June 19, 2023, 3:54 pm | Read time: 5 minutes

Depending on the direction a balcony faces, it receives more or less sunlight. A south balcony gets a lot of sun. From morning until late afternoon, hobby gardeners can enjoy the sun there. To bask among blooming and lush plants, you should only choose plants that can handle the intense sunlight on the south balcony. The sun heats up the balcony, so the plants must tolerate not only a lot of light but also the heat. This includes Mediterranean herbs such as rosemary or thyme. Olive trees or lemon trees can also be cultivated in pots on a south balcony. Various flowers can be added as well.

1. Geranium (Pelargonium)

Geraniums are undoubtedly among the most popular balcony flowers. There are reasons for this. The flowers bloom in vibrant colors from May to October. Additionally, the plant thrives in sunny and hot locations, although it can also handle cooler temperatures. However, they are not winter-hardy. Nevertheless, they are a robust plant. Hobby gardeners must regularly water geraniums.

They should be fertilized every two weeks with a liquid fertilizer. Both special geranium fertilizer and liquid fertilizer for flowering plants are suitable. Dead shoots should be removed. This not only looks nice but also encourages the growth of new blooms. However, geraniums are not particularly insect-friendly–this factor should be considered when selecting plants.

2. Fan Flower (Scaevola)

The fan flower genus is popular, among other things, due to its long blooming period from May to October. The plant originally comes from Australia and is thus ideal for a south balcony. One of the most popular varieties is the Blue Fan Flower (Scaevola aemula). The plant reaches a maximum of 30 centimeters–at least in height. It produces shoots that can grow up to a meter long, making it an ideal balcony plant.

The soil should be moist and well-drained. Waterlogging should be avoided. Nevertheless, hobby gardeners should regularly water fan flowers. A strong pruning is not necessary. However, as with most flowering balcony plants, it is recommended to remove faded shoots.

Also interesting: 6 Plants for the Balcony That Require Little Water

3. Ornamental Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)

Among the various colored flowers, a plant with lush foliage is a welcome addition. How about the ornamental sweet potato? Depending on the variety, it grows with bright green or dark purple leaves. The plant thrives in both partial shade and direct sunlight. It handles heat well. It’s important to water it regularly. However, it does not tolerate waterlogging well.

The ornamental sweet potato blooms from July to August. If you’re not satisfied with its growth, you can simply prune the plant, as it tolerates cutting well.

4. Wisteria

Climbing plants also thrive on a south balcony, such as wisteria. The plant requires a trellis. Over time, the shoots find their way upward and transform the balcony into a true oasis with its impressive blue or violet blooms. The robust plant generally does not need to be fertilized. It’s important that the soil is not too chalky. A spring pruning is essential to thin out the plant.

Also interesting: Is It Actually Legal to Be Naked in the Garden or on the Balcony?

More on the topic

Overview 7 Balcony Plants That Thrive With Little Water

No Shade Needed 5 Plants for the Balcony That Love Full Sun

5. African Daisy (Osteospermum)

African daisies are particularly attractive due to the gradient of their blooms. Hobby gardeners can also cultivate the plants on a south balcony, as they love sunny and warm conditions. Originally, the flower comes from South Africa. The soil should be well-drained and not too wet. It’s best to build a drainage layer in the pot to prevent waterlogging.

Balcony gardeners should water the plant regularly. If you’re unsure whether the African daisy needs water, it’s better to water less often than too frequently. Every two weeks, you can add liquid fertilizer through the watering. Be careful: too much fertilizer harms the plant, resulting in fewer blooms.

Basic Care Tips for Plants on the South Balcony

Hobby gardeners should regularly water their plants on the south balcony. Although the plants are accustomed to heat and sun, they still have a high water requirement. Due to the intense sunlight on a south balcony, watering should be done only in the early morning or late evening. It’s important not to pour water over the leaves.