One of the benefits of apartment gardening is that you do not have to worry about pesky snakes. Of course, if your apartment building is near an active volcano, or has a wet barbeque site, you should still consider using plants around the pool. However, even if you live on a fairly level ground and do not have to worry about nasty reptiles, balcony plantings will give you a nice spread of plants to spread around. You will not only help keep pests away, but you will also enjoy a more open view of the city. Below are some of the types of plants to consider for a balcony garden.

Basil – This is one of the best plants for your balcony due to its ease of growth and beautiful foliage. This type of plant will grow easily in low light as long as you make sure to water it thoroughly each day. It can survive without direct sunlight, but it prefers slightly bright lights. Some varieties of basil will also grow well on walls or windowsills as well.

Catmint – A pretty shrub with pink blossoms, catmint adds an air of elegance to any apartment. This plant is ideal for any apartment because it is so easy to maintain. It will grow nicely in almost any location, being a decent climber and hardy plant. Since it is a Mediterranean plant, it does well in areas that get high levels of precipitation. If you are concerned about getting rid of the leaves from your plant balcony, you may opt to use a mixture of bark and litter to cover the lower surface.

Gardenia – This is another wonderful climber and a great addition to any apartment garden. Gardenia is a perennial that is a bit more tolerant than many other plants. It will grow just about anywhere it can get access to moisture and the soil that are less oily. It also will not need much fertilizer, though it will do better with less. Like all climbers, gardenias will also do well in hanging baskets, on patios, and in window planters.

English Ivy – Also known as Queen Anne’s lace, this plant grows in clusters on the edges of fences. It has prickly leaves that are quite variegated. It has large gray blooms that are full of color, and the leaves appear to change color with different colors of blooms. It is a great climber, very hardy, and fairly drought resistant.

Grape Vines – These vines will grow pretty fast. They tend to be fairly bushy, but they do not have a huge amount of spreading habit. They are best planted in pots. Grape vines are also good climbers, so if you are worried about snakes you might want to consider growing grape vines next to your fence or around your patio. They like well-drained soil and will do better in acidic soils. They will also do better in taller pots.

Pothos – This is a pretty easy plant to grow. This variety grows in most climates and has some very good growing habits. The plant tends to grow to be a bit taller than its fellows, and it does well in potting media that is shallower. It is also resistant to a few pests, and has a tendency to form flowers which trumpet.

Pennyroyal – This is a vine that needs to be dug up frequently, for it can cause some damage to lawns. However, if you do not want to pull this particular wine, it is a great choice for a balcony or walkway. It also likes well in areas where the soil is moist, so make sure it does not get too much water.