This is a great question and one that we get asked often! A well-designed balcony garden can add another room to your home, not to mention do wonders for well-being. It’s a valuable investment, but there’s more to it than just buying a few pots. And many of the costs are underestimated, especially soil and plants. In this blog post we’ll try and demystify some of these costs for you.
What Is the Average Cost per Square Meter for a Balcony Garden?
To get an initial estimate, one of the simplest ways to determine cost is by considering the average price per square meter of floor space occupied by planters. For the supply of pots, plants, potting mix, labour, and deliveries, the average cost of installing pots and plants is approximately $550 per square metre. If large planters and mature trees are required, costs can quickly rise to around $2,300 per square metre.
Let’s break it down further.
Planters: Costs and Materials
Planters come in various shapes, sizes, and materials. Higher-quality planters provide increased durability, UV resistance, colour-fastness, and a longer lifespan.
Most commonly, we use high-quality, lightweight planters, especially for balconies above the first floor, where weight restrictions must be considered. These planters are typically made from:
- Recycled polyethylene (plastic)
- A blend of polyresin, fiberglass, and powdered stone, creating a durable and weather-resistant material that mimics natural stone without excessive weight.
Cost Estimates for Planters:
With such a wide variety of sizes and styles, its hard for us to give exact costs, however, below are some indications of price range for our most commonly used styles.
- Large round planters: $300 – $1000 each
- Cluster of three planters: $600 – $1,500 per cluster
- Single trough planters: $300 – $900 each
Note: These prices exclude soil, plants, delivery, and installation.
Understanding Plants, Soil Volume, and Water Retention
Choosing the right plants depends on the available soil volume, watering requirements, and the desired function of your garden (privacy, aesthetics, or food production). One of the most common mistakes that we see is planters that are too small for the size of the plant, especially for small shrubs and trees. If you would like your plants to thrive, then allowing them enough soil volume for their growth is key. The other factor that is commonly overlooked is the amount of watering required, especially for small pots.
Here’s a quick breakdown on how planter size impacts watering and plant selection:
Large Planters:
- Higher Soil Volume: Retains water for longer periods, reducing drying out.
- Even Moisture Distribution: Better absorption and reduced evaporation.
- Watering Frequency: Typically every few days, depending on climate and plant type.
- Plant Suitability: Accommodates deep-rooted plants or small trees, ideal for privacy screens.
Small Planters:
- Limited Soil Volume: Dries out quickly.
- Quick Temperature Changes: More susceptible to fluctuations, which impacts watering needs.
- Best for: Herbs (basil, cilantro) or succulents.
- Watering Requirement: Often needs daily watering, especially in hot conditions, and depending on plant choice.
If you would like to read more on selecting the right size planter for your plants, click here to learn more.
Calculating the Cost of Soil and Plants
In addition to the cost of the planter, two frequently overlooked expenses are the amount of soil required and the cost of plants, especially larger ones for instant privacy.
For example, one large planter, like the one in the below image, measuring 122cm (w) x 38cm (d) x 66cm (h) has a soil volume of approximately 300L, requiring about 10 bags of growing media (including pumice, premium soil, and mulch), adding approximately $200 to the cost of the planter!
Plant Cost Estimates:
The cost of plants can also add up fairly quickly. A large planter may hold a large tree and four to five smaller plants. The price of plants also increases with maturity, so if you are after larger grades for an instant wow factor this can significantly increase costs. If you are happy to wait for plants to grow in, then you can save costs by purchasing young plants and smaller grades.
Below is an approximate indication of plant costs:
- Small grade shrubs/trees: $20 – $80
- Medium grade shrubs/trees: $80 – $150
- Large grade shrubs/trees: $150 – $300
Putting It All Together
Here are two examples of estimated costs for a complete single pot setup, excluding delivery and installation.
Example 1 (nb costs are approximate)
- 1 medium trough pot = $680
- Growing media to fill = $200
- 2 x medium grade shrubs/trees = $200
- 3 – 4 filler/spiller plants = $60 – $80
- Total approximately $1,140 for a complete planter, not including delivery or installation.
Example 2 (nb costs are approximate)
- 1 large round pot = $460
- Growing media to fill = $120
- 1 medium tree = $150 +
- 4 – 5 filler/spiller plants = $80 +
- Total approximately $810 for a complete planter, not including delivery or installation.
Installation and Logistics Costs
The final cost consideration is delivery and installation. Once materials are packed into a van, along with all of our necessary tools, they need to be transported, unloaded, and installed.
Oftentimes, if there are multiple planters to be installed which can involve lifting and carrying up to 60 bags of soil! Our team is strong! Additionally for multi-level apartments, this may involve transporting the materials up stairs or via elevators and corridors. If we are walking through apartments then we’ll need to lay protection on the floors to ensure that we don’t dirty or damage them. And of course, once we are finished, we’ll need to allow time to clean everything up.
While each project is different, here is an approximation of installation costs that you might expect depending on the size and complexity.
Typical Installation Costs:
- Basic installation (small balcony, a few planters): from $400-600
- Mid-range installation (larger balcony, privacy trees, irrigation setup): $700-1200
- Premium installation (fully landscaped, automated watering, large planters, mature trees): $1300-$2000+
Conclusion: What’s the Total Cost?
To summarise, a simple balcony garden with small planters, basic soil, and plants can start from $1,500 – $5000. For a more elaborate setup with premium plants, large planters, and automated systems, costs can reach $8000-$15,000+.
Ultimately, your budget will depend on your vision, balcony size, and desired features. Whether you go all out on a lush retreat or keep it budget-friendly, the rewards— be it fresh herbs, colourful blooms, lush greens and a peaceful space—are always worth the investment!
Our designers specialise in urban gardens, terraced housing, balconies, and decks. If you are considering transforming your outdoor space, don’t hesitate to get in touch for a no-obligation consultation.
Disclaimer: prices noted in this blog post are an approximation and are accurate at the time this blog was written. Please contact us directly if you would like to discuss a project or would like a detailed quotation.