DIY Hacks: Create your Dream Balcony Garden Under Rs. 2000

A small balcony can transform into a vibrant DIY balcony garden with just a few pots, planters, and creative touches.

Even in cramped city apartments, an intelligently planned garden delivers stress relief, fresh air, and a touch of nature.

Gardening experts note that tending potted plants boosts mood and air quality; one study found balcony greenery can even cool indoor temperatures by up to 2.5°C in tropical climates.

In short, growing a balcony garden is rewarding for both you and the environment.

This guide covers balcony garden ideas DIY for beginners, showing how to plan, plant, and maintain a lush balcony garden on a budget (even under ₹2000), with product links to essential items and handy tips from gardeners.

Why Start a Balcony Garden?

Starting a balcony garden has big benefits. It adds natural beauty and color to your living space, and taking care of plants is a proven stress-buster (digging in soil releases feel-good endorphins).

Rather than gazing at concrete, a green balcony provides fresh oxygen and filters city pollutants, improving air quality

Urban environmentalists emphasize that every little green patch matters – even one balcony garden “helps mitigate the urban heat island effect, improves air quality, [and] provides habitat for pollinators”.

In addition, growing herbs or veggies means you can enjoy fresh kitchen ingredients with no plastic packaging.

As one urban gardening expert notes, a few plants like basil, mint, or cherry tomatoes on a railing planter can turn a balcony into an edible mini-farm.

Planning Your Balcony Garden

Before buying anything, assess your balcony and plan wisely.

Note the size, sun exposure, and any rules (some apartments forbid hanging pots on railings).

Observe how many hours of sunlight your space gets – 5–6 hours of sun is ideal for most veggies and flowers.

A south- or west-facing balcony is best for sun lovers; a shady (north-facing) balcony can still grow plants like ferns, snake plants or shade-loving greens.

Also check for wind exposure and whether a roof or overhang protects from heavy rain.

Finally, define your garden’s purpose: cooking herbs, bright flowers, succulents, or a peaceful green nook?

Planner Jen McDonald advises, “Before deciding what to grow, consider your garden’s overall purpose” – e.g. focus on flowers for color, or herbs for fresh seasoning.

Drawing a quick layout can help: plan where to place pots on the floor, shelves or hanging brackets to optimize every inch of space.

For example, using a vertical plant stand and wall-mounted planters lets you grow many plants without cluttering the floor.

DIY Garden Essentials: Pots, Soil & Tools

Now gather the basics. Pots and Planters: Choose containers suited to your plants and budget. Terracotta or plastic pots with drainage holes are affordable and work well.

Self-watering pots (shown below) are a great DIY shortcut – they store extra water and feed plants slowly, so you don’t need to water constantly. Urban Plant’s [Self-Watering Pots] collection has models starting around ₹199.

For herbs and veggies, plan for at least 8–12 inch deep pots (deeper for chili or tomato) and wider bowls for spreading herbs like mint.

Stands and racks help save space: a vertical 6-tier [plant stand] can hold multiple pots on a compact footprint (e.g. Urban Plant’s Corner Stand, ~₹1199).

Potting Soil: Use quality potting mix or a blend of garden soil, compost, cocopeat and perlite for good drainage.

In India, you can find premixed potting media or make your own mix (e.g. top up with vermicompost monthly).

Seeds and Seed Kits: Beginner-friendly kits are ideal. You can buy seed combos of herbs or flowers; for example, a “Garden Glory” 5-flower seed pack costs ~₹199. and a 20-variety vegetable seed combo is ~₹699

These give a wide variety of plants for little money. Urban Plant’s [Herb Seeds] and [Seed Combos] collections offer many such kits (ideal for under ₹1000). 

Gardening Tools: A few basic tools go a long way. For balcony gardens you need just a hand trowel, pruner, and watering can. Small trowels or hand forks cost about ₹150–₹200, pruning shears ~₹200.

