If you want some good balcony garden lighting ideas that will make your balcony look beautiful at night and also help your plants grow, then, you just want to have 1–2 decorative lights like warm string lights or lanterns, and at least one proper light that supports plant growth if your balcony isn’t getting enough sunlight. That’s all.
You don’t need to buy fancy or expensive lights. Even small solar lanterns or a clip-on grow lamp will make your balcony look completely different, especially if you already have herbs or vegetables growing there.
Now let’s discuss all the lighting ideas in detail. I’m giving you 9 types that you can use based on your balcony size, how much sunlight you get, and how many plants you have.
1. Warm LED String Lights (Best for Overall Look)
String lights are the first thing I recommend for balcony gardeners because they instantly give a warm and cozy feeling. They look beautiful with herbs, leafy greens, or even simple green plants.
Where can you put these lights?
- Wrap around the balcony railing
- Hang across the ceiling (zig-zag or straight)
- Run along shelves where you keep herbs
- Put behind pots to give a soft background glow
Why these work: They don’t take up space, and even if your balcony is small, these lights will still fit. They reflect nicely on leaves and make your plants look fresh and alive at night.
If you have a very small balcony, you can plan your arrangement better here: Small Balcony Garden Layout Ideas
Best for:
- Renters who don’t want to drill
- Balconies used at night
- Casual decoration
These lights won’t help plant growth, but they will make your balcony feel good.
2. Solar Lanterns (Low-Maintenance + No Wiring)
If you don’t want to run wires or keep charging lights, then solar lanterns are the easiest option. During the day, they charge automatically, and at night they switch on by themselves.
Where to place solar lanterns:
- On balcony floor near larger planters
- Hang 1–2 lanterns from ceiling hooks
- place on the railing corners
- Put beside your herb pots to highlight them
Why they’re helpful: They give a soft, warm light and are perfect if you want zero maintenance.
Just keep them where they get daylight. Even in a north-facing balcony, they still charge enough because these lamps don’t require harsh sunlight.
If your balcony is low-light, these lanterns are good décor, but you will still need separate grow lights if you grow herbs or vegetables.
For low-maintenance Balcony Gardening, these ideas may help too: Low-Maintenance Balcony Vegetable Garden Ideas
3. LED Grow Lights (For Plant Growth in Low Light)
This is the most important lighting if your balcony doesn’t get enough sun.
String lights and lanterns will never replace sunlight. So if you’re growing basil, mint, coriander, lettuce, or any leafy greens, you just want to have at least one grow light.
Types you can buy:
- Clip-on grow lights (place near herbs)
- Full-spectrum LED bulbs
- Bar/strip grow lights for shelves
Where to place grow lights:
- Above your herb shelf
- Near railing planters that don’t receive enough daylight
- Under the shelf if you’re doing vertical gardening
Grow lights are important if you’re growing herbs like mint, thyme, coriander, etc. Best Herbs for Balcony Garden
Best for:
- Balconies with less than 3 hours of sunlight
- Winter season
- North-facing balconies
- People who want to grow herbs all year
Tip: You don’t want to place the grow light too close to the leaves. Keep at least 6–10 inches distance.
4. Small Spotlights (For Highlighting Plants at Night)
Spotlights are ideal if you have one or two big plants or a feature area. They don’t help plant growth, but they make your balcony look premium at night.
Where to keep them:
- behind a tall plant
- at a corner pointing upward
- behind a trellis where you grow vines
- under a big pot to create a warm glow
Plants that look beautiful with spotlights:
- Areca palm
- Money plant on a trellis
- Snake plant
- Decorative leafy plants
If you’re growing vegetables too, you can highlight them as well: Best Vegetables for Balcony Garden.
Why they help: Spotlights increase contrast and make your plants stand out. Even a simple green plant will look like decor.
5. Balcony Railing Lights (Space-Saving Lighting)
Railing lights are perfect if your balcony doesn’t have much floor space. They keep things bright without occupying any area.
Types of railing lights:
- Solar railing strips
- Small clip-on railing lights
- Mini lantern-style railing LEDs
Why railing lights are useful:
- They illuminate the plants from below
- You can see properly when watering at night
- Great for balconies with railing planters
If you want planter ideas for railings: Small Balcony Railing Planter Ideas
Tip: Choose warm white for décor. Choose cool white only if you want to brighten the balcony strongly.
6. Under-Shelf Lights (Perfect for Vertical Gardening)
If your balcony has a shelf system, this is one of the best lighting ideas.
