We used to live in an apartment in Los Angeles county, had a nice garden setting in the middle of the building complex and the apartments above where we lived had a balcony across each unit. But since there is a hallway, had to make sure we were not blocking the way too. The other consideration then too was the amount of light that limited space gets. Luckily we get some good morning sun and there is cool breeze from the ocean a few miles down the road.
Here is how our balcony and hallways were like:
So what we did is to get this cubical stand, so I can get the sun passing through on the lower shelves and most of my plants are a mixed bag of shade loving ones and also I chose some drought tolerant ones: this photo was taken when I was just beginning to plant on the balcony. We were not allowed to have anything hanging by the posts, as it may fall out. At that time I am not keen in getting the names
but now as I look at this photo, some are Dracaenas, tillandsias, and that drought tolerant in the middle, love that one, leaf texture is like cardboard, but grows so well, very minimal maintenance if any at all.
Later on added some more plants:
Got a corner metal stand, so more plants in a corner. I made sure the container drains but the lower part holds the water safely so it will not be spilling too much.
Dracaenas, Spathiphyllum
Added a Schefflera and some small succulents in a layered container. Every container has a dish to hold excess water.
Just some more Dracaenas and a cymbidium at the corner. At that time I did not know how to grow Cymbidiums
I almost tossed it out, then saw a spike after almost a year..very resilient one.
And I got this plant..thrived well, do not know its name, I just love the leaves and its cut outs..but such a prolific grower, had to give it up to a friend, since it is quick to outgrow its container:
In our apartment complex, I always have to make sure the balcony does not get messy with water spills, and if we ever do get rain, it is only around winter, if we get any at all. Always so dry in Los Angeles anyways, so having a dish to hold excess water after watering helps to keep the moisture levels around the plant.
We moved to another apartment area in Alameda County and a little bigger gardening space, but still limited with the sun at times..so I just maintained the cubical stand and the metal corner one, and added some more succulents, spider plants, sometimes it is trial and error.:
There was a time I have put a solar water fountain..but it was a bit challenging since I do not get full sun all day long, had to switch to AC connection in the afternoons:
Hope this helps you get ideas what to plant in your apartment
Important to know the angle of the sun, and if the plants can tolerate being left outdoors during seasonal changes.
