Balcony gardening dates back to Ancient Rome, where affluent citizens adorned their villas with hanging and potted plants on upper floors.

The trend re-emerged during the Industrial Revolution as cities grew more congested, prompting residents to reclaim small outdoor spaces for personal greenery.

Plants release water vapor from stomata in their leaves, and this natural cooling moderates urban heat island effects, especially in densely built areas.

If plants lack water during extreme heatwaves, their canopy temperatures can rise above ambient air temperatures due to transpiration inefficiency.

Is there a perfect fruit?

It might be the dragon fruit, a Central American native that tastes like a cross between a kiwi and a pear or melon.

White-fleshed varieties are milder and refreshing. Red and purple-fleshed varieties are sweeter and sometimes have hints of berry or grape.