Best Plants for Balcony Privacy
Knowing the best balcony plants for privacy will help you choose the plant that is right for your balcony.
The main thing that Patios and balconies have in common is that they both provide an outdoor living space for those people who dwell within.
Both of these areas are used a lot during the warmer months of the year, allowing dwellers to dine, read, or pursue other activities while enjoying the fresh air and sunshine or shade.
However, both balconies and patios can lack the privacy that many people want and need unless something is done to provide them with the privacy they seek. Plants are an excellent way to provide natural privacy for your balcony or patio.
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Difference Between Patio and Balcony Plants
In order to understand the difference in privacy plants for balconies and patios you need to understand the difference between patios and balconies themselves.
Patios can be fairly large and are built at ground level with open sides. This means that people using plants for privacy can plant trees, hedges, or bushes in the ground around the parameter of the patio.
Balconies on the other hand normally have more limited space than does patios. In addition, balconies are normally built at the 2nd floor level or higher, meaning that any plant used for privacy must be planted in planters and not in the ground.
Because balconies are built off the ground, they also have some type of wall surrounding the balcony itself. These wall like structures may be made from wood slats or boards, glass or rails.
The type of material surrounding the balcony to provide safety may also dictate the type of plants that you can plant to provide you with the privacy you want.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Balcony Plants
Before choosing plants for your balcony here are some of the things you will need to consider:
Type of Balcony Enclosure
If you have a wood enclosure to your balcony that provides privacy for the lower part of your balcony, then you may want to find plants that will work well in a window box type planter that you attach to your balcony’s rail. Glass or rail enclosures will require plants that can sit in planters on the floor of your balcony and will grow tall enough to provide you with the cover you are seeking.
Amount of Space Your Balcony Offers
Some balconies are larger than others and size is something that you will need to consider when choosing plants for your balcony privacy.
Plants that require large planters simply may not be suitable for small shoe-box type balconies since they will leave you no space to actually enjoy being out on your balcony.
The Climate in Which You Live
The climate in which you live will dictate what balcony plants will best meet your needs. If you live in a warm climate, more tropical plants may be a good choice while colder climates may need plants that are hardier and can withstand cooler temperatures.
Sunlight
Some plants do well in bright sunlight, while others need partial shade to grow their best, so you are going to want to determine the amount of sunlight your balcony gets each day when choosing the right privacy plants for your balcony.
Maintenance
Some plants need more maintenance and care than others. You are going to consider how much time you have to devote to caring for your balcony plants when deciding which plants are the best suited to your needs.
9 Best Balcony Plants for Privacy
There are several plants for your balconies that can provide you with the privacy you crave for your balcony. Here is a look at some of those plants.
#1. Bamboo
Bamboo is a fast growing plant that grows well in pots and needs very little maintenance. It comes in various varieties, so make sure that you choose a variety that works best for you. Some varieties of Bamboo can grow very tall, which is why it is also one of the best hedges for screening.
#2. Lavender
Lavender is a drought tolerant grass like plant that has sweet smelling purple flowers. This plant can grow up to 3 feet tall and does well in hardiness zones 5 through 9.
If you have a glass or rail enclosure to your balcony, you can plant lavender in tall fairly thin planters allowing both the planter and the plant itself to block the view of your balcony.
#3. Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas come in various sizes, making them ideal for different size balconies. These flowers bloom during the summer and into the fall, offering you the privacy you want during the warmest weather.
They also do well on balconies that are partially in the shade and are suitable for hardiness zones 3 through 9.
#4. Pampas Grass
Like bamboo, pampas grass comes in different varieties. The hardiest variety of this grass can grown in zones 5 through 9 and has a distinct tuft at top.
It can even tolerate the spray from salt water, making it ideal for coastal areas. Since this is grass it can be easily grown in long thinner planters making it great for smaller balconies.
#5. English Ivy
A climbing plant, English Ivy is best suited for balconies with rail enclosures. This charming plant will grow in almost any lighting conditions and can provide your balcony with the cover you want when you are seeking privacy.
#6. Jasmine
Another climbing plant, Jasmine is known for its thick foliage and great scent, for those who are looking for complete privacy this may be the plant for you.
Keep in mind, to grow Jasmine on your balcony you will need a rail type enclosure or have to build a trellis.
#7. Fountain Grass
If you live in a warmer climate (zone 5 or warmer), then this colorful grass is perfect for adding privacy to your balcony during the summer months. This plant works well in railing planters.
#8. Arborvitae
If you really want some type of shrub for your balcony, then an Arborvitae may be the ideal choice. This coniferous shrub can be grown in pots. It will need to be pruned from time to time because it can grow to be 10 feet tall.
#9. Various Hanging Plants
If you are looking for a little privacy cover for the upper section of your balcony then you can choose any number of hanging plants to give your balcony charm and privacy. Choose cascading plants for even more cover since the trailing vines grow downward.
Final Thoughts on the Best Balcony Plants for Privacy
Using plants to provide privacy for your balcony is an excellent idea, however you need to do a bit of research to find out which plants work best for you and your balcony. Hopefully, the list of the best balcony privacy plants featured here would help you make a more informed decision.
