Balcony Plant Direction Recommender
Find Your Perfect Plant Match
Select your balcony direction to see which plants will thrive. Each direction gets different sunlight hours and has specific plant requirements.
How to Determine Your Balcony Direction
Simple method: Stand on your balcony at 7:00 AM and note which direction the sun is hitting you. In the Southern Hemisphere, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
Alternative: Use your phone's compass app to find north. Your balcony facing north means the sun will be on your balcony from morning to afternoon.
Results
Where you place your balcony garden matters more than you think. It’s not just about space or style-it’s about survival. A plant that thrives on a sunny balcony might wither in the same pot on a shaded one. In Auckland, where weather shifts fast and sunlight is precious, getting the direction right can mean the difference between a bursting balcony and a sad, struggling patch of soil.
Why Direction Matters More Than You Realize
Direction isn’t just about which way your balcony faces-it’s about how much sun your plants actually get. In the Southern Hemisphere, the sun arcs across the northern sky. That means north-facing balconies get the most consistent, longest-lasting sunlight. South-facing ones? They’re in shadow most of the day. East gets morning sun, west gets harsh afternoon heat. Each has its own rules.
Most vegetables and flowering plants need at least 6 hours of direct sun. Herbs like basil, rosemary, and thyme? They’ll beg for 8. But leafy greens like lettuce or spinach? They’ll thank you for a little shade. If you put sun-lovers on a north-facing balcony, they’ll grow fast and strong. Put them on a south-facing one, and you’re fighting a losing battle.
North-Facing Balcony: The Gold Standard
If your balcony faces north, you’ve hit the jackpot. In Auckland, this gets 7-9 hours of direct sunlight daily, even in winter. It’s the ideal spot for tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, and most herbs. You can grow strawberries here too-they’ll ripen early and taste sweeter.
Tomatoes on a north-facing balcony in late October? They’ll be flowering by mid-November and ready to harvest by January. I’ve seen people grow 20+ tomatoes per plant here, even in pots. The key? Use deep containers (at least 40 cm) and well-draining soil. Add a little compost every month, and you’re set.
Don’t forget wind. North-facing balconies often catch the afternoon breeze. That’s good for airflow but bad for delicate plants. Use trellises or windbreaks made from bamboo or mesh to protect seedlings.
East-Facing Balcony: Gentle Start, Perfect for Beginners
East-facing balconies get morning sun-soft, cool, and gentle. It’s perfect for plants that hate hot afternoon rays. Think lettuce, spinach, kale, parsley, and mint. These plants will grow lush without burning. Flowering plants like petunias and impatiens also do well here.
This is the best choice if you’re new to balcony gardening. You’re less likely to overwater or scorch plants. Morning sun also means less evaporation, so your soil stays moist longer. In summer, you might still need to water every other day. In winter? Once a week is often enough.
One downside: no afternoon sun means slower growth for fruiting plants. Don’t expect big tomato harvests here. But if you want fresh herbs and greens year-round, this is your sweet spot.
West-Facing Balcony: Hot, Dry, and Demanding
West-facing balconies get the full force of the afternoon sun. In summer, temperatures can spike 10°C higher than on a north-facing one. Soil dries out fast. Plants get stressed. This is the hardest spot to garden-but not impossible.
Only tough, heat-loving plants survive here: succulents, aloe vera, rosemary, lavender, and marigolds. If you’re planting vegetables, go for heat-tolerant types like eggplant, okra, or Swiss chard. Use light-colored pots to reflect heat, not absorb it. Dark pots can cook roots.
Watering is critical. You’ll need to water daily in summer. Consider self-watering planters or drip irrigation. Mulch heavily with straw or wood chips to keep roots cool. A shade cloth over half the balcony in December and January can save your plants.
South-Facing Balcony: The Shade Challenge
If your balcony faces south, you’re working with less than 3 hours of direct sun, even on clear days. Most people give up here. But you don’t have to.
This is the zone for shade-tolerant plants: ferns, snake plants, pothos, peace lilies, and Chinese evergreen. Edibles? Stick to leafy greens like arugula, spinach, and chard. They’ll grow slower but still produce. Mushrooms? You can grow oyster mushrooms in a damp corner with no sun at all.
