Bee-friendly balcony plants for bee rescuers

Even with little space you can create a small bee paradise. Here you will find 15 bee-friendly balcony plants that are perfect for this.

Bees are an important part of our ecosystem - the little helpers not only produce the delicious honey, but are particularly important as pollinators for plants. Unfortunately, the bee population continues to decline, because particularly large monocultures and the declining number of suitable food plants make life difficult for the animals. If you want to give the bees a little help, you can do so quickly and easily (and even without a large garden): All you have to do is choose the right one Balcony plants can do the Beneficial insects help a lot. In this article we will tell you which balcony plants are considered friendly to bees and which are better to keep your hands off of.

Anyone who grows flowering plants on their windowsill or balcony has already taken the first step towards helping bees. Unfortunately, not all plants are suitable as Bee pasture: Particularly double flowers, like those of the dahlia (Dahlia) or geranium (Pelargonium), cause problems for the animals because their dense petals block the way to pollen and nectar. But also simple plants like Forsythia (Forsythia × intermedia) or Petunias (Petunia) are not suitable due to their lack of food. Instead, it is better to use the following plants, because they are considered to be particularly bee-friendly.

15. Daisies

Daisies (Leucanthemum) are well known to most people. No wonder, after all, 42 different species, all of which are native to Europe, belong to the plant genus. But the daisy is not only popular as a wildflower: The plant is also wonderfully suitable as a balcony flower, because it is considered particularly robust and very easy to care for. With their long stems and large, white single flowers with a yellow center, the pretty balcony plants are also very attractive. Bees can also benefit from Mageriten: Thanks to its simple bloom, the flower is a good pasture for bees that provides enough food for the hard-working helpers.

14. Vanilla flower

the Vanilla flower (Heliotropium arborescens) has been convincing young and old with one argument for years: Because the fragrant plant spreads its seductive scent of the eponymous vanilla in the garden or on the balcony. But not only people are seduced by the lovely aroma of the plant - bees love too the vanilla flower and find a good one in their numerous dark purple inflorescences Food source.

13. lavender

The is a true classic among balcony plants lavender (Lavandula angustifolia). The plant is special because of her intense fragrance, but also known for their great purple color. Balcony gardeners are also happy about the robust nature of the Mediterranean plant. But lavender can do even more: than Medicinal plant he helps against unrest, his Flowers are edible and he even drives away mosquitoes. But while pests seek the distance from its scent, beneficial insects are downright attracted by lavender, because it is an excellent bee pasture.

Tip: Our Plantura bee pasture is also ideal for your balcony. The premium seed mix contains various types of herbs and flowers so that bees can find food for months.

12. Purslane florets

The purslane (Portulaca umbraticola) has so many advantages that one cannot even decide which property of the plant is actually the best. First of all, the colorful sun worshiper impresses with its delicate flowers that shine with intensely bright colors. In addition, the purslane turns out to be a true permanent bloomer, so it blooms continuously from June to September. Bees and other beneficial insects are also enthusiastic about the plant because it offers them a good source of food for a long time. But the purslane also impresses with its easy-care nature - in the right location, the succulent plant hardly needs to be watered and otherwise does not need a lot of attention.

11. Catnip

Not only house tigers love them Catnip (Nepeta) - Bees are also magically attracted to the plant. But while cats seem to be intoxicated with the plant and loll on it or play with it, the plant is a valuable source of food for bees. The nectar value of the plant in particular is estimated to be very high, so it has a rich food supply. But its long flowering period from May to early September also makes the plant a valuable source of food for bees. But not only cat and bee lovers are enthusiastic about the plant on their balcony: With its blue-violet or white flowers, the plant is a real beauty and even exudes a heavenly, lemon-like appearance Odor.

10. Loyal to men

It is one of the most popular garden and balcony plants: Der Männertreu (Lobelia erinus), also called lobelia, is a real feast for the eyes with its intensely shining flowers. The bright blue flowers with the white eye make for a true flowering dream that lasts from April to September. The decorative, very robust and uncomplicated summer bloomer not only impresses with its appearance, but also with its bee-friendly nature. So offers the flower Beneficial insects how Bees and various Butterfly species a great source of food and even turns out to be a real magnet for insects.

9. Italian clematis

Anyone who has always played with thoughts, one Climbing plant The Italian should think about offering a place on the balcony Clematis (Clematis viticella) take a closer look. Many Varieties of Clematis are perfect for growing in pots as they don't get too tall. So that the plant can develop its full size, it is advisable to set up a climbing frame. You should also make sure that the root area of ​​the plant is in the shade. As a reward for the effort, you get a breathtaking climbing plant that doesn't skimp on flowers and creates envious looks. Bees in particular love the flowers of the Italian clematis, because they bloom well into September and thus offer a safe source of food for late summer.

