July 10, 2025, 7:39 am | Read time: 3 minutes
Vacationing at home has become increasingly popular in recent years—sometimes by choice, sometimes not. This makes balcony planting all the more important. myHOMEBOOK editor Franka Kruse-Gering explains which plants thrive on a balcony that gets full sun.
Direct sunlight on the balcony can be beneficial for us when sunbathing, but not for our plants. Many plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight or only for short periods. However, balcony owners with a south-facing balcony do not have to forgo greenery. There are plants that thrive in full sun on the balcony.
Petunias Love Full Sun
Petunias are among the most popular plants for balconies—not least because they handle full sun wonderfully. They come in both upright and trailing varieties. It is important to note that they require a lot of water and should be fertilized regularly.
Calibrachoa Like Full Sun but Also Tolerate Partial Shade
Calibrachoa closely resemble petunias but belong to a different genus. Their care is similar. Calibrachoa prefer plenty of sun, but you should also ensure they are adequately watered. They also need fertilizer. The best way to support them is by using special petunia fertilizer.
Also interesting: Why You Shouldn’t Plant Geraniums on the Balcony
Dahlias Feel at Home on the Balcony
Dahlias, with their impressive and large blooms, have an enormous water requirement. They can be watered once a day, and on particularly warm days, even in the morning and evening. Full sun on the balcony does not bother the plant; it grows and thrives. However, its location should be sheltered from the wind, as the large and heavy blooms can easily break.
Wilted flowers should be regularly cut off so that the plant has enough strength to produce new ones. Fertilizing is also important for dahlias: every two to three weeks, they can be supported with liquid plant fertilizer.
Related: The Most Beautiful Container Plants for Balcony and Terrace
Lavender Grows Best in Sunny Spots
Lavender also joins the list of plants that can happily grow in full sun on the balcony. It is very low-maintenance and should not be watered too often. It does not tolerate waterlogging, so ensure that the pot it grows in has drainage. Fertilizer is not necessary.
If you want to plant lavender on the balcony, consider that its root ball needs a lot of space. It’s better to choose a slightly larger pot! By the way, lavender should be pruned twice a year, even when growing on the balcony. You can find instructions in the following video.
Five Flowers You Should Avoid Planting on Your Balcony
How to Create a Mediterranean Balcony and Bring the South Home
Gardening Tasks to Tackle in July
Daisies Are Among the Plants That Love Full Sun
Daisies look like large daisies and enrich the balcony. If you decide to plant daisies on the balcony, you should know that they require a lot of water. A good indicator that they are lacking water is their heads, which droop when they are too dry. To enjoy the blooms for as long as possible, wilted flowers should be regularly cut off, as the dry flowers do not fall off on their own.