Best Plants for Balconies in Australia
Explore native and hardy plants suitable for various balcony conditions. Consider factors like sunlight, wind exposure, pot sizes, and local climates. Highlight plants that attract local wildlife, such as birds and bees.
Living in a strata apartment or townhouse doesn’t mean giving up on greenery. In fact, with the right plant choices, your balcony can become a private oasis that not only enhances your lifestyle but also supports local biodiversity. Australia’s diverse climate zones and native flora offer a rich palette of balcony-friendly plants that are low-maintenance, resilient, and beneficial to native wildlife.
This guide explores the best plants for balconies across Australia’s climate zones taking into account sunlight, wind exposure, pot size, and your desire to attract birds, bees, and butterflies.
Know Your Balcony and Climate Zone
Before buying plants, assess both your balcony conditions and climate zone:
Sunlight: Is your balcony sunny (north or west-facing), partly shaded (east-facing), or mostly shaded (south-facing)?
Wind: Higher floors and coastal areas may have strong wind exposure.
Pot space and weight: Check your building’s rules and balcony load-bearing limits.
Australian Climate Zones:
Tropical: e.g., Darwin, Cairns – hot, humid, wet summers
Subtropical: e.g., Brisbane, Northern NSW – warm, humid summers, mild winters
Temperate: e.g., Sydney, Melbourne – mild to cool winters, warm summers
Arid: e.g., Alice Springs – hot days, cold nights, low rainfall
Mediterranean: e.g., Perth, Adelaide – dry summers, wet winters
Cool/Alpine: e.g., Canberra, Tasmania – cold winters, risk of frost
Matching plant choices to your zone increases success and reduces maintenance.
Top Balcony Plants by Climate Zone
Tropical (Darwin, Cairns, northern QLD)
Balconies here often have high humidity and monsoonal rains. Choose lush, heat-tolerant plants:
Native Ginger (Alpinia caerulea) – edible root and berries, lush foliage.
Fan Palm (Licuala ramsayi) – loves humidity and partial shade.
Grevillea ‘Misty Pink’ – attracts birds, handles tropical sun and rain.
Subtropical (Brisbane, Gold Coast, Northern NSW)
Warm, wet summers and mild winters make this ideal for many natives and exotics.
Bottlebrush (Callistemon viminalis) – excellent for bees and birds.
Lilly Pilly (Syzygium) dwarf varieties – hardy and great for screening.
Blue Flax Lily (Dianella caerulea) – tough strappy leaves, purple flowers.
Temperate (Sydney, Melbourne, Wollongong)
A wide range of native plants thrive here—choose depending on sun or shade.
Kangaroo Paw (Anigozanthos) – full sun, attracts birds.
Correa (Native Fuchsia) – shade-tolerant, bird-friendly.
Hardy Dianella or Lomandra – low-maintenance and wind-resistant.
Arid (Alice Springs, Broken Hill, inland WA/SA)
Heat, dryness, and large temperature swings call for desert-adapted plants.
Eremophila (Emu Bush) – colourful, drought-tolerant flowers.
Senna artemisioides (Silver Cassia) – showy yellow flowers.
Succulents (e.g., Pigface / Carpobrotus) – ideal for pots and low water.
Mediterranean (Adelaide, Perth, parts of WA)
Dry summers, mild winters mean plants need drought resistance and good drainage.
Grevillea ‘Superb’ or ‘Moonlight’ – excellent for pots and birds.
Banksia varieties – bold flowers, bird- and bee-attracting.
Woolly Bush (Adenanthos) – soft texture, wind-tolerant.
Cool / Alpine (Canberra, Tasmania, Blue Mountains)
Frost and cold winters need hardy, sometimes frost-tolerant plants.
Tea Tree (Leptospermum) – tough, flowering, good for bees.
Native Violet (Viola hederacea) – excellent shade cover for pots.
Correa – winter flowers, frost-tolerant, low-growing.
Plants that Attract Birds, Bees, and Butterflies
You can support local wildlife even from a high-rise. Look for:
Nectar-rich flowers: Grevillea, Callistemon, Correa, Tea Tree
Berry-producing shrubs: Lilly Pilly (for birds)
Groundcovers and flowering herbs: Native violets, native rosemary (Westringia)
Add a shallow water dish for birds and beesbut ensure it won’t drip or blow off the edge of your balcony. Avoid chemical sprays or fertilisers that can harm pollinators.
Balcony Gardening Tips
Pots: Use lightweight, well-draining pots with saucers. Large pots help prevent soil drying too quickly. Use planter feet to keep the pots directly off the balcony surface and prevent any damage to tiles and porous surfaces or roots growing through.
Watering: Self-watering pots or regular checks are important, especially in hot or windy spots. Be mindful of your neighbours below and watch out for overspray.
Wind protection: Use vertical screens or group plants to create shelter.
Weight limits: Always confirm with strata or building management before placing heavy planters.
Soil: Use native plant potting mix for better drainage and lower phosphorus.
What to Avoid
Invasive species: Some garden favourites like lantana or agapanthus can harm local ecosystems if they spread.
Heavy plants: Stick to strata guidelines use composite or fibreglass pots instead of heavy stone.
Messy species: Avoid trees or shrubs that drop sticky fruit or excessive debris.
A Greener Balcony Builds a Healthier Community
Balcony plants are more than a hobby they help reduce the urban heat island effect, purify the air, and support native wildlife. In strata living, greenery contributes to amenity, value, and neighbourly appeal.
No matter your climate or location, you can create a low-maintenance green space that reflects the unique ecology of your region. Choose well, water wisely, and enjoy your balcony as a slice of the Australian landscape in miniature.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Readers should seek independent legal and professional guidance relevant to their specific circumstances and jurisdiction
