Here are some of the best plants for a windy balcony.

One of the perennial plants that doesn’t need much sun is the Shasta daisy (Leucanthemum x superbum), hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9. Performing mostly as an evergreen, the plant comes alive in spring, filling with a cheery display of white, daisy-like flowers with large yellow centers.

If you’re looking for the best plants for the shade and great flowers that thrive in shade, also reach for impatiens, coleus, sweet potato vines, mazus, vincas, torenias, violas, petunias, pansies, hellebores (Lenten roses), hostas, astilbes, and trilliums. They look great and will thrive in full to partial shade.

Plants that love shade

• Ferns. “Boston ferns are easy,” said Wells.
• Coleus. Wells suggested Coleus, and Troglen agreed, saying it provides color through its leaves, is hardy, and can stand alone or be mixed in with other plants.
• Begonias.
• New Guinea Impatiens.
• Caladium.

If you don’t like the look of the lattice as a cover for under the porch, here are a few alternatives:

1. Vertical wooden planks.
2. Horizontal wooden planks.
3. Wooden planks with a pattern or design.
4. Rock porch skirting.
5. Brick or stone.
6. Alternative pattern vinyl lattice.
7. Enclose the space.

• Bamboo. Bamboo plants are perfect for windy balconies.
• Caryopteris. The Caryopteris, also known as Bluebeard, is a wonderful plant to grow on windy balconies due to its hardiness.
• Gazania.
• Dwarf Sunflower.

Annuals such as lobelia (Lobelia erinus) and sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima) are among the best container flowers for partial sun and are recommended by the University of Illinois Extension for growing in part-shade.

34 Shade-Loving Plants for Containers and Hanging Baskets

• Hens-and-Chicks. Another popular succulent, hens and chicks (sempervivums) are both shade and sun tolerant.
• Hosta. This common shade garden plant can make a happy home in pots.
• Lamium.
• Brunnera.
• Begonia.
• Fuchsia.
• Herbs.
• Hydrangea.

One of the best large indoor plants for low light is the Swiss cheese plant (Monstera deliciosa). This tall indoor plant is characterized by its interestingly shaped leaves. This plant can help to make an environment appear more exotic and tropical.

Here are some plants that are particularly well-suited to low light conditions: Cast Iron Plant (Aspidistra elatior) Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonemia) Peace Lily ( Spathiphyllum sp.) Philodendron (Philodendron sp.) Pothos (Raphidophora aurea)

Snake Plant (Sansevieria)

The best sources of light for indoor plants are cool-white tubes. Fluorescent light combined with incandescent light provides a good balance of light for indoor plants. According to the University of Missouri, the best ratio of incandescent to fluorescent light is 30 watts of incandescent to 100 watts of fluorescent light.