TheNaturePlanet

In the hustle and bustle of the city, having a balcony full of greenery is undoubtedly a way to relax. However, for families living in high-rise buildings or with limited lighting conditions, choosing plants suitable for planting on a closed balcony is particularly important. Today, I will introduce three flowering plants that are both beautiful and easy to maintain.
Dendrobium pictum
As a kind of Dendrobium orchid, Dendrobium pictum is famous for its unique leaf color and flowers. Its leaves are dark green, and the edges often have irregular black spots, hence the name "Dendrobium pictum". The flowers are small and exquisite, with rich colors such as yellow, white, and pink. The flowering period is long, and you can enjoy it from late spring to early autumn. Dendrobium pictum likes a semi-shady environment. The scattered light on a closed balcony is just suitable for its growth. Avoid direct sunlight to prevent sunburn. Keep the substrate slightly moist but not waterlogged to avoid root rot. You can judge whether watering is needed by observing the state of the leaves. When the leaves are slightly soft, it is a signal of lack of water. Open windows regularly for ventilation to ensure air circulation and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases. Apply a thin liquid fertilizer once a month during the growth period to promote plant growth and flowering.
Streptocarpus
Streptocarpus is named after its flowers resembling jumping dolphins. It is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Gesneriaceae family. Its flowers are small and unique, usually light blue or blue-purple, fresh and elegant. It is very suitable for hanging on the balcony railing. Streptocarpus has a large number of flowers and a long flowering period. It can bloom from late spring to early winter and is a veritable "flowering machine".
Streptocarpus likes bright scattered light and avoids long-term exposure to strong sunlight. Keep the soil moist but not too wet to avoid root rot. You can judge whether watering is needed by observing the color of the soil surface. The suitable growth temperature is 15-25°C. In winter, pay attention to keeping warm and avoid the temperature being lower than 5°C. Diluted fertilizer can be applied once every two weeks during the growing season to promote plant growth and flowering.
African violet
African violet, also known as Saintpaulia ionantha, is one of the famous potted flowers internationally. Its leaves are thick and green, and its flowers are colorful, with many colors such as red, pink, purple, and white. The flower shapes are also changeable. African violets have a long flowering period and can bloom almost all year round.
African violets like a scattered light environment and avoid direct sunlight. Keep the potting soil slightly moist and avoid waterlogging. When watering, be careful not to wet the leaves and flowers to avoid rotting. The suitable growth temperature is 18-24°C. In winter, the temperature needs to be kept above 10°C to avoid frost damage. Diluted liquid fertilizer can be applied once a week during the growing season to promote plant growth and flowering. During the flowering period, appropriate application of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers can improve flower quality.
Dendrobium pictum, Streptocarpus, and African violet are all flowering plants very suitable for planting on a closed balcony. Why not plant a few pots in your spare time and enjoy the fun of growing flowers.