No space? No problem.
Key Takeaways
- In even the smallest external spaces such as balconies or patios, you have the ability to cultivate a rich assortment of flora, which includes climbing vines, aromatic herbs, and dwarf trees.
- For those just starting out, tough options such as mandevilla vines, tomato plants, and herb varieties provide both aesthetic appeal and useful benefits.
- Houseplants that prefer shade, such as monsteras, bird’s nest ferns, and alocasia bambinos, can also flourish outdoors—as long as you pay attention to their specific temperature and lighting requirements.
Many garden enthusiasts aspire to cultivate an extensive plot of land filled with their preferred flora; however, numerous individuals face limited space when attempting to design their ideal exterior retreat. Nonetheless, various outdoor plants can thrive even within confined areas like urban terraces, decks, or modestly sized yards typical in suburbia. Below are some top picks for cultivating outdoors in tight quarters, as suggested by gardening experts.
Mandevilla Vine
Kaylyn Hewitt, the chief florist at
The Bouqs Co
Yes, The Bouq specializes in flowers, but they also provide an array of plants,” explains, “There are numerous excellent plants you can cultivate in tiny outdoor areas. Don’t allow the dimensions to prevent you from embracing gardening.
She suggests growing a mandevilla vine in small areas as an ideal choice for novice gardeners. “I recommend this plant to beginners due to its resilience and lush appearance,” she says.
An Herb Garden
One of the finest options for cultivation in a limited external area is something that grows vertically.
herb garden
According to Hewitt, “By doing this, you’ll have fresh herbs available for your cooking and also create an attraction for butterflies,” she elaborates.
This method is an excellent approach for cutting down on grocery expenses while ensuring you always have fresh ingredients readily available for your dishes. You only require petite containers that can be suspended from windows or terraces.
Tomato Plants
Similarly, Hewitt supports
growing tomato plants
, particularly suited for novice gardeners. “Growing tomatoes is simple; just one plant can produce an abundance of fruits,” she notes. Experimenting with various types like cherry, plum, or grape tomatoes is straightforward. The highlight? You’ll constantly have ripe tomatoes available for your subsequentBLT sandwich.
Bird’s Nest Ferns
If your external area is limited and mostly in shadow, Hewitt suggests cultivating some plants.
Bird’s Nest Fern
, available for purchase with a stylish pink container. Once the plant starts flourishing, you can transfer it into a bigger pot, and reuse the original small pot to grow another plant instead.
Monstera
Monstera plants
have been popular for some time now. These lovely items are occasionally referred to as
Swiss cheese plants
because the holes in the heart-shaped leaves allow light to pass through to any smaller leaf babies toward the bottom.
Perfect for spots that don’t get much sun, like urban balconies, monsteras thrive without direct light to avoid leaf burn. These plants require consistently mild conditions, ideally between 65 to 78°F, though they can withstand temps down to about 55°F. If you’re in an area prone to harsh winters, consider bringing your monstera inside once colder weather hits.
Alocasia Bambino (Along with Other Indoor Plants)
Besides monstera, numerous other indoor plants can thrive outside in compact areas, as stated by The Sill’s plant expert Paris Lalicata. “Plants well-suited for tiny outdoor spots encompass several beloved houseplants such as the
alocasia bambino
, ZZ plant, Calathea rattlesnake, cuddly cactus, and the coffee plant.”
Lalicata strongly suggests verifying each plant’s lighting needs along with the regional weather conditions prior to moving pots or placing them outside. “These plants are tropical and cannot withstand temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, whether during the day or at night,” she clarifies.
Read the initial article on
Real Simple
