12 Best Balcony Plants for Full Sun (Fruits, Herbs, Flowers)

The best balcony plants for full sun are compact fruiting plants, heat-tolerant herbs, and a few tough edible flowers such as chili, tomatoes, strawberries, etc.

Below I’ve selected only the best ones— only 12—that will grow well on a small balcony, give you harvests, look nice, and survive year-round with basic care.

 

Why Choosing the Right Full-Sun Plants Matters on a Balcony

Growing on a balcony is totally different from growing in the ground. You have heat reflecting from walls, railing, tiles, and sometimes wind pushing plants around. 

Meaning: you’ll have to choose plants that can survive bright light, heat, and quick-drying soil.

Most beginners make 3 mistakes:

• They choose sensitive plants.
• They use poor-quality soil (which kills balcony plants fast).
• They don’t follow simple sunlight and watering rules.

If you select the right balcony plants for full sun—and pair them with the right soil mix like I explained in my best soil for balcony plants guide—you’ll be able to grow fresh herbs, fruits, vegetables, and flowering plants right in your small space.

So let’s go directly into the list.

 

12 Best Balcony Plants for Full Sun (Fruits, Herbs, Flowers)

1. Cherry Tomatoes (Compact Balcony Varieties)

If you want one plant that will give you fresh produce continuously and take full sun like a beast, then grow cherry tomatoes. They will love 6–8 hours of sunlight.

Why it’s perfect for a sunny balcony:

• Handles heat
• Grows well in pots
• Fast producing
• Doesn’t need a huge space
• You’ll get tomatoes every few days once it starts fruiting

Varieties that work on balconies: Tiny Tim, Sweet 100, Balcony Red, Micro Tom.

Container: 10–12 inch pot. Add support, like a small stick or railing tie.

Pro tip: Feed them with compost every 20–25 days. And use the right soil mix—light, airy, well-drained.

2. Chillies / Peppers (Any Small Hybrid)

Chillies are one of the easiest balcony plants for full sun. They actually prefer heat.

Why they work:

• Compact plants
• Fast flowering
• Simple to care for
• Great for hot climates & sunny balconies

Container: 10–12 inch pot.

Care tip: Don’t overwater—pepper roots hate soggy soil.

3. Strawberries (Sun-Loving, Balcony-Friendly)

Strawberries are the cutest and one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers. They’re happy in full sun as long as the soil drains well.

Why grow them:

• Produces berries even in a small space
• Good for railing planters
• Kids love picking them
• It can grow year-round, depending on your climate

Varieties: Chandler, Seascape, Albion (all good for containers).

You can plant them in hanging pots, railing planters, or deep containers. Just avoid crowding.

4. Rosemary (The Toughest Herb for Full Sun)

If you want a herb that will survive neglect, heat, strong sunlight, and still smell amazing, rosemary is unbeatable.

Why it’s best:

• Loves bright sunlight
• Doesn’t need daily watering
• Gives continuous harvest
• Stays green all seasons

Grow it in a 6–8 inch pot and avoid overwatering.

And yes—if you want more herb ideas, check my best herbs for balcony garden guide too. I’ve listed many options there.

5. Basil (Especially Genovese or Sweet Basil)

Basil will love full sun as long as the soil stays slightly moist. It’ll give you big, fragrant leaves for your dishes.

Why basil works well:

• Grows fast
• Loves warm temperatures
• Perfect for small balcony gardens
• Easy to propagate from cuttings

Care tips:

• Pinch off flowers regularly
• Keep soil aerated
• Water before it wilts

If you’re new to herbs, basil should definitely be one of your first.

6. Mint (But Give it Its Own Pot)

Mint grows like crazy, but you must grow it in its own pot because it spreads aggressively.

Why mint is great for the sun:

• Survives heat
• Grows like a champ
• Gives constant leaves
• Beginner-friendly

Keep the soil moist—not soggy. Mint can handle partial shade too, but it does completely fine in full sun if watered well.

7. Oregano (Compact, Hardy, and Heat-Loving)

Oregano is another herb that loves the sun and doesn’t demand much care.

Why it suits full sun balconies:

• Drought-tolerant
• Does well in shallow pots
• Good for small balcony setups
• Beautiful smell and taste

Just don’t overwater. It prefers slightly dry soil.

8. Thyme (A Must-Have for Sunny Balconies)

Thyme is almost unkillable in full sun. It does well in hot climates and doesn’t care about dry spells.

Why grow thyme:

• Heat tolerant
• Low maintenance
• Great aroma
• Works in small pots or railing planters

Water lightly and let the soil dry between waterings.

9. Marigold (Flower That Loves Heat)

If you want a flowering plant that will bloom like crazy in strong sunlight, then a marigold is your plant.

Why it’s perfect:

• Thrives in full sun
• Blooms almost nonstop
• Helps repel pests
• Good for pollinators

Marigolds will brighten your balcony and improve overall plant health by reducing unwanted pests.

10. Sunflowers (Dwarf Varieties Only)

Yes, you can grow sunflowers on your balcony. But choose dwarf varieties like:

• Sunny Smile
• Teddy Bear
• Pacino

These won’t grow 8 feet tall. They stay compact, look beautiful, and handle sunlight like no other plant.

11. Lavender (Heat-Tolerant + Looks Beautiful)

Lavender is a full-sun champion. If your balcony gets hot afternoons, lavender will thrive.

Why lavender is great for balconies:

• Loves sun
• Smells incredible
• Purple blooms look amazing
• Attracts pollinators

Use a sandy, well-draining soil mix and avoid overwatering.

