Which plants for an exotic balcony?

For a south-facing balcony

A south-facing balcony offers the most plant possibilities due to the sunlight and higher temperatures it receives. It allows for the installation of both lush plants for a jungle effect, cacti for a more subdued, Mediterranean, or dry garden decor, and spectacular flowering. In a south-facing position, you should choose plants that are particularly drought-resistant, as pot cultivation and the heat reflected from a mineralised space can put perennial plants or bushes to the test during the height of summer.

• The smallest palms that form a stipe will take up less space on medium-sized balconies. For example, consider the miniature palm Trachycarpus ‘Wagnerianus’, which grows very slowly and has a reduced spread. A Sabal minor or a Chamaerops humilis ‘Vulcano’ with a bluish hue are also well-suited for a slightly larger balcony due to their adult spread of 1.5m. However, consider that a palm planted in a pot will have much more limited growth, making it a viable option.
• Compact Agavaceae: Yucca ‘Bright Star’, variegated, and Yucca filamentosa ‘Ivory Tower’, both very hardy.
• Exuberant foliage: Musa sikkimensis ‘Red Tiger’, a Sikkim banana plant, and the sculptural Cycas revoluta in mild regions, along with many Phormiums and Cordylines elsewhere.
• Succulent plants: Compact agaves like the Parry’s Agave, which is very hardy, and Mangave ‘Silver Fox’ for mild climates, as well as an Aloe spinosissima for the originality of its spider-like rosette.
• Flowering shrubs: Hardy oleander like ‘Papa Gambetta’ and Calistemon masotti ‘Mini Red’ with very small dimensions, both of which should be reserved for milder regions.
• Evergreens: Dwarf banana (Musella lasiocarpa), small Pittosporums tenuifolium that are quite hardy, such as ‘Golf Ball’, maintained in a ball shape, for example.
• Flowering climbers and ground covers: Small-growing clematis, Delospermas that are very hardy for hanging.
• Perennials with spectacular flowering: Hedychiums, Kniphofia ‘Green Jade’ in yellow, or the stunning Kniphofia uvaria and ‘Little Maid’ in yellow, Eucomis, Agapanthus, Alstroemerias…
• Compact grasses: Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Zebra’ striped with yellow, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Little Miss’ bicoloured with red, or the graphic Cyperus longus.
• Plants reserved for mild climates: Ricinus communis, Cyperus papyrus for a complete escape…

Dwarf palm, Eucomis montana, Cycas revoluta, Agave, oleander, Yucca ‘Bright Star’, Kniphofias, and Opuntia rufida

For a north-facing balcony

Contrary to appearances, this is an exposure compatible with many exotic-looking plants that require cool soil and can tolerate low sunlight. It features a range of broad-leaved plants, often glossy, with surprising and varied shapes, always impressive, giving the balcony a lush and wild feel. Mix solid and variegated foliage. One must simply forgo dazzling blooms in warm tones in this notoriously challenging exposure and instead turn to Asian-origin plants with more discreet, yet highly ornamental, flowers. They will ensure a profusion worthy of the tropics and a green privacy screen!

• robust perennials: Dwarf Hostas to giants depending on your balcony size, stinking Hellebores with finely cut foliage or the Corsican Hellebore with leathery leaves and pistachio-green flowers, acanthuses including the stunning Acanthus mollis ‘Tasmanian Angel’ which is highly variegated, the Aspidistra elatior with its large upright leaves, the Begonia grandis to enjoy one of the most beautiful foliages on the balcony, and the Solomon’s Seal beautifully margined in white like Polygonatum falcatum ‘Variegatum’…
• graphic and evergreen shrubs: the famous Dicksonia antarctica or tree fern, the Fatsia japonica with its generous palmate leaves, the Mahonia ‘Soft Caress’, a little gem with yellow flowers in autumn, the Muehlenbeckia with tiny ultra-graphic leaves for a cascading effect, the Viburnum davidii, etc. The Aucuba is also stunning, kept in check by regular pruning; choose a beautiful variegated variety.
• ferns: always selected for their modest size, such as the Asplenium scolopendrium, the magnificent bamboo fern Coniogramme emeiensis, the exotic Cyrtomium fortunei var. clivicola, the Polystichums, etc. You can truly indulge and collect them on a north-facing balcony!
• beautiful blooms: The Typhonium and its unique flower for an atypical balcony, the Calanthes with sublime terrestrial orchids, the Hydrangea serrata ‘Grayswood’ and all the Hydrangeas serrata and involucrata with compact growth,  the Arisaemas completely unrestrained, the Corydalis, and why not some seasonal Begonias with purple or trailing foliage for hanging arrangements?

Fatsia japonica ‘Spider’s Web’, Aspidistra elatior, Hydrangea serrata ‘Grayswood’ and fern Asplenium scolopendrium

For an east-facing balcony

You can plant a variety of “tough” plants on an east-facing balcony that thrive in the north and can tolerate partial morning sunlight, such as Fatsias, Hostas, and Farfugiums, along with many Carex… and ferns. These will be particularly hardy plants to withstand east winds and morning frosts.

