Need ideas for plants capable of surviving in low light

[mustachepungoeshere]

Afternoon all.

Last year I bought two hanging planters to green up our balcony. I explained to staff at the garden centre that we needed plants capable of surviving extremely low light.

To my eternal frustration, our balcony gets no direct sunlight due to its position/large trees/being adjacent to another apartment building.

The first lot of plants died, so the hanging baskets have been languishing ever since, but I paid for them and would love to use them again.

I can water daily most of the time (there might be a weekend here or there where I'd have to skip a day). We're in Sydney, so the winter temps are usually 5-18 degrees, then 18-30+ in summer. The balcony is covered but I would have the planters on the railing.

Any ideas? I'm open to flowers, succulents, herbs, whatever people think will live.

[deborah]

Ferns - Fishbone ferns are difficult to kill, and thrive in the shade. Burke's backyard has a succulent ball. Those succulents that can trail down would be good - all the ones mentioned here http://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/cacti-succulents/scgen/hanging-succulent-plants.htm are good indoor plants (so could thrive where you are).

Try for indoor plants.

[choppingwood]

Impatiens are my favourite shade plants. There is a double flowered variety that looks like little roses. They flower all season and they keep themselves fairly tidy -- the flowers fall off and dry up and need very little maintenance. They can be planted close together in containers.

[Bob W]

+1 impatiens.

[bacchi]

Cast iron plant. Tolerates -5C and low light.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspidistra_elatior

[Goldielocks]

Snake plant ( mother in law tongue). 

Inpatients, begonias. For annuals.