Guide · Home care
Houseplants and Balcony Gardens
A friendly, practical guide to growing plants indoors and on balconies, from protecting floors and neighbors below to keeping pets and children safe.
Where to start
- Did a pet or child eat a plant?
Take a breath. See what to do. Poison Help is 1 800 222 1222.
- Protecting floors and sills?
Tick through the houseplants checklist.
- Growing on a balcony?
The short version
Plants bring life and calm into any home, and a few thoughtful habits keep floors dry, neighbors happy and pets safe.
Use a saucer and a riser under every pot, water only when the soil is dry, and check under pots for damp spots.
On balconies, use lightweight pots, catch drips with trays, and secure plants against wind.
Some plants are toxic to pets and children. Check the ASPCA list, and call Poison Help or your vet if someone eats a plant.
Balcony and planter rules differ from place to place, so we’d gently encourage a quick look at the rules where your home is. If you ever have questions, we would love to help.
Four simple rules
- 1Every pot gets a saucer
Use saucers or trays under every pot, and lift them slightly so air can reach the floor.
- 2Water wisely
Most plants prefer soil that dries a bit between waterings. Overwatering hurts plants and floors.
- 3Think of the neighbors below
On balconies, water gently and catch drips so water doesn’t fall on anyone else.
- 4Know your plants
Some common plants are toxic to pets or children. Check before you bring a new one home.
Houseplants checklist
From the guide’s own checklist. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Your plants, your floors and your neighbors below can all relax.
If a pet or child eats a plant
- Take a breath, and gently remove any plant pieces from the mouth.
- For a person, call Poison Help at 1 800 222 1222. Call 911 right away if they have trouble breathing, have a seizure or won’t wake up.
- For a pet, call your veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at 888 426 4435. A fee may apply.
- Have the plant name or a photo of the plant ready to share.
- Please don’t try to make a child or pet vomit unless a medical or veterinary professional tells you to.
- Once everyone is safe, move the plant out of reach or out of the home. You did exactly the right thing.
Snap a photo of every plant you bring home, so you can name it in seconds if a pet or child ever takes a bite.
Balcony garden basics
- Use lightweight pots and soil, spread the weight out, and keep heavier planters near the wall rather than the outer edge. Check your lease or building rules for any weight limits.
- Use trays to catch water, and water early or late in the day when no one is likely to be below.
- Secure plants and lightweight pots so wind can’t blow them over the railing.
- Keep balcony drains clear so watering and rain run off the way they should.
Tiny flies around houseplants, often called fungus gnats, usually mean the soil stays too wet. Letting the top of the soil dry out between waterings often solves it.
A few things to avoid
- Please don’t set pots directly on wood floors, carpet or windowsills without a saucer.
- Please don’t let water drip off balconies onto neighbors, walkways or the homes below.
- Please don’t hang heavy plants from ceilings or railings without asking first and using hardware rated for the weight. Hanging planters get very heavy once watered.
- Please don’t place plants or pots where they block balcony doors, walkways or exits.
Welcoming plants and gardens
From the guide’s list for owners. Tick each one as you go. Your ticks stay on this device. These are examples; your home may need others.
All done. Plants and gardens are welcome, with simple guidelines everyone knows.
When a plant concern is shared
- Respond warmly to plant and garden requests, and suggest safe ways to hang or place planters.
- Handle drips onto neighbors below with kindness and a simple fix, like trays or watering times.
- Look at soft floors, stained sills or damp walls promptly to stop damage early.
- Check balcony drains and structure if heavy planters or standing water are a concern, using a qualified professional for anything structural.
- Write down what was reported, what was done and when, and follow up to make sure all is well.
For more, see ASPCA: Toxic and Non Toxic Plants and HRSA: Poison Help.
Guides that go well with this one
Like it on paper?
The printable checklist for this guide is fillable, with a screen version and an ink saver print version. Keep it on your phone or pin it to the fridge.
How much do you remember?
4 quick questions from this guide, with a one line why for each. Totally optional, no sign in, and your answers are never saved.
Go deeper with The Perfect Seasonal Home Care Checklist Workbook
Simple, step by step checklists you can write in, one topic at a time, to help any home stay warm, safe and dry through every season.
Keep the full guide handy
The PDF has everything: everyday habits, what to do when something goes wrong, common myths, helpful resources and plenty of real-world tips. Print it, save it or share it with anyone who could use it.
Download the PDFTake it with you
- Bunklow Home Guide 092: Potted Planter Drainage Elevators, Feet, and Saucer Protection on DecksA printable guide to potted planter drainage elevators, feet, and saucer protection on decks, in plain steps.See it in the shop
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More guides
This guide shares general information to help you, and is not legal, medical or veterinary advice. For poisoning concerns, please call Poison Help or your veterinarian. Bunklow does not inspect properties or make repairs.