Summer is coming and your balcony is still bare and drab? You don't dare to buy any plants because the sun hardly shines on your balcony? No problem! There are beautiful balcony plants for the shade and we present you the best ones here. Transform your shady balcony into a real oasis.
Balcony Plant 1: Busy Lizzie
Hard-working Lizzies decorate pots, boxes and beds. They have colorful and very delicate flowers. The narrower the roots of the Lieschen are, the more magnificently they bloom.
You should keep this in mind when watering
You should always keep the hard-working Lizzie moderately moist. This shady balcony plant does not tolerate waterlogging, as in this case the stems of the plant can quickly begin to rot.
Tip: Lizzies usually don't tolerate hard water very well. Better use rainwater or some pond water.
This is how much fertilizer your shady balcony plant needs
Fertilize your industrious Lizzie every one to two weeks, but with a smaller dose. Liquid fertilizers with guano are best. You can also use long-term fertilizers that are mixed under the soil for balcony boxes. Organic fertilization, for example with horn earth, is also possible. We have written an article on Make fertilizer yourself. Here you will learn how to independently produce fertilizer from simple things.
Can this plant overwinter?
These balcony plants are usually cultivated as annuals. It is therefore not worth overwintering them. If you still want to try, then you should bring your Lizzies into your apartment as early as September. The optimal winter temperatures are between 15 and 20°C. The room should also be bright. You don't have to fertilize them in winter, and they should hardly get any water during the cold months.
Balcony plant 2: fuchsias
Fuchsias originally come from the rainforests of Central and South America. They have also been popular in European gardens since the 18th century.
Your fuchsia needs this much water
Fuchsias love moisture, so the root ball should never dry out. They also like high humidity. So feel free to spray them with a little water from time to time, they will thank you. Fuchsias thrive particularly well on warm and rainy days in summer. If it's too hot and sunny you should water them at least twice a day, preferably in the morning and evening.
Fertilize fuchsia: that's how much she needs
The beautiful flowers of the fuchsia need a lot of strength. To support it, you should fertilize the plant at least every three to four weeks. A commercially available liquid fertilizer is sufficient, but to make it as environmentally friendly as possible, you can also use our organic fertilizer Blümchenfutter.
Will your fuchsia bloom next year?
Fuchsias are usually not hardy here, so you have to bring them into your apartment during the cold winter months. Optimum winter temperatures are between 10 and 14°C. If you overwinter in dark rooms, you should cut back your fuchsia beforehand. It will shed all its leaves, but don't worry, it will reliably sprout again in the spring. During the winter, your fuchsia will no longer need to be fertilized and watering will need to be reduced as well.
Would you like to overwinter other plants? Then take a look at our article on Overwintering plants, you will find lots of useful tips here.
Balcony plant 3: Begonias
Watering the begonia: You should pay attention to this
Begonias are very thirsty shade balcony plants. They can die of thirst very quickly, especially on hot summer days. Therefore, water them sufficiently, but avoid waterlogging. This is much more damaging to the begonia than standing dry for a short time.
Does the begonia survive the winter?
Yes, you can easily bring your begonias through the winter. The rule of thumb here is: the warmer the room, the brighter it should be. If the plant has too little light in winter, the leaves fall off. To give her a little help, you can easily buy a plant lamp. The begonia also needs very little water in winter and absolutely no fertilizer. With the low temperatures, it takes a break and therefore has a lower need for water and nutrients.
Balcony plant 4: Primroses
Primroses are incredibly beautiful flowering plants. They can delight you as early as spring, and some species bloom into late summer. Since many types of primroses prefer partial shade, for example orchid primroses and carnival primroses, they are perfect as a balcony plant in the shade.
You should keep this in mind when watering your primroses
Most primroses don't like completely dry soil. They like it a bit wetter, so the soil should never dry out completely. It is important to water as often as possible, because the lighter the plants are, the more water they need. However, it is essential to avoid waterlogging here.
How much fertilizer does your primrose need?
Primroses are happy about a load of flower fertilizer in spring. Further fertilizing throughout the year is then usually not necessary. If you still have the feeling that you need to support them a little, then you can of course provide the primula with some fertilizer. To save money and protect the environment, you can easily make fertilizer yourself. You can find out how to do this in our article on Make your own fertilizer.
Overwintering primroses - is that possible?
Primroses are sufficiently hardy. You can even plant them in the bed in winter, but only if they have been grown outdoors. The plants that you get offered at the hardware store or discounter at the beginning of the year were mostly grown in the greenhouse. These are not hardened and do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures. In winter you have to water the primroses little and absolutely not fertilize. If you have robust primroses, you can simply wrap them up with some fleece and they will survive the winter without any problems.
So having a balcony in the shade isn't as bad as you think. There are always plants that like to grow away from the sun. There are also hanging balcony plants that prefer shade, such as ivy.
Are you still looking for plants for your apartment? In our shop you will find beautiful indoor plants. Feel free to stop by and get inspired.
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