Light by direction (northern hemisphere)
| Balcony faces | Direct sun | Character |
|---|---|---|
| South | Late morning to afternoon | Deep into the room in winter, only near the railing in summer |
| East | Morning | Gentle light, shade in the afternoon |
| West | Afternoon to sunset | Strong heat on summer afternoons |
| North | Almost none (a little early and late in summer) | Bright shade |
Sun height by season
The sun’s height at midday changes a lot through the year, and so does how far it reaches into a south-facing space.
| Time of year | Noon sun height, New York | Noon sun height, London | On a south balcony |
|---|---|---|---|
| June solstice | about 73° | about 62° | Almost overhead; the balcony above blocks it from going deep |
| Equinoxes | about 49° | about 38° | A metre or so inside the window |
| December solstice | about 26° | about 15° | Low and deep, well into the room |
That is why a pot at the back of a south balcony can starve in summer, and why a windowsill plant in winter gets both sun and cold glass. Moving pots with the seasons makes sense.
Matching plants
| Direction | Suits | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| South | Herbs, succulents, tomatoes and peppers | Midday heat in summer, cold glass in winter |
| East | Salad leaves and most houseplants | Fruiting crops may not get enough light |
| West | Heat-tolerant plants | Leaf scorch on summer afternoons; use shade cloth |
| North | Shade-tolerant foliage plants | Flowering and fruiting plants need a grow light |
Light needs vary by variety, so check the label as well. This guide is about getting the direction right first.
Measuring your balcony
Point the Android app "Compass Camera" straight out of the balcony window to get the direction as a number.
Point straight out
Stand square to the window, hold the phone upright and read the number at the bottom. Railings and frames are metal, so step back a little. The reading is magnetic; add your local declination for the map direction.
See when the sun is in front
The Sun and Moon card (one ad to unlock) shows the sun’s current bearing and height and today’s sunrise and sunset bearings. Compare them with your balcony direction to estimate when the sun leaves the front of the window.
FAQ
Is south-east closer to south or east?
It gets sun from morning to early afternoon: longer than east and less afternoon heat than south. Most plants sold as "full sun" do fine.
How do I know if the building opposite blocks the sun?
The sun is lowest in December, so check whether direct sun reaches the balcony around midday then. If the top of the building opposite appears higher than the noon sun angle, it blocks it.
Compass Camera
No sign-up, no location permission, and your photos stay on your phone. Free on Android.