7 rare and unique plants to grow in your balcony garden

Balcony gardening is a good way to incorporate nature in a concrete area by infusing beauty, colour, and fragrance to balconies. While most people cultivate usual balcony garden plants such as basil and marigold, there are some rare and unusual specimens that can grow in containers to turn balconies into a special paradise of nature. Planting such species not only brings beauty to a garden but also allows a viewer to experience new shapes and peculiarities that are hard to come by. Below are seven such unique plants that can be grown in balcony garden:

The Hoya carnosa is an uncommon climber that has fleshy leaves and star-shaped flowers that have a sweet aroma. The plant is native to eastern Asia and can be kept as a container plant that can be hung for display on the balcony if the balcony receives indirect sunlight illumination. Hoyas are considered low-maintenance climbers that can climb vertically or be hung to add to the beauty of your interior environment.

Tradescantia pallida is commonly known as Purple Heart, with rich purple foliage great for contrast in any container garden. It accepts both sun and partial shade, and it is a trailing plant perfect for hanging baskets or railing planters. Even in bright light, the vibrant leaves stay coloured for dramatic visual appeal on your balcony.

The Firecracker plant gets its name from a profusion of thin, red tubular flowers that resemble tiny fireworks when in bloom. It does very well in containers or hanging baskets, cascading down with abandon to create a riotous curtain of colour. Full of nectar-feeding insects and birds, this plant offers beauty and biodiversity to your balcony garden.

Aurinia saxatilis, or Basket of gold, is a dwarf, spring-blooming perennial that produces bright-yellow flowers. It is suitable for planting in large containers or troughs, requiring drainage and full sun. Aurinia saxatilis is unique to balcony garden planting because of the flowers’ bright colours, which add joy to balcony garden arrangements, in addition to being mound-forming, which looks nice around containers.

Kalanchoe longiflora is a striking succulent species with colourful leaves that come in multiple colours. The flower has a unique shape that stands out particularly well within a balcony garden. In addition to being low maintenance, the Kalanchoe Longiflora succulent is also drought-resistant, perfect for areas with low sunlight as well as for gardens intended to be maintained with minimum water.

The clematis vine is strikingly beautiful and adds vertical height to balconies with its large flowers that can be white, purple, or pink. The flowers can be used to grow a stunning floral wall for balconies by training them to grow along balconies. Additionally, the flowers can be trained to grow along a trellis.

Heucheras, also known as Coral Bells, are popular for the colourful leaves that vary in accordance with the seasons from burgundy to lime green. Heucheras are dwarf plants and do well in pots, requiring partial shades for optimal growing conditions. They are great additions to balconies for the striking leaves that blend well with flowering plants.

Adding rare species of plants to your balcony garden contributes not only to its beauty but to having a fascinating space that differentiates you from others. When you choose to plant Clematis, which grows as a creeper, or colourfully leafed plants such as Purple Heart and Heucheras, you will be creating a paradise in your balcony. Plants such as these are ideal for planters that requires limited space.

Image Credits: Canva