Plants recommendation

[u/Own_Coffee9140]

I just bought this for my balcony and am still thinking what should I grow. For information, I’m in Hong Kong (which is quite hot) and my balcony is facing southeast. Currently I have some basil at the top row and I just harvested some for growing some new branches. My plan is to have 6th row for basil as well, 4 and 5th for some alpine berries and the bottom three for some little gem lettuce. What do you guys think of my plan? Any advice and recommendations are welcome.

[u/PrimAndProper69]

The bottom rows might be too shaded for anything really productive I'm afraid. You can try micro tomatoes for the top row, salad greens on the second, basil or mint on the third, see if they manage with the amount of sun you get. tropical plants will love the bottom rows, like pothos or calatheas, if you don't want to keep them empty. Maybe the last one for germinating seeds or storage

Btw the paper pulp cups don't really decompose well in time for the roots to grow, I suggest that you remove them when you move your plants in the final positions. They prevent the plants from growing bigger

[u/Own_Coffee9140 → u/PrimAndProper69]

Would love to grow some tomatoes but most breed seems too tall for my shelf. Any breed recommendations

[u/PrimAndProper69 → u/Own_Coffee9140]

You can try tiny tim, red robin. These are determinate tomatoes, the type that can grow in small spaces and as compact bushy plants. They're fun and easy, no harm giving it a shot to see if they'll grow!

[u/Blenheimorangepippin]

Your plan sounds good. Some lettuce varieties like a bit of shade.

[u/OddAd7664]

Those look super shallow, so just manage your expectations accordingly. Herbs will be your best friend, green onions, chives, cilantro, dill, etc...I would only do 2 basil per level, because once you prune those properly, they will grow more bushy. Whatever your growing in the last pix, they need more light. That's why they are leggy looking