12. Dwarf Lemon (If You Want a Balcony Fruit Tree)

A small dwarf lemon tree will do extremely well on a full-sun balcony. It’ll give you lemons almost year-round if you maintain it properly.

Why lemon suits full sun:

• Loves bright sunlight
• Grows well in a pot
• Gives loads of fruit
• Clear, simple care routine

Use a 12–16 inch container and place it where it gets the most light.

 

How to Arrange These Plants on a Small Balcony (Simple Layout)

Below is a simple layout you can follow. If you want more detailed layout ideas, see my small balcony garden layout ideas post.

Back row (against the wall or railing):

• Dwarf lemon
• Cherry tomatoes
• Chillies
• Sunflowers (dwarf)

Middle row (waist-height pots or railing planters):

• Strawberries
• Basil
• Rosemary
• Marigold
• Lavender

Front row (smaller pots):

• Mint
• Thyme
• Oregano

This arrangement will use your sunlight efficiently and still leave space to walk comfortably.

 

Best Soil Mix for Full-Sun Plants on a Balcony

This part is extremely important. Balcony plants dry out faster, and poor soil will kill them very quickly. If you want proper growth, follow the soil guide I already wrote in the best soil for balcony plants.

Just a quick summary:

Use a light, well-draining mix:

• 1 part potting soil
• 1 part compost
• 1 part cocopeat

Optional:

• Perlite (for aeration)
• Neem powder (pest control)

This mix will keep roots healthy, airy, and cool even under direct sunlight.

 

Watering and Sunlight Rules for Full-Sun Balcony Plants

You don’t have to water every plant the same way. But here’s the basic rule I follow on hot balconies:

• Water in the early morning: It reduces moisture loss.
• Don’t water too much in the pot: You have to wait for water until you see slight drainage.
• Check soil moisture before watering: Stick a finger 1 inch deep. If it’s dry, water.
• Use light-colored pots if possible: They reflect heat.
• Group plants by watering needs: Herbs like thyme, oregano, and rosemary don’t need too much water. Strawberries and tomatoes will need more. And if your balcony tends to collect water, check my balcony garden drainage solutions guide.

 

Best Container Types for Full-Sun Balconies

You can grow in almost anything—grow bags, regular pots, railing planters, or recycled bottles. But for full sun, use:

• 8–12 inch pots for herbs
• 10–14 inch pots for fruits
• Deep pots for tomatoes, chillies
• Hanging planters for strawberries
• Grow bags to avoid overheated roots

Avoid black metal pots—they heat too much.

 

Common Mistakes People Make With Full-Sun Plants on Balconies

Let me help you avoid the mistakes I see most people make:

1. Using garden soil

It compacts and kills roots.

2. Overwatering

The sun doesn’t mean more water. It means better soil + proper watering.

3. Wrong placement

Tomatoes need 6+ hrs light, but rosemary can handle side heat too.

4. Not feeding plants

Container plants need compost every month.

5. Growing too many plants in one pot

Crowding kills growth.

 

How to Make Your Full-Sun Balcony Garden Survive All Seasons

Here’s how you keep everything healthy:

Summer:

• Water early morning
• Mulch the pots to keep roots cool
• Move sensitive herbs slightly back from the harsh afternoon sun if needed

Rainy season:

• Reduce watering
• Check drainage regularly
• Avoid waterlogging

Winter:

• Move pots to get more direct light
• Reduce watering frequency
• Fertilize lightly

Follow this, and your plants will stay productive all year.

 

If You Want the Easiest Low-Maintenance Options

I have a full guide on low-maintenance balcony vegetable garden ideas, but here’s the small version from this list:

• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Oregano
• Mint
• Marigold
• Lavender

These will grow even if you miss a few days of care.

 

When to Replace or Propagate Plants

Some plants, like basil or cherry tomatoes, won’t last forever. They’ll give a season or two, then slow down.

Here’s what you can do:

• Replant tomatoes every season
• Start basil cuttings every 40–50 days
• Divide mint every 3–4 months
• Oregano and thyme can last for years

 

Conclusion

So that’s it — if you just stick to these full-sun balcony plants, you won’t have to deal with burnt leaves, dead seedlings, or plants that hate heat. 

These 12 balcony plants are the most reliable ones for small balconies because they grow fast, they stay compact, and they’ll give you something useful almost every single week — whether it’s herbs, fruits, or flowers. 

And honestly, once you set up good soil, follow a simple watering routine, and place the right plants in the right spots, your balcony will start looking alive within a few weeks.

 

FAQs

Do full-sun balcony plants need watering every day?

Not always. It depends on your pot size, soil mix, and the plant. Tomatoes and strawberries dry faster, so they may need daily watering in peak summer.

Herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano won’t. 

Always check the soil with your finger — if the top 1 inch is dry, water. If it’s still moist, skip. Follow the same method I always recommend in my other balcony posts.

Will these plants survive harsh summer heat on a balcony?

Yes, these 12 plants are specifically chosen because they can handle bright, direct light and heat. Just give them well-draining soil (like I explained in the best soil for balcony plants) and water in the morning. 

You can also mulch pots if your balcony heats up a lot; it keeps the roots cool and stops the soil from drying too fast.

What’s the easiest plant to start with for a sunny balcony?

Basil, rosemary, mint, and cherry tomatoes are the easiest starters. They grow quickly, they don’t need complicated care, and they will give you results even if you’re a beginner. 

If you’re nervous, mint is the most forgiving — it grows like crazy. If you want harvests, start with tomatoes or strawberries.