Best Balcony Plants for Low Sunlight – Easy Shade-Loving Ideas
If your balcony hardly gets any direct sunlight, you’re not alone. My first apartment had a north-facing balcony that stayed bright but never really sunny, and I honestly thought I could never have a proper balcony garden there.
Slowly, I started experimenting with low-light and shade-loving plants, and today that same balcony feels like a cosy green corner. The plants may not grow as fast as in full sun, but they look lush, calming and surprisingly low-maintenance.
In this guide, I’m sharing the balcony plants that worked best for me in low sunlight, how I arranged them, and simple care tips that actually fit a busy schedule. If your balcony gets moderate or mixed light, you can also read my Balcony Gardening Setup Guide for a full layout plan, or explore Indoor Plants for Low Light to mix indoor and balcony greenery together.
Understanding “Low Sunlight” on a Balcony
Before choosing plants, it helps to understand what low sunlight really means. Your balcony might still be bright with indirect light, even if the sun never directly hits the floor.
- Bright indirect light: The space is well lit, but the sun doesn’t shine directly on plants.
- Low light: Your balcony is bright only for a few hours or mostly shaded by buildings/trees.
- Very low light: Mostly dim, especially in winter or ground-floor situations.
Most low-light balcony plants prefer bright, indirect light and will struggle in dark corners. So I usually place the toughest plants in the deepest shade and more delicate ones near the outer edge.
1. Money Plant (Pothos) – My Favourite Balcony Climber
If I had to choose only one plant for a low-sunlight balcony, it would be the money plant. I love how flexible it is – you can grow it in pots, hanging baskets, bottles or even vertical planters.
On my balcony, I use pothos as:
- A trailing plant from hanging pots.
- A climber on a simple jute string or mesh.
- A filler plant in corners that look empty.
It forgives irregular watering, adapts to different light conditions and instantly adds a lush, tropical feel.
2. Snake Plant – The Toughest Low-Light Balcony Plant
The snake plant is another hero for low-sun spaces. It stands tall, looks stylish and needs very little care. I personally love keeping it in medium-sized pots in balcony corners that get hardly any direct light.
Why I love snake plant for balconies:
- Survives low light easily.
- Needs very little watering.
- Looks neat and modern, even if you have a small space.
You’ll also see it mentioned in my Low-Light Indoor Plants Guide, because it works just as well inside the home.
3. ZZ Plant – Almost Unkillable in Shade
The ZZ plant has become one of my favourite “lazy gardener” plants. It has shiny leaves, looks very polished and can tolerate quite low light.
On a balcony, I usually keep ZZ plants:
- Near the wall where light is softer.
- In decorative pots to add a premium look.
- As anchor plants in the corners of a seating area.
Just avoid overwatering. Let the soil dry between waterings and it will quietly stay happy.
4. Ferns – For a Soft, Forest-Like Balcony Vibe
If your balcony feels humid and shaded, ferns can make it look like a mini forest. They love indirect light, soft air and regular moisture.
I usually grow:
- Boston ferns in hanging baskets.
- Smaller ferns in wall planters and shelves.
They need consistent watering, so I keep them where I can see them daily and quickly check the soil.
5. Peace Lily – Low-Light Flowering Beauty
If you want flowers in a low-sun balcony, peace lily is a great choice. It doesn’t bloom constantly, but when it does, the white flowers look very elegant against the deep green leaves.
It prefers:
- Bright but indirect light.
- Evenly moist soil (but not soggy).
- A slightly sheltered corner away from harsh wind.
6. Shade-Loving Herbs You Can Try
We usually think herbs need strong sun, but some of them actually manage well in partial shade, especially in cooler climates.
On a low-light balcony, you can try:
- Mint – surprisingly forgiving and spreads easily.
- Coriander – may grow slower, but still possible in bright shade.
- Parsley – handles lower light better than many herbs.
If you’re specifically interested in herbs, you’ll enjoy my Best Indoor Herbs and How I Grow Kitchen Herbs Indoors for more ideas.
7. Trailing & Hanging Plants for Shady Balconies
To make a low-sunlight balcony feel fuller without eating up floor space, I rely heavily on trailing and hanging plants:
- Money plant varieties
- Spider plant
- Heart-leaf philodendron
They look beautiful from every angle and help draw the eye upwards, making the balcony feel taller and more spacious.
8. How I Arrange Plants on a Low-Sunlight Balcony
The arrangement matters a lot when you’re working with limited light. On my balcony, I usually follow this pattern:
- Outer edge: Plants that can handle slightly more light like mint and peace lily.
- Middle: Money plant, ferns, spider plant in hanging pots or wall planters.
- Back wall / corners: Snake plant, ZZ plant and other tougher shade plants.
If you also struggle with height and space, pairing these ideas with Vertical Gardening Ideas gives you a lot more flexibility.
9. Watering Tips for Shade-Loving Balcony Plants
Because low-light areas stay moist longer, it’s very easy to overwater plants on a shady balcony.
What I personally follow:
- I always check soil with my finger before watering.
- I water less frequently but more deeply.
- I use pots with proper drainage holes and a light potting mix.
Over time, you’ll develop a sense of which plant likes what. For example, ferns like more moisture, while snake plants like to stay dry most of the time.
10. Simple Potting Mix for Low-Light Balcony Plants
Most of my shade-loving balcony plants do well in a mix like this:
- 40% good quality potting soil
- 30% cocopeat for moisture balance
- 20% compost for nutrition
- 10% perlite or sand for better drainage
I refresh the top layer with compost every few months instead of repotting everything frequently.
11. Extra Ways to Brighten a Low-Sun Balcony Garden
Even if the light is low, your balcony doesn’t have to look dull. A few small touches made a huge difference to mine:
- Light-coloured pots to reflect brightness.
- Fairy lights around the railing.
- One small chair or stool to sit and enjoy the view.
- Vertical shelves to add different heights.
Combined with shade-loving plants, the balcony feels more like a cosy outdoor room than just a utility area.
Final Thoughts – You Don’t Need Full Sun to Have a Green Balcony
If you’ve been telling yourself, “My balcony doesn’t get enough light for plants,” I hope this guide shows you that there are still plenty of options.
Start with a couple of easy plants like money plant, snake plant or ZZ plant. See how they respond to your balcony’s light and watering pattern, and then slowly expand from there. You can always mix these shade-loving plants with micro setups from my Microgreens for Beginners if you want something harvestable too.
Even a small, low-light balcony can feel alive, calming and green with the right plant choices. 🌿
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