More space gives you bigger plants

Use the biggest pot you can

Use potting soil, not garden soil. 

The pot must have drainage holes. Use a tray to catch the water.

A rule of thumb is that plants can only grow to about double the size of the pot.  More space for roots will give you bigger plants

To retain more moisture, add some mulch, which can be leaves, wood chips, or straw.

Plants love company

Plant a few plants together

Plant more of the same or different species together. Insects prefer more of the same species.

For a striking visual display, place a taller plant in the middle, some bushier ones around to fill out the space, and add some that spill over the pot's edge to soften the container's edge.​

Native Plants 

To attract bees

Stronger bees, like bumble bees and honey bees, will visit higher floors up to the 10th floor, depending on the wind. Very attractive for native bees and good plants for containers are anise hyssop, lance leaf coreopsis, swamp milkweed, golden Alexander, wild chives and Joe Pye delight.

Native plants help 

Vegetables to thrive

Attract pollinators and predatory insects that help your vegetables grow a richer harvest. Toronto has over 350 native bee species, ranging from less than a millimetre to large bumblebees. All are excellent pollinators for vegetables. 

Predatory insects like ladybugs, lacewings, and pirate bugs are a natural pest control.

Native Plants 

To attract butterflies

Butterflies can soar high up into the air. They are visually driven by clusters of bright flowers. Adult butterflies love nectar from purple coneflower, Joe Pye delight and milkweed. They also need their specific host plants. Caterpillars of each species can only feed on one specific plant, e,g, monarchs need milkweed and black swallowtails need fennel, dill or golden Alexander. 

Native Plants 

To attract birds

Birds like trees and shrubs - not so easy to grow on a balcony. But birds also love the seeds from asters, great asters for a balcony are New England aster and heart-leaf aster, goldenrod, like blue-stem and grey goldenrod, Joe Pye delight, and anise hyssop.

 Plants in pots rely on

Regular watering 

Daily watering is essential when you grow vegetables and native plants in pots. The winds and the sun will dry out the pots quickly.

It is best to water in the morning or evenings. 

How to help your plants to

Overwinter safley

The bigger your pots, the easier it is to overwinter your plants. To protect them from freezing solid, push them against your building wall, and keep all containers close together. You can also wrap them with burlap or bubble wrap. Keep watering from time to time, or best add a layer of snow.