Use reflective surfaces to bounce light. White walls, mirrors, or even aluminum foil taped to railings can boost light by 20-30%. Grow lights help too-a simple LED grow light on a timer for 4-6 hours a day can turn a dead zone into a thriving one.
What to Plant Based on Direction
Here’s a simple guide to match plants with your balcony’s direction:
| Direction | Sunlight Hours | Best Plants |
|---|---|---|
| North | 7-9 hours | Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, basil, rosemary, strawberries |
| East | 4-6 hours | Lettuce, spinach, kale, mint, parsley, petunias |
| West | 5-7 hours (intense) | Lavender, aloe vera, eggplant, okra, marigolds, succulents |
| South | 1-3 hours | Snake plant, pothos, peace lily, arugula, chard, oyster mushrooms |
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
People make the same mistakes over and over. Here’s what not to do:
- Using small pots-Roots need space. Use at least 30 cm deep for veggies, 20 cm for herbs.
- Ignoring drainage-Always drill holes. No exceptions. Waterlogged soil kills more plants than lack of sun.
- Planting everything at once-Start with 3-5 plants. Learn how they react before expanding.
- Thinking all soil is the same-Use potting mix, not garden soil. It drains better and doesn’t compact.
- Forgetting wind-Auckland’s coastal winds can snap stems. Tie up tall plants or use windbreaks.
One quick fix: if your plants look pale or leggy, they’re not getting enough light. Move them. Don’t wait. Even a 1-meter shift can make a big difference.
Seasonal Adjustments Matter
Don’t set it and forget it. In winter, the sun sits lower. A spot that gets full sun in December might be in shadow by June. Rotate your pots every few weeks. Move sun-loving plants to the front edge. Shift shade-tolerant ones to the back.
In summer, protect plants from heat stress. Water early in the morning. Use mulch. If temperatures hit 30°C, mist leaves lightly in the afternoon-just enough to cool them, not soak them.
Keep a small notebook. Note what you planted, where, and how it did. After a year, you’ll know exactly which spots work best for each plant.
Final Tip: Start Simple
You don’t need a full garden to succeed. One north-facing pot of cherry tomatoes. Two east-facing pots of basil and mint. One south-facing snake plant. That’s enough to start. Master those, then expand.
Balcony gardening isn’t about having the most plants. It’s about having the right plants in the right place. Get the direction right, and everything else falls into place.
Can I grow vegetables on a south-facing balcony?
Yes, but only leafy greens like spinach, kale, and arugula. They grow slower and produce less than in full sun, but they’ll still give you fresh leaves. Avoid tomatoes, peppers, or cucumbers-they need more light than a south-facing balcony provides.
Is morning sun better than afternoon sun for balcony plants?
For most plants, yes. Morning sun is gentler and helps plants start photosynthesis without the stress of midday heat. Afternoon sun, especially on west-facing balconies, can be too intense and dry out soil fast. Leafy greens and herbs prefer morning sun. Fruit-bearing plants like tomatoes need both, which is why north-facing is ideal.
How do I know if my balcony gets enough sun?
Track it for a day. Start at 7 a.m. and mark where the sun hits your balcony every hour until sunset. Use a piece of tape or a sticky note on the railing. If you get 6+ hours of direct light, you can grow most vegetables. Less than 4? Stick to shade-tolerant plants. If you’re unsure, buy a cheap sunlight meter from a garden center-it’ll give you exact numbers.
Do balcony plants need more water than garden plants?
Yes. Pots dry out faster than ground soil. In summer, you may need to water daily. In winter, every 3-4 days is usually enough. Always check the top 2 cm of soil-if it’s dry, it’s time to water. Self-watering pots or drip systems help reduce daily maintenance.
Can I use regular garden soil in my balcony pots?
No. Garden soil is too dense and doesn’t drain well in containers. It compacts, suffocates roots, and can carry pests or weeds. Always use potting mix designed for containers. It’s lighter, drains better, and holds nutrients longer. You can buy it at any garden center in Auckland for under $15 per bag.
Next Steps
Look at your balcony right now. Which direction does it face? Grab a notebook. Write down what you want to grow. Match it to the sunlight you have. Start with just three pots. One for herbs, one for greens, one for a hardy plant like a succulent. Watch how they do over the next month. Adjust. Move them. Learn. That’s how real balcony gardens grow-not from buying everything at once, but from paying attention.
