Looking for a low-maintenance balcony that looks great year after year? These popular perennials are tough, winter-hardy, and perfect for creating a long-lasting outdoor oasis right outside your door.
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++Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata)
Creeping phlox creates a lush carpet of foliage topped with a sea of tiny flowers. While it’s a go-to groundcover for gardens and rock walls, it’s also a fantastic choice for balcony planters. It loves to spill over the edges of pots and window boxes for a beautiful, full look. Just make sure it gets plenty of sunlight—other than that, this hardy plant is pretty much “set it and forget it.”
++Roman Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile “Plena”)
You can’t go wrong with the timeless, classic look of chamomile. This winter-hardy variety handles the cold like a champ and will keep your balcony looking lovely for years. It’s happiest in a sunny or partially shaded spot. The main thing to remember is that it hates “wet feet,” so use well-draining soil and consider adding a layer of gravel or clay pebbles at the bottom of your pot to help with drainage.
++Winter Heath (Erica carnea)
If you need something truly “bulletproof,” Winter Heath is your best friend. It’s incredibly hardy and can even handle windy, coastal conditions. It thrives in full sun but does just fine in partial shade, too. For the best results, use a sandy, humus-rich soil. The best part? It starts blooming as early as February, giving you a pop of color when everything else is still asleep.
++Hardy Fuchsia (Fuchsia magellanica)
Fuchsias are balcony favorites for a reason—those bell-shaped flowers are absolutely stunning. Plus, they’re one of the few plants that bloom beautifully even in shadier spots. While many fuchsias are delicate and need to be brought inside for winter, the Hardy Fuchsia (Magellanica) can handle the frost. Expect a gorgeous display of flowers from July all the way through October.
++Aster (Aster)
Asters are a classic choice for a reason: they’re reliable perennials with vibrant, unmistakable colors. To get the most out of them, place them in a full-sun spot. They’ll reward you with a massive flush of blooms if they have plenty of light and a nutrient-rich, loose potting mix.
++Purple Coneflower (Echinacea)
If you want bold, punchy colors, Echinacea is the way to go. These plants prefer soil that isn’t too heavy, so make sure it drains well. Use a high-quality potting soil and don’t be afraid to add a little fertilizer to keep the nutrients up. As the name “coneflower” suggests, they are sun-worshippers, so find them a bright, sunny spot on your balcony.
++English Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
English Lavender is the ultimate multi-tasker for your balcony. It’s a hardy perennial with iconic purple blooms and a scent that we love—but bugs hate! It’s great for keeping mosquitoes, wasps, and moths at bay. Plus, you can harvest the flowers to use in your kitchen; they’re a fantastic way to add a floral twist to desserts and teas.
%%Christmas Rose (Helleborus niger)
The Christmas Rose is a total winter rockstar because it blooms when almost nothing else will. Its large, elegant flowers provide a lively focal point on your balcony right in the middle of the cold season. It’s a long-lived perennial, but it does have a preference for its summer “vacation”: keep it out of the scorching midday sun. A semi-shaded spot is perfect.