Balcony-smart plans 
Indoor harvest workflows 
Space-first product picks Balcony sunlight map
Measure light the simple way so you can pick plants that thrive in your exact balcony conditions.
Who this is for
Balcony gardeners with partial sun, tall building shade, or windy corners.
What you need
- Phone camera and notes app
- One clear day
- 30 seconds every 2 hours
Output
A quick light map you can reuse every season to place plants with confidence.
Decision first
Map repeatable light, not the brightest photo
A single sunny moment can overstate what a balcony supports. Log a clear day by zone, separate direct sun from bright reflected light, and note wind or hot-surface stress at the same time. Repeat the map when the season or neighboring shade changes enough to move the sun line.
Open the sunlight plannerPhoto-log worksheet
| Zone | Record | Also notice | Likely use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rail edge | Direct sun start and stop | Wind bursts and reflected glare | Herbs, strawberries, sun crops if stable |
| Floor zone | Shade from railing or wall | Heat radiating from surface | Deep containers and wind-buffered crops |
| Wall or window zone | Reflected rather than direct light | Door swing and watering reach | Greens, shade-tolerant herbs, or light-assisted setup |
Step-by-step
1. Mark your zones
Split the balcony into 3 zones: rail, floor, and wall.
2. Photograph light
Take one photo every 2 hours from 8am to 6pm.
3. Count hours
Count the hours each zone gets direct sun.
4. Match plants
Place sun lovers in 6+ hour zones, leafy greens in 4-6 hours.
Interpret the map before placing crops
Count usable direct-sun windows first, then treat reflected light as a modifier. A wall zone that stays bright but never receives direct sun can still support slower greens or mint, but it should not be planned like the rail edge where fruiting crops receive true exposure. Put containers where the plant fit and the watering reach both work.
Light-to-plant matchups
0-3 hours
Mint, parsley, leafy greens, and most shade-tolerant herbs.
4-6 hours
Peppers, cherry tomatoes, kale, and bush beans.
6+ hours
Tomatoes, basil, strawberries, and flowering plants.
Common mistakes
- Measuring only one day during a cloudy week
- Ignoring reflections off nearby windows
- Forgetting that summer sun is higher than winter sun
FAQs
How often should I redo the map?
Once per season is enough. Light shifts between winter and summer.
What if my balcony gets only reflected light?
Use shade-tolerant herbs and greens, or add a small grow light.
What about wind?
Group taller plants behind a railing and use heavier pots for stability.