You’ll also want trays under pots to catch drips and protect neighbors, plus trellis stakes if you’re training climbers.

By shopping smart (for example, buying all-purpose tools kits under ₹500), you can cover all essentials easily within ₹2000.

Figure: Layering your balcony vertically maximizes space.

Start with stands or shelves at the back, then place medium and small pots in front (like in this setup from Urban Plant). Grouping pots by size and type helps keep the area tidy.

Read Also

How to Start Urban Gardening at Home: 10 Easy Steps for Indian Beginners

15 Innovative Space-Saving Balcony Garden Layouts: Must-Try Today

Balcony Garden Ideas & Inspiration

Here are some easy DIY balcony garden ideas to spark your creativity:

1. Vertical Garden Magic

When space is tight, “go up, not out.” Hang planters from railings or ceiling, mount pots on a wall, or use ladder-style plant stands.

Trailing plants like pothos, ivy or petunias can cascade from hanging baskets. One gardener tip: “Wall planters or a little vertical ladder shelf for pots…

Hanging baskets are a game-changer if you have railing or overhead space,” says expert Anna Ohler

2. Herb & Kitchen Garden

Even a few pots of herbs bring big flavor. Common favorites include basil, mint, coriander (cilantro), parsley and holy basil (tulsi). 

These grow well in sun or partial shade and can flourish in small pots.

South Asian balconies also often grow curry leaves, lemongrass and chillies for daily cooking needs.

Place them near the kitchen door for easy harvest, and note: shallow, wide pots are good for spreading herbs, while deeper containers (12″+) suit chilies and tomatoes.

This way, your DIY balcony garden feeds your family’s table.

3. Flowering Balcony Oasis

If you crave color and scent, dedicate a corner to flowers. Fast-bloomers like marigolds, petunias, geraniums and vinca handle full sun well.

Mix in shade-friendly begonias or impatiens under a roof or umbrella

To attract pollinators, include a few butterfly-friendly blooms (zinnias, pentas or cosmos).

Vary pot heights – use stands or hang some – to create a layered, cottage-garden feel. As Urban Plant notes, butterflies and bees love balconies with even a few pollinator-friendly plants.

4. Privacy & Climbing Greens

Want a bit of screening? Grow vertical climbers as a green curtain. Install a trellis or bamboo pole along the railing, and train money plant (devil’s ivy), ivy, jasmine or bougainvillea up it. 

These vines fill out to give shade and privacy. Growing a “green wall” not only beautifies but also creates a cool, secluded nook.

(Product tip: Urban Plant sells sturdy [Plant Trellis Stakes] that work well on balconies.)

Setting Up Your Balcony Garden

With your plan and supplies ready, it’s planting day. 

1. Prepare the space

Sweep and clear the balcony. Lay down old newspapers or a plastic sheet to catch soil (especially if you have a light-colored floor).

2. Place heavy items first

Position large pots, planter stands or shelves against the wall. Once those are stable, fill them or secure them.

3. Add soil and plants

Put fresh potting mix in each container, place seedlings or seeds according to instructions, then water thoroughly. Water each pot until you see drainage; this settles the soil.

4. Finishing touches

Stake tall plants, install hooks for hanging pots, and arrange decorative elements (e.g. a small birdhouse or lantern for charm).

Finally, step back and enjoy your new garden corner! An actual DIY setup (see image below) shows how even a very modest balcony can host many plants through smart layering and mixes of pots.

Maintenance Tips

Keeping your balcony garden thriving is straightforward with regular care. Watering: Check pots daily.

Most balcony plants dry out faster than ground plants. A good rule: stick a finger an inch into the soil—if it’s dry, water thoroughly.

In hot months you may need daily watering for small pots; in cooler seasons, a few times a week.

Always water in the morning or evening (not midday sun) to reduce evaporation loss.

Use a watering can with a narrow spout or a gentle spray head so water goes directly into soil, not over leaves.

Avoid overwatering – if soil stays moist, wait a day before watering again.

