5 Easy Flowering Plants to Grow in Summer on Your Terrace or Balcony
While foliage plants add a sense of calmness to a garden, flowers are excellent for instantly brightening a space and adding vibrancy. However, growing flowering plants in the summer poses challenges, such as extreme heat and water shortages. The key to success is choosing the right type of plants to grow. Picking drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, easy-to-grow plants that require minimal care can ensure beautiful blooms throughout the summer. Here are the best choices to grow in your terrace garden during hot weather and with minimal watering.
1. Portulaca or Moss Rose
If you’re looking for a hardy plant with flowers in vibrant colours like yellow, pink, red, and white, Portulaca (also known as Moss Rose) should be your choice. These plants can tolerate dry conditions and intense heat, as their fleshy, succulent-like leaves store moisture, making them perfect for growing on terraces or balcony gardens.
Tips:
- Place portulaca plants in full sun to optimise blooms
- Grow them in railing pots or hanging baskets, and water them minimally as they prefer dry soil.
2. Periwinkle or Vinca
Periwinkle, also known as Vinca, is another summer flowering plant that flourishes in dry and hot conditions. Its small, star-shaped flowers come in pink, white, and purple. Vinca thrives in full sun or partial shade, making them ideal for terraces and balconies with direct sunlight for a few hours daily. Their pest-resistant qualities make them an excellent option for new plant parents.
Tips:
- Grow them in railing planters, pots, or vertical gardens where they get adequate sunlight
- Water minimally as Vinca plants are drought-tolerant
3. Marigold
A staple in most gardens due to their vibrant orange or yellow blooms and pest-repellent qualities, Marigolds, with their long-lasting blooms, are a must-have in any summer garden. They are incredibly easy to grow, require minimal maintenance, and thrive in hot weather. These plants require full sun to bloom and can tolerate dry spells.
Tips:
- Grow marigolds in pots or raised planter beds on the terrace or balcony
- Plant them as companions to tomatoes or other vegetables growing in your garden
4. Bougainvillaea
Bougainvillea is ideal if you want a summer bloom with a stunning visual. These plants come in orange, white, pink, and magenta. Some grafted varieties have more than one colour on a single plant. Bougainvillaea can be grown in large pots, trailed on trellises, or as hedges. They can also be trailed to provide a natural green cover over a pergola. They are sun-loving plants that can be easily grown from cuttings.
Tips:
- Grow bougainvillea in full sun
- Water the plants deeply, and then do not water until the top one inch of the soil feels dry. These plants bloom better when watered infrequently.
5. Zinnia
Bright and cheerful Zinnias can add beauty and life to any summer garden. They are fast-growing and come in several colours: red, yellow, pink, and orange. The flowers can be easily grown from seeds and are excellent for pollination as they attract butterflies, enhancing your garden’s natural ecosystem. You can grow zinnias in pots or as border plants in planters to attract pollinators.
Tips:
- Plant zinnias in well-draining soil in a full-sun location
- Water minimally to encourage flowering
Growing summer flowers in your terrace or balcony garden doesn’t require much effort or water if you select the right plants. Choosing drought-tolerant flowering plants like the 5 mentioned here will let you enjoy a burst of colour in your garden space even during peak summer months. So, how about planning your summer garden immediately to transform your outdoor space into a blooming paradise?
