Spring Balcony Planting Ideas – Fresh & Easy Picks for 2025

Want to know the best Spring balcony planting ideas? The fastest way to start is by choosing plants that actually enjoy mild temperatures—like herbs, leafy vegetables, compact fruiting plants, and a few flowers that’ll keep blooming through the season. 

And don’t worry whether your balcony is sunny, partial shade, north-facing, or small—there’s always something that will grow. 

I’ll share everything: what to plant, where to place, what soil to use, containers, watering rules, mistakes to avoid, and a lot more. 

If you are new, you can also check my layout guide here: Small Balcony Garden Layout Ideas.

Best Herbs to Plant on a Balcony in Spring

Herbs will be the easiest thing you’ll grow this season. They love mild sunlight, quick morning warmth, and slightly cool evenings. They’ll also give you harvests fast.

Below are the herbs I personally recommend you grow in the Spring:

1. Basil (Genovese, Sweet Basil, Thai Basil)

Basil loves Spring because the temperature isn’t too hot yet.

• Light: 4–6 hours
• Pot Size: 8–10 inch
• Tip: You’ll pinch the tops weekly to make it bushier
• Works well in railing planters, containers, and small grow bags

You can also check a complete list of good herbs here: Best Herbs for Balcony Garden

2. Mint (Perfect for Beginners)

Mint grows aggressively. It’s one of those herbs that will easily fill any pot.

• Light: Partial shade
• Water: Keep soil slightly moist
• Important: Don’t grow it with other herbs; it will take over

3. Coriander (Cilantro)

Spring is the ideal season to grow coriander.

• Slightly crush seeds before sowing
• 3–5 hours of light is enough
• Sow every 15–20 days for continuous harvest

4. Parsley

Good for shaded or cooler corners.

• Likes moist soil
• Slow at first, but steady after 2–3 weeks

5. Chives

One of the easiest Spring herbs.

• Cut-and-come-again
• Good at railing planters
• Tolerates low to medium sunlight

6. Thyme & Oregano (Mediterranean Herbs)

These two love warm, dry Spring weather.

• Excellent for busy gardeners
• Water less
• Loves airy soil

 

Best Vegetables for Spring Balcony Gardening

1. Spinach

Loves cool weather and grows extremely fast.

• Partial shade is okay
• Harvest in 25–35 days
• Works in shallow containers

2. Lettuce (Butterhead, Looseleaf)

Lettuce does great in the Spring because it won’t get bitter due to the heat yet.

• Morning sunlight, afternoon shade
• Keep soil moist
• Sow thinly for best results

3. Fenugreek (Methi)

If you want the easiest Spring vegetable, this is the one.

• Ready in 10–12 days
• Grows in trays, bottles, or any shallow container
• It can even grow without soil (you can check the method from your fenugreek post)

4. Cherry Tomatoes

Spring is the starting season for tomatoes.

• Needs 5–6 hours of direct sun
• Choose compact varieties
• Use a stake or a small support

5. Radish (Cherry Belle / Small Varieties)

Perfect in March–April.

• Needs 6–8 inches of depth
• Harvest in 25–30 days
• Loves cool mornings

6. Spring Onions

The easiest vegetable is if you want fast results.

• Grow from scraps or seeds
• Needs very little soil
• Great in partial sun

7. Pea Shoots

Perfect if you want microgreens.

• Harvest at 4–6 inches
• Grows in dense sowing
• Works in trays

8. Baby Kale / Mesclun

Soft, tender, and perfect for cooler Spring days.

• Fast harvest
• Grow in pots or railing planters

Spring is the perfect season for leafy greens, quick-growing root veggies, and compact fruiting plants. If you want a full vegetable list later, check: Best Vegetables for Balcony Garden.

 

Compact Fruits You Can Grow in Spring

1. Strawberries (Alpine, Mara des Bois)

Strawberries love Spring weather.

• Needs 3–5 hours of light
• Great for hanging baskets
• Perfect for small spaces

2. Pineberries

White strawberries that love cooler Spring days.

• Good for partial shade
• Unique flavor

3. Dwarf Mulberries

They grow well even in medium-sized pots.

• Beginner-friendly
• High production

 

Flowers for a Colorful Spring Balcony

1. Petunias

One of the best blooming flowers for Spring.

• Full sun
• Heavy bloomers

2. Marigolds (African/Tagetes)

Hardy, bright, and perfect for beginners.

• Loves sunlight
• Pest-repellent

3. Fuchsia (Partial Shade)

Beautiful for hanging baskets.

As seen in your shade-plant file.

4. Begonias

Low-maintenance, shade-friendly, and long bloomers.

5. Pansies & Violas

They love early Spring temperatures; they are very colorful.

