Roof Terrace and Balcony Garden Ideas for Small UK Spaces
This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, Plantrella may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Prices change often, so check the latest price before you buy.
Some of the loveliest little gardens I’ve seen in the UK aren’t at ground level at all. They’re on balconies, flat roofs and tiny roof terraces above flats and shops, squeezed in among chimney pots and railings. If you’ve only got a few square metres up high, you can still have somewhere green and cosy to sit with a cup of tea at the end of the day.
Gardening up there is a bit different, though. It’s windier, sunnier and more exposed, everything has to be carried up the stairs, and weight matters. Here’s how I’d plan a balcony or roof terrace garden that looks good and doesn’t need constant looking after.
Start with the practical checks
Before you buy a single pot, it’s worth a few quick checks:
- Is it allowed? If you rent or own a leasehold flat, check your lease or ask the landlord or managing agent. Some buildings restrict what can go on balconies or roofs.
- Can it take the weight? Wet compost is heavy, and big planters add up quickly. For anything more than a few pots on a roof, I’d ask a builder or structural engineer first. On a balcony, keep the heaviest pots near the wall rather than on the edge.
- Where does the water go? Make sure drainage outlets stay clear, and stand pots on feet or saucers so they don’t drip onto the neighbours below.
- Is it safe? Never hang planters on the outside of railings unless they’re designed for it and properly fixed, and keep anything that could blow off well secured.
Work with the wind, not against it
Wind is the biggest challenge on a balcony or roof terrace. It dries pots out, scorches leaves and knocks over anything tall. A few ways I’d deal with it:
- Use a windbreak that filters the wind, such as slatted trellis, willow or bamboo screening, rather than a solid panel, which can cause gusts to swirl.
- Choose heavier, wider-based containers for anything tall, and group pots so they shelter each other.
- Pick tough, wind-tolerant plants for the most exposed edges (more on those below), and save the delicate ones for the sheltered corner.
Choose the right containers
Lightweight containers make life much easier up high. Fibreglass, fibreclay and good-quality plastic are far lighter than stone or concrete, and many look just as smart. Self-watering planters are brilliant on balconies and roofs, because pots in full sun and wind can dry out in a day in summer, and the reservoir buys you time.
Use a peat-free multipurpose compost for most plants and keep it topped up with a mulch of gravel or bark to slow drying out. If you’re worried about watering, my guide to easy patio and container watering systems covers drip kits, timers and self-watering options.
Plants that cope with life up high
The plants that do best on balconies and roof terraces are usually the ones that would naturally grow on a windy hillside or by the sea. These are some of my favourites:
- Mediterranean herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano and lavender love sun and sharp drainage, and you can cook with most of them.
- Ornamental grasses: carex, festuca and stipa move beautifully in the breeze instead of snapping.
- Tough evergreens: pittosporum, hebes and euonymus give year-round structure and make a good living screen.
- Sun-loving succulents and alpines: sedums and sempervivums are happy in shallow troughs that get baked.
- Climbers on trellis: star jasmine and clematis soften walls and add scent in a sheltered spot.
- Easy edibles: strawberries, salad leaves and dwarf tomatoes all grow well in pots if you keep them watered.
On a shady, north-facing balcony, ferns, heucheras, hostas and ivy will be happier. For more ideas, have a look at my posts on plants and plant care and low-maintenance patio plants.
Make it cosy
A balcony or roof terrace really comes alive when you add somewhere comfortable to sit. A small bistro set or a folding bench that can be tucked away keeps the floor clear, and outdoor cushions in weatherproof fabric make it feel like another room. Store them inside or in a lidded box when they’re not in use, as they’ll blow away otherwise.
- 【 SUPREME COMFORT 】Immerse yourself in unparalleled comfort with our outdoor scatter cushion, meticulously designed at a…
- 【 VERSATILE & STYLISH 】Elevate any environment with our versatile outdoor garden cushion, suitable for a variety of sett…
- 【 DURABLE DESIGN 】Crafted with durability in mind, our cushion features a robust construction and weather-resistant desi…
Lighting is the other easy win. Solar string lights wound along the railing or through a trellis need no wiring at all, and they turn a bare balcony into a cosy spot for an evening drink. I’ve got more lighting ideas in my post on small garden lighting.
- 【120 LED Solar Fairy Lights】: 2 Pack solar powered string lights with 40ft length of light add 6ft lead cable, 46ft toge…
- 【Easy to DIY and Widely Used】: Flexible fairy lights, no tools required, can easily build into the shapes you want; simp…
- 【8 Modes and Upgrade Battery】: 2 switches (Power ON/OFF, Mode changing), press mode button selects 8 different modes to …
Bring in a little wildlife
Even a balcony a few floors up can help pollinators. Bees will find lavender, thyme and other nectar-rich flowers surprisingly high up, and a small bug hotel tucked into a sheltered corner gives solitary bees somewhere to nest. My post on plants for a vertical bee garden is a good place to start if you want to grow up the walls too.
- EYE CATCHING – Nice decorative design, not only does it serve a purpose it looks great as well. This insect & bee house …
- ATTRACTS – This will attract bees, butterflies, ladybirds and a host of other insects to your garden and offer them a sa…
- MATERIAL – Made from natural materials with no paint or added treatments. Pine wood, bamboo and pine cones are all used …
Quick plan for a small balcony or roof terrace
- Check permission, weight and drainage first.
- Add a filtering windbreak on the windiest side.
- Use lightweight, self-watering containers and group them together.
- Plant tough, wind-tolerant plants on the edges and softer ones in the shelter.
- Add one comfortable seat, some cushions and solar lights.
- Finish with a pot or two for pollinators.
Start small, see what thrives, and add a bit more each season. Before long you’ll have a little garden in the sky that feels like your own private retreat. If you’ve got a patio at ground level too, my creative patio ideas for small UK gardens might give you a few more ideas.