• graphic perennials: Equisetum japonicum, Acanthus, Farfugiums, Clivias if you have them indoors will thrive on the balcony in summer, Polemonium caeruleum ‘Brise d’Anjou’ like a fern but flowering, Euphorbia amygdaloides ‘Purpurea’, Caladiums…
• ornamental shrubs: Fatsias, Dicksonia antartica, Nandina domestica filamentosa, Pieris ‘Flaming Silver’ for its scarlet spring foliage, Choisyas even if they will flower less than in the west.
• dwarf bamboos: Pleioblastus pygmaeus ‘Distichus’, Fargesia murielae ‘Bimbo’,…
• climbers: Aristolochia kaempferi reaching 2m, Schisandra rubrifolia,
• grasses: many Carex including Carex morrowii, Ophiopogons, Acorus gramineus ‘Ogon’ bright, Hakonechloa macra
• original flowers: tubular with Corydalis (‘Lutea’ in bright yellow or ‘Fire Bird’ in red-pink, like mini orchids with Tricyrtis densely planted in containers, or a beautiful trailing Begonia like Begonia pendula ‘Pink Balcony’ for a seasonal summer effect. Finally, a well-protected Azalea can provide beautiful flowering from spring, like the surprising Spider Azalea.

Pleioblastus pygmaeus ‘Distichus’, Pieris ‘Silver Flame’, Farfugium japonicum, Dicksonia antartica and Tricyrtis

For a west-facing balcony

A west-facing balcony can accommodate plants suited to the sun that will suffer less from the heat, with softer foliage than those planted in the south.

• Shrubs: Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’ with its slender leaves presents a perfect silhouette for creating a beautiful exotic golden clump; a dwarf banana plant can also thrive in the west where it will receive enough light.
• Exotic-type flowering plants: Intermediate or low Alstroemerias that enjoy a southern exposure will develop very well in the afternoon sun, Agapanthus for pots, compact varieties like ‘Flower of Love’, and Hibiscus moecheutos with proper watering; otherwise, the stunning Hibiscus syriacus ‘Woodbridge’ with its pink flowers and red throat has a very exotic appearance.
• Climbers: Small varieties of clematis with large exuberant flowers create a beautiful tropical effect, such as Clematis ‘Westerplate’ with its velvety red flowering or the Japanese-origin climbing clematis ‘Red Star’, which flowers again in September. A sufficiently sheltered Schisandra rubrifolia can also thrive on a west-facing balcony. Finally, a Passiflora caerulea can also be installed there, or a smaller Passiflora incarnata, both exuding a tropical vibe!
• Grasses forming small clumps that are particularly exotic, such as Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Bar’ striped with cream, or dwarf bamboos like Pleioblastus viridistriatus ‘Vagans’ that are well-suited for pots…
• Hardy perennials with an exotic appearance: Phormiums such as the compact and purplish Phormium ‘Special Red’, numerous evergreen Euphorbias including Euphorbia ‘Redwing ‘Charam’, Colocasias like ‘Pink China’, and some Alocasias, etc.

Pleioblastus, Euphorbia ‘Redwing Charam’, Choisya ‘Aztec Pearl’, Alstroemeria, Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gold Bar’

Some landscaping tips

• Plant in large enough containers to protect your exotics as much as possible with the substrate.
• Many fast-growing annuals lend themselves to exoticism with their vibrant colours in both flowers and foliage. Give them a try, you can refresh your decor each year: Coleus ‘Black Prince’ in velvety black, Ipomoeas, New Guinea Impatiens…
• Don’t hesitate to take your succulents and tender houseplants outside: purple Aeoniums for contrast, all Crassulas, Kalanchoes thyrsyflorus… they will thrive on a south-facing balcony from late spring to October in most regions! In a shadier balcony, a Philodendron will do wonderfully.
• Combine tough foliage with light foliage like a David Viburnum and a slender fern or a Mahonia confusa ‘Naha Hiri’ to highlight each: jungle effect guaranteed…
• Layer your plantings: larger containers on the ground, a few pots arranged on a sturdy trellis, window boxes… to create a lush volume all around the balcony.
• Invite some bulbous plants to your balcony (anywhere except north) with unusual Fritillaries or Crinums ‘Stripe Beauty’ that are highly exotic.
• With young children, you obviously won’t want to keep all the “spiky” plants mentioned in a south-facing position…
• Finally, remember that many of the perennial plants, succulents, and shrubs presented here have a rather slow growth rate… A little patience is needed to fully escape to your balcony!
• For decor: a rattan chair, some “jungle” cushions, a mini Balinese parasol or a Thai bamboo umbrella… you’re almost there!

For an ultra-colourful exotic balcony in summer, focus on annuals (here Coleus and Ipomoea), and bring out your houseplants like Clivia!