Six compact, free-flowering plants that are perfect for the windowsill

In urban life, choosing some compact, free-flowering plants to decorate the windowsill not only fills your home with life, but also brings a touch of calm and beauty amid a busy day. Here are six compact, free-flowering plants that are well suited to growing on a windowsill.

Geranium: Geranium, also known as zonal geranium, gets its name because its flowers resemble a hydrangea ball. It comes in a great many varieties and a rich range of flower colors, from pure white to fiery red, there is something for everyone. Geranium has a long flowering period and is easy to care for; it will keep blooming without any special skills. Place it on the windowsill, and when it blooms, the whole windowsill seems to be surrounded by a little garden, with a charm all its own.

Garden balsam: Garden balsam is one of the few flowers that can grow in a shaded environment. Although it also needs some scattered light to bloom, compared with other flowers its light requirements are not considered high. Garden balsam flowers are small and delicate, with bright colors; planted in moist, well-drained soil, they will add a distinctive touch of scenery to your windowsill.

Carnation: Carnation is a small flower that is especially suited to winter cultivation. It has strong cold tolerance and can keep blooming in environments above 5°C. Carnations come in a very rich range of types and flower colors; whether pink, red or purple, they can add a touch of warmth and romance to your windowsill. What is more, carnations are relatively easy to care for, requiring only regular watering.

Zinnia: Zinnia is an extremely easy flower to cultivate; even growing it from seed is very simple. Its flowers look somewhat like miniature dahlias, with rich colors, and can attract butterflies and other insects to come for nectar. Zinnia has a long flowering period, and the scene when it is in full bloom is stunning. To make the zinnia flowering period longer, be sure to water it often and give it plenty of sun.

Petunia: Petunia may be one of the most popular flowers for a balcony garden. It grows very fast, with a large flower count, and blooms one flush after another, never stopping all summer long. Petunia has beautiful flower shapes and rich colors, and can easily bloom into a cascading waterfall. It is especially suited to growing in hanging baskets or wall-mounted pots, where its "waterfall"-like flower count will be shown off to the fullest.

Lobelia: Lobelia is a flower that very easily fills its pot. Although its flowers are small, they readily cluster together to form pretty little flower balls. Lobelia also has a fairly long flowering period; as long as the summer is not especially hot, it can bloom from spring all the way into late autumn. What is more, lobelia is relatively easy to care for, and you can get a pretty little flower ball without much fuss. Blue lobelia is especially appealing; it can be grown on its own in a flowerpot, or paired with some slightly taller plants to make the whole pot look fuller.

These six compact, free-flowering plants can not only add a touch of life to your windowsill but also bring you a bit of calm and contentment amid a busy day. Why not choose a few pots to grow, and turn your windowsill into a little garden full of greenery too!