Indoor Temperature Reduction: What could be better than having your balcony garden help lower the temperature naturally? Let us tell you about it.

Can a balcony garden reduce heat in the house?

Can Balcony Plants Reduce Indoor Heat? Keeping your home cool during the summer can be a major challenge. Air conditioners and coolers provide relief, but they also increase electricity costs. In such a situation, if your balcony garden helps reduce indoor temperatures naturally, what could be better? Interestingly, scientific research confirms that the right plants not only create a greener environment but can also reduce indoor heat.

How do plants reduce indoor heat?

Plants reduce the temperature of their surroundings through a process called evapotranspiration. In this process, plants release moisture from their leaves, and when this moisture evaporates, it absorbs heat from the surrounding air. This is why the environment around the plants feels cooler. A study published in Energy & Buildings found that a combination of potted plants and green walls on balconies can reduce indoor temperatures by up to 2.5 degrees Celsius, while balcony surface temperatures can decrease by up to 5.5 degrees Celsius.

Creating small green spaces can also make a big difference

Deepti Agarwal, garden designer and founder of People, says that India's heat is becoming more intense every year. People often blame climate factors like El Niño, but the increasing urban heat island effect in urban areas is also a major factor. Decreasing greenery and increasing concrete in cities is leading to rising temperatures. Creating even small green spaces in homes can make a big difference.

Another study conducted in Greater Noida , India, found that terrace gardens can reduce summer temperatures by 5 to 7 degrees Celsius. According to Deepti Agarwal, it's important to choose plants that provide dense greenery and a large amount of foliage to cool the environment. She says that popular exotic plants like bougainvillea can tolerate heat, but their leaves are smaller and less effective at cooling the environment.

Which plants can you choose?

A natural green wall can be created by installing a trellis on a balcony or terrace. Fast-growing climbing plants like Thunbergia grandiflora, Madhumalati, Aparajita, and Jasmine are good choices. Layered planting techniques are also useful, where plants of different heights are planted together so that their shadows fall on each other and direct sunlight is not exposed. Plants like Ixora, Son Champa, Nag Champa, Parijat, Hibiscus, and Kaner can be planted on sunny balconies. Edible plants like lemon and curry leaves are also good choices due to their dense foliage. These plants not only help keep the home cool but also promote biodiversity and create a more comfortable environment.