 

Best Containers to Use in Spring

Railing Planters

Perfect for maximizing space, especially on a small balcony.

• Great for lettuce, spinach, coriander, and chives
• Easy to cut and harvest
• Saves floor space
• Best if your balcony is narrow

You can check more railing planter ideas here: Small Balcony Railing Planter Ideas.

Grow Bags

Best for fruiting plants.

• Cheap
• Lightweight
• Great for tomatoes, peppers, beans

Hanging Baskets

Good for strawberries, fuchsia, mint, and trailing flowers.

• Saves floor space
• Good airflow
• Perfect for decorative corners

Plastic Bottle Planters (DIY Vertical Garden)

Useful if you want to increase growing space on a small balcony.

• Works well for leafy greens
• Best for Spring herbs
• A great option if you have grills or railings
• I’ve seen this work well in your vertical garden file

Regular Pots (8–12 inch)

Use these for herbs and veggies you harvest frequently.

• Basil
• Mint
• Parsley
• Baby kale

Deep Containers (10–12 inch)

Needed for:

• Radish
• Tomatoes
• Dwarf mulberries

 

Soil Mix for Spring Balcony Plants

A lot of beginners use regular garden soil, which becomes compact, especially on balconies where airflow is limited. Use a lighter mix.

But here’s the quick Spring version I use:

• 50% high-quality potting mix
• 25% compost
• 25% cocopeat/perlite

Spring weather helps plants root faster, so this airy mix gives them a boost.

 

Watering Rules for Spring Balcony Gardens

Spring doesn’t need heavy watering because the sun isn’t very strong yet, but plants grow rapidly.

You’ll follow:

• Water early morning
• Keep soil “moist but not soggy”
• Herbs like thyme need less
• Leafy greens prefer consistent moisture
• Use trays or self-watering planters if you forget to water

If drainage is a problem, check this: Balcony Garden Drainage Solutions.

 

Sunlight Requirements for Spring

Spring light is mild and perfect for most plants. But still, you should match your balcony’s light with the right plant type.

Full Sun Balconies (5–6 hrs)

Grow:

• Tomatoes
• Peppers
• Basil
• Strawberries

Partial Sun (2–4 hrs)

Grow:

• Mint
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Coriander

North-Facing or Low-Light Balconies

Grow:

• Spinach
• Pea shoots
• Parsley
• Chives
• Mint

If your balcony gets very low light, choose only shade-tolerant edibles or use railing planters for maximum exposure.

 

Common Problems in Spring Balcony Gardening

Spring is easy, but a few issues may come up:

• Aphids on new growth: Neem spray weekly.
• Soil is drying too fast: Add cocopeat/mulch.
• Weak seedlings: Move to brighter spots.
• Overcrowding containers: Give each plant decent airflow.

 

Low-Maintenance Spring Plants (If You’re Busy)

If you’re working or don’t have much time, I’d suggest you from these:

• Herbs: Mint, Parsley, or Thyme
• Vegetables: Spinach, Pea shoots
• Flowers: Begonias, Pansies, Petunias.

 

Conclusion

These were some of the best Spring balcony planting ideas that’ll actually work even if you have a small space, limited sunlight, or no gardening experience at all. 

Spring is the easiest season to grow anything — herbs, leafy vegetables, compact fruits, or even decorative flowers — everything responds fast because the weather stays mild and roots establish quickly.

You just have to match the right plant with your balcony’s sunlight, use a light soil mix, and give each plant the space it needs. 

And if your balcony is too small, I recommend you use railing planters, hanging baskets, or a simple vertical setup. It will increase growing space.

 

FAQs

What are the easiest plants to grow on a balcony in Spring?

Beginner-friendly Spring plants are spinach, lettuce, mint, coriander, chives, radish, basil, and strawberries. 

These handle Spring temperatures very well and don’t need heavy maintenance. Herbs, especially, will grow quickly with very little effort.

Can I grow vegetables on a shaded or north-facing balcony in Spring?

Yes. You can grow low-light edibles like spinach, pea shoots, parsley, chives, lettuce, and mint.

For even better results, use railing planters to maximize whatever sunlight you get during the day. 

These greens don’t need strong heat or full sun, so Spring is the best time for shaded balconies.

What size containers should I use for Spring balcony gardening?

For leafy greens and herbs, 6–8 inch pots or railing planters are enough. For radish, tomatoes, peppers, or dwarf fruits, use deeper 10–12 inch containers.

If you have limited floor space, hanging baskets and vertical bottle planters will be very useful in Spring.

How often should I water balcony plants in Spring?

Most Spring plants need watering once a day in the morning, or every alternate day if your balcony stays cool. 

Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce prefer slightly moist soil, while herbs like thyme prefer drier soil. Always touch the soil first — if it feels dry 1 inch deep, then water.