The Only Plant You Need to Make Your Balcony Smell Incredible – Trust Me, It Will Transform Even the Smallest Outdoor Space with its Fresh, Herbal Scent

If, like me, you're dreaming of a sprawling garden but currently have only a narrow balcony to your name, I can sympathize. But no matter how small your outdoor space might be, you can absolute transform it into a gorgeous oasis this spring.

The secret? Plants that make your balcony smell nice. Scent is a powerful tool, and it can instantly elevate even the tiniest corner of your home. I've experimented with plenty of blooms over the years, but I'm convinced that there's only one plant you really need to make your balcony smell amazing: bee balm.

With a fresh, citrusy scent and vibrant flowers, bee balm (or monarda) is a show-stopping addition to any garden – and it's particularly effective in a balcony garden. (I love early-blooming varieties like balmy lilac monarda, which you can find at Burpee.) You don't need much to make an impact, and it will have you desperate to spend the entire spring and summer lounging outside.

Why Bee Balm is an Ideal Choice for a Balcony

The best gardens might look picture-perfect, but I'd argue that fragrance is just as important. It's what captures your attention: it makes you pause, linger and unwind, and in a small space like a balcony, it can be transformative.

'I began growing bee balm only a couple of years ago, and I cannot believe it took me to long to become converted,' says Rachel Bull, Head of Gardens at Homes & Gardens. 'I initially loved Monarda it for its vibrant color, and of course because it is a bee magnet. What I didn't realise was how beautifully scented it is.'

While limited square footage will inevitably limit the amount of plants you choose, it also means that you don't need many to create an oasis.

To me, this is what makes bee balm a particularly brilliant choice for a balcony: it's striking and strongly scented, so even a small container will go a long way.

Bee balm is also a smart choice since – as you might have guessed from the name – it happens to be one of the best plants for pollinators.

So, not only will it fill your balcony with its heady fragrance, but it will also create a buzzing insect haven as the spring gets underway. (Varieties like wild bergamot, or monarda fistulosa, are particularly ideal for wildlife; you can also find them at Burpee.)

How Best to Grow Bee Balm on a Balcony

If you're wondering how to grow bee balm in a small space like a balcony, it couldn't be simpler.

You can either grow it from seed or nurture young plants, and you can find dwarf varieties which are perfect for smaller pots. My favorite is 'petite delight' bee balm, which you can pick up from Garden Goods Direct.

Spring is an ideal time to plant bee balm: the combination of March rain showers and slowly rising temperatures will help it to thrive, and the glorious purple flowers will bloom in early summer and then again in the fall.

To plant bee balm on your balcony, choose a container with adequate drainage and plenty of space for the roots to spread. (I love using Wayfair's ceramic scalloped planters.)

'The flowers have an aromatic herbal scent, and when you brush against the foliage it releases even a lemon-mint, herbal citrus fragrance,' says Rachel.

'It's just the most wonderful plant to have in a pot by your balcony doors, so you can deliberately brush up against it whenever you move between your spaces.'

How to Take Care of Bee Balm on a Balcony

I might be looking wistfully out at my own balcony and wishing it were a wildflower meadow in the countryside, but there are plenty of benefits to smaller gardens.

Perhaps most importantly, they require minimal maintenance – and plants like bee balm will help create a gloriously, richly-fragranced garden without the fuss.

Bee balm grows quickly, and you'll want to divide the plants every few years to keep them healthy.

They thrive in full sun, but they can still grow in partial shade if your balcony doesn't receive as much light. And since bee balm is impressively hardy, you won't need to worry too much about maintenance in the colder months.

When it comes to watering bee balm, prioritize deep watering after planting, and ensure that soil can drain well while remaining lightly moist. A soil moisture meter, like this one from Walmart, will help you monitor conditions and adjust accordingly.

To ensure vibrant, healthy blooms, it's best to feed bee balm in early summer, as the growing season begins.

(An all-purpose fertilizer like Miracle Grow Shake 'n Feed will do the trick, and you can find it on Amazon.) You can also cut back bee balm during this time to encourage better growth, before deadheading the flowers once summer gets fully underway.

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Looking for even more pollinator-friendly plant ideas to try out in your small garden? We asked experts exactly how to create a wildlife garden on a balcony.

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