Low-maintenance, perennial balcony plants are a total game-changer, keeping your outdoor space looking lush in both the heat of summer and the chill of winter. We’ve rounded up seven of the most popular, easy-care plants that thrive year-round, plus we’re sharing our favorite “insider tip” for your containers.
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++Creeping Phlox (Phlox subulata, Phlox douglasii)
This phlox starts budding as early as May, bringing a massive pop of color to your balcony boxes when most other plants are still waking up. The simple flowers grow so densely that they completely hide the needle-like foliage. Plus, they produce a sweet-smelling nectar that acts like a magnet for butterflies and bees. This evergreen dwarf variety spreads like a carpet with almost zero effort and will even spill beautifully over the edges of your planters.
++Blanket Flower (Gaillardia x grandiflora)
On a warm, sheltered balcony, this stunning bloomer shows off its yellow, orange, or red petals from July all the way into October. What’s really cool is the way the petal tips often contrast sharply with the center, looking like a hand-painted masterpiece. After a quick trim in the fall, the new green growth provides a nice splash of color through the winter. Depending on the variety, they can grow anywhere from 6 to 30 inches tall, making them perfect for both window boxes and larger pots.
++Coral Bells (Heuchera)
If you have a shady or semi-shady spot, Coral Bells are your best friend. They are evergreen and incredibly easy to care for. From May to June, they send up airy wands of tiny white, pink, or red flowers that look like a misty cloud. But the real stars are the leaves—depending on the variety, you can find them in lime green, deep silver, amber, dark red, purple, or bronze, often with gorgeous marbled patterns.
++Bee Blossom (Gaura lindheimeri)
The flowers of the Bee Blossom look just like delicate butterflies dancing in the wind. While each individual flower only lasts a day, the plant keeps pumping them out for months until the first frost hits. These graceful stems can reach between 20 and 60 inches, so it’s best to place them against a south-facing wall to protect them from snapping in the wind. They are super low-maintenance and handle container life like a pro.
++Perennial Asters (Symphyotrichum)
Unlike the annual varieties you see at the grocery store, hardy perennial asters will come back year after year. These fall favorites explode with white, pink, red, or purple blooms from September until the frost arrives. For balcony boxes, look for the “cushion” varieties that stay compact (about 8 to 20 inches tall). Just make sure they get plenty of sun so they can produce as many buds as possible!
++Hostas (Hosta)
For those shady corners, Hostas are fantastic perennial foliage plants for containers. They come in all sizes, so you can easily find one that fits your pot. The leaves range from chartreuse and steel blue to deep forest green, often with creamy white borders. In mid-summer, they sprout white or lavender bell-shaped flowers that are surprisingly elegant when you take a closer look.
++English Ivy (Hedera helix)
English Ivy can turn a shady balcony into a romantic green oasis in no time. While it uses tiny roots to climb walls on its own, it’s a good idea to give it a trellis to guide it where you want it to go (and save your brickwork!). It stays green all winter, and when the temps really drop, the leaves often take on interesting bronze, red, or pink tints that look amazing against the snow.
%%Our Secret Tip: Double Chamomile ‘Plenum’ (Chamaemelum nobile ‘Plenum’)
This plant is a hidden gem! It features countless white “pom-pom” flowers that smell exactly like sweet chamomile tea. It’s incredibly hardy and drought-tolerant, making it perfect for those hot, sunny balconies. It’s a “set it and forget it” kind of plant that creates a thick carpet of flowers that will eventually drape over the side of your boxes. Plus, the feathery foliage stays green through the winter, keeping your balcony looking alive even in January.