You can place LED strip lights under each level of the shelf to brighten every plant.
Where to use under-shelf lighting:
- Metal racks
- Wooden shelves
- Plant stands
- 2–4 tier vertical gardening stands
Why it works well: It lights up each pot clearly and makes the whole balcony look like a mini indoor garden café.
If you are setting up your balcony garden from scratch, this guide might help: Balcony Garden Setup Ideas.
Tip: If you grow herbs like basil, mint, or lettuce on shelves, then you can replace normal strips with grow-light strips. You’ll get décor + growth.
7. Floor Lanterns (Best for Cozy Corners)
Floor lanterns change the entire look of a balcony. They do not take much effort — you simply place one or two lanterns beside your plants, and your balcony looks warm immediately.
Where to place floor lanterns:
- One lantern in each corner
- Beside a tall plant
- Near the seating area
- Near a wall with climbers
Why floor lanterns help: They brighten the lower part of the plants and make the leaves glow.
Add two lanterns + one spotlight, and your balcony will look like a premium restaurant.
If you have a small balcony layout, make sure not to block pathways: Small Balcony Garden Layout Ideas.
8. Fairy Lights (Inside or Around Pots)
This is a simple but very beautiful idea. You can wrap fairy lights around pots or place them inside clear planters (only battery-operated ones).
How to use fairy lights:
- Wrap around ceramic pots
- Place inside glass pots
- Wrap-around railing planters
- Wrap around money-plant vines
Why they are nice: At night, the whole balcony glows softly, and the leaves look shiny. But don’t use them for growing — fairy lights won’t support plant health.
Safety Tip: Hide the battery pack under stones or put it inside a small waterproof pouch. Also, make sure your pots have proper drainage: Balcony Garden Drainage Solutions.
9. Hybrid Grow + Décor Lamps (Looks Good + Helps Plants)
These are the best options if you want décor lighting but also want healthy plants without making it look like a grow lab. Hybrid lights look like normal décor lamps but include a grow-light spectrum.
Examples:
- Bamboo hanging lamps with grow bulbs
- Small table grow lamps
- Pendant grow lights
- Warm-looking grow bulbs
Where to use them:
- Near herbs
- Under a shelf
- Above a planter box
- Side walls with mounted planters
Why these work: Sometimes, you don’t want to spoil your balcony aesthetics with purple or industrial grow lights.
These give warm light while still supporting plant growth.
Tips for Better Balcony Lighting
- Don’t mix too many colors: Warm white is the safest for décor.
- Keep your grow light on a timer: Plants shouldn’t get more than 12–14 hours of artificial light.
- Leave at least one “quiet corner”: Don’t put lights everywhere. One calm corner creates balance.
- Don’t use lights that heat up: You will damage leaves if the bulb gets hot.
- Use soil that drains well, so roots stay healthy: Because lights alone won’t fix poor soil. Best Soil for Balcony Plants.
Conclusion
These were the lighting ideas that work for a balcony garden. You don’t have to use everything.
Even 1–2 good lights will change your balcony completely. Just mix one decorative light and one that will support plant growth if your balcony doesn’t get enough sun.
That’s all. Keep placement simple, don’t overcrowd, and choose lights based on your plants and the space you have.
FAQs
Do I really need grow lights if I only want a pretty balcony?
If your main goal is just décor, then no, you don’t need to grow lights. Warm string lights or lanterns will already make your balcony look good.
But if you’re growing herbs or greens and your balcony doesn’t get enough sunlight, then yes, you’ll need at least one grow light. Otherwise, plants won’t stay healthy.
How far should balcony grow lights be from plants?
You don’t want them too close. Keep at least a hand’s distance (around 6–10 inches). If the lights are too close, the leaves can get dry or burnt.
And if they’re too far, then plants won’t get enough benefit. So one hand distance is perfect.
Can I use solar lights on a balcony that doesn’t get much sun?
Yes, you can still use them for decoration. Even indirect daylight charges most solar lights enough for evening time.
Just don’t expect them to help plants grow — they’re only for looks. For plant growth, you’ll still use a grow light.
Is it okay to wrap fairy lights around pots?
Yes, it’s totally fine. Many people do it. Just don’t wrap them tightly around the leaves.
Keep lights on the pot or around the planter, not on the plant itself. And make sure the battery pack stays dry and away from watering areas.
I’m Abraham creator of Balcony Gardening Ideas. I share balcony gardening tips, DIY projects, and hands-on plant care guides based on my own balcony garden experience. I grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers using organic methods and simple setups anyone can follow.
