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How To Water Plants On A Balcony – Here Are 6 Amazing Ways

If you live in apartments, you have plants on your balcony. To keep your plants healthy, you need to water them regularly. It is especially important for plants on balconies, as they are exposed to the sun and wind, which can dry out their soil quickly. This article will show you how to water plants on a balcony.

People face drainage issues for their balcony plants. If you face any such situation, we are here to resolve your problem. Knowing the right technique for watering plants on the balcony will also help prevent water from dripping on your downstairs neighbors. Continue reading this article to know how to water plants on a balcony.

Charming Young Asian Woman Watering Plant In Container On Balcon
via Freepik

Watering Plants on a Balcony Requires Attention

Indoor gardening is a popular hobby for people living in apartments or having limited outdoor space. It’s also a great way to grow fresh, healthy plants in the winter months. You can undertake many different types of indoor gardening projects, from simple flower pots on your windowsill to hydroponic systems and greenhouses.

Whatever your level of expertise, plenty of tips and tricks will help you get started with indoor gardening and make it a successful project. Watering plants on a balcony is not as easy as one may think. Many factors are considered, including the type and size of the plant and the amount of sunlight.

Some plants do not need much water and can be watered once a week, while others require more water and should be watered twice or three times a week. It is also important to remember that some plants need more sunlight than others.

Balcony Plants Requirements

Before knowing how to water plants on a balcony, let’s look at the needs and requirements of these plants to help them grow effectively. Read the following aspects carefully for successful indoor gardening.

Right Container

When you start a garden, drainage becomes a key component. Any container you buy needs to be spacious and have holes that can drain water. You might have to drill holes on your own if there were none. Terra cotta and ceramic pots are heavy, and they dry out quickly, requiring more watering. Therefore, rice pots, plastic, or fabric bags would be the best option.

Change Pot’s Positions

Keep on rolling your pots so that all the plant gets sufficient sunlight.

Regular Pruning

Balcony plants need regular pruning to avoid overgrowth, which can be a great hurdle for your indoor gardening project. 

Fertilizing

It is important to fertilize plants regularly to encourage their growth and freshness.

Vertical Gardening

In vertical gardening, the plants are grown upwards instead of outwards, resulting in fewer problems and making gardening easier on you. Vertical gardening is the best option for a small space like a balcony. It could be just one railing planter with soil or an entire wall of stackers with plants.

Boxes can also be attached directly to your balcony railing, but be aware that they may fall if you live in a windy area. It is best to use bungee cords to secure such containers.

How To Water Plants On A Balcony 2
via Freepik

Tips On How To Water Plants On A Balcony Successfully

One of the biggest problems with a balcony garden is drainage; fortunately, there are many solutions to this problem. You’ll learn how to water plants on a balcony based on the following key factors to consider.

1.      Put Saucers Under Pots

The easiest one is to put plant saucers filled with pebbles under every pot and make sure each pot has a hole at the bottom. It will initiate good drainage of your leafy greens while also keeping the water to create a pool in that area.

2.      Use Large Containers

It is best to use capacious containers with maximum capacity to withhold soil and water. Smaller pots need more frequent maintenance as compared to the bigger ones.

3.      Best Time To Water

Potted plants need watering once every 2-3 days, depending on the weather conditions. The best time to water your plants is in the morning or evening when it’s not too hot. Plant roots need a lot more time to soak up water at these times, and water doesn’t evaporate from soil quickly.

4.      Use Self-watering Containers

Self-watering containers wick water from the reservoir underneath to keep your plants hydrated consistently. You can easily find these containers at nearby nurseries or online stores. Here are some well-known plant self-watering containers.

Drip Irrigation. Drip Irrigation is a simple self-watering method in which you install a water drip system. It supplies water to all your plants periodically with a pump. This method is best for your balcony plants as they need slow and thorough watering draining out the excess water at the bottom of the container.

Water Globes. Water globes are glass, metal, clay, or plastic spheres with a long stem. The stem has a small hole at its end that gradually dispenses water to ensure it uniformly reaches your plant.

You can also use a spiral hose, watering can, hosepipe, and woes.

5.      Use Mulch

One way to improve your balcony plant drainage is with mulch. A layer of mulch on the soil keeps it moist and prevents water loss through evaporation. You can use bark, leaves, wood chips, gravel, and pebbles as a mulch for your balcony plants.

6.      Consider Humidity

If you live in a humid area, there is no need for frequent watering. If it rains a lot near your plants, you need to water them after 2–3-day intervals. Moreover, it would help if you kept plants out of sunny spots.

Since a plant in a very sunny spot will continually dry out, think about moving the container to shady spots on your balcony.

Tips To Grow Healthy Balcony Plants

If you want to grow a healthy plant, you must know how often to water it. The amount of water your balcony plant needs will depend on the type of plant and the location. Here are some general guidelines to keep your balcony plants healthy:

  • Water regularly and properly by following the tips mentioned above.
  • Give sunlight according to the requirements of the plants. Some may require full sun (6-8 hours of direct sunlight), while others fall in the partial sun category (4-6 hours of direct sun).
  • Use fluorescent lights or grow lights to provide light for the plants when natural light is scarce during the winter months.
  • It is important to choose smaller plant varieties if your balcony has limited space. You can consult the labels or seed packets to check how long each plant gets.
  • Another tip is to opt for the plants that take up wall space instead of floor space. It is helpful when your balcony has little space. 
  • Place multiple pots so that they are all evenly spaced and get equal light and air.

Conclusion

Check your balcony garden daily for signs of water shortage. Stick a finger into the potting soil, and if you can feel dry soil on your finger, you should water it. Our comprehensive guide will help you with how to water plants on a balcony.

Go to your balcony and water your plants with these helpful tips. Don’t forget to provide us with feedback!

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