter! You want to make sure the root ball never completely dries out, even when it’s chilly.
