Seven Plants That Can Withstand the Punishing Afternoon Sun

If you have a south, west, or southwest-facing balcony, you know the afternoon sun struggle. While sun is generally a good thing, not all plants happily withstand the hot rays of the afternoon, especially in pots. But that doesn’t mean your balcony has to be desolate. There are plenty of plants that can take the heat!

While selecting plants for full sun containers, it’s important to remember that no plant in a pot is drought tolerant. Cacti and succulents, which store water in their stems and leaves, are the only exceptions. Everything else needs regular water, especially under full sun.

A multisensory geranium

While most any pelargonium is suitable for full sun, scented-leaf geraniums give both beauty and fragrance in one resilient package. 

Popular varieties include rose, ginger, and lemon. Whichever you choose, give them well-draining soil and a sunny spot and they’re good to go.

It’s also extremely easy to propagate pelargoniums with cuttings. Since they grow quite vigorously, I simply take cuttings of mine every year, replacing the overgrown plant with its offspring. 

Salvia, salvias, salvias

Nearly any salvia does well in full sun, even with roots constrained in a pot. 

A huge genus, salvias can be overwhelming. A nursery in Mendocino County, Flowers by the Sea, specializes in salvias and has a great blog to get you started.

I’ve had good luck with Salvia microphylla ‘Hot Lips’ and Salvia coccinea ‘Brenthurst,’ which both tolerated lots of heat in containers while providing vivid color for months on end.

Woody Mediterranean herbs

Mediterranean herbs with woody stems like rosemary, lavender, and sage all thrive in warm, dry conditions. They don’t mind baking in the sun. 

Having adapted to poor soil and hot weather by developing deep roots, meeting their watering needs can be tricky. Infrequent, deep watering works best.

In the kitchen, small amounts of these herbs go a long way, making them a great edible choice for a small garden.

Desert dwellers

Of course, we can’t leave out the ultimate heat tolerators: cacti and succulents. 

Adapted to desert conditions, almost any cactus will be happy under the hot sun, but keep in mind that some succulents, such as Aloes, prefer a little shade.

Use a free-draining potting mix and water deeply but rarely.

Easy breezy Cosmos

Easy to grow from seed and renowned for being low maintenance, Cosmos cheerfully withstand afternoon sun and poor soil.

Although they tolerate dryness in the ground, be sure to keep them well watered in containers for the best display.

A garden center classic

They might be basic, but few plants will bloom as profusely in a hot, sunny planter as petunias and their trailing counterparts, calibrachoa. Their bold, abundant flowers create visual impact and no amount of sun seems to deter them.

Your local garden center likely carries any color your heart desires. They will need plenty of water and regular deadheading to look their best.

An ancient fruit

If you’re looking for a tree that can grow in a pot under full sun and provide a tasty snack, look no further than the tenacious fig. I’ve witnessed these tough guys growing out of cracks in ancient walls; they can handle a pot on your south-facing balcony.

They will go dormant in the winter (and if you’re in a cold climate, you’ll need to protect them from frost), but watching their leaves unfurl in the spring is a joy. 

Sunny dispositions

It’s frustrating to feel limited by the light conditions of your garden, especially when combined with the limitations of containers. 

But take heart, my south-facing friends! Cultivating sun-loving plants on your scorched balcony will reduce hard surfaces and add shade, moisture, and oxygen, thus creating a more habitable microclimate for all sorts of plants you may want to grow!