Best Plants for Small Gardens
Make the most of a tiny outdoor space. Plants and design ideas for small gardens, balconies and courtyards - climbers, containers, year-round interest - and the balcony basics of weight, wind and watering, following the RHS.
A small garden, balcony or courtyard isn’t a lesser garden. The Royal Horticultural Society’s advice on planting small spaces is that small spaces have to work hard, so it pays to think about year-round interest and to use every direction - up, along, around and through. This guide follows the RHS pages on planting design for small spaces and on roof gardens and balconies.
The golden rule: go vertical
The RHS suggests thinking vertically:
- Climbers on walls and fences. The RHS names roses, wisteria and honeysuckle, and training fruit trees along walls. Use the biggest pot you can fit, to give them plenty of soil: it is a long-term investment. Our star jasmine and clematis guides cover two more climbers.
- Railings. Planters made to fit over balcony railings also give privacy; plants “on the edge” are exposed to strong winds and other extremes, so choose tough plants.
- Shelves and staging. Shelving fixed to walls or freestanding takes plants up a level; staging shows off each plant, and houseplants can spend the warmer months outside on it.
- Hanging baskets. Useful where floor space is short; annuals work well, and you can grow crops such as tomatoes. Use the biggest size you can, as they dry out quickly, and feed them once the compost’s nutrients run out.
Choose plants that earn their place
- Year-round interest. The RHS suggests a mix of evergreens, spring bulbs, summer perennials and autumn colour or texture, so something draws the eye through the seasons. One perfect evergreen, such as a dwarf pine, can be a focal point.
- Plants you can’t grow in your soil. Pots let you choose the soil: the RHS gives the example of rhododendrons and camellias in ericaceous compost where clay soil dominates.
- A collection. The RHS suggests showing off a favourite group, such as auriculas in a “theatre”, snowdrops, irises, echeverias or even bonsai.
- Edibles. Pots are easy to tend for an edible garden: you can check them daily, feed and water each to its needs, and replace annual crops through the season. Our vegetable growing guides cover each crop.
- The gaps. Spreading, groundcover plants suit the nooks where you think nothing will grow, thriving on poor soil and good drainage; some can even be walked on.
A small tree such as a Japanese maple is another option for a courtyard or a large pot; its guide covers size and position.
Balconies and roof gardens: the basics
The RHS lists the points to check first:
- Weight. Large containers full of compost and plants weigh a considerable amount, as do people, and balconies suspended from the building have strict weight limits. Check how much weight the structure can take before you start, and place heavy containers near load-bearing walls or over beams.
- Wind and sun. These are the main limits. Use existing shelter; if you put up screens, slatted or mesh screens filter the wind, while solid walls can cause turbulence on the sheltered side. Make sure fixings are well supported.
- Rain shadow. An overhang from the balcony above can stop rain reaching the containers.
- Containers. Use lightweight containers with plenty of drainage holes, and make them a good width and depth, because containers dry out fast in hot, windy weather. In small containers, non-porous materials (plastic, metal, fibreglass) lose less moisture than terracotta.
- Compost. Soil-based compost holds water better than a peat-substitute mix but is heavier; if you use a lighter mix, the container may need fixing so it doesn’t blow over.
Practical small-space care
- Water all year. The RHS says containerised plants on roofs and balconies need watering all year except in freezing weather, often twice a day or more in summer, and that leaf scorch can happen even in well-watered plants. Consider an irrigation system for larger areas.
- Raise containers off the ground so the roots don’t get waterlogged (RHS).
- Repot when the roots are congested, in spring (RHS).
- Feed container plants, especially hanging baskets, once the compost’s nutrients are used up (RHS).
Frequently asked questions
What plants are best for a small garden?
Plants that work hard: the RHS suggests a mix of evergreens, spring bulbs, summer perennials and autumn colour, climbers for the walls, and a single evergreen such as a dwarf pine as a focal point.
What can I grow on a balcony?
Tough plants that cope with wind and sun, in lightweight containers with good drainage, plus climbers and railing planters for vertical space. Check the weight limit first (RHS).
Should I use lots of small pots or a few big ones?
The RHS suggests containers of a good width and depth, because they dry out fast in wind and sun; for climbers, the biggest pot you can fit.
Can I grow vegetables in a small space?
Yes: the RHS says pots are perfect for an edible garden, and hanging baskets can even grow tomatoes.
Sources
- Royal Horticultural Society, Planting design for small garden spaces and Roof gardens and balcony ideas. Read 28 October 2026.
Recommended Gear on Amazon
- Balcony railing planters - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Lightweight planters - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
- Vertical garden planter - browse current options and reviews on Amazon.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases - at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep producing free, in-depth guides.