How to Grow Herbs on a West Facing Balcony

Growing herbs on a balcony can be a challenge.

Growing herbs on a balcony can be a challenge, but if you have the time and dedication, it can be very rewarding. A west-facing balcony poses the challenge of scorching heat and intense sunlight, especially during the summer. Provide the herb plants with plenty of water and protection for them to thrive in a balcony setting. Appropriate care will ensure that the herbs grow healthy and strong, producing the seasonings for many favorite dishes.

Things You'll Need

• 4-inch pots
• Sterile potting soil
• Plexiglass
• Shade cloth
• Stakes

Instructions

1. Fill 4-inch pots with sterile potting soil to within 1 inch of the top of the pot. Plant one herb plant per pot. Make sure that the leaves of each herb plant are above the soil line.

2. Water the herb plants generously, allowing the water to flow through the soil and out the drainage holes in the pots. Keep the soil moist at all times, but not wet. Check the soil for moisture daily.

3. Protect the herb plants from the westerly winds that will most likely hit the balcony. Attach a piece of clear acrylic glass to the west-facing balcony to help shield the wind. Drill a hole into each corner of the acrylic glass and run a piece of wire through each of the holes to attach it to the balcony.

4. Pinch off any dead or damaged leaves and stems. Remove spent leaves and stems to encourage growth. Cover the leaves of herbs that could get scorched from too much sunlight on the west-facing balcony.

Tips & Warnings

• Drive a stake into each pot and lay a piece of shade cloth over the stakes to filter the sunlight on the west-facing balcony.

• Choose herbs that are hardy in your USDA hardiness zone.

• Do not over-water the herb plants. While watering is essential to the herbs, especially when they are in the hot sun, too much water can cause the roots to become diseased.

• Provide just enough water for the soil to remain continuously moist. Do not water so much that the water pools on top of the soil.

• The late afternoon sun on a west-facing balcony can cause the plants to dry out faster than normal, most likely necessitating the need to water the herbs daily to keep them healthy.

References

• The Lifestyle Channel: Herb Garden on the Balcony
• The Sydney Morning Herald: Green Scene on a Balcony

Resources

• Bonnie Plants: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map
• Grower's Supply: Shade Houses and Shade Cloth