Hogarissimo / Balconies & plants
Thoughtful ideas to help you make practical decisions and use what you have.
Balconies & plants
A small balcony can become a comfortable place to sit without acquiring a full set of outdoor furniture. Start with what you would actually do there on an ordinary afternoon, rather than everything a photograph manages to include.
Balconies & plants
The shade you need depends on when you use the balcony. Before choosing an awning or screen, watch the light from the actual seat at several points through the day.
Balconies & plants
Terracotta changes more than a plant's appearance. Its porosity, weight and behaviour outdoors affect watering and the places where a pot will work well.
Balconies & plants
The hole in a pot's base and the saucer beneath it do different jobs. One allows excess water to leave; the other protects the supporting surface while you collect that water. Check both before planting.
Balconies & plants
A small herb corner works better with two plants you use than six pots chosen for their appearance. Begin with the light available and the ingredients you regularly cook with.
Balconies & plants
Choosing a plant to fill a gap on a shelf often reverses the useful order. Observe the light in that position first, then look for a species that can live there.
Balconies & plants
A date on the calendar cannot tell the whole watering story. Before adding water, inspect the growing medium and relate what you find to the needs of that particular plant.
Balconies & plants
Repotting is not a seasonal reward that every plant needs each spring. Look at the root ball and the growing medium's behaviour before choosing a larger container.
Balconies & plants
Balcony privacy does not always require covering the entire railing. First establish where people can see the seat from and which part of the space you actually want to screen.
Balconies & plants
An outdoor cushion may tolerate some splashes without being designed to stay soaked. Sensible storage starts with its care label and a place where the whole cushion can dry thoroughly.
Balconies & plants
On a narrow balcony, a table must leave space for knees and for standing up. The tabletop dimensions tell only part of the story when you are trying to fit two chairs.
Balconies & plants
Dust is especially noticeable on large leaves, but cleaning should suit their surface. A soft cloth may work on a smooth leaf and be inappropriate for one covered in fine hairs.
Balconies & plants
Before a short trip, the most useful task is establishing which pots will need attention. Not every plant requires a watering device or an extra dose of water on departure day.
Balconies & plants
Grouping plants can give a corner a sense of unity, but every pot should remain accessible. The arrangement should make inspection and watering easier rather than turning them into a dismantling job.
Balconies & plants
Wind affects both the stability of pots and how quickly their growing medium dries. A balcony that feels quiet when you step outside can receive different gusts as the hour and weather change.
Balconies & plants
A rug can make a balcony feel more welcoming, but it also adds a layer over a floor exposed to water. Before choosing pattern and colour, establish how the rug will dry and how you will clean it.
Balconies & plants
A new plant deserves a position where you can observe it before bringing it close to the others. That pause makes problems easier to notice and gives you time to learn its needs without disrupting the whole collection.
Balconies & plants
A pot's advertised diameter may be measured across the outside rim, which tells you little about whether the root ball will fit. Inspect the internal space before choosing by silhouette.
Balconies & plants
A soft light near the seat is often more pleasant than illuminating every corner of a balcony. Start by identifying where you need to see your way and where you simply want a welcoming atmosphere.
Balconies & plants
In a home with pets, choosing a plant starts with its botanical identity and the animal that will share the space. A pet-friendly phrase on a label does not replace that check.
Balconies & plants
Preparing a balcony for winter means deciding what can remain outside and what needs shelter. Cold, rain and wind do not affect every material or plant in the same way.