8. Flour sage

With its upright growing flower candles and the impressive purple-blue color, the flour sage (Salvia farinacea) a real asset to the balcony. Especially the interesting patterned flowers are a real feast for the eyes and make the undemanding one Summer bloomers are a successful choice for an easy-care, yet appealing one Balcony design. Bees, bumblebees and co. Also love the flour sage: The plant not only provides a very good food supply for the little ones Animals, but is also an important pasture for bees in the otherwise very barren area due to its long flowering until the first frost Late summer.

7. Convertible rose

At the Convertible rose (Lantana camara) The name says it all: in fact, thanks to its fascinating play of colors, the plant turns out to be a real quick-change artist, because its flowers change their color from opening to fading. So it is not surprising that the convertible rose with its lush flowers is now one of the most popular balcony plants. But the plants not only attract glances, but also insects. Especially wild bees and Bumblebees, but also numerous other beneficial insects love the beautiful flower, which provides plenty of food from May to October.

Tip: So that your plants bloom beautifully and thus provide the bees with plenty of food, you should provide them with nutrients. With a high quality soil like our peat-free Plantura organic potting soil, you can ensure optimal conditions while planting.

6. Fan flower

Hanging plants are currently experiencing a renaissance - after the hanging basket was considered narrow-minded for years, more and more gardeners are falling in love with the floating plants. If you want to buy a hanging plant not only for the eye, but also for bees, the fan flower (Scaevola aemula): This forms shoots up to one meter long that bear countless blue-violet flowers from May to October. These flower cascades are not only a great decoration for every balcony, but also attract numerous insects such as bees, which find an inexhaustible source of food here. But even gardeners quickly fall in love with the fan flower: Despite its opulent abundance of flowers and its elegant shape, the plant is surprisingly easy to care for.

5. Smooth-leaf aster

With a flowering period from the beginning of September to the beginning of November, the smooth-leaf aster (Aster novi-belgii) definitely to the Autumn flowers. With its beautiful purple flowers, which rarely appear bluish, pink or white, the smooth-leaf aster sets great accents in autumn and gives every balcony that certain something. But the autumn bloomer is not only a real asset in terms of appearance - bees in particular benefit from the attractive plant. Since hardly any plants bloom in September and November, the smooth-leaf aster is an important source of food for them before the approaching winter. Since the aster also provides quite a generous amount of nectar and pollen, it is very welcome at a time when food is slowly becoming scarce.

4. Magic snow

Where does the magic snow come from (Euphorbia hypericifolia ‘Diamond Frost’) has its unusual name, is visible at first glance: The filigree flowers of the impressive plant look like freshly fallen snowflakes. But the name bee's gypsophila, by which the plant is also known, is very appropriate, because as soon as the first flowers are visible, the beneficial insects almost besieged the plant. Particularly noteworthy is the long flowering time of the plant - from May to the first frost, the magic snow flowers almost indispensable and thus provides bees with a long-term source of food. But balcony gardeners also appreciate the beautiful plant in other ways, because it is particularly easy to care for and robust.

3. Rock stone herb

Already in April the rock stone herb (Aurinia saxatilis) every hint of springtime tiredness - with its bright yellow flowers that form a sweeping carpet, the plant ensures a good mood early in the year. Bees and other beneficial insects are particularly delighted with the splendor of the blossoms: after a stressful winter, they are one of them Spring bloomer welcome. In addition, the rock stone herb is one of the few plants that already bloom very profusely at this time of the year. The plant is particularly interesting for gardeners because of its robust character. Not only can it be grown on the balcony without any problems, it is also frost-resistant down to -20 ° C and very easy to care for.

2. Snow heather

While many balconies are in full bloom in summer, most of them look bare in winter. But it doesn't have to be: The Snow heather (Erica carnea) will ensure an appealing balcony design from December. Its bell-shaped flowers, which shine in elegant white, delicate pink or bright pink, provide impressive accents in the wintery balcony vegetation. Beneficial animals such as bees are particularly happy about the enchanting splashes of color on the balcony: Since the snow heather up to Blooms into April, it is a popular place to go for the first food intake after hibernation: Because at the hardy balcony plant Beneficial animals will surely find food to replenish their reserves.

1. Culinary herbs

What would a delicious dish be without Herbs from your own cultivation? Kitchen herbs are probably among the most popular balcony plants, because they can be grown without much effort and are also extremely practical and delicious. But not only people enjoy the aromatic plants - bees can also benefit from them. For this, however, the herbs have to bloom, so you should be careful not to harvest the entire plant beforehand. Mediterranean plants such as thyme (Thymus), oregano (Origanum vulgare) and rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), but also mint (Mentha), dill (Anethum graveolens) or savory (Satureja) are very much accepted.

You haven't found the right plant for you yet? Then visit our articles on the 10 most bee-friendly plants or the 15 best bee-friendly flowers.