Why North Facing Balconies Need a Different Approach

A north facing balcony is often dismissed as too gloomy and wind-whipped for anything to grow. In fact, it is one of the most rewarding spots to garden, provided you choose plants that enjoy cool, shaded conditions. The light is soft and indirect, the air is damper than a south facing spot, and winter can feel raw and exposed. Work with these conditions rather than fighting them, and think of the woodland floor or a sheltered courtyard. Ferns, hostas and ivies are the backbone of such a display, tolerating low light and buffeting wind while giving lush foliage and year-round structure.

The Best Plants for Low Light and Wind

Start with plants that are genuinely tough. These are the ones I return to again and again.

• Ferns – Dryopteris and Polystichum are evergreen or semi-evergreen and shrug off wind. Athyrium is softer but lovely in a sheltered corner. They love moist, humus-rich compost and cope with a few hours of weak sun.
• Hostas – Available in sizes from tiny to dramatic, they bring bold, architectural leaves. They prefer consistent moisture and protection from the worst wind, which shreds large leaves. On a balcony, slugs and snails are less troublesome than in the ground, but still check pots regularly.
• Ivies – Hedera helix and its cultivars are superb for trailing over a pot or clothing a trellis. They are extremely wind tolerant and grow in deep shade. Stick to green-leaved types for the darkest spots, as variegated forms need more light to keep their colour.

To widen the palette, add heucheras for colourful foliage, liriope for grassy texture, snowdrops and cyclamen for winter flowers, and ajuga as a low-growing filler. All are happy in shade and cope well in containers.

Compost and Containers: Getting the Foundations Right

Weight is the biggest consideration on a balcony. You need compost that holds moisture without becoming a sodden, heavy block. A peat-free multipurpose compost mixed with around 20 per cent horticultural grit or perlite is ideal: it drains freely, stays light, and gives roots the air they need. If your balcony is very exposed, add a little loam-based compost for stability, but keep the mix predominantly lightweight.

Choose containers with plenty of drainage holes. Terracotta is handsome and heavy enough to resist wind, though it dries out faster than glazed or plastic pots. Whatever you use, raise pots on feet. This lifts the base clear of the balcony floor so water drains away freely during wet spells. It also improves air circulation around the pot, helping to prevent root rot. Pot feet are inexpensive and make a real difference, especially in autumn and winter.

Wind, Shelter and Microclimate

North facing balconies can funnel wind, especially on upper floors. A solid screen creates damaging turbulence, so use a permeable windbreak instead: woven willow, a slatted trellis, or a row of sturdy evergreens. Grouping pots together creates a microclimate, raising humidity and shielding foliage from the worst gusts. Put delicate plants in the most sheltered corner and the toughest ferns and ivies on the outer edge.

Check that tall plants are not rocking, as this damages roots. Firm them in gently and consider a heavier pot or a layer of stones on the compost surface to add ballast.

Watering, Feeding and Aftercare

North facing containers dry out more slowly than those in full sun, but they are not self-watering. Check the compost weekly with your finger and water when the top few centimetres feel dry. In summer, you may still need to water every few days, particularly if the balcony catches a breeze. In winter, ease off and let the compost stay on the dry side.

Feed ferns and hostas with a balanced liquid feed every fortnight from spring to midsummer. Ivies are less demanding but benefit from a slow-release fertiliser in spring. Remove dead or damaged fronds and leaves as you see them, and trim ivy to keep it within bounds. Slugs and snails can still find hostas, so check under pots and around the rim after rain.

Seasonal Interest and Common Problems

A north facing balcony can look good all year. In spring, underplant ferns with snowdrops and cyclamen. In summer, hostas and heucheras provide colour and texture. In autumn, ivy comes into its own and fern fronds turn bronze. Winter is the time for evergreen structure, perhaps with winter-flowering heathers or a small skimmia.

Watch for yellowing leaves, which usually signal waterlogged compost. Raise the pot higher on its feet, check the drainage holes, and repot into fresh gritty mix if the problem persists. Wind-scorched leaves can be trimmed away, and a permeable screen will prevent further damage. With the right plants and a little care, your north facing balcony will be every bit as lush as a sunny one, just in a cooler, greener key.