Vastu Tips: Which Plants to Plant on the Balcony and in Which Direction

The desire to decorate one's home with plants is popular among many people because they not only improve the appearance of the dwelling but also refresh the atmosphere. However, in large cities, there is often a lack of space to create a full-fledged garden, and having a balcony can be difficult.

Even if your home does not have a traditional yard or balcony, there is no need to worry. Plants do not always require a large area or an open balcony. Places such as a windowsill, a bare wall, a roof, or a small corner in the kitchen can become a new place to grow greenery.

In small living spaces, the method of smart gardening is currently being actively used. It involves utilizing free spaces in the home using pots, hanging baskets, and vertical gardens to grow plants. Below are listed places where you can easily start growing plants.

If your home lacks a balcony, the windowsill can be the simplest and best option for growing plants. In areas that receive enough sunlight, small pots or window boxes can be placed. Here you can plant herbs such as basil, mint, oregano, lettuce, and radish, which grow well in limited space.

A bare wall in the house can serve not only as a decorative element. It can be transformed into a beautiful vertical garden. By using small baskets, hanging pots, plant pockets, or old bottles, you can place many plants at once. The main advantage of this approach is that the plants grow upwards, not along the ground, allowing more plants to be placed in a smaller area. This gardening technique is very useful for small homes.

If you have a roof on your house, you can create a magnificent garden by planting a large number of plants there. On the roof, compared to a balcony, there may be more open space and more sunlight, so you can grow not only flowers but also larger plants and vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, and cucumbers. When placing pots on the roof, it is necessary to consider weight, water drainage, and the intensity of solar radiation.

Not all plants require bright sunlight to grow. Some herbs and plants can be successfully grown in corners of the house that receive moderate light. With small pots or hydroponic setups, you can place plants on the kitchen counter, in the dining area, or in any bright indoor corner. This will add greenery to the home and make the small space more attractive.

Even if your home does not have a balcony, you can use railings, lattices, or fences for gardening. For this, you can install trellises or wire supports to support climbing plants. Plants such as beans, cucumbers, and flowering climbers gradually rise upwards, turning the entire fence into a lush green corner. Thus, a bare fence or railing is transformed into a picturesque green spot.

Many people want to have plants in their homes, but in small apartments or studios, the problem arises of where exactly to place the pots. Placing pots on the floor reduces space and makes the house feel cluttered. In such cases, empty walls can be used to make the home beautiful and green by placing plants on them.

Using vertical gardening is especially useful in small dwellings because it allows you to increase the amount of greenery without taking up much space. This does not require soil or a large area. Below are six types of plants suitable for this purpose.

Plants that grow easily on walls:

1. Sansevieria (Money Plant): Sansevieria is a simple option for decorating home walls. Its trailing shoots can be directed upwards along the wall or hung in a pot, allowing them to hang down. In small apartments, on balconies, or near windows, it can be placed to beautifully decorate an empty wall.

2. Pothos: The long runners of Pothos are excellent for placement on walls. It can be placed in small floor pots, hanging baskets, or on shelves from which the runners will cascade. If you aim to create a natural, slightly jungle-like look in your home, this plant type will be a good choice.

3. Philodendron: The leaves of the Philodendron are very attractive, and some varieties are climbing. It can be placed in small pots or on shelves attached to the wall. By slowly directing the plant's shoots upwards or sideways, you can significantly change the appearance of the wall.

4. Syngonium in small pots: If you prefer compact plants with beautiful leaves rather than large ones, you can plant Syngonium. By placing it in small pots attached to the wall, you can create a green corner by combining several plants. Placing pots at different heights will make the wall even more attractive.

5. Hoya for creating a vertical garden: The runners and thick leaves of Hoya give a decorative look when decorating walls. By placing it in a small wall-mounted pot and allowing the runner to grow downwards, you can create the effect of a miniature vertical garden using several pots of different sizes on one wall.

6. Monstera for a stylish look: The large, characteristic-holed leaves of the Monstera distinguish it from other plants. If you want to give an empty wall in your home a more stylish look, it can be placed on a shelf or in a large wall pot. Instead of putting large pots on the floor, you can use wall-mounted plants, thus saving space.

Tips for placing plants on the wall

When greening a wall, you should avoid using overly heavy pots. You need to choose lightweight pots and ensure they have a proper drainage system. If water constantly drips directly onto the wall, it can lead to stains and dampness. It is also preferable to place plants in areas where they can receive enough light according to their needs. To achieve a more natural and beautiful look, it is better to place the pots on the wall not in a straight line, but at varying heights.

In large cities, people often live in apartments that are small due to limited space and high population density. Small balconies are provided in such apartments for ventilation. However, most people use their balconies exclusively for drying laundry, placing washing machines, buckets, old boxes, and unnecessary items. It can be said that these beautiful and open balconies are gradually starting to resemble storage rooms.

Nevertheless, if you show some thoughtfulness and decorate the balcony, even in a small space, it can be used for sitting, having tea, growing plants, or working. This does not require expensive furniture or major renovations; it is enough to use the available space wisely.

Before starting to decorate the balcony, it is crucial to decide exactly how you want to use it. It can be furnished as a place for morning tea and reading books. If you work from home, it can be turned into a small workspace. If drying laundry is necessary, the process should be organized so that the space is freed up after the laundry dries.

Space on the floor is very valuable on a small balcony. Therefore, instead of placing all things on the floor, it is worth utilizing the walls. On the wall, you can install small shelves, vertical pots, or folding tables. For plants, hanging pots are a good option. Similarly, for drying laundry, retractable ropes or folding racks can be used. This will allow some free space to be maintained for walking and sitting on the balcony. If you live in rented accommodation, it is better to use non-drilling hooks and freestanding shelves.

To make the balcony a relaxation area, you do not need to buy a large sofa. A comfortable chair, a small pouf, and an end table are enough. On the table, you can place a cup of tea, a book, or a laptop. Such a modest composition will transform the balcony into a lovely corner for morning tea or evening relaxation.

If you enjoy gardening on the balcony, feel free to do so. However, you must remember that an excessive number of plants can make a small space even more cluttered. You should plant as many plants as you can easily care for. Before buying plants, assess the amount of sunlight they will receive. Some types of plants are suitable for areas with little sun, while others are for well-lit ones. When placing pots on the railings, special attention should be paid to their safety, avoiding the placement of heavy pots in unstable places or at the edge.

If you work from home and there is little space in the room, the balcony can become a useful space. You can install a folding table on the wall that can then be closed after work, allowing this space to be used for sitting in the evening. However, considering the heat in India, sun and heat protection must be provided before working on the balcony. Curtains, bamboo screens, or a canopy can be installed as needed.

Drying laundry on the balcony is common in Indian homes, and this is not a problem. The problem arises when wet clothes, buckets, dryers, and cleaning supplies constantly remain there. To solve this problem, use folding or retractable drying racks. After the laundry dries, the rack should be removed or folded into a corner. For buckets, mops, and cleaning agents, a small storage module can be organized, which will help the balcony look clean and organized.

When decorating the balcony, you should not focus only on beauty. Considering the strong heat, rain, and dust in India, it is much more important to choose furniture and other items that are resistant to weather conditions and easy to clean. On rainy days, it is recommended to bring pillows and fabric items inside.

It is not necessary to fill every corner of the balcony with chairs, pots, tables, and decorative elements. Some free space must be left. It is this unoccupied area that will give the balcony a sense of spaciousness and comfort. If space allows, one can stand here, drink tea, stretch, or simply enjoy the fresh air.

Often, the best way to make a balcony beautiful is not by adding new things, but by getting rid of unnecessary clutter. Try removing old boxes, broken chairs, and unused items—and the space will change on its own.