Keen to liven up your outdoor space with some greenery but not sure which plants or flowers are suitable? The team from Green It Up HK recommends a few fab plants for specific outdoor spots – whether you have a small shady balcony or a large sun-drenched rooftop – plus top tips for maintaining them.
# Balcony
Balconies tend to have full-sun or half-sun conditions, but it’s important to consider air circulation too. We do see cases of poor air circulation on balconies, which can cause many plants to struggle.
Dracaena Cochinchinensis
Also called the dragon tree, this is one of the most easy-care and popular houseplants or outdoor plants around. It can survive well from indoors to full sun conditions, and comes in a range of different styles and shapes. An ideal choice for a unique ornamental plant.
Ficus Microcarpa
A beautiful tree-shaped plant that makes a dramatic statement on a balcony. It’s hardy and easy to look after, and suitable for shaded half-sun to full-sun conditions.
# Rooftop
Rooftops usually have lots of direct sunlight and heat during the HK summer. These are perfect conditions for most tropical plants to thrive and flourish. Don’t worry too much about sunburn, or issues with under- or over-watering; rooftop-suitable plants are generally much easier than indoor plants.
Heliconia
This is a beautiful green leaf plant with orange or yellow flowers. It’s easy to care for, and perfect for a spot with ample sunlight. If you’re looking for adding a colourful touch to your rooftop, this is the plant you can’t miss.
Sago palm
If you want a strong, wind resistant plant, sago palms are a good easy care choice. They require ample sunlight, but they can’t tolerate too much moisture. We can add a treatment to the soil to ensure the plant survives well, even through rainy days.
Note: Sago palm can be toxic to dogs, so choose something else if you’re a pet-owner. Quite a number of popular houseplants aren’t pet-friendly; check with your vet if you have any concerns.
Three maintenance tips
#1 Air, sunlight and Soil
Air and sunlight are external factors that depend on the conditions you provide. Soil is something we can help with. Different plants have different soil requirements, but in general we use good-quality soil with balanced NPK to provide enough nutrients to the plant and support growth. Most importantly, our soil is steamed and therefore less unlikely to carry insect eggs.
#2 Fertilising
Different plants have different fertilising requirements, especially when you want them to flower and bear fruit. We suggest customers check with us before just randomly purchasing a fertilising product. Keep in mind, too, that fertilisers can be overused. This can cause yellow leaves or brown tips, and will potentially burn the roots.
#3 Commitment
Know how committed you are to taking care of your plants. Rooftop or balcony plants will be part of your regular routine. With indoor plants, certain types of “lazy” plants are available, so even people with the busiest schedule can handle them well. We’re currently offering maintenance to offices and personal gardens to help keep plants in good condition. If you’re short on time, contact us.
About Green It Up HK
The company offers everything from small, medium and large green plants, flowering plants and fruit trees, to soil, pots, fertilisers and gardening tools, with delivery all over Hong Kong (excluding outlying islands) and Macau. It also provides landscape design, maintenance and repotting services to both residential, retail and corporate customers. Get in touch for a free plant consultation for getting the right plants for your environment.
Browse these plants and many others at the website; order online by 3pm, and your plants will be delivered at the earliest opportunity the next day. You’ll also get an email from the team about how to handle your particular purchases.
This article first appeared in the Autumn 2021 issue of Expat Living magazine. Subscribe now so you never miss an issue.