1. Feeding

Container plants use up nutrients quickly.

Add organic matter like compost or vermicompost around plants once a month, or feed liquid fertilizer (diluted as directed) every 2–4 weeks during growth.

For flowering or fruiting plants (roses, tomatoes), use a bloom-boosting fertilizer high in phosphorus. A little goes a long way – follow product instructions carefully.

2. Pest control & pruning

Keep an eye for common pests (aphids, mealybugs). Times of India recommends keeping a bottle of neem-oil spray handy – dilute neem-based insecticide in water and spray leaves if you spot insects.

With these simple maintenance routines, even a beginner’s DIY balcony garden will stay lush and beautiful

Why a Balcony Garden Under ₹2000 is Totally Possible

Urban gardening doesn’t have to be expensive. With a bit of creativity, you can start your own peaceful green corner using simple, affordable items available online or at your local nursery.

Budget Breakdown (Table Format) – Garden Setup Under ₹2000

Tip: Use old paint buckets, plastic bottles, or jute sacks as planters!

Budget DIY: Setup Cost Breakdown (Under ₹2000)

You don’t need to splurge to create a balcony garden.

Here’s an example budget for a simple Small apartment balcony garden setup DIY under ₹2000:

Seed Packs (₹200–700)

Two to three seed kits cover lots of plants. For ~₹249–₹699 you can get multi-seed packs (e.g. a 5-flower pack or 20-veggie pack.

Herbs can be bought individually (Fenugreek, Dill, Basil seeds are ~₹79 each

Pots & Planters (₹400–₹800)

Buy a mix of pots. Clay or plastic pots (large ones ~₹250, small pots ~₹150–₹200 each) provide flexibility. A set of 2 wall-mount planters is ~₹845.

You could even repurpose containers or bottles for starters.

Soil & Compost (~₹200)

A bag of potting mix or cocopeat ~₹150–₹250. Vermicompost ~₹100 (carries multiple uses beyond balcony gardening).

Tools (₹300)

A basic trowel (₹150) and hand pruner (₹200) cover digging and pruning. A simple watering can or spray bottle is ~₹100. (These can be reused season after season.)

Optional Accessories (₹200)

A small plant stand or shelf (even a stack of crates) for ~₹300-₹500, or a bundle of plant stakes (₹100-₹150).

FAQ: Balcony Gardening Tips

How can I make a DIY balcony garden under ₹2000 in India?

You can create a DIY balcony garden under ₹2000 by using budget-friendly items like grow bags (₹300), potting mix (₹200), seeds or saplings (₹150–₹250), and recycled containers. Platforms like Urban Plant offer affordable kits and tools to help beginners set up a balcony garden in small spaces.

What are the best low-cost plants for a balcony garden in India?

Ideal low-cost balcony plants in India include tulsi (holy basil), mint, money plant, portulaca, and snake plant. These are easy to grow, need minimal care, and are perfect for sunny or semi-shaded balconies.

What are the best balcony garden ideas DIY for beginners?

Beginners can try easy ideas like using plastic bottles as vertical planters, creating herb gardens with mason jars, using tin cans as colorful pots, or installing simple rope-hanging baskets. These DIY hacks save space and money.

What are the easiest herbs to grow in a DIY balcony garden?

The easiest herbs to grow are basil, mint, coriander, parsley, and lemongrass. They require minimal care, grow quickly, and can thrive in balcony pots or recycled containers.

How do I make a vertical balcony garden at home?

Use old wooden crates, plastic bottles, or buy a small iron stand for under ₹500 online.

Where can I buy balcony garden essentials online?

Urban Plant offers affordable pots, planters, and ready-to-use balcony kits delivered across India.

Final Thoughts: Your Balcony Garden is Just ₹2000 Away

Creating a DIY balcony garden on a budget isn’t just possible—it’s highly rewarding. With a bit of creativity and some smart shopping, your dull balcony can become your favorite corner of the home.

So don’t wait. Let the greenery grow!