Balcony Gardening – Easy & Fun!
You can grow beautiful and interesting succulents and cacti on your balcony, porch or patio as indoor/outdoor houseplants. It’s easy and fun! Truth be told, the biggest danger is becoming helplessly addicted to collecting so many unique and different plants.
Agaves, cacti, and most succulents require minimal care or effort. Even “brown thumb” gardeners can raise these plants successfully. There are as many different and artistic containers to choose from as there are types of plants. Some people prefer to go monochromatic with different sized pots all of the same basic color and shape. Others mix it up and search for that one perfect, unique pot for that one special new plant. Make sure the pots you choose provide adequate drainage, and always pot plants using fresh, sterile, well-draining premium soil mix.
Winter’s Cold
If you live in a cold climate (USDA zone 6 or lower) make sure you don’t leave containers out through the winter. Many frost and cold tolerant varieties are available; however, for outdoor container plants, the rule of thumb is that it should be at least 1-2 zones cold hardier than your zone. This is due to the potential for the above ground root ball freezing solid. In the fall prior to first frost, transition your pots & plants to an inside, frost-free area.
In the fall, as natural day length shortens, the plant’s metabolism and growth will slow down. Slower growth means these plants require less water. Therefore, starting in late summer to fall, allow the soil to dry out more between waterings to help prepare them for moving indoors. Exactly when and how you do this will depend on your actual location, the type or variety of plant, soil conditions, etc., but this is easy to learn and adjust to. While plants are indoors, keep them in bright light near a well-lit window or utilize LED grow lights with the proper on/off sequence.
The Sky’s the Limit.
Due to the dizzying number of options and varieties, gardeners or collectors can easily become overwhelmed, especially new gardeners. Since it is easy to slip into choice paralysis when you start looking at plants online, we’ve put together a valuable list of varieties that are readily available, easy to grow and have immediate visual impact. Your options are only limited by your imagination and maybe the size of your balcony, otherwise the sky’s the limit.
Agave parryi v. truncata – USDA zones 7-11 These powder blue wide leaf agaves are considered some of the finest sculptural Agave specimens available. Commonly known as Artichoke Agave, due to their natural rounded shape, they produce black marginal teeth and have a 1 in. long, often wavy dark terminal spine that contrasts nicely against the blue-gray leaf color. These plants have an ideal shape for a low or squat bowl. Water semi-regularly in spring to summer and rarely during fall through winter.
Agave bracteosa – Squid Agave – USDA zones 8-11 Very aptly named, Squid Agaves look more like a sea creature than a plant. In their native habitat they form large colonies, often found hanging off the edge of limestone cliffs in Northern Mexico. They are extremely adaptable succulent plants tolerating full sun to nearly full shade. Easy to grow in pots due to their adaptability and are moderately fast growing. When they are happy, they will sucker or pup around their base. The leaves can break, so keep them up and out of harm’s way from pets or kid traffic. Plant in good, fresh well-drained soil. They are not fussy about water, just allow soil to dry some between waterings and they’ll be happy.
Agave schidigera ‘Royal Flush’ – USDA zones 8-11 Compact growing ‘Royal Flush’ Agave has short green leaves with a attractive variegation of cream and gold. They have tiny, sharp terminal spines, but no marginal teeth. Instead, the white leaf edges tear off as they grow which creates an adorable fuzzy appearance. They end up looking like a ball of green & gold fuzz. They are slow-growing and adapt very well to containers, remaining content for several seasons. Low water & maintenance makes them perfect container plants. Water them once or twice per month in the spring and summer and only about twice total from Oct. to Feb.
Aloe maculata – Tiger aloe – USDA zones 8-11 Like other Aloes, these are popular for their well-behaved growth habit, striking leaf stripes, and for their colorful spring blooms that hummingbirds can’t resist. Easy to grow, and well- adapted to containers. Water occasionally during warm weather months, and rarely during fall & winter. Once they overflow their pot, divide them up and gift the pups to your friends, neighbors or family.
Mangave x ‘Lavender Lady’ – USDA zones 8-11 Mangaves are a rare intergeneric cross between Manfreda and Agave, which allows them to grow faster than Agaves. Due to their adaptability, and easy care they make perfect houseplants anywhere. They have softer leaves than Agaves but a similar shape and growth habit. ‘Lavender Lady’ features wide, elegantly soft green leaves with tiny burgundy spots. In full sun, cooler temps or drought these spots become more pronounced, with the entire plant taking on a light lavender color. (PP29,194)
Echinocactus grusonii – Golden Barrel – USDA zones 9-12 The fleshy ribs are dark green, but as the spines have a bright golden color. They are a perennial favorite of cacti collectors due to how easy they are to care for and grow in containers. As a true cactus, they require little water throughout the year. In well-drained soil they can tolerate a bit more moisture, but only need it to grow in size and girth during the summer. They are slow growing and long-lived. They prefer bright light and sunshine